Best Hats to Keep Your Head Cool in the Sun

A brim that reaches around the hat helps shade your face, ears, and neck, which is especially useful when you’ll be outside for more than a quick walk. Look for a breathable fabric that feels comfortable against your skin, and avoid a heavy or tightly lined hat if heat tends to build up underneath it.

Our Breathable Bear Patch Bucket Hat for Summer Sun Protection is a bucket-hat option to consider for a child; for you or your child, the best choice still depends on getting a comfortable fit and enough shade for the day’s plans.

A broad-brimmed sun hat is a strong everyday choice for a park visit, beach day, or other outing where you’ll spend time in direct sunlight. A bucket hat can be convenient for active outings, while a baseball cap shades the front of your face but leaves your ears and neck more exposed.

If the day is windy, a hat that stays put without squeezing your head will be more useful than one you have to keep adjusting. Our team also recommends considering where the sun will hit you: a short brim may feel cooler at first, but it provides less shade when sunlight comes from the side.

Your hat should sit securely without leaving a tight mark, and its brim should shade you without dropping so low that it blocks your vision. For a child, choose a size that fits now rather than one to grow into, since a loose hat can slip over the eyes or blow off.

Try the hat on before a long outing and move your head normally to see whether it stays comfortable and in place. If it feels damp or overly warm after a few minutes, a lighter, more breathable option may be a better match.

Let a sweaty hat dry between wears, and follow its care instructions when it needs cleaning so it remains pleasant to wear. Remember that even a good sun hat cannot shade every angle, so pair it with other sun-protection measures when you’ll be outdoors for an extended period.