TripSavvy Trip Planning The 9 Best Beach Hats of 2023 By Kaitlyn McInnis Kaitlyn McInnis Facebook Instagram Twitter Kaitlyn McInnis is a freelance travel and lifestyle writer with bylines in Travel + Leisure, Tatler Asia, Robb Report Singapore, MAXIM, and other websites and publications. Born and raised in Canada, she has been writing Canadian travel guides for TripSavvy for the past two years. TripSavvy's editorial guidelines Updated on 08/04/22 Share Pin Email We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products—learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. A beach bag, beach read, beach towel, cooler full of refreshments… there's a lot to account for when packing for a day at the beach. And while that cooler full of brews is essential, a great sun hat is arguably even more critical if you want to ensure a comfortable (and safe!) afternoon in the sun. Think about it like this: a decent beach hat will not only come as a stylish accessory but also ensure the sun stays out of your eyes and off your face's skin. That, combined with a good sunscreen, can provide good protection from harmful rays. While most hats are made of cotton or polyester, one that offers UPF 50+ is the gold standard. Whether you're looking for a stylish beach hat to compliment your new swimwear or want something that'll last through all your rugged outdoor adventures, we've rounded up some of the best beach hats available—for all types of travelers and beach bums. From packable sun hats to sporty visors, there's a good chance you'll find your new favorite beach hat on the list below. The Rundown Best Overall: Baggu Packable Sun Hat at Baggu.com Jump to Review Best Budget: Columbia Tillie Creek Omni-Shade 50 UPF Booney Hat at Amazon Jump to Review Best Straw Hat: FURTALK Wide Brim Straw Hat at Amazon Jump to Review Best Bucket Hat: Hat Attack Washed Cotton Crusher at Amazon Jump to Review Best Fedora: Wallaroo Hat Company Fedora at Amazon Jump to Review Best Visor: Nike Unisex Core Visor at Amazon Jump to Review Best Baseball Cap: ELLEWIN Unisex Baseball Cap at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Kids: Sunday Afternoons Kids Ultra Adventure Hat at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Babies and Toddlers: Brook + Bay Store Sun Hat for Babies at Amazon Jump to Review Table of contents Expand Our Picks What to Look For Why Trust TripSavvy Best Overall Baggu Packable Sun Hat 4.9 Baggu View On Baggu.com What We Like Machine washable Minimal, genderless design Made from organic cotton Includes a circular travel pouch for easy transport What We Don't Like No mention of UV protection It wrinkles sightly when packed away The absolute best beach hat for you will depend on your personal style and specific requirements, but when it comes to the best universal beach hat, the Baggu Packable Sun Hat takes the cake. This budget-friendly and sustainable beach hat is crafted from 100 percent organic cotton and can be easily packed down to fit inside a backpack or beach bag. It’s available in a whole spectrum of neutral colors and patterns, and the minimal, genderless design comes complete with a wide brim that’ll keep the sun out of your eyes even at its peak. Note that although Baggu does not explicitly mention anything about UV protection, the Skin Cancer Foundation mentions that unbleached cotton contains built-in lignins that act as UV absorbers. Price at time of publish: $36 Material: 100% organic cotton | Sun Protection: N/A | Sizes: OS Best Budget Columbia Tillie Creek Omni-Shade 50 UPF Booney Hat Amazon View On Amazon View On Columbia.com What We Like Includes a cooling mesh upper panel Features an adjustable drawcord for added practicality What We Don't Like Runs large Wrinkles when folded If you’re after a well-priced, general-purpose hat for sun protection, look no further than the Columbia Tillie Creek Booney Hat. This unisex hat is both cost-effective and practical. Although it doesn’t earn many points on the trendiness scale, the practical moisture-wicking nylon design and built-in drawcord make it a great option for everything from hiking and gardening to relaxing in a tropical environment. The Booney Hat also features a cooling mesh upper panel for airflow to help keep you cool on particularly hot and humid days. Price at time of publish: $35 Material: Nylon and polyester | Sun Protection: UPF 50+ | Sizes: OS Best Straw Hat FURTALK Wide Brim Straw Hat Amazon View On Amazon What We Like Foldable and easy to pack Stylish colorways Built-in chin strap for windy days What We Don't Like Feels heavy Sizing runs small The right straw hat can take a summertime or vacation outfit to the next level with just the right amount of dainty sophistication—but bringing a straw hat on vacation usually means you have to either purchase a hatbox or wear it while traveling to ensure it stays in form. Neither of those options seems very practical to us—which is why we love the FURTALK Wide Brim Straw Hat. This stylish beach hat was designed to be folded without crushing or creasing the brim, allowing you to throw it in your carry-on or packed luggage without a worry. A men’s version is available here. Price at time of publish: $26 Material: Straw | Sun Protection: UPF 50+ | Sizes: M-L The 13 Best Sun Hats of 2022 Best Bucket Hat Hat Attack Washed Cotton Crusher ShopBop View On Amazon View On Hatattack.com What We Like Wrinkle-proof design Easy to pair with multiple colors What We Don't Like Dry clean only Quite expensive The Hat Attack Washed Cotton Crusher was made for the traveler who might not have the time or the desire to carefully pack each garment before hitting the road. This wrinkle-proof bucket hat is crafted from a crushed cotton material, which allows it to be used and abused without showing any signs of wear. The only downside? The hat does require dry cleaning rather than machine or hand washing, which can be a bit of a pain while on the go. Price at time of publish: $64 Material: 100 percent cotton | Sun Protection: NA | Sizes: OS Best Fedora Wallaroo Hat Company Fedora Wallaroo Hat Company View On Amazon View On Wallaroohats.com What We Like Breathable, lightweight design Recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation What We Don't Like Runs small Wrinkles easily Wallaroo Hat Company is recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation as one of the best options for overall skin protection thanks to its poly-straw material and UPF 50+ exposure. The breathable and lightweight design makes it an attractive option for those who are particularly sensitive to heat. Wallaroo Hat Company also prides itself on the fact that all of its hats have been designed and crafted right in the United States. A men’s version is available here. Price at time of publish: $49 Material: Poly-straw with a cotton lining | Sun Protection: UPF 50+ | Sizes: OS Best Visor Nike Unisex Core Visor Amazon View On Amazon What We Like Minimalist design Available in a wide variety of cool colorways Includes a built-in terry sweatband for absorbing moisture What We Don't Like Sizing runs quite large No mention of UV protection Looking for simple beach headwear that won’t get in the way during volleyball or your morning jog down the coastline? The Nike Unisex Core Visor was made for the active beachgoer thanks to the minimalist design and moisture-wicking terry sweatband. It’s available in a huge variety of colors, ranging from neutrals to bolder options, and although it has no mention of sun protection, the Skin Cancer Foundation notes that shiny polyester material tends to absorb UV quite well. Material: 100 percent polyester body; 91 percent polyester, 9 percent spandex lining | Sun Protection: N/A | Sizes: OS Best Baseball Cap ELLEWIN Unisex Baseball Cap Amazon View On Amazon What We Like Quick-drying design Unstructured and easy to pack Includes a breathable mesh panel for keeping cool What We Don't Like Hand wash only The tail of the strap is hard to hide Baseball caps are a go-to style addition to casual outfits and beachwear alike—and Ellewin is well loved for its ample sun protection and sporty style. This unisex baseball cap offers a quick-drying design and breathable mesh panel that’ll bode well for those who like to stay active on the beach. The unstructured nature of the cap allows you to fold it into your suitcase without worrying about crushing the bill. Note that this cap is only available in one size, but reviewers particularly love that it can be adjusted to fit just about any head (including those of older kids). Price at time of publish: $13 Material: 100 percent polyester | Sun Protection: UPF 50+ | Sizes: OS What to Wear Hiking: Experts Share the Best Hiking Clothes Best for Kids Sunday Afternoons Kids Ultra Adventure Hat Sunday Afternoons View On Amazon View On Backcountry.com View On Dick's What We Like Durable and water-resistant design Made from Bluesign-certified materials Includes a built-in neck flap for added sun protection What We Don't Like Hand wash only Neck flap can get hot Available in a handful of genderless shades and patterns, Sunday Afternoons’ play hat is perfect for, well, a sunny Sunday afternoon. The brand also prides itself on its next-level safety features, designed to keep little ones as protected as possible from the sun’s harmful rays. This means that the hat and built-in neck flap offer UPF 50+ rating—but it’s also crafted from Bluesign® certified textiles, which are free from harmful chemicals and substances at all steps of the supply chain. Price at time of publish: $32 Material: Bluesign-certified textiles | Sun Protection: UPF 50+ | Sizes: M-L Best for Babies and Toddlers Brook + Bay Store Sun Hat for Babies Amazon View On Amazon What We Like Very lightweight design Available in a variety of cute colors Quick-drying material allows for pool use What We Don't Like Sizing runs large Becomes floppy when wet Sun hats for babies are almost worth it for the adorabilty factor alone. But fortunately they serve a practical purpose too. We like the Brook + Bay Store Sun Hat for Babies, not just because, yes, it's cute, but also because of its UPF 50+ rating and practical polyester design. The tot-sized beach hat is crafted from a lightweight and quick-drying material that includes a gentle chin strap and ear-and-neck cover. It's a great option toddlers can wear from playing in the water to building sandcastles on the beach without an outfit change. Price at time of publish: $10 Material: 100% polyester | Sun Protection: UPF 50+ | Sizes: S-L What to Look for in a Beach Hat Material Most beach hats are crafted with cotton or polyester—both of which are perfectly fine for long-term wear. That being said, if you tend to run hot while sitting in the sun, you might want to look for a beach hat that has moisture-wicking terry cloth or mesh paneling that allows a breeze to pass through the hat. Style Certain beach hat styles can look pretty goofy—but there are plenty of pared-down options that’ll ensure you keep the sun out of your eyes without sacrificing your personal style. We recommend selecting a sun hat in a more neutral color that will match your swimwear and your summer clothing should you choose to wear your hat on excursions rather than just to the closest beach chair. Wide-brimmed beach hats are going to be your best bet when it comes to keeping the sun out of your eyes—but a visor or a baseball cap might be a better bet if you tend to be more active and need something that’ll stay firmly in place. Sun Protection Sun protection is one of the most important factors to take into consideration when shopping for the right beach hat—especially if you tend to choose the sunny side of the beach rather than the shaded parts. Look for materials that offer UPF 50+, and don’t forget to apply sunscreen before putting on your beach hat. Wider brims and neck and ear coverage are also key. Why Trust TripSavvy TripSavvy writers are experts in their subject areas and remain objective in their assessments. While writing this review, Kaitlyn McInnis tapped into her own personal experience of living with fair skin and psoriasis; both of which don’t mesh well with long-term sun exposure. She also relied on detailed, high-quality customer reviews and other expert recommendations. The 8 Best UV Umbrellas of 2023 Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Share Pin Email Tell us why! Submit Continue to 5 of 9 below. Continue to 9 of 9 below.