This article may contain compensated links. Learn more in our disclaimer.
What is the best hiking hat for every season?
Hiking often involves walking for hours in the sun or, quite the opposite, cold.
That’s why we, hikers, have to make sure we protect our head from the heat or cold. Perfect hat for the hot weather hiking? A wide-brimmed sun hat or a cap. The best option for hiking in cold weather? A comfortable knitted beanie (the best are made of Merino wool). Let us help you to find the best hiking hat for your needs!
If you want to see more options, click the links below every section.
Table of Contents
Best Hiking Hat For Every Season
Here we have listed a variety of different hiking hats.
All of them are great for outdoors, backpacking and travel, some of them are also suitable for everyday use and even commute.
1. Best Sun Hat for Men
GearTOP Navigator Series UPF 50+ Sun Hat (click for more details)
The ultimate hiking hat to prevent overheating, UVA/UVB protection.
Overall the best hiking hat for hot weather, our favorite.
Made out of breathable, lightweight and quick-drying 100% polyester fabric. It has breathable mesh panels on sides that have a cooling effect. This hiking sun hat is suitable for a 22-23.5″ size head and is adjustable with a drawcord at the back. It also has a drawstring that is adjustable under the chin — great for a windy day.
The 3.7″ brim is wide enough to offer great face and neck sun protection. The brim can be folded up at the sides and secured with snaps. You can easily pack this unisex hat in a backpack or a suitcase.
BEST FOR: hiking, fishing, kayaking, hunting, gardening, camping
SUN PROTECTION: UPF 50+
More: Best Sun Hat for Hiking
2. Best Sun Hat for Women
Columbia Unisex Bora Bora Booney (click for more details)
A high quality sun hat for women with a super wide cooling vent.
Overall the best hiking hat for women, our favorite.
The breathing mesh panel goes almost all the way around the hat. The hat features adjustable toggle at the back and adjustable chin strap. Its quality fabric and careful stitch work makes it very durable. The headband is made of ultra-sweat-wicking fabric that dries quickly and won’t let any sweat drops drip on your forehead.
You can team up your whole family with this elegant looking unisex hat.
BEST FOR: any outdoor activities, especially, fishing
SUN PROTECTION: UPF 50+
More: Best Sun Hat for Hiking
3. Best Hiking Beanie / Best Merino Wool Beanie for Hiking
MERIWOOL Unisex Merino Wool Cuff Beanie Hat (click for more details)
A versatile Merino wool unisex hiking beanie.
Overall the best hiking beanie for men and women, our favorite.
Merino is famous for its breathable, odor-resistant and moisture wicking qualities. It also features natural bacteria resistance. Since the hat is made out of microfiber it is super soft, so no itching whatsoever. Due to its temperature controlling abilities, you can wear it almost all year long. You can even wash it in a washing machine (cold, tumble dry on low). However, to avoid shrinking better wash it by hand.
You can easily wear it as a long and loose beanie or folded into a cap with a rolled cuff for added warmth for ears.
BEST FOR: Camping, hiking, hunting, working, outdoor sports, skiing
MATERIAL: Merino wool
Minus33 Merino Wool Beanie (click for more details)
Best hiking hat for women and men with UPF 50+ sun protection.
If you plan to spend the cold winter days on a mountain you may want to consider a winter hiking hat that protects against damaging sun rays. Sun can be quite harsh at higher elevation even in winter. Made out of 100% fine Merino wool, it has great breathability, as well as it is moisture wicking. The midweight fabric is used in a double layer which is perfect for winter. Outstanding water absorption abilities (up to 30% of its weight) without feeling wet or clammy. Machine washable.
Worth to mention, the production of the hat is environmentally friendly.
BEST FOR: Active winter activities
MATERIAL: 100% Merino wool
More: Best Hiking Beanie, Best Merino Wool Beanie for Hiking
4. Best Hiking Cap for Women
TrailHeads Race Day Performance Running Hat (click for more details)
A mesh womens hiking cap with glare free bill.
Thorough 100% Polyester mesh makes it exceptionally breathable. And its visor has some awesome features like the reflective trim around it and dark underbill that doesn’t reflect light, making it easier to jog near shiny surfaces like water. The velcro closure is adjustable and leaves a hole for a ponytail. Its light weight and moisture wicking qualities make it perfect for running or other sporty summer activities.
This hiking cap has sun protection.
Fits 20-5-23.6″ head size.
BEST FOR: running and hiking
More: Best Hiking Hats for Women
5. Best Small Women’s Hat For Hiking
The Hat Depot 300N Cotton Summer Bucket Hat (click for more details)
A classic bucket sun hat for all occasions.
Made of 100% cotton, it is very breathable. Although it is not adjustable, you can choose one of the three size options that suits 22″ to 23.87″ head sizes. The brim is 2-2.5″ wide, so it doesn’t look too sloppy. The hat is also packable and crush-able which make it a great casual backpacking hat.
Best sun hat for women and men who need a simple hat for a relaxing vacation and don’t want to look too touristy when walking around the city.
BEST FOR: travel, beach, daily activities
More: Best Hiking Hats for Women
How to Find the Best Hiking Hat For Yourself?
How to find the best hiking hat for your needs?
Let’s make this super simple.
Generally speaking it’s mostly about these 5 simple things.
1. Purpose
Different hats are made for different activities.
Are you looking for a hiking hat that is suitable for cold weather? Or are you planning to hike in the summer, and you need a sun hat that will protect your head from the heat, and your face – from the sun’s rays?
Not all of even the best hiking hats will work for everything. Some of them are great for one kind of activities, others — for other kind. For a trip to a desert, you may want to find the most breathable hat that there is. Whereas, for a trip to the high altitudes, you’d like to have something warmer.
2. Coverage
If you are looking for a sun hat, make sure it has a wide brim.
On average, sun hats have 3 to 4 inch-wide brims. The wider the brim, the more shade it gives to the neck and face. Wider brims can be a little floppy therefore side snaps that can hold the edges like a cowboy hat are a great option to have. Other great attributes are neck and face flaps — extra protection for areas of delicate skin.
Merino wool beanies have different styles, too. There are long beanies with a loose end and shorter beanies with a cuff that sits close to the top of your head. For long walks in cold weather you will be happy to have a beanie that covers your ears. The cuff around the crown is not just a style, it also gives additional warmth. Some hats allow you to wear the beanie in both ways – folded and unfolded.
3. Comfort
You are going to hike for hours.
Therefore you have to make sure the hat is comfortable to wear. It must be soft, lightweight and breathable. Airflow keeps the moisture level low and thus makes the whole experience more enjoyable. A good hiking hat must not be too tight. If it has rough edges or lining, it will rub on your skin and cause it to chafe.
4. Material
If you are looking for a hiking hat, pay attention to material’s breathability.
No matter if you plan a summer or winter hike, a breathability is a must for good sweat control. Look for lightweight fabrics for summer and warming or double layer textile for winter. Also remember that natural fabrics like wool can be great both for warm and cold weather. Wool has an ability to adapt to temperatures, therefore it provides warmth in winter, and cools you down when it gets warm. That’s why wool beanies are suitable for both demanding physical activities and more relaxing activities like walking.
If you are looking for a new hiking hat for hot weather, make sure it’s well ventilated. Mesh ventilation panels in sun hats can be placed as inserts on the sides or even go all the way around the head. Also do not forget about sun protection — it is one of the most important qualities to look for in sun hats. For absolute sun protection you want to look for fabrics with UPF 50+.
5. Versatility
Some hiking hats are more versatile than others.
There are hiking hats that look too sporty to wear them on every day basis. If you want to buy a hat that can be worn every day, look for something that is less sporty-looking.
What is your experience with hiking clothing? What is the best hiking hat you have had so far?
Featured photo by Katya Wolf from Pexels
Disclaimer for Amazon Associates: MakeAdventureHappen.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
