There’s nothing more relaxing than sitting on a riverbank on a Sunday afternoon with your fishing rod and the sound of nature.
That is, until the sun appears from behind the trees and makes it impossible for you to open your eyes.
Fishing hats aren’t just for sunny weather though – fishing hats can help keep the rain off your face and can even keep you warm under there.
This is why fishing hats are a must-have accessory – for both functional and aesthetic purposes.
We are going to review 5 popular fishing hats and rate them.
We’ll also include a guide of things to consider before you choose the best fishing hat for you.
Camo Coll Outdoor Sim Cap
You’ll blend in with any outdoor backdrop with this camo design hat by Camo Coll.
There are over 10 colors and designs to choose from, so there will almost definitely be a shade that you’ll love.
Perfect for windier days, there’s an adjustable drawstring to fix the hat tighter to your head. The last thing you want is your hat to blow away into the lake!
The design is super lightweight and comfortable and is suited to use for hours on end. The cotton and polyester materials ensure that the hat feels comfortable when in contact with you.
Not only is it lightweight, but there’s a mesh section that will allow air to flow through. This is perfect as on humid days, I imagine the hat can get a bit sweaty.
The outer brim will shield your head from the sun’s rays, extending to 13.5”.
Regardless of gender or head size, this hat should be the perfect fit with its one-size-fits-all design.
Pros
- 11 colors to choose from
- Adjustable drawstring
- Strap with slide lock for security
Cons
- Quite flimsy
Columbia Unisex Bora Bora 11 Booney Hat
You’re sure to stay cool and dry in this fishing hat. The mesh breeze-inducing vent will keep you cool and protected during long hours on the riverbank.
The wide brim and the built-in SPF50 work together to block out most of the sun’s harmful rays, giving your head the protection that it needs.
The adjustable chin strap ensures that the hat will stay in place, and won’t be blown into the water by the wind. It will give you the perfect fit.
Made of 100% Nylon Poplin, this will be super comfortable on your head.
The Omni-Wick sweatband will wick away any moisture in an instant, so you don’t have to worry about wiping the sweat off your brow.
When this hat gets dirty, it should be washed in cold water then line dry.
The brand Columbia is popular for sportswear and is a super reputable company for creating great hats for all sporting occasions.
Pros
- Omni-Wick Technology pulls away moisture
- Adjustable straps
- Mesh vent to keep you cool
Cons
- Brim can droop
KastKing Sol Armis UPF 50 Boonie Hat
This super-breathable mesh fishing hat is guaranteed to keep your head protected in rain and shine.
With UP50 protection, this KastKing Boonie Hat will keep the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays away from your head and face.
Unlike many others on the market, this fishing hat will not only protect you from the sun’s rays, but it will keep you cool and comfortable in the process. The lightweight, breathable material ensures that air travels freely through the hat.
Although it’s perfect for fishing, this hat can be used for pretty much any outdoor activity. Whether you’re on the beach, hiking or on safari, this hat will keep you from burning.
Dark material is placed on the underside of the brim, which absorbs reflected light. This massively reduces glare and eye strain, so your vision will be great when caching some carp.
Don’t worry about sizes, as this hat is completely adjustable. Simply pull the elastic drawstring inside the headband until it fits perfectly, and then lock it in place with the toggle button mounted on the rear.
This hat comes in a variety of colors and patterns – all camo themed.
Pros
- Breathable
- One size fits all
- Anti-reflective brim
Cons
- Not much shape to the crown
LCZTN Outdoor Sun Cap for Men & Women Breathable Fishing Hat
This completely waterproof fishing cap will protect you from the elements in style.
The hat is lightweight, breathable material for all-day wear – which is great in warmer climates.
Don’t worry about having to put the hat out for hours to dry either. This hat is super quick to dry – the polyester material is great for quick drying.
Neck sunburn will be an issue of the past when you’re wearing this hat, The removable face and neck flap will keep you cozy, dry and protected in torrential wind and rain or roasting hot sunshine.
The brim is around 3.1”, which will be more than enough shade from the sun. The hat blocks 97-99% of ultraviolet rays, offering UPF 50+ protection.
You can choose from pink, blue, white, beige, dark green and a sleek black color – there’s a color for every mood and season.
Washing the hat after a hot day will be no trouble. It’s super easy to clean, and is foldable and packable, fitting into any angler’s backpack.
Pros
- Face and neck flaps available
- Variety of colors available
- Waterproof
- UPF50 protection
Cons
- Sunscreen marks show easily
- May be a snug fit for larger heads
Solaris Outdoor Fishing Hat
This outdoorsy hat will be perfect for any fishing trip.
One size fits most adults, but if it doesn’t have the fit you want, don’t stress. There’s an adjustable drawstring, which will fix the hat tighter to your head. This will be perfect on windy days, where your hat has a high chance of flying off into the horizon.
There’s another drawstring behind the fishing hat, which adjusts the circumference of the hat to fit your head size better. A moisture-wicking headband is fitted, which is designed to keep your head cool during the summer.
There’s plenty of breathable mesh in this hat too, which will also keep your body temperature down in the warmer months.
This is a larger hat with a clever design – the wide brim and neck flap design work together to shade your forehead, neck, and ears from the sun.
The flaps at the rear are great for providing protection to your neck and ears. People underestimate how it feels to have cold ears in the windy winter. It’s painful!
Pros
- Ear and neck flap
- Super wide brim
- Multi-use
Cons
- Chin strap may break when pressure is applied
How to Choose the Best Fishing Hat
Fishing hats come in all shapes and sizes, but all fishing hats should protect you from the sun.
You want the hat to look good too – there are so many things that you should bear in mind when deciding which hat to buy. Keep reading for some tips on buying fishing hats.
Size
Everybody has different head shapes and sizes, and sometimes it can be a pain trying to find a hat that fits perfectly.
If you’re unsure of your hat size, but you know you’ve got a pretty average-sized head, you may opt for a one-size-fits-all hat.
Many hats can be adjusted too, so it’s not the end of the world if the hat comes too loose.
Be mindful when selecting your hat size, as if your hat is too small, then you’ll most likely have to just buy a new hat.
How to Find My Hat Size
- Place measuring tape around your head just above your ear, so it goes all around your forehead.
- Measure the length in either centimeters or inches
- Find your size on the chart – most hats will provide different sizes
Color
Most anglers will opt for natural color clothing and accessories, so browns and greens are super popular hat colors when it comes to fishing.
Camo patterns are also super popular and go with the whole fishing aesthetic.
Trout can see colors up to 12 feet away, so it’s best to go for earth tone colors to avoid being seen.
Although lots of fishing hats do come in bright colors such as red or orange, the best fishing hat will have neutral color options too.
Ventilation
Nobody wants to be sweating inside their fishing hat. The best fishing hat will have great ventilation and breathability, and keep your head nice and cool in hot temperatures.
It’s important to note that although hats with neck flaps are great for preventing sunburn, it can be quite stuffy inside.
Some fishing hats have a mesh section, which is great for allowing air to flow through the hat and keep you nice and cool.
Some hats even have moisture-wicking materials that will absorb any moisture in your hat, which is also a must-have in hot weather.
Protection
Water
If you’re going to be fishing in rainy weather or damp conditions, you may want to choose a hat that has waterproof features. Not many hats will come entirely waterproof while being comfortable, but there are plenty of comfortable hats with water repellent fabrics.
You may also want a hat that dries quickly, so when it does get wet, it won’t weigh you down and get your head soaked.
Sun
The main reason for wearing a fishing hat is to keep the sun out of your face – and if the hat doesn’t protect you from the sun, it’s not a good hat.
The best fishing hats will have UPF protection of 50 or higher, blocking out up to 99% of the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays.
Some hats will even have an anti-reflective base, meaning that you won’t be squinting to avoid the sun’s powerful rays.
Brim
The brim of the hat should be wide enough to block out the sun’s rays from all angles. The wider the brim, the more protection it offers.
The more foldable the hat, the more likely it is that the brim is going to be floppy. If you want a strong and sturdy brim, it’s not going to be really portable and foldable.
If you spend a lot of time in the sun, you may want to consider your neck.
Some fishing hats come with neck flaps that attach at the brim, which gives you an extra protection on your neck.
Recap
We’ve reviewed some great fishing hats that will keep your head cool, dry and portected in all weather conditions, but we believe the Columbia Unisex Bora Bora 11 Booney Hat will keep you the dryest and coolest.
This hat uses advanced technology, featuring signature wicking fabric with sweat-wicking capabilities, combining with UPF 50 sun protection technology to shield you from harmful sun rays.
With 11 colors to choose from, this hat looks great. There’s a color for every occasion, and you can choose between neutral tones and bright colors.
You can also adjust the hat using the adjustable drawcord, to give you the ultimate fit.
The drawcord will also ensure that the hat won’t blow off in the wind – that’s the last thing you need on a peaceful fishing trip!
Do you have a favorite hat for fishing? Do you agree with our pick for the best fishing hat?
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