What Type of Hat Is Best for Sun Protection?

02 Jul 2025

What Type of Hat Is Best for Sun Protection?

As summer gets into full swing and temperatures start to rise, hats are a summer style essential needed to protect your head and neck from the sun’s rays. But what type of hat is best for sun protection? Let’s dive into the best options for keeping your face, neck and scalp shielded from the sun.

Baseball Caps

If you want a light, easy-to-wear hat that will go with every outfit, a baseball cap is a great choice. Baseball caps offer solid protection for the face and eyes, reducing glare on sunny days; however, they don’t provide much coverage for the neck and ears, leaving these areas vulnerable to the sun’s rays. That’s why baseball hats are most effective for short trips out in the sun and should always be worn with additional suncream or a neck covering.

 

Bucket Hats

A British classic, bucket hats offer great sun protection for the head, neck and ears thanks to their wide brim offering 360-degree coverage. An added bonus is that bucket hats are often made from soft and breathable materials, so they are great to wear on hot and humid days if you want to keep cool and comfortable. Plus, they’re easy to roll up and stash in your bag just in case the sun makes a surprise appearance!

 

Wide Brimmed Hats

Wide brimmed hats are the gold standard when it comes to sun protection. They can help protect your face, ears, neck and even your shoulders from the sun if the brim is wide enough! There is a range of wide brimmed hats out there, from stylish straw hats to outback hats to aptly named ‘sun hats’ like this Beechfield Marbella hat, so you’re sure to find a full coverage hat that suits your style. 

So, if you’ve got a long outing in the summer sun coming up, a wide brimmed hat is the easiest and most reliable choice when it comes to protecting your skin from the sun.

Need some inspiration? Check out our sun hats page to see our best hat recommendations for sun protection this summer. Almost all of our designs are available to be customised through print or embroidery today!

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