Columbia Unisex Bora Bora Booney Booney Hat

Product Information

This great piece of headwear is called a booney hat, or boonie hat. Booney hats have wide brims, providing you with total shade coverage. This hat was designed for fishing fans, but booney hats are also great options for other performance-focused activities. Bring one along when you’re going hiking with your family, paddleboarding with friends or any other outdoor pursuit. When shopping for hiking hats, you’ll notice that there’s a huge variety of price points, styles and features available. So, when you’re trying to decide which one is the best for you, keep the following in mind: Gore-Tex is a thin layer of Teflon in-between layers of nylon and polyurethane. When added to fabric, it becomes waterproof. Gore-Tex is also lightweight and breathable, so the waterproof shell doesn’t make this hat any less comfortable. It’s still lightweight, foldable, and easy to toss in your bag. And even though it's designed without any air vents, it won’t trap sweat and heat when you wear it.

This floppy hat by Cath Kidston is virtually guaranteed to put a smile on your face: just look at that pomegranate print! DREAMING of summer days? These are the best sun hats for women that you'll want to snap up this year. The retro style continues with a chin strap that can be worn loose or tied up if it's a little breezy out. Safari Pants: We recommend neutral-colored pants as they’re great at hiding dirt and can match most shirt colors.

Our Verdict

Unlike safari clothes or safari boots, we would say everyone needs a hat when on safari. Especially in East Africa! Most people coming on safari are from more Northern climates away from the equator and are unaware of the sun’s damage around Africa. The sun near the center of the earth is intense and can leave you sunburned in a matter of minutes. This hat wins our Editors' Choice for Technical Use for being the highest performing and most versatile of the bunch To ensure that we recommend only top-notch products to you, we analyzed each hat for six essential considerations when putting this list together. Here they are: Materials Cotton may be comfortable and stylish, but it absorbs sweat and doesn’t breathe very well in hot climates. Cotton can still work for you, but I’d look another direction if you tend to break a significant sweat while you hike. As such, I’ve only included a few cotton hats in this post. If you’re going to be wearing something on your head all day, making sure that it is comfortable is a no-brainer. Although safari pith helmets are world famous for being the headwear of famous British explorers and look great in safari photos, they’re terribly uncomfortable. Yes, we’ve tried them.

Travel Insurance: We don’t travel without travel insurance and neither should you. You never know what can happen while traveling so it’s best to be prepared. HeyMondo provides excellent short-term and long-term travel insurance plans. While the Islander is a great all-around sun hat, it's not the best technical performer. This isn't a light hat, either. At 6.2 ounces, this is one of the heavier hats we reviewed. However, we found this hat to be extremely comfortable, even at this heavier weight. We didn't notice the weight when wearing this hat all day, but the gram counters may want to consider a different hat to bring on their next ultralight adventure. This is an excellent choice for those seeking a good-looking, comfortable, all-around great hat. Whether you've got a holiday booked to tropical climes or you're getting a head start (ahem) on your seasonal wardrobe, it's always a good idea to be prepared with a sun hat that is both functional and stylish. Anything that mentions UPF 50 will give you added sun protection, while it's also important to pay attention to the size of the brim as this is what will keep you shaded.The Sun Hat: This hat boasts a wide brim to protect you from the sun, and it’s especially useful for hikes without much natural shade. It usually has a chin strap. There are some key features you can consider when shopping for sun hats: first of all, fabric. Cottons and natural woven fabrics offer breathability, while additional mesh panels are great for ventilation. Why do we hikers wear hats on the trail in the first place? To shield us from the sun’s pesky UV rays, of course. To cover all the bases, I’ve recommended a variety of hats that’ll provide varying degrees of sun protection. Comfort: Depending on the type of hiking you plan on doing, you may need to wear your hiking hat for eight or more hours a day. Therefore, look for something adjustable, as the fit is an important piece in comfort.

Insect Repellent: Not every hiking hat includes insect repellent, but some do have some sort of deterrent built into the material. If you’re hiking somewhere where bugs could be an issue, look for a hat that will keep them away from your head. Travel Waterbottle: When we’re uncertain about the water supply we use our Grayl Purifier. It’s come in exceptionally handy around Africa.

Boots:While you don’t need to wear sturdy shoes every day, at least one pair of safari boots will make your trip nicer! Keep in mind you don’t have to get a safari hat, a regular hiking hat will keep the sun out of your eyes as well! The Baseball Hat: These versatile hats provide sun protection without the bulk. While any baseball cap could be considered a hiking hat, many brands have created enhanced designs with hikers in mind. In addition to the sun, many hiking hats can also protect you from other elements. On hot days, Rimon and Filley recommend a sun-protective hat that’s breathable to prevent you from overheating. In the rain, Rimon advises wearing a hat with a waterproof Gore-Tex shell. And on windy days, he recommends a hat with an adjustable chinstrap to keep it from blowing away. During colder months, an insulated hat with sun protection will keep you shielded from the weather. And if you’re worried about bugs, look for a hat finished with a bug-repellent treatment, like Outdoor Research’s Bugout Brim Hat. This is hands down our favorite hat for kids because it's comfortable, looks good, and is very protective

To find the best hiking hats, we spoke with Dr. Hadley King, M.D.,dermatologist at Dr. Hadley King Dermatology, Dr. Erum Ilyas, M.D.,dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group, Justin Rimon,outdoor guide and founder of Just Trek, Alicia Filley, PT, MS,physical therapist and hiking guide, and Michele Stanten, ACE-GFI, walking coach, running coach, and group fitness instructor. King and Ilyas walked us through the basics of sun protection, helping us narrow down which hiking hats had enough UPF protection. Rimon and Filley provided their expertise on other features hiking hats need, like durability, comfort, and fit. Stanten explained how these features can translate to a better hiking experience out on the trail.

Best sun hats for women at a glance:

Before we explore the best hiking hats on the market, let’s discuss what to look for in a hiking hat and the three main types of hiking hats. Prices varied in our search and of course, it all depends on the brand you go for as well as technical features.