The Best Fishing Hats: Protecting More than Your Eyes

A fishing hat is more than just protecting your eyes from the sun. You can reduce your risk of developing skin cancer by having your ears, neck, and face protected.

Anglers are becoming more aware of the long-term consequences of not protecting their skin from the sun. A simple hat with sunscreen is not enough.

A fishing cap is more than just a cap. It’s not difficult to pick the right fishing hat, but it is important to do some research before you make a decision. You’ll find our buying tips and reviews of our favorite models below.

Here’s a quick look at the top fishing hats.

  • Ellewin Unstructured Fishing Casket– The Best Fishing Cap
  • Outdoor Research Seattle Sun Sombrero– The Best Wide-brimmed Fishing Hat
  • Cooltto Wide Brim Sun Hat
  • KoolSoly Fishing Hat
  • KastKing Sol Armis UPF 50 Boonie Hat– The Best Boonie Fishing Hat
  • Columbia Unisex Bora Bora Booney

The Best Fishing Hats – Reviewed

Ellewin Unstructured Fishing Casket– The Best Fishing Cap

ELLEWIN Outdoor Fishing Flap Hat UPF50 Sun Cap Removable Mesh Face Neck Cover, D-khaki/ Mesh Neck Cover, M-L-XL

You don’t need to review or suggest standard baseball caps. They are familiar and you likely have one.

Ellewin upgrades the ball cap to make it more appealing for anglers. It’s a great alternative and affordable option to full-brimmed caps.

Ellewin’s fishing cap features a longer brim than standard caps, which provides more sun protection. Some models have removable neck and face protectors that can be removed to provide 360-degree protection. This might be the right choice for you if you don’t like the idea or feel more comfortable wearing a baseball cap.

It’s made with lots of mesh and is very fashionable.

This cap is available in one size but can be adjusted to fit almost all anglers.

The chin strap can be removed, making it ideal for long rides and heavy winds.

Pros

  • Outstanding sun protection
  • Durable and tough
  • Fits very well
  • The chin strap should be cinched
  • Cool-wearing

Cons

  • What is the best way to get started?

Wide-Brimmed Hats

Outdoor Research Seattle Sun SombreroBest Wide-brimmed Fishing Hat

Outdoor Research Seattle Sombrero Black

Outdoor Research’s Seattle Sun Sombrero is an excellent choice for anglers looking for sun protection in a lightweight hat.

This hat is my own, and I have used it for many seasons.

The Seattle Sun Sombrero features a wide brim and a wire edge. It stays in place in any wind except the strongest, and it doesn’t sag in the rain. The brim also helps to keep bugs away, which is a great feature if you fish a salt flat in the summer.

It’s very cool to wear and quite tough.

It comes in four sizes: small, medium, large and extra-large. A chin strap will keep your hat in place on long boat rides.

Outdoor Research has a wide range of colors for this hat, but I recommend the lighter ones.

Pros

  • Excellent sun protection
  • Durable and tough
  • Sizes adjustable
  • The chin strap should be cinched
  • Cool-wearing

Cons

  • It can be costly

Cooltto Wide Brim Sun Hat

Cooltto Wide Brim Sun Hats with Waterproof Breathable for Fishing, Hiking, Camping

Cooltto’s broad-brim sunhat is a great addition to any fishing trip.

It offers great sun protection with its 4.6-inch brim. It can also be used in hot sunlight with a little mesh venting.

It is available in four colors but only one size is available, though it has an adjustable drawcord at its back. This may not work for people who wear hats smaller than 7 inches, but anglers with larger heads will likely find the perfect fit.

This hat is tough enough to meet all your needs.

Drooping should not be a problem in the rain, particularly if the brim is secured on both sides. The included chin strap holds the hat in place no matter how windy.

Overall, I am impressed with this hat, especially the lighter-colored versions.

Pros

  • Excellent sun protection
  • Durable and tough
  • The chin strap should be cinched
  • Cool-wearing

Cons

  • Only available in one size

KoolSoly Fishing Hat

Fishing Hat,Sun Cap with UPF 50+ Sun Protection and Neck Flap,for Man and Women Light Grey

The KoolSoly fishing hat is made to withstand the most severe sun. It’s a great choice for anglers who regularly face the heat and glare from sub-tropical summer heat.

As most people have learned by accident, glare can cause skin burns just as easily as direct sunlight.

Koolsoly’s hat provides maximum protection. It has a broad brim (3.74 inches), a neck shield and a face/throat cover to keep the sun from your skin. The cover and shield can be removed, but they are very useful for water sports.

This hat features a lot of mesh and ultralight fabric. It is both durable and cool to wear.

The only problem with this hat is the lack of a stiff brim. Although I haven’t worn it in the rain yet, I can see that the brim is drooping when it gets wet.

Unfortunately, it’s only available in a single-non-adjustable size. Although it will fit most anglers, it tends to be a little large.

There are four colors to choose from, with each one featuring a secure chin strap that holds the hat.

Pros

  • Unbeatable sun protection
  • Durable and tough
  • The chin strap should be cinched
  • Cool-wearing

Cons

  • Only available in one size
  • The brim is not very stiff

Boonie Hats

KastKing Sol Armis UPF 50 Boonie Hat – The Best Boonie Fishing Hat

KastKing Sol Armis UPF 50 Boonie Hat - Sun Protection Hat, Fishing Hat, Beach & Hiking Hat, Paddling, Rowing, Kayaking Hat,Silver Mist

The Sol Armis Boonie by KastKing is a great choice for fishermen who love this type of hat.

It’s made from durable material and can withstand any abuse. Because it’s soft and malleable, it can be folded, crushed, and stored easily.

The Sol Armis Boonie has plenty of mesh. The Sol Armis Boonie hat is cool and provides sun protection comparable to a wide-brim hat.

KastKing’s boonie is available in one size that can be adjusted to fit most anglers. It also comes with a chin strap for support.

However, like all boonie caps, the brim will droop when it is thoroughly wet. It will also fold down during heavy winds or long boat rides.

There are many cool camo designs available, but I prefer the lighter options.

Pros

  • Excellent sun protection
  • Durable and tough
  • The chin strap should be cinched
  • Cool-looking
  • It’s easy to store

Cons

  • Only available in one size
  • You can expect the brim of your hat to fall in the rain or high winds.

Columbia Unisex Bora Bora Booney

Columbia Unisex Bora Bora II Booney Hat, Moisture Wicking Fabric, UV Sun Protection Grill, One Size

Columbia’s Bora Bora Booney, a great alternative for the KastKing sol Armis, is an excellent choice for anglers looking for a more traditional look.

The KastKing is a better choice for sun protection because it has a brim that’s quite wide. The Sol Armis, despite having a lot of mesh, is more ventilated.

The Bora Bora is made of lighter material so it may be a bit cooler.

You can choose from a single size or adjust it to your preference. The chin strap will keep the hat dry and out of the water.

This hat is soft and flexible, making it easy to store.

There are two colors available and they can withstand the elements.

Pros

  • Good sun protection
  • Durable and tough
  • The chin strap should be cinched
  • Cool-looking
  • It’s easy to store

Cons

  • Only available in one size
  • You can expect the brim of your hat to fall in the rain or high winds.

What to Look for When Choosing a Hat For Fishing

I am looking for some things from a great fishing hat.

Sun Protection

Sun protection is at the top of my list.

I use sunscreen but I try to avoid direct sunburns on my face and head. Dr. Garrett T. Bayrd is a dermatologist and outdoorman who advises that you always, always wear your hat.

Anglers are at significant risk of skin cancer throughout their lives.

“Always remember that when you work on the water, your also working on cancer.”Dr. William BurkeChief of the Division of Dermatology, East Carolina University’s Brody School of Medicine.

Cooling

My hat should also help me keep cool. This is usually done through a combination evaporative cooling and shade as well as ventilation.

Durability

A good hat is tough and can withstand a lot of abuse.

Fit

Too loose hats will end up in water. But too tight hats will give you headaches.

I prefer hats with adjustment options and, for long boat rides or on the water, a retention device.

Bugs

Finally, I have found that flying insects circle at the distance of my hat’s brim–no matter its size. They are able to keep them a little further away from me if they have a larger brim. This is always a good thing in the middle of a cloud full of no-see-ums.

Hat Styles

Baseball caps

Baseball caps are very popular as they’re easy-to-find, wear easily, and protect your eyes from the sun.

They won’t rub against your truck’s headrest. While they don’t provide protection for your neck, ears or face, they can be used in combination with good sunglasses to shade your eyes.

Pros

  • It’s easy to wear while driving in your car or truck
  • It’s easy to find–you can buy pretty much anywhere
  • It works well to keep the sun from your eyes
  • The brim will not fold in wind or rain.

Cons

  • The sun provides minimal protection

Boonie Hats

Boonie caps have a shorter, more protective brim than traditional baseball caps. They are soft and easy to store.

However, the downside to the soft brim is that it can collapse in the wind and, when wet, can sag into the line of sight.

Pros

  • Decent sun protection
  • It is easy to store and stow

Cons

  • Wetness can cause the brim to sag.
  • Your eyes can be covered by the brim in the wind.

Wide-brimmed Hats

Hats with wide brims

They are named so because they have larger brims and provide more sun protection. They will have a stiffer brim, which means they are more resistant to wind and rain than boonie caps.

Pros

  • Excellent sun protection
  • The brim of the hat is typically stiff and won’t bend in wet or wind conditions.

Cons

  • It is difficult to wear while driving your car/truck

Last Thoughts

You are putting your life at risk if you don’t cover up.

I hope you found this article helpful in reaffirming the importance of a good hat and helping you choose the right product for you.

We’d love to hear about it if it has!

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