Fishing Hats: Beyond Sun Protection - A Guide to Finding the Perfect Headwear

If you are an angler, fishing hats should be a staple accessory in your adventures. When it comes to protecting your skin from the scorching heat of the sun, choosing the right hat is a priority.

In today’s age, you can find different options of sun hats for fishing, but they don’t share the same level of sun protection. Do you know which one to choose? In this blog article, we aim to help you make an informed decision that could help you save a ton of money from trial and error.

If you are ready, let’s start by discussing what a sun protection hat is.

What is a Sun Protection Hat?

A sun protection hat is designed to protect the skin from the harmful UV rays. Sun protection hats are made from fabrics that completely block out UV rays. These hats have an indicated UPF rating which determines the amount of sun protection. Sun protection hats can be a baseball hat, bucket hat, or a wide brimmed hat.

What is UPF?

Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) indicates the amount of UV radiation will reach your skin. There are different UPF ratings available. UPF rating of 50+ provides the best protection against sun rays, this means that only 2.5% of UV rays will reach your skin. Hence, the larger the UPF rate, the more UV protection.

15, 20% UPF – Around 4.2 – 6.7 UV transmission
25, 30, 35% UPF – Around 2.6 – 4.1 UV transmission
40, 45, 50, 50+% UPF – Less than 2.5% UV transmission

It is important to note that when buying fisher hats always consider the UPF ratings.

Different UPF Hat Styles

Baseball cap: Baseball caps are preferred for being comfortable and easy to wear. These caps can be adjusted easily depending on your head size.
Wide-brimmed hat: These hats provide good protection under the sun. It is ideal for fishing or hiking activities with a hot and sunny environment.
Bucket hat: A bucket hat is the most popular style due to its laid back appearance and lightweight property.
Panama Hats: These lightweight hats provide protection and comfort even in hot and steamy water settings. Panama hats are crafted using palm fibers that offer excellent breathability and style.
Caps with Neck Flaps: Neck flaps are essential specially for anglers who constantly expose their napes while fishing. A cap with a neck flap provides protection against harmful UV rays.
Boonie Hats: Boonie hats have detachable neck flaps which is ideal for both land-based and water-based fishing. These boonie hats protect your face, neck, and ears from burns and other skin damages.

Importance of Hats for UV Protection

A study was conducted about how Americans experience multiple skin issues due to neglect of wearing sun protection. The findings suggest that protective fabrics such as hats are more effective compared to wearing sunscreen.

A good quality fishing hat is important for different reasons:

Sun protection: Sunburn, skin damage, and skin cancer are developed due to prolonged sun exposure. To reduce the risk of long term damage, it is advisable to wear a hat when fishing. This way you can protect your face, neck, and ears from the heat of the sun.
Heat regulation: Continuous increased body temperature may cause sun stroke. Having a quality fishing hat with a breathable material and a mesh lead can help with proper airflow.
Vision enhancement: Direct sun rays may cause discomfort to your eyes. Using a good sun hat with a wide brim may protect your eyes and reduce the glare of the sun.
Sweat management: Fishing hats come with sweatbands that help keep sweat away.

Benefits of Wearing a 50+UPF Hat for Fishing

Enhanced Protection – As mentioned UPF 50+ provides maximum sun protection. Compared to regular hats UPF 50 blocks out 98% of UV rays protecting the face, neck, and ears to avoid skin cancer and other skin damages.
Maximum Comfort – UPF 50 hats are made to be lightweight and breathable. The kind of materials used makes this kind of hat comfortable especially in hot and humid conditions. Compared to regular hats that may not be as breathable which may cause a hot and sweaty head.
Durability – UPF 50 hats are known to be durable that can withstand extreme sun temperature. These hats hold up over time which means that there is no need for frequent replacement.
Versatility – There are a wide range of styles and shapes available for UPF 50 hats. From baseball caps to bucket hats, you are surely to find the one that best fits your preference.
Easy Maintenance – UPF 50 hats are easy to maintain, they can be machine washed and dried so that you can use them again when needed.

Material Used in Making UPF Hats

Polyester: Polyester UPF hats are quick-drying, durable, and wrinkle-resistant. This material is a good option for outdoor activities such as fishing and hiking.
Nylon: A nylon UPF hat is lightweight yet durable making it a good choice for hot weather.
Cotton: A naturally breathable material known for its absorbency. Although they may not be as strong and durable compared to other UPF synthetic materials.
Straw: A fiber material often used to make beach hats and other casual occasions. This material is known to be lightweight and breathable but they may not provide an adequate amount of sun protection.
Wool: The wool material is specially made for those with sensitive skin. Wool UPF is often used for cold weather.

Whatever material you choose to have, make sure you are equipped whenever you are on a fishing adventure. So choose according to your preference and requirements.

Features of a Good UV Protective Fishing Hats

When choosing a fishing hat, it is good to consider some of these features:

Wide brim: Hats with wide brim provide a good amount of shade to your face, neck, and ears.
Breathable material: It is important that you feel comfortable when wearing the hat. So choose the one that is made with lightweight materials.
Adjustable fit: Look for a hat with an adjustable strap to ensure a comfortable fit.
Quick-drying: A quick drying hat provides you comfort even after getting wet from the rain or perspiration.
Sun protection: Make sure that your hat has a good UPF rating to ensure that it will protect you from harmful UV rays.
Dark under-brim: To reduce glare from the water it is best to use a dark-colored under brim. This also improves visibility when casting and spotting a fish.
Water-resistant: This is an essential factor to consider when choosing a fishing hat. A good water-resistant hat will protect you from unexpected splashing or rain.
Chin strap or cord: A chin strap helps keep your hat in place even in windy conditions.

Top Rated Hats for UV Protection

Having to wear a good sun hat is important to protect your skin from harmful rays of the sun. A good sun hat shields your face, neck, and ears when fishing. Below are some of the top rated sun hats made for men and women.

GearTOP Fishing Hat

The hat provides excellent protection against sun rays. It is lightweight and comfortable, which makes it easy to wear even with an extended period of time. Although, this hat doesn’t provide ventilation, thus you may feel uncomfortable if worn during the hot summer days.

Wmcaps UPF 50+ Sun Protection Hat

This hat is an excellent choice for fishing, hiking, and gardening because it can cover 98% of sun rays to reach your skin. It is comfortable to wear and sits well on your head due to the adjustable drawstring closure. The drawstring closure makes this hat perfect for all head sizes. It is made of nylon, making it 100% waterproof.

One of the downsides of this hat is the weight. Some people find this hat too light to use for windy days.

Mission Cooling Bucket Hat

This hat provides both sun protection and cooling sensation, which makes it a great choice for fishing. This hat is lightweight and comfortable with a 3 inch wide brim. One of the downsides of this hat is that the elastic strap may not feel comfortable.

Einskey Sun Hat for Men and Women

The wide brim provides a decent amount of shade, covering your face and neck. A drawstring is attached to secure the hat in place even in windy seasons. The material used is waterproof which makes this hat perfect for rainy seasons too.

The only downside is that it may not sit well on large head sizes. For some, drawstrings may be a bit uncomfortable because it touches the skin. Due to the material used, this hat may not be very breathable, which may lead to discomfort.

Ellewin Fishing Sun Cap

This hat is a great choice for fly fishing and suits well with different climates. Due to the nature of fly fishing, a good sun hat that covers your face and neck is ideal. This cap provides a good sun shade while reducing glare for better fishing experience.

It also comes with a removable mesh to cover your face and neck that serves as a shield in direct sunlight. In addition, this hat is comfortable to wear and breathable.

Baddash UPF 50+ Sun Fishing Hat

This boonie style hat is another great choice for fly fishing. It features a wide brim and a UPF 50+ material that ensures no sun rays will damage your skin. There is also a neck flap that can be used to protect your nape.

A mesh panel on the side allows for a better airflow and a moisture-wicking sweatband, keeping away the sweat. Although, the size of this hat may not be suitable for those with larger head size.

Huk Camo Patch Straw Fishing Hat

This hat provides a good amount of shade while being breathable. The fit secures the hat during strong winds. Thus making it perfect for sea fishing.

This wide-brim hat is covered with a water-repellent coating for a quick drying effect. The only downside with this hat is that it’s too big to carry along with.

Gloryfire Boonie Hat

This boonie hat features a wide rim creating a shade that could protect your face from the sun. A leather chin strap is attached which helps hold the hat in place. You can also find a mesh panel that keeps your head cool during the summer season. This hat has a larger area of protection in the head and neck giving the best coverage from the sun.

Kastking Sol Armis Boonie Hat

This fishing hat is a durable and versatile option if you are looking for a UPF 50+ protective hat. The wide brim creates a good shade, with a dark colored bottom reducing the reflection and glare in your fishing glasses.

This hat style also features a moisture-wicking sweatband and a mesh panel that keeps your head cool. The only downside is that it does not fit everyone.

Fishing Tucker Hat

For those who prefer a cap-style fishing hat this is a perfect choice. It is lighter compared to other sun hats and it does not blow away easily.

It is made from cotton which makes it soft. There is also a top and side open mesh providing good ventilation.

Conclusion

If you are an angler that goes fishing on a regular, then a good sun hat is a must. The best fishing hat should be easy to wear, comfortable, provide a good airflow, and most importantly provide a good sun protection. Ideally, you want a sun hat with a UPF 50+ to protect you from UV radiation when fishing. When it comes to color and style, choosing the best sun hat is all about your personal preference.

As we end this blog, we hope that we’re able to help you gain insights on different sun hat styles and make a smart decision before buying. If you have reactions or suggestions, don’t hesitate to leave a comment below.

Additional resources:

Check out the Fishing Hats for Every Cast: Choosing the Right Headwear for Your Style and Season