Sunburn is no laughing matter in the hiking and backpacking world, and hiking hats offer maximum protection against these rays. The risk of skin cancer is real and not only do you need to apply sunscreen, protecting your skin from UV light when hiking will give you peace of mind.

You don’t just use protective hats for sunny weather, they can come in handy for unexpected rainfalls, to keep your head dry.

Having a hat in your backpack is a must for anyone considering spending time in the mountains. We picked out the 15 best women’s hiking hats that will keep you safe from sunburn on your hiking trip. Additionally, we looked at some of the best outdoor hats out there and came up with our favorite products suitable for your next outdoor adventure.

We also have hiking sun hats for men reviewed HERE.

Our Picks at a Glance

• Most Firm Hat:The Condor Performance Sun Hat
• Best Backpacking Hat: The North Face Horizon Breeze Brimmer Hat
• Most Portable Hiking Hat:
• Best for Durability:Tilley Endurables LTM6 Airflo Hat
• Best Camping Hat: Sunday Afternoons Shade Goddess
• Favorite Hiking Hat with Chin Strap: Outdoor Research Women’s Oasis Sombrero Sun Hat
• Best for Air Circulation Sun Hat: Outdoor Research Sombriolet Sun Hat
• Most Affordable Hiking Hat: Columbia Unisex Adult Bora Bora Booney
• Best Hat for Hiking in Rain: Tilley Wanderer Hat
• Best Hiking Hat: Millet Trekker II Cap
• Favorite Trail Running Hat: Kuhl Sun Dagger
• Best Hiking Hat with Bug Net: Outdoor Research Bug Helios Hat
• Most Lightweight Hiking Hat: Outdoor Research Women’s Solar Roller Sun Hat

Best Hiking Hats Reviewed

Next up is our list of the 15 best women’s hiking hats we prepared for you. It doesn’t matter if it’s a sun hat or baseball cap you’re looking for. For a review, see our Comparison Table to check them all out.

1. Most Firm Hat

The Condor Performance Sun Hat

• Best for: Water sports and harsh winds while hiking
• Weight: 3.6 oz
• Brim measurement: 3?
• UPF: 50+
• Material: 100% Recycled Polyester

The Condor Performance Sun Hat earned our most firm title, while it stays lightweight and durable in all conditions. We would use this hat for water sports since it floats and is washable.

But the biggest pro for us is the “No Flop Brim,” which literally doesn’t flop. You might use this in harsher conditions like the wind because the brim doesn’t fold and block your view.

It also offers a traditional wide brim hat look, with a cord and comes in XXXL sizes. One has to say, no hat is perfect, and the fact that the material is thick and not breathable proves this statement right.

Field Khaki

Light Silver

S.b. Camo

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2. Best Backpacking Hat

The North Face Horizon Breeze Brimmer Hat

• Best for: Sunny weather while hiking and water sports
• UPF: 40+
• Weight: 2.2 oz
• Material: 97% recycled polyester/3% polyester mesh

Is a family camping vacation on the horizon and you’re thinking of engaging in an adventurous, active holiday? If relaxing in the sun, hiking and paddling are on your list, consider getting The North Face Horizon Breeze Brimmer Hat or our best backpacking hat of choice.

Since it is meant for any type of activity, it provides excellent ventilation with a mesh vent on the sides and a sweatband that will give off no body odor. An extra pro for us is that the size is adjustable and the hat’s brim offers enough coverage to keep the sunlight away from your eyes. If you’re ok with purchasing a men’s model, you’re good to go.

Wrought Iron

Bleached Sand

Cafe Creme

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3. Best for Hiking Hat Portability:

Sunday Afternoons Ultra Adventure Hat

• Best for: Portability while backpacking and using sunglasses at the same time
• Brim measurement: 3?
• Neck cape measurement: 6?
• UPF: 50+
• Material: 88% nylon/12% polyester

Here comes one of our favorites and the winner in our portability competition, the Sunday Afternoons Ultra Adventure Hat. What it lacks in design, one of the best women’s hiking hats (if you ask us) offers through its lightweight and adjustability.

So far, we rarely get to see a clamshell brim that we can take on backpacking and thru-hiking trips. All in all, we recommend this hat for the fact that it comes with a neck cape and sun protection, is why we put it on our list of the 15 best women’s hiking hats.

Iris

Black

Sand/Black

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4. Best for Sun Hat Durability:

Tilley Endurables LTM6 Airflo Hat

• Best for: Durability for hiking and backpacking
• Weight: 3 oz
• Brim measurement: 3.5?
• UPF: 50 with UVA and UVB block
• Material: 100% Supplex nylon

Are you looking for a hat to last a lifetime? Then we recommend the Tilley hat as the cowboy headcover! Tilley made a name for itself through quality and modern designs.

Initially, their hats were made Canada, but the company has replaced their manufacturing to China a few years ago. Since then, a few customers have complained about the brand’s quality.

We are too, a once-popular brand that had thousands of users has reduced their quality due to budget cuts. No matter the manufacturing process, this is still a very durable hat. It comes in a traditional cowboy form and blocks UV and UVB rays, thus offering maximum sun protection.

Olive

Sage Green

Natural/Green

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5. Best for Hat for Camping:

Sunday Afternoons Shade Goddess

• Best for: Looking good while hiking
• UPF: 50
• Material: 50% Nylon, 50% Polyester

Seeing the Sunday Afternoons Shade Goddess hat made us think of the beach; this is why we believe the hat might be one of the best ones designed out there. We love that it’s durable and lightweight but still looks good while doing all of that.

This feminine design is our choice for the best women’s hiking sun hats with UV protection and size adjustability. Our highlight is the back opening through which you can put your ponytail. Indeed, details like the printed design on the lower part of the brim make this hat ingenious.

Black

Opal

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6. Best Hiking Hat with Chin Strap:

Outdoor Research Women’s Oasis Sombrero Sun Hat

• Best for: Windy weather hiking
• UPF: 50+
• Material: 86% Nylon, 14% Polyester

Another feminine design on our list of the 15 best hiking hats is the Outdoor Research Women’s Oasis Sombrero Sun Hat, it offers a floral design and wide brim. They filled the brim with foam that will not bend even after machine washing, and the brim’s lower dark side protects your eyes from glare.

If you ask us, it’s a great idea when facing windy weather because of the adjustable chin strap. Truth be told, it might need some readjusting every now and then. Again, our highlight is the design, since this outdoor hat comes in different colors, so you can choose whatever matches your other gear.

Fig

White

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7. Best Air Circulation Hiking Hat:

Outdoor Research Sombriolet Sun Hat

• Breathable nylon fabric that wicks sweat and moisture
• UPF: 50+
• Material: 86% Nylon 14% Polyester

If you’re planning on using your hiking hat in the hot weather, consider our best air circulation hat or the Outdoor Research Sombriolet Sun Hat. This model offers maximum airflow to your head with four wide gaps on the sides of the hat.

With this being said, you need to know that this hat is moisture-wicking and offers UV protection, but it might not be helpful in rainy weather because your head will almost instantly get wet. We love that it possesses a wide brim that flops and a size adjusting strap in the back.

Khaki

Sand

Pewter

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8. Most Affordable Sun Hat:

Columbia Unisex Adult Bora Bora Booney

• Best for: Travel, hiking, camping, and backpacking on a budget
• UPF: 50 with UVA and UVB block
• Material: 100% Nylon

With both a low price and the aesthetics of a fishing hat, we think this hat might be perfect for anyone considering hiking in the sun. This is why we put the Columbia Unisex Adult Bora Bora Booney in our hiking hats for women’s best choices as the affordability winner.

It offers users a custom fit, sun protection, and moisture management with a detachable string. It lives up to its price, as long as you know what you’re buying.

Mountain Red

City Grey

Canyon Sun

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9. Best for Hiking Hat for Rain:

Tilley Wanderer Hat

• Best for: Hiking in the Rain
• Brim measurement: 2.4?
• UPF: 50

We love this hat because it seems durable and doesn’t just offer sun protection. The Tilley Wanderer hat might also provide rain protection for any backpacking or hiking adventure out there.

If you love the safari and thin brim look, this hat is the one for you. It can wick away moisture with its Durable water repellant, a finish that Tilley has been using for decades. But that’s not all, it will provide SPF50 sun protection too.

Gold

Khaki

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10. Best for Hiking:

Millet Trekker II Cap

• Best for: Hiking and backpacking
• Weight: 2.8 oz
• UPF: 40+

The Millet Trekker 2 is our favorite in hiking trucker hats. This brand is on top of its game when talking about hiking hats. This model is unisex with a detachable neck cape that you can store inside a hidden pocket in the back.

Even though it offers only UPF 40+, they made it from stretch material that adapts to the shape of your head so no readjusting should be needed. Our best trucker hat choice is also lightweight with just 2.8 oz, perfect for a trekking adventure.

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11. Best Tulip Hat:

Duluth Women’s Crusher Packable Tulip Hat

• Best for: Hiking and backpacking in the sun
• UPF: 50+
• Material: 100% Cotton

The Women’s Crusher Packable Tulip hat should be the king of chick, out on the trail. We love how it looks since it offers mesh sides and an array of colors to choose from. If you’re looking for a feminine model with sun protection in mind, then this is the one. You might also stabilize it on your head with a movable chin strap.

What we don’t like is the cotton material that makes it heavy and hard to dry. But the fact that you can pack it down to virtually nothing, is why it ended up on our best women’s hiking hats list.

Light Sage

Purple Dusk

Dark Khaki

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12. Best for Trail Running Hat:

Kuhl Sun Dagger

• Best for: Trail running and hotter climates
• UPF: 45+
• Material: 100% Nylon

The Kuhl Sun Dagger is a sun protection hat that earned its position as the best for trail running on our list by offering protection from the sun’s rays in hot weather. This isn’t a hat for winter hiking. If you bring it with you, then you might feel cold because of the side mesh and cooling headband.

Moreover, it’s designed for tropical climates, one can see that from the cooling sweatband integrated into the design, and an irregular brim that protects your nose. If you’re considering buying a hat for trail running, you might include this one in your list, since it locks to your head with a neck and back strap.

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13. Best Hat with Bug Net

Outdoor Research Bug Helios Hat

• Best for: Hiking in bug-infested areas and fly-fishing
• UPF: 50+
• Weight: 3.7 oz
• Material: 89% nylon 11% polyester, recycled

Our best bug-repelling choice of hat that keeps those stings away is the Outdoor Research Bug Helios. It comes with a sun protection UPF of 50+, and a drawcord as a chin fastener, if you’re looking for that. They didn’t emphasize the design when they made this hat, it seems. Outdoor Research just took the look from their all-time favorite sun hat Helios and added a net over the brim.

Truth be told, we like this hat because it has a band to store the bug net when not used. This means, when purchasing it, you get a 2 in 1: a bug hat for fly-fishing and a sun hat for hiking.

Realtree Xtra

White

Khaki

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14. Best Lightweight Hiking Hat:

Outdoor Research Women’s Solar Roller Sun Hat

• Best for: Lightweight summer hiking
• UPF: 50+
• Brim measurement: 3?
• Weight: 2.3 oz
• Material: 100% Supplex Nylon

Built to last and lightweight, the Outdoor Research Women’s Solar Roller Sun Hat is our lightweight champion. As a female model on the market, it comes in many sizes, colors, and the designs you’re looking for.

We might point out the brim, coming in with 3 inches in width and an underside in a darker color to prevent glare. What we don’t like is that it’s too soft. When hiking in mid-season with crazy winds, you might find it flopping around and blocking your eyes.

Other than that, if you’re looking for a fishing hat that will withstand almost anything, for your next thru-hike, the Solar Roller is the one we would choose.

Pewter

White-rice Embroidery

Quartz-rice Embroidery

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Comparison Table

Name of Product	Style	Material	UPF	Weight	Best for
The Condor Performance Sun Hat $79.50	Sun Hat	Polyester	50+	3.6 oz	Hiking and Fishing
The North Face Horizon Breeze Brimmer Hat Price not available	Safari Hat	Polyester	40+	2.2 oz	Sunny Camping, Thru-Hiking, Hiking, Backpacking, and Water Sports
Sunday Afternoons Ultra Adventure Hat $28.81	Adventure Hat	Nylon and Polyester	50+	2.6 oz	Backpacking and Thru-hiking in the Sun
Tilley Endurables LTM6 Airflo Hat $69.09	Safari Hat	Nylon	50	3 oz	Durability for outdoor activities, Hiking, and Backpacking
Sunday Afternoons Shade Goddess $44.00	Adventure Hat	Nylon and Polyester	50+	2.6 oz	Camping
Outdoor Research Women's Oasis Sombrero Sun Hat $42.00	Sun Hat	Nylon and Polyester	50+	3.2 oz	Hiking and Paddling
Outdoor Research Sombriolet Sun Hat $31.46	Sun Hat	Nylon and Polyester	50+	3.1 oz	Hiking and Backpacking
Columbia Unisex Adult Bora Bora Booney $20.99	Safari Hat	Nylon	50	2 oz	Low Budget Hiking
Tilley Wanderer Hat $82.74	Safari Hat	Cotton	50	5 oz	Hiking in Rain
Millet Trekker II Cap Price not available	Baseball Cap	Not Provided	40+	2.8 oz	Technical Hiking, Trekking, Backpacking and Thru-hiking
Duluth Women's Crusher Packable Tulip Hat $34.95	Tulip Hat	Cotton	50+	Not Provided	Camping and Water Sports
Kuhl Sun Dagger $50.00	Safari Hat	Nylon	45+	3 oz	Train Running and Hiking in Hotter Climates
Outdoor Research Bug Helios Hat $60.00	Safari Hat	Nylon and Polyester	50+	3.7 oz	Hiking and Fishing
Outdoor Research Women's Solar Roller Sun Hat $28.50	Sun Hat	Nylon	50+	2.3 oz	Lightweight Hiking, Thru-hiking, and Backpacking

Hiking Hats buying guide

After we’ve reviewed all of our top 15 women’s hiking hats, we are here to help you choose the right one with our buying guide. Next up are the specs you need to think about and the jargon you need to grasp before deciding.

What do I need to consider when buying a hiking hat?

Below, we summarize the specifications, coverage, and protection a hiking hat needs to offer. Still, the most crucial factor is the type of outdoor activity you engage in. Buying a water hat for hiking in the desert is just going to be a wasted purchase, and no one wants that.

Brim length, stiffness, and position

From our previous research, one could see that the brim plays a crucial role in determining the use of a hiking hat. If you want a more extended brim that covers your entire face, then find a trucker hat that fits your needs.

Sadly, no trucker hat will cover your neck and protect it, therefore we recommend using a sun or safari hat for hotter climates. If that still doesn’t do the trick, purchase an adventure hat or hat with a neck cape.

The brim’s stiffness is also significant since no one wants their super long brim in their face all the time when hiking.

UV protection and UPF

No one buys a hat to look good in the hiking community. Indeed, its primary purpose is to protect you from sunburn and UVA/UVB rays that cause skin cancer. Therefore, picking hiking hats with both UVA/UVB filters and high UPF protection is a must.

Water Resistance and Waterproofness

Some hats come with materials that are both waterproof and have Gore-tex or other moisture-wicking membranes. These hats are perfect for blocking moisture or rain from getting to your head and hair. If you tend to hike in the rain or live in a climate with a lot of humidity, then consider purchasing a water-resistant or waterproof hiking hat.

Material

As you could see from our table, they make most hiking hats from nylon or polyester. Only the rare ones are made of cotton, which can get heavy when wet. Also, cotton hats don’t wick away moisture. For a hiking hat, look at something that offers both quick-drying material and breathes. No one wants sweat stains on their head while hiking!

Weight

Weight plays a role when thru-hiking, lightweight hiking, or backpacking are in play. There are some fantastic collapsible brims and lightweight 2 oz hats on the market today. Just look for light materials and always check the weight section before buying.

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What is my priority when buying a hiking hat?

It’s time to get real, you need to think and be realistic with yourself: What will I use my hiking hat for? If you want one for gardening and thru-hiking at the same time, then just say so. No one wants to buy a piece of outdoor gear and never use it.

Comfort

If you’re looking for a hat that will sit comfortably on your head, then make sure you buy the right size, the material is stretchy and the straps don’t dig into your head or skin.

Protection

If you’re afraid of being sunburned and if you have light or sensitive skin, then your priority would be protecting your skin from sun exposure. Opt for hats with an SPF 15 or higher, that covers your face and neck simultaneously, but also have UVA/UVB and high UPF protection.

Moreover, a dark fabric under the brim decrease any reflection from water if you are kayaking or paddling down across a lake.

Durability

Looking for something that will last a lifetime or that won’t fall apart while thru-hiking in the rain for a month? Search for durable stitches and materials, when looking for a women’s hiking hat.

Breathability

We understand that living in a hotter climate or engaging in high-intensity training like trail running, can exhaust and cause a lot of perspiration in your head area. Therefore, choose hats that have enough mesh around the brim and light material.

Style

There’s nothing wrong with wanting to look stylish on your beach camping trip, search for sun hats with cute prints and colors that match your outfit.

Portability

Another thing to consider when searching for a hiking hat for traveling, backpacking, or thru-hiking is how portable your hat is. No one wants a hat that will take up half of your backpack. Specifically, look for one that has a foldable rim and takes up minimal space.

What will I use my hiking hat for?

Another critical factor in determining what model of outdoor hat to choose is to know what you will use it for. Here is a short informative table, that will tell you what type of hat is perfect for any outdoor activity.

Type of Activity	Type of Hat	Our Top Pick
Hiking	Ball Cap, Sun Hat, Adventure Hat, Bucket Hat, Safari Hats	Sunday Afternoons Adventure Hat
Camping	Ball Cap, Sun Hat, Adventure Hat, Bucket Hat, Visor Hats, Safari Hats	Sunday Afternoons Shade Goddess
Backpacking	Ultralight Ball Cap, Sun Hat, Adventure Hat, Visor Hats, Safari Hats	The North Face Horizon Breeze Brimmer Hat
Trekking	Ball Cap, Visor Hats, Safari Hats	Best for Hiking: Millet Trekker II Cap
Thu-Hiking	Adventure Hat, Visor Hats, Safari Hats	The North Face Horizon Breeze Brimmer Hat
Fishing/Hunting	Ball Cap, Sun Hat, Adventure Hat, Bucket Hat, Visor Hats, Safari Hats	Outdoor Research Bug Helios Hat
Trail Running	Ball Cap, Visor Hats, Safari Hats	KUHL Sun Dagger Hat
Ultralight Hiking	Ball Cap, Sun Hat, Visor Hats, Safari Hats	Outdoor Research Women's Solar Roller Sun Hat

Conclusion: The Best Women’s Hiking Hat

We have finally concluded, the winner and number one hiking hat in the women’s category is The North Face Horizon Breeze Brimmer Hat.

Why? It’s super lightweight, offers a wide brim that protects your neck, and can be used for almost anything in the outdoor world: Hiking, backpacking, thru-hiking, trekking, and water sports.

The highlight is how light this hat is, and a chin strap will stay in place all day. This product is top-notch, and if you check it out, you can see it fulfills all the requirements of a backpacking and hiking hat.

We understand that you’re a hat head, but before buying one of our hiking hats, consider the benefits, features, and uses of the product. Make sure you have the right style, size, and fit of the hat.

In summary, investing in quality gear will provide you security and protection out on the trail and make your time rewarding. Speaking of gear, if you are needing hiking clothing, we have tips for what to look for in a lightweight hiking jacket and the best hiking shoes.

Sources:

Last update on 2022-07-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API