best gardening hats

Best Gardening Hat – Features That Matter Most When Choosing One

Gardening hats are one of the most popular kinds of hats. Why? Because people spend more than just a few minutes in the garden and are rightfully concerned about UV damage to their face, ears, and neck. So, choosing the best gardening hat for UV protection is a smart thing!

Another advantage will be keeping you cooler from the shade it provides to your face.

The perfect gardening hat is an indispensable tool. It will keep you cooler, protect your skin, and shade your eyes.

The important things about sun hats… Brim size, shape, and the material itself. Ideally it will be lightweight and breathable.

The size of the brim matters. It should be at least three inches for a good level of protection.

In addition, for even better protection, try to find a sun hat made from material rated UPF 50+. Why? Because that means it will block 98% of direct UVA rays.

The gardening hat (or any hat) must have a UPF of 30 to qualify for the Skin Cancer Foundation’s Seal of Recommendation. Anything UPF 50+ gets a rating of “excellent” on their list.

Remember, they’re not just for gardening. They are also great protection for other activities including walks, hikes, beach, on the water (fishing?), etc..

Best Choices for a Gardening Hat

Obviously there are lots to choose from! From best-sellers to customer reviews, the following gardening hats are some great choices.

EINSKEY Sun Hat for Men/Women
(view on amzn)

The most popular garden hat.
Best Gardening Hat?

This sun hat may be the most popular. Considered the best by many. The brim is nearly four inches, all around. The brim is perfect width and sturdiness (no flopping). It has a UPF rating of 50. Breathable mesh panels help keep your head cool. You can adjust the band around your head. The hat is adjustable with some elastic in the back for different size heads. Chin straps too for windy days…

Columbia Unisex Bora Bora Booney
(amzn)

Gardening Hat with best/most reviews

One of the most popular sun hats. UPF 50 protection. Breathable mesh. The brim measures three inches and contains a thin layer of flexible plastic sandwiched between two layers of fabric. It takes on a bit more a floppy appearance rather than being a very stiff brim. That amounts to a personal taste of style…

“Perfect fit!!! I was worried about this being one size men’s (I am a woman with a size small head) but the toggle in the back makes this hat perfect for I would say most any head size.” said one reviewer…

Wide Brim with Neck Flap
(view on amzn)

Extra protection for the neck

Among my many hats, I also have one similar to this one with an extra long neck flap. For some reason I tend to get extra sun on the back of my neck while gardening (weeding?) so this really helps. This particular hat is rated for 50+ UPF, which is great. The brim is 4″ wide with a neck flap of 8.5″ for total coverage of your face, neck, and ears. It does have breathable mesh side panels and a moisture wicking elastic sweatband. Is this the best type of gardening hat?

[ Read: How-to Purify Water With Sunlight ]

7 Comments

  1. I have to have the flap hat. The brim that goes in the back is horrible. When I put my head back, which I need to do for not only high work, but I have bifocals so it goes back a lot. 🤓
    Thanks for reminding me. I need one for my GHB.

  2. i have always used the wide brim straw hats, they are a lot cooler than cloth on my head and reflect the heat better.
    just some advice for what it’s worth, you can put a wet cloth under your hat and as it evaporates it will cool your noggin.
    it works for me.

  3. I have worn the Tilley Airflow hat for over 15 years. It is absolutely the best for protection and comfort to a bald guy that doesn’t like hats. Believe it or not it floats, comes with a 6 page owner’s manual and is guaranteed for life, even against loss.

    LTM6 Airflo Hat

  4. DW bought me a wide brimmed Collibar brand straw hat years ago. Has an SPF rating of 30 or more. It is my daily Headwear when farming, providing protection for head, neck, ears, and face. Think I have had this one for 4-5 years now, still holding up. In the high altitude and desert you have to have a wide brimmed hat, your a fool if you dont.

  5. I wear the Tilley Airflow hat myself. (made of nylon). These hats used to be made of cotton but they wore out within 2 years if worn constantly and laundered 1x per week using machine wash. Nylon hat works just fine on extreme hot day as long as I have a chance to rinse/dowse it in water once in a while. Bald guys need hats. Some type of all around brim prevents the tops of the earlobes from being burnt as well.

    1. To add on to your mention of wearing the hat on ‘extreme hot day’… I also wrap a bandanna or sweatband around my forehead to help a bit with perspiration. I have lots of them. Various types. For the really hot/muggy days I use the ‘super soaker’ sweatband (grin) rather than a thinner one.
      ——-
      [ Read: 50 Uses For A Bandana ]

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