Fishing is a great way to spend time outdoors, soaking in the sunshine and nature. Long hours out in the sun, however, can be detrimental to your health if you aren’t careful. While time outdoors is good for you, too much sun exposure can lead to skin cancer, among lesser issues.
To protect yourself on fishing trips, you should always apply sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher), reapply, and protect your head and face with a fishing hat and fishing sunglasses.
While many opt for a simple baseball cap out on the water, fishing hats are designed specifically for long hours in the sun and UV protection.
Protect yourself from harmful sun exposure with one of these top-rated fishing hats. Reviewed for their UV protection, ventilation, and other features, these fishing hats are your best bet to protect your skin when you’re out fishing, so you can worry less about the sun and more about your catch.
Top 10 Hats for Fishing
- Home Prefer Men’s UPF 50+ Sun Protection Cap
- Columbia Unisex Bora Bora II Booney Hat
- Tilley LT5B Lightweight Nylon Hat
- KAVU Men’s Chillba Hat
- DDYOUTDOOR Trade Fashion Summer Outdoor Sun Protection Fishing Cap
- Outdoor Research Sombriolet Sun Hat
- UShake Mosquito Head Net Hat
- KAVU Men’s Fishermans Chillba Bucket Hat
- EINSKEY Sun Hat for Men/Women
- KBETHOS Summer Outdoor Boonie Bucket Hat
Home Prefer Men’s UPF 50+ Sun Protection Cap
The Home Prefer Men’s UPF 50+ Sun Protection Cap is first on our list for a number of reasons. First, is its UPF 50+ rating. UPF, Ultraviolet Protection Factor, is the standard by which fabrics are measured for sun protection. A rating of 50 means that 98% of UVA and UVB sun rays will not get through.
This fishing hat is made from polyester, so it is lightweight, breathable, and quick-drying. It has mesh vents for cooling airflow, so your head won’t overheat while wearing the Home Prefer Men’s UPF 50+ Sun Protection Cap. It comes in eight colors, some neutral and some brigher depending on your preference.
It has a wide brim for extra sun protection and shade, and it comes with a neck flap to protect the back and sides of your neck while fishing – an often overlooked spot that is easily burnt.
The neck flap can be rolled up when it’s not needed, but stays attached so you won’t lose it. The Home Prefer Men’s UPF 50+ Sun Protection Cap also has a chin strap to keep it in place, and adjustable velcro straps to adjust to head size.
Columbia Unisex Bora Bora II Booney Hat
The Columbia Unisex Bora Bora II Booney Hat is another great option, and also comes with UPF 50 protection from 98% of UVA and UVB rays. The wide 3 inch brim provides extra shade and sun protection with Columbia’s Omni-Shade technology.
This fishing hat is made from 100% nylon, with a polyester inside layer. It has an adjustable drawstring toggle to fit larger or smaller heads as needed, and it comes in nine colors so you can fit it to your personal style. It also comes in a small/medium size and a large/extra-large size to accommodate different head sizes.
An extra selling point for the Columbia Unisex Bora Bora II Booney Hat is it’s Omni-Wick technology to keep sweat out of your eyes. It has a sweat-wicking headband, and mesh vents to keep airflow in and your head cool.
Tilley LT5B Lightweight Nylon Hat
Tilley Endurables is a well-known, high quality brand name that makes durable, reliable products. Any of their hats would do well out on the water, but the Tilley LT5B Lightweight Nylon Hat is our top pick for its UPF factor, lightweight nylon material, and other factors that make for a great fishing hat.
The Tilley LT5B Lightweight Nylon Hat has UPF 50 protection to block 98% of the sun’s harmful rays, and it is made of breathable and lightweight nylon material, keeping your head cool. It is also water-repellent (great for rainy days) and it floats, so if it falls into the water it can be easily retrieved.
This fishing hat is easily crushed and compressed, and comes back to its original shape each time.
The Tilley LT5B Lightweight Nylon Hat has a secret velcro security pocket in the crown as well to stash your passport, cards, money, etc. It has a decently wide brim for sun protection, and a Hydrofil sweatband to wick away moisture.
KAVU Men’s Chillba Hat
The KAVU Men’s Chillba Hat has a unique style that allows for extra-wide sun protection. One size fits all with this hat, which stays put with an adjustable chin strap. Each hat is reversible as well, allowing for two different colors; KAVU offers a variety of colors and patterns, allowing for more stylish options.
The solid color Chillba hat is 100% nylon, while the printed Chillba side is 100% polyester. Either way, the KAVU Men’s Chillba Hat is lightweight, water-resistant, flexible, and made from high-grade materials. It holds its shape well, but is easily collapsible for travel.
The KAVU Men’s Chillba Hat allows for extra sun protection because of its wide brim, protecting the neck and ears as well as the face. Its unique design also keeps the head cool, as it is not snug to the head and allows for airflow.
DDYOUTDOOR Trade Fashion Summer Outdoor Sun Protection Fishing Cap
This fishing hat from DDYOUTDOOR offers UPF 50+ protection from UVA/UVB sun rays. It has a wide brim to cast shade over your whole face, and comes with removable flaps for the neck and face when needed. Both the hat and the flaps are lightweight and allow for airflow to keep you cool.
The DDYOUTDOOR Trade Fashion Summer Outdoor Sun Protection Fishing Cap is made from 100% nylon, so it is lightweight, waterproof, and quick-drying. It has mesh panels to keep your head from overheating, and comes in five colors to best fit your style.
An elastic drawstring allows the DDYOUTDOOR Trade Fashion Summer Outdoor Sun Protection Fishing Cap to adjust to any head size. This fishing hat is durable, collapsible for easy travel and storage, and provides great sun protection.
Outdoor Research Sombriolet Sun Hat
The Sombriolet Sun Hat from Outdoor Research is another great pick for a fishing hat. It provides UPF 50 protection from the sun, and its wide brim offers extra shade and protection. The brim is stiffened with foam, so it won’t flop down over your face and it floats in water, should it fall off.
The Outdoor Research Sombriolet Sun Hat is a 86% nylon and 14% polyester blend, fitted with vents and mesh lining to keep your head cool and protected. A TransAction headband wicks away moisture, and a drawstring helps fit the fishing hat to your head, along with a chin strap to keep it in place.
This lightweight, breathable fishing hat comes in nine colors to fit your style. It is water resistant and durable, all while providing top-tier protection from the sun.
UShake Mosquito Head Net Hat
For those fishing in extra-buggy waters, the UShake Mosquito Head Net Hat protects from the sun and from annoying insects. The UShake Mosquito Head Net Hat comes with a detachable mesh net that tucks easily into the top of the hat, so you can pull down the netting to save yourself from mosquitoes or other bugs whenever necessary.
Whether or not you need the anti-mosquito netting, this hat offers great protection from the sun. The UShake Mosquito Head Net Hat has a wide brim all the way around, and offers UPF 50 protection from UVA/UVB sun rays.
The UShake Mosquito Head Net Hat is made from 100% nylon and 100% polyester materials, so it is lightweight and durable. It has a mesh compartment for airflow, and the company even offers a 100% money back guarantee within the first 12 months.
KAVU Men’s Fishermans Chillba Bucket Hat
Another top pick from KAVU is their Fishermans Chillba Bucket Hat. This fishing hat has a more classic bucket style compared to the Chillba Hat, but is made from similar high-quality materials. Like other KAVU products, the Fishermans Chillba Bucket Hat is reversible and comes in a variety of colors and patterns.
This hat is 100% nylon, so it is lightweight and breathable but still durable. It has a mesh headpiece to improve airflow, and its water resistant material on the inside and outside keeps your head dry. Water resistant and lightweight, this fishing hat is made to be out on the water.
The wide brim keeps your face and neck protected from the sun, and the KAVU Men’s Fishermans Chillba Bucket Hat provides style (it comes in 15 colors) and versatility. This fishing hat is reversible and collapsible for easy storage as well.
EINSKEY Sun Hat for Men/Women
The EINSKEY Sun Hat is the top-selling fishing hat on Amazon, chosen for quality and affordability.
This fishing hat was designed for the outdoors, and an extra-wide brim allows for added protection from the sun. The brim is also stiff enough so that it doesn’t flop over, and it’s made of water-repellent polyester fabric.
The EINSKEY Sun Hat is lightweight and breathable, with mesh vents on each side to keep your head cool. One size fits most, and there is an adjustable drawstring and a chin strap to keep it securely on. The EINSKEY Sun Hat also has a moisture-wicking sweatband for added relief.
This fishing hat can be easily folded in half for storage, and comes in four neutral shades. The wide brim and affordable price make the EINSKEY Sun Hat a solid choice for a fishing hat.
KBETHOS Summer Outdoor Boonie Bucket Hat
The KBETHOS Summer Outdoor Boonie Bucket Hat is our top-choice for the classic fisherman bucket hat look, although it does not have the same protection features as our other picks. It does come with a wider-than-standard brim for sun protection, and it is made from high quality materials.
The KBETHOS Bucket Hat is 55% cotton and 45% polyester, so it is lightweight but durable. It has brass eyelets for ventilation, and the material itself is breathable. It has side buttons to push up the sides for a different style, and it comes in 22 unique colors, giving you more options than most fishing hats.
While this hat does not provide as much sun resistant and moisture wicking technology as others, it is a high quality bucket hat for a classic look, and it’s an affordable option.
Why Do You Need a Fishing Hat?
The dangers of sun exposure and its connection to skin cancer are well known. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, more people are diagnosed with skin cancer in the U.S. each year than all other cancers combined.
About 90% of non-melanoma skin cancers are traced to exposure of UV radiation from the sun, making it vital to protect oneself when spending long periods of time outside.
Fishermen are especially susceptible to these statistics because of long hours spent out in the sun and on the water, which can reflect sunlight and increase exposure. Investing in a quality fishing hat designed for sun protection is a good first step to protecting yourself from the sun.
Keep in mind, however, that a fishing hat does not mean you can skip applying sunscreen to your face and neck – both are necessary.
The Importance of Hats
As we’ve already mentioned, fishing hats are essential to protect fishermen and women from exposure on long, sunny days on the water.
While anyone can fish, and more women are taking up the sport each year, there are undeniably more men fishing than women.
Men also have higher rates of skin cancer. While this is not a direct connection to fishing, there’s a striking gender gap when it comes to skin cancer regardless.
Significantly more men than women are diagnosed with skin cancer, especially after age 49. The Skin Cancer Foundation calls this “possibly the result of a lifetime of sun exposure and poorer sun protection” in an article titled “Men on the Hook”, alluding to fishing, of course. This graphic from the article is startling:
While men and women are both fully capable of catching fish, and both should protect themselves from the sun, the statistics are alarming.
Fishing hats provide shade for your face out on the water, which is important as it is the most exposed and sensitive skin. Our top picks for fishing hats provide UV protection for your face and head, which can also get burned even through your hair.
Don’t become a statistic – be careful out in the sun with a high quality fishing hat and by applying and reapplying sunscreen on long days. Even when it’s overcast or chilly, you are at risk of sun exposure.
What To Look for in a Fishing Hat
If you’re shopping for a new fishing hat, there are certain elements to look for in terms of protection and quality. Learn what you should look for in a fishing hat so that you can make an informed decision on the best fishing hat for you or your loved one.
UV Protection & Coverage
The point of wearing a fishing hat is to protect you from the sun, so UV protection and coverage are a must. The best fishing hats will have a UPF protection factor of 50 or higher, which means they protect from 98% of UVA and UVB rays.
Coverage is also very important – you want a hat that covers the most area to protect as much skin as possible. The wider the brim, the more protection the hat can offer. If you spend a lot of time in the sun, you should be thinking about the back of your neck and ears as well, which is why a wide brim and, ideally, a neck flap, will better protect you from the sun.
Ventilation
Hats without ventilation can make your head overheat, making you sweat more and generally make you uncomfortable. The fishing hats on our list feature vents, mesh areas, or eyelets to let out heat. Fishing hats with moisture wicking materials are especially helpful on a hot, sunny day.
Waterproof or Water Resistant
Fishing hats don’t have to be waterproof, but it’s helpful if they are at least water resistant, since they’ll likely get wet. Look for water resistant, repellent, or quick drying hats so that your head isn’t soaked and the hat doesn’t get heavy. If the hat also floats, that’s a plus.
Fishing Hat Size
Imagine your disappointment if you fishing hat comes in the mail and doesn’t actually fit your head. Most hats have some level of adjustability, but check out the specs on the product page to see if the hat will fit your head.
Those with larger heads should be especially careful about this, as most hats can be adjusted inwards. Some hats come with sizes, while others are one-size-fits-all or most, so check in on size before purchasing.
Final Thoughts
No matter which hat you choose, or how often you fish, be sure to protect yourself from the sun and always wear sunscreen. Protect your eyes too so you can keep spotting fish!
I can attest to the Tilly’s hat being able to float. Just recently we were caught in a wind turbulence while fishing on my boat and my $85 hat flew into the water. We were able to turn around and eventually saw it floating in the water where we retrieved it with my fishing net. Whew!
Great post on fishing hats Erin! Too many times we go out on the water even on overcast days and get completely burnt by the sun. The long term affects will cause problems for life. Wear a hat when fishing and save your skin for years.