Being in one with nature is one of the best things that one can experience when going on a fishing trip. You get to relax while breathing in the fresh air that comes your way while waiting for the fish to catch your bait. Fishing takes time and patience since you don’t get to catch a fish immediately. It is then necessary to keep yourself protected from the elements including the heat of the sun while you are fishing. One of the primary things you need to have is a fishing hat.
The best fishing hats protect your face and neck from the ultraviolet rays of the sun, which causes sunburns and other skin diseases. They give you the opportunity to fish without being annoyed by the heat or other elements such as insects. Fortunately, we have come up with a list of the best fishing hats to guide you in choosing for the most appropriate hat to use.
Best Fishing Hats
Fishing hats come in various designs and features that affect their functionality. To make your job of deciding much easier, we have listed down ten of the best fishing hats which are available on the market.
1. Columbia Sportswear Bora Bora Booney II – Best Fly Fishing Hat
This is a great all-around fishing hat that is made from 100% nylon for maximum comfort, breathability, and moisture-wicking. The proprietary “Omni-Shade” technology blocks UVA and UVB sun rays to prevent sunburn and skin cancer. This is a great option for a long fishing day or sporting event. An ideal outdoor hat, the cap suits well for fishers who want to spend long hours looking for their trophy fish. There are 16 different color options.
2. Ddyoutdoor 07-281 Outdoor Sun Protection Fishing Cap
This is a fashionable summer outdoor fishing cap that could help protect users against the heat of the sun. It consists of removable flaps that would shield you from the ultraviolet rays of the sun. Its large bill and back flap also add additional heat protection when fishing. The cap includes two mesh side panels with two large brash eyelets which are used for ventilation. Due to its collapsible feature, the cap is easy to carry. It comes in various colors to suit personal choice.
3. Lethmik Fishing Sun Boonie Hat – Coolest Fishing Hat
For anglers who wish to fish during summer, the Lethmik Fishing Sun Boonie Hat might be an ideal hat for you. Due to its comfy polyester material and robust stitching process, users are ensured of a durable hat that could be used for fishing and other outdoor activities. The sun hat consists of an adjustable drawstring that could hold the hat in place when it is windy outside. It mainly keeps your face and neck from the harsh ultraviolet rays of the sun.
4. Outdoor Sun Protection Fishing Hat
This is an outdoor hat that could protect you from the heat of the sun, especially when you are fishing. It includes an ultralight mesh neck and face flap which covers your back and shoulders, protecting you from the ultraviolet rays of the sun. It has a wide brim that could cover your face entirely. Moreover, the hat consists of a vented mesh on the bowl of the hat which dries up the sweat quickly. This keeps you fresh and comfortable when fishing in hot places. The hat could be adjusted to secure it from being blown away on windy days.
5. Camo Coll Outdoor Sun Cap
The Camo Coll Outdoor Sun Cap is a Boonie cap that is made up of polyester and cotton. Lightweight and comfortable to wear, the cap will keep you fishing for hours without being affected by the harsh heat of the sun. The mesh part portion of the hat will keep your cool and dry. It includes a drawstring that could be adjusted to fix the hat, especially on windy days. The hat comes in various attractive and eye-catching colors, making it more convenient to choose the ideal hat based on personal preference.
6. Dealstock Boonie Fishing Hat
The DealStock Boonie Fishing Hat is a soft fishing hat that is made up of 100% cotton. Additionally, its material and construction make it comfortable to wear. The hat is designed for summer outdoor activities, especially in fishing, to keep you shaded from the heat of the sun. Moreover, it includes a chin chord that fixes the hat on your head, securing it against strong winds. It comes in two sizes and 15 different designs, allowing users to choose from a variety of selections based on their preference more conveniently.
7. Tough Headwear Outdoor Boonie Sun Hat
The Tough Headwear Outdoor Boonie Sun Hat is an ideal fishing hat that comprises of UPF 50 which blocks ultraviolet rays out, protecting your face and neck from the heat of the sun. Its adjustable drawstring ensures that your hat stays on your head especially on windy days. The hat includes mesh panels that cover the circumference of your head, keeping your head ventilated and cooled even on the most humid days. It comes in six different designs with varying colors.
8. Dealstock Fishing Cap
For all-around protection against the sun, you could try the DealStock Fishing Cap. It primarily covers your face when fishing under the sun. Moreover, it consists of a flap cover that protects your ears and neck from the heat. It is made up of cotton and nylon, making it a lightweight and comfortable cap to use when fishing, or hiking. It includes an adjustable drawstring lock that keeps your hat in place when in windy areas. The hat comes in nine sleek designs which you could choose from.
9. MG Men’s Fishing Hat
The MG Men’s Fishing Hat is made up of 100% cotton, making it lightweight and comfortable when used. Its brim is sufficient enough to cover your face against the harsh heat of the sun. Moreover, it includes side snaps and a chin cord that keeps your hat stay in place whenever you go fishing in windy places. The hat comes in seven different sizes, making it an ideal hat for anyone to use. Moreover, it comes in six various designs to choose from.
10. Lethmik Outdoor Boonie Fishing Hat
The Lethmik Outdoor Boonie Fishing Hat is an outdoor cap that is made up of waterproof polyester fiber. It includes a wide snap brim that keeps users protected from the heat of the sun. The hat consists of two air vents on both sides and a breathable mesh fabric that keeps your head cool when using it in hot areas. It includes a drawstring that lets the hat stay in place whenever you want to go fishing in windy places.
Why Do You Need a Fishing Hat?
Fishing hats are essential to protect you from the sun’s UV rays. Besides near-term discomfort from sunburn, the sun’s harmful rays can cause skin cancer over years of fishing without the right protective gear.
Types of Fishing Hats
There are several types of fishing hats you can buy. One of the most common is the classic bucket hat that people associate with fishing. Others include Boonie hats and the common baseball cap.
Bucket Fishing Hats
The classic bucket hat is a great option for most fishermen. The wide-brim protects the neck and ears from the sun while also shielding the eyes. Most bucket hats are made from breathable materials and often include mesh or eyelets for ventilation.
Boonie / Booney Hats
Boonie hats look similar to bucket hats, except that they usually have stiffer brims and are typically used by the military. These days, many Boonie hats are marketed as bucket hats and the differences have mostly evaporated. One common feature of Boonie hats is additional loops around the head on top of the brim that can be used to hold leaves for additional camouflage.
Baseball Caps
Baseball caps can be a good option for short fishing trips to shield your eyes from the sun, but they don’t provide enough protection for the ears and neck for long days in the sun. While they may be fashionable, we don’t recommend them for most fishing trips.
What to Look For in a Fishing Hat
The primary feature that you have to consider when looking for the best fishing hats is their ability to cover and protect you from the heat of the sun. However, there are more features to take note of when choosing the best fishing hats than their ability to protect you from the sun. In the list below, we have run down some features which could help you choose the most appropriate fishing hat to use.
Protection
Obviously, the #1 feature you should look for in a fishing hat is protection from the sun. Most modern fishing hats offer protection from harmful UVA and UVB rays. The wide brims protect your ears and some hats even have ear flaps and neck flaps for added protection. Look for fishing hats that exclaim their UV protection.
Color
Color is another important factor with fishing hats. If you plan to spend a long time in the sun, opt for a lighter color hat that deflects the sun’s rays and keeps you cooler.
Materials
Many fishing hats these days are made from polyester or nylon material which provides great durability, easy cleaning, and breathability. Some hats come with cotton as well for additional comfort, especially on the inside sweatband for additional moisture-wicking. Nylon and polyester are quick-drying, but cotton will take a long time to dry when wet so consider whether you are willing to sacrifice comfort for drying ability.
Comfort and Size
Aside from protection, a good fishing hat should be comfortable to wear. It should be lightweight when worn so that it would not be bothersome when you are fishing. Moreover, it should not be too tight or too loose. When the size of your hat is at its extremes, you will find it less comfortable to wear. Find a hat
Typically fishing hats come in two sizes: one-size-fits-all and fitted. One size fits all hats are a great option for most fishermen since the internal elastic headband should create a comfortable grasp on your head, but if you want a bit more comfort or your head is a lot larger or smaller than average, then you can get a fitted one.
Durability
Your fishing hat should have a robust construction and material. This way, your hat will withstand even harsh conditions like rain or strong winds. Moreover, make sure that the drawstring does not snap quickly because this is a vital portion of most fishing hats that help in securing the hat in your head properly.
Breathability
An ideal fishing hat releases the heat from the portions of your heat covered by the hat. It is worth noting that this is an essential feature to consider since some hats without a breathable feature will only trap the heat from your head. This will make you more sweat. Essentially, the best fishing hats have mesh fabrics or vents found around the hat. These provide the much-needed ventilation for your hat and can let you appreciate the breeze on a warm day.
Additional Features
Most fishing hats come with an adjustable chin strap to secure that hat on your head. This is particularly useful while boating or during a windy day.
Some hats have buttons on the sides so you can attach the sides of the brim to the main hat for days when it’s not too sunny. Some fishing hats even come with ear flaps or a neck flap for added protection that can also be attached to these buttons or detached.
If you plan to pack your hat in your fishing bag, make sure to get one that folds well while packing.
The features which are elaborated above are just a few of the elements that you should consider when picking for the best fishing hats to use. It should be noted that the ultimate choice on which from the fishing hats to choose from depends upon your preference.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Add a Fish Hook to Your Hat?
Many anglers add fish hooks to their hat to look cool or for convenience. If you want to have a hook permanently on your fishing hat as a decoration, we recommend sewing it on. If you simply want it there for convenience, weave the pointy part of the hook in the hat, but be careful not to have the pointy tip face your head.
Why Should You Have an Adjustable Chin Strap?
A chin strap prevents the fishing hat from flying away during windy days or while going fast on a boat.
What Kind of Fishing Hat Should You Wear in the Winter?
Most of the fishing hats on this list are designed to keep you shaded from the sun during the summer. In the winter, you’ll want a warm, wool cap and a warm jacket, especially if you plan on ice fishing for long periods of time.
Conclusion
The best fishing hats are those that could provide you protection from the heat of the sun. Yet, it is worth noting that other factors should also be considered including breathability and comfort. Make sure that the fishing hat that you have selected possesses these features. This way, you will be assured that your chosen hat will deliver its function well while allowing you to enjoy your time fishing.
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