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Fishermen tend to spend a lot of time outdoors, and a typical fishing trip can involve long hours of sitting and waiting for something to bite. It can be a relaxing activity, but it may also be a dangerous one, if you fail to use the correct equipment, like fishing hats.
Hats are vital for fishing trips of all kinds, as they help to protect your head, face, and eyes from the sun's harmful UV rays. This can be hugely important in terms of reducing your risks of sunburns and even more serious problems, like skin cancer. But what are the best fishing hats to buy if you want protection, comfort, and value for money? Read through our guide to find out. Here are the top fishing hats of 2024!
Our top-rated fishing hat is the GearTOP UPF 50+ Boonie Hat. One of the best reasons to love this hat is the amount of strong sun protection it can provide. It has a UPF 50+ rating, which makes it one of the toughest hats around. It’s capable of resisting harmful UVA and UVB rays, preventing those rays from penetrating through the fibers of the hat and damaging your skin.
This hat is also made from high-quality materials, featuring breathable mesh panels that help airflow and keep you cool. You won’t need to worry about getting hot and sweaty while wearing this hat, and it’s also easy to clean and quick to dry. It’s perfect for repeated use throughout the long months of fishing trips and outdoor adventures.
Some fishing hats only cover the top of the head, but the KOOLSOLY Fishing Hat goes much further than that. It features back, side, and front panels to protect your entire face and neck while you fish or spend time out in the sun doing other activities. Thanks to the super-wide coverage, you can wear this hat and not have to worry about the sun damaging your skin anywhere around your head or facial area.
This fishing hat is available in a wide range of colors and styles, suitable for both male and female wearers. It offers UPF 50+ sun protection, too, and it’s very lightweight, breathable, and easy to clean. Plus, if you don’t want to use all the different flaps and panels, you can remove them quickly and easily in a matter of minutes.
If comfort is what you crave in a fishing hat, the KastKing Sol Armis UPF 50 Boonie Hat is a super good choice for you. This hat has clearly been designed with comfort in mind. It features breathable mesh venting to promote airflow and prevent wearers from getting sweaty and uncomfortable. It also has an adjustable chin strap, letting you adjust the hat to get the perfect fit.
This hat is also strong, with UPF 50 sun protection. It comes with a moisture-wicking headband too, and it’s available in a wide range of styles, including fun camo patterns. Fishermen and other outdoor adventurers can rely on this hat to keep them cool, fresh, and comfortable during even the longest fishing trips.
If you tend to do a lot of fishing in wide, open spaces where the wind speeds tend to get quite high, the EONPOW Fishing Hat is the hat for you. Thanks to its strong chin strap and comfortable fit, this hat won’t blow away, even in the strongest of breezes. It will stay firmly and comfortably on your head all day long.
This hat is also quite classic and stylish, with a simple, traditional design and several colors to pick from. It features breathable mesh venting along the upper section for air to flow, and it’s also made from water and stain-resistant material. You can use this as a beach hat or hiking hat, as well as for fishing trips.
Last but not least, we have the CAMOLAND Breathable Wide Brim Boonie Hat. This hat stands out due to its stylish design. It features a camo pattern to help fishermen blend in with the natural environment, and it’s available in a range of colors from reds and blues to greens and grays. It looks great on men and women of varying ages and has a comfortable chin strap to get the right fit.
This hat is also very breathable, thanks to the wide mesh panel around the rim. It features no-rust hardware, so can be used in wet and rainy conditions with no issues. It also offers UPF 50+ sun protection against UV rays. Plus, there’s a 360-degree sweatband built-in with this hat to help you stay cool and dry on the sunniest of days.
Whether you’re a frequent fisherman or just getting ready for your first ever fishing trip, it helps to have a good quality fishing hat to wear. If you’re not sure why fishing hats are so important or what to look for when shopping for these hats, read on to find out.
Before we look at the key factors to look at when buying a fishing hat, let’s first focus on why these hats are so important. It really is vital to wear a fishing hat if you want to stay safe and have the best time on your future fishing trips. Here are just a few reasons why.
One of the main reasons why fishermen are encouraged to wear hats is to decrease the risk of skin cancer. If you spend too much time in the sun without protection, the sun’s UV rays can penetrate the skin and cause damage to skin cells. This can eventually lead to melanoma, otherwise known as skin cancer.
Cancer isn’t the only health issue you need to worry about when fishing. Fishermen also commonly struggle with issues like painful sunburns on the face or sunstroke, which can lead to vomiting and headaches. By covering up your head and staying protected, you’ll reduce the risk of these issues.
A good sun hat can also help with your vision while fishing. Often, when you’re fishing, the sun might be right above you, shining down its light into your eyes and making it hard to see your line or enjoy the environment. By using a hat to provide shade, you’ll be able to see more clearly and react faster when your line starts to move.
Another good reason to always wear a fishing hat is to set a good example for others. This can be especially important for parents who want to take their children fishing and want to show them the right way to fish. So, wearing a hat isn’t just good for protecting yourself; it can also encourage other people to protect themselves.
Fishing hats may seem simple, but there are actually several important factors to think about when choosing one. Hats can vary wildly in terms of the quality of their materials, the amount of sun protection they offer, and so on. Here are some key factors to think about when you’re next shopping for a sun hat.
One of the most important factors to look at when buying a hat for fishing is the level of sun protection it provides. You need to have a hat that can withstand and block some of the sun’s UV rays in order to protect yourself against burns and the risks of cancer.
In general, experts recommend looking for hats with at least UPF 50 protection. This is enough to sufficiently protect the head and face from a lot of damage, when used together with sunscreen and other protections, like visors or sunglasses.
You also need to think about how comfortable the hat will be to wear. After all, many fishermen spend several hours sitting beside their rods next to lakes and rivers, so you’ll be wearing the hat for a long time. It needs to feel comfortable.
To assess the comfort of a hat, look at the materials and design. Soft materials will feel more pleasant on the skin, and it helps to have mesh panels or breathable sections to stop you from getting too hot or sweaty. A built-in sweatband can be a great feature, too.
Of course, your fishing hat also needs to be the right size to actually fit you. Usually, there are two main distinctions in terms of fishing hat sizes. You can either find one-size-fits-all hats or fitted hats with specific sizes.
Most hats are in the “one-size-fits-all” category and have little adjustable straps to help you get the right fit on your head. This is usually the easiest kind of hat to choose, especially if you aren’t too sure about the precise size of your head. If you do know your hat size, you can look for a specific size and get a fitted hat, which may provide extra comfort.
Fishing hats can also come in different shapes. There are classic baseball cap-style hats, Boonie hats, bucket hats, and hats with face, side, and neck panels to provide maximum coverage, too.
People have different preferences when it comes to shape. In general, Boonie and bucket hats are a good choice, as they offer full coverage all the way around the head. They are much better than baseball caps, which leave parts of the head and neck exposed. Hats with side and front panels can be great if you want total protection, but they can get hot and sweaty inside.
Finally, you may also want to consider the style of your hat. Aesthetics are less important than sun protection, but they can still be important for some people who want to look good while fishing.
You may want to find a hat in a certain color, for example, or with a camo pattern to match the rest of your fishing outfit. However, remember to prioritize other factors, like comfort and protection. Some hats can look great, but are very weak in terms of protection and won’t help you stay safe.
Fishing hats may get muddy or dirty with repeated use. A simple handwash with mild detergent is usually all you need to clean them up. Some hats may also be machine washed, but check the label to be sure.
Boonie hats and bucket hats are actually very similar in terms of their shape and design. The key difference is that Boonie hats have stiffer brims.
This is not recommended. Baseball caps don’t provide much protection to the back of the head, sides of the head, or the neck. It’s better to get a proper Boonie or bucket hat for fishing trips and remember to use sunscreen, too.
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