The 7 Best Fishing Hats in 2024 – Buyers Guide

best fishing hats

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Deciding on the best fishing hat is hard for all of us. Hats help you see further out into the water, block glare and the sun plus some even bring you luck!

Every angler needs a great fishing hat to protect them from the sun and other harsh elements. If you spend much time out on the water, you know how hot and bright the sun can feel on the top of your head, especially if you’re out all day.

No matter what time of year it is, skin protection is necessary. [1] So, kitting yourself out with a fishing hat is essential.

The best fishing hats will be comfortable, breathable, and adjustable. They should keep you cool while providing protection from the sun, wind, and rain.

Here’s the roundup of our favourites available on Amazon right now:

Image Product Details  
flyfisherpro-table__imageBest BucketThe Hat Depot Bucket Fishing Hat
  • Looks Stylish
  • Lightweight Cotton
  • Low Cost
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flyfisherpro-table__imageBest Wide BrimGearTOP Fishing Hat
  • Lighteight With Mesh Panels
  • UVA/UVB Protection
  • Wide Brim
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flyfisherpro-table__imageBest Peaked CapYSLON Outdoor Sun Hat Fishing Cap
  • Baseball Cap Design
  • Quick Drying
  • Accessories For Sun Protection
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fly fishing hat reviews

Detailed Best Fishing Hats Review

The Hat Depot Bucket Fishing Hat

The Hat Depot Bucket Fishing Hat

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Pros

  • Looks stylish
  • Comes in lots of different colors
  • Lightweight cotton material
  • Low-cost fishing hats

Cons

  • No chinstrap
  • Small Brim
  • Sizing isn’t adjustable

Not everyone rocks a boonie-style hat, however. If you prefer a simpler hat, go for this bucket hat from The Hat Depot. With over 30 different colors to choose from, you can find the perfect shade for you.

While the brim isn’t as large, it will still provide some sun protection. You can wear the brim down or choose to flip it up – whichever style you prefer! It’s also a bargain and comes in two different sizes, so you can find the right fit for your head.

It’s one of the best bucket hats you can buy for fishing!

GearTOP Fishing Hat (with Sun Protection)

GearTOP Fishing Hat

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Pros

  • Lightweight fabric
  • UVA and UVB rays protection
  • Wide brim
  • Suitable for men and women

Cons

  • Quite large (but you can adjust the fit)

This stylish hat from GearTOP looks great while providing all-round sun protection for your head, face, and neck. This hat is made of polyester fabric, which stops harmful UVA and UVB rays. It’s lightweight and comfortable to wear, with mesh panels for airflow and ventilation.

The wide brim will prevent sunburn and shade your eyes to stop you from squinting, reducing the risk of headaches. And when the sun’s not shining, you can use poppers to fold back the brim.

Both the fit and the chinstrap are adjustable, making this hat versatile for everyone. The GearTOP fishing hat is quick-drying and flexible. You can fold it up to pack it away without ruining the shape, making it easy to take anywhere.

What’s more, it even comes with a lifetime guarantee, which shows the confidence GearTOP has in its products. We like this GearTOP fishing hat because it’s suitable for both men and women.

It comes in a range of colors, from black to beige to khaki, and you can even buy a two-pack and save money.

YSLON Fishing Cap

YSLON Fishing Cap

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Pros

  • Quick-drying
  • Lightweight
  • Perfect for bass fishing from a boat
  • Versatile with a sleeve for better sun protection

Cons

  • Sizing isn’t very adjustable
  • Nowhere to store the neck & face flap

If you’re more of a baseball cap kinda guy, check these YSLON fishing hats out. They offer the comfort and secure fit of a cap, but you can use the sunscreen sleeve for greater coverage.

They are the best type of fishing hats for bass fishing from a boat, as they won’t blow away. You can take your pick from a range of different colors.

These fishing hats are made from polyester and mesh, so they are lightweight and breathable. This 3-part set is outstanding value for money and just what an angler needs.

It’s less likely to get blown away by a gust of wind, but it’s also fast-drying and will keep you cool!

KastKing Sol Armis Fishing Hat

KastKing Sol Armis Fishing Hat

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Pros

  • UPF 50 protection
  • Moisture-wicking
  • Adjustable headband and strap
  • Cool camo design
  • breathable fabric
  • Comes in a range of colors

Cons

  • Hat brim is very floppy
  • May feel tight on larger heads

These boonie hats from KastKing are an excellent choice for long fishing trips. It’s made from breathable fabric with UPF 50 protection and a wide brim, so you can stay safe out in the sun.

It also has mesh panels to keep your head cool, no matter how hot that sun is.

The headband wicks sweat and moisture away, while the fabric feels cool against your skin. The KastKing Sol Armis is an ideal hat to wear on the hottest days!

This hat is one size fits all, but it’s easily adjustable with the drawstring within the band of the hat, so you can get a perfect fit. The toggle button holds the hat to the right size, saving you from needing to readjust it frequently.

You won’t need to worry about this hat blowing away, either. The adjustable strap ensures that the Sol Armis hat stays firmly in place, whatever the conditions are.

LETHMIK Sun Fishing Hat

LETHMIK Sun Fishing Hat

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Pros

  • Protects you from the sun and rain
  • High-quality craftsmanship
  • Durable
  • Easy to adjust the brim
  • One of the best hats for anglers

Cons

  • Only come in two color options
  • Quite small
  • No mesh panels

This high-quality LETHMIK boonie is another fantastic option for your fishing trips. On sunny days, it will keep you safe with UPF 50 protection.

But you can also wear this waterproof hat on rainy days to stay dry and keep the rain off your face. Which is perfect if you’re going on fly fishing in the rain. Attention to detail has gone into the manufacturing of this hat, with sturdy stitching around the brim to provide more shape and stop it from flopping in your face.

But it also folds down into a compact size to pack, and you can even slip it into a pocket. You can use the adjustable chin strap to stop it blowing away in strong winds.

The snap fasteners allow you to wear it like a cowboy hat for better visibility. You won’t go wrong with this well-made, durable hat that’s designed to protect you in all weathers.

Seektop Fishing Hat

Seektop Fishing Hat

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Pros

  • 360-degree sun protection
  • Lightweight and breathable
  • Includes a face protector
  • Waterproof fabric

Cons

  • Stitching seems a bit rushed with lots of loose threads
  • Face protector can slip down sometimes

This affordable fishing hat from Seektop provides extreme sun protection. The hat has a wide brim and UPF 50+ sun protection, but it goes one step further than that. You also get an optional neck flap and face protector to keep your skin safe in the hottest temperatures.

There’s nothing that will spoil your fishing trip more than a nasty sunburn, but this hat will keep you cool and comfortable. The face protector is made from mesh, so it’s breathable and won’t feel hot to wear.

The removable neck flap fully covers your neck and ears, so you don’t have to worry about reapplying sunscreen frequently. The Seektop fishing hats look the part and are made from lightweight polyester.

You can easily pack this hat or slip it in your pocket, making it one of the best options for frequent travel.

Peicees Fishing Hat (UPF 50+)

Peicees Fishing Hat (UPF 50+)

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Pros

  • Made from quick-drying fabric
  • One size fits all hat
  • Has holes for ventilation
  • UPF 50 protection from the sun

Cons

  • Brim isn’t as wide
  • On the small side

This Peicees hat is ideal for any fisherman or woman. It comes in a range of colors from khaki and black to pink, and it’s fully adjustable so you can get the right fit. You can wear it with the brim down or use the snap fasteners to wear it, cowboy-style.

It has all the features you’d expect from a good fishing hat. It provides high UPF sun protection and has an adjustable wind strap and head strap for the perfect fit.

There are also holes up top for improved ventilation. The fabric is breathable and waterproof, so it will even protect you from the rain. While it doesn’t have mesh panels, the inner lining is made of mesh to help you stay cool.

You can also wash it if needed without it losing its shape. The Peicees hat is a practical choice for any angler, and its low price makes it affordable, too.

Our Buying Guide

Our Buying Guide

Which type to choose?

There are a few common types of fishing hats, which will offer varying levels of protection and coverage. First up is the boonie hat, worn by military forces and adopted by anglers for the wide brim. Boonie hats provide the best all-round sun protection for your head, neck, and ears.

Next up is the bucket hat. As the name suggests, this hat is round but has a narrower brim than a boonie hat. It can look more stylish, but it won’t give the same level of protection. If you stay out too long in the sun with just a bucket hat, you may get sunburnt around the neck and ears.

You can also get legionnaires hats, which look similar to a bucket hat or baseball cap. They also have a neck flap and sometimes even a veil to protect your face from the elements. You can remove the veil and neck flap if you like.

And of course, there’s the good old baseball cap. It’s not designed for anglers and won’t give much sun protection. However, they do work well if you’re in a speed boat and need something that will stay firmly in place.

Sun Protection

The best hats for anglers will provide excellent sun protection. That means a large brim to shade the face, top of the head, and neck. You should also look for high UPF protection from UV sun rays (50+ UPF if possible).

Materials/Ventilation

Look for a hat that is made from lightweight, breathable material. It should also be quick-drying to absorb sweat or in case you caught out in the rain. Many fishing hats have mesh panels up top to improve airflow and keep you cool.

Chin Strap

It’s essential that your fishing hat has a chin strap to hold it firmly in place. You might be in a speed boat, hiking, or clambering over boulders. Either way, you don’t want to keep readjusting your hat – or worse, lose it to a gust of wind. It’s even better if the chin strap is adjustable so that you can get a perfect fit.

Stylish

We may be doing what we love best, but we want to look good, too. You might prefer a particular type of fishing hat for this reason.

FAQ

What are fishing hats called?

There are a variety of different types of fishing hats, but the best and most common fishing hats are boonie hats and bucket hats.

What is the best boonie hat?

In our opinion, the best boonie hats for fishing are the KastKing Sol Armis hats. These hats have a wide brim, UPF 50+ protection, and offer all the features an angler needs. (Check the full review above!)

What is the best hat for sun protection?

The best hat for sun protection has to be the Seektop Outdoor fishing hat. With a large brim and UPF 50+ sun protection for the top of your head, you’ll be safe in the sun when fishing. Plus, it comes with a neck flap and face protector for ultimate protection from the sun’s rays.

What is a boonie hat?

Boonie fishing hats have a wide brim all the way around, keeping the sun off your head and neck. They’re commonly worn by anglers and military forces and are ideal for fishing.

The Wrap Up

So there you have the top fishing hats on the market now. It can be hard to narrow it down to the best fishing hat, as a lot depends on your personal preferences. For me I’d personally go for the Hat Depot Bucket Fishing Hat.

But all of these hats tick the boxes that an angler needs when out on the water.

They will protect you from the sun and elements while keeping your head cool and comfortable. Finding the best hat for your fishing trips will allow you to get even more enjoyment out of them, preventing headaches and sunburn.

Drop us a comment to tell us which of these hats you like the most. We’d love to know. Then, head over to Fly Fisher Pro for more fishing articles and reviews!

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