7 Best Gardening Hats: Stay Safe & Comfortable in the Sun
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Even a little bit of gardening at the wrong time of day can leave you with a farmer’s tan – or, even worse, a farmer’s sunburn. When you’re out tending to your garden, you need to make sure to protect yourself from the sun’s powerful rays. And your head is one of the most important parts of yourself to protect! That’s why I’m excited to help you find the best gardening hats for you in this article.
Every gardener should have a hat they love and wouldn’t dream of working without. I’ve tracked down the 7 best gardening hats that you can find on the internet. Not only will a sun hat for gardening provide you with vital shelter from the sun and add to your comfort level, it can also look great to everyone walking by your garden! Read on for more.
Key Takeaways
While putting together this list of the best gardening hats, I’ve raided both my closet and my friends’ closets looking for the exceptional sun hats to feature on this list, as well as read through hundreds of customer reviews. After finding 7 great options to share with you, I eventually decided that the top of the list of the best gardening hats is the EINSKEY Sun Hat because of its sleek look and unparalleled comfort.
I paid special attention to the Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) rating of these products, since it’s an industry standard that tells us how effectively a piece of clothing blocks out the sun’s UV rays.
A 50+ UPF rating is the magic number, since it means that more than 99% of UV rays are blocked by the material. Since you’re probably looking for ways to stay safe while you’re out in the sun, the UPF of the gardening hats you’re considering is extremely important.
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Best Overall: EINSKEY Sun Hat
Why this is a quality choice: As my top pick on this list of the best hats for gardening, the EINSKEY Sun Hat checks all the boxes for a great sun hat for gardening. Its wide brim will protect your face and neck wherever in the sky the sun is, and the 100% polyester fabric feels light and breathable. I tend to get sweaty when I garden, which is why I appreciate the built-in band that wicks away sweat and keeps it out of my eyes.
Who is this for: Great for both men and women, this hat is for anyone who spends lots of time in their garden (or in the outdoors generally). The water-resistant nylon makes it a great option for anyone who doesn’t get scared off by a couple of rain clouds on the horizon.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: This product is one-size-fits-all, which is fine for most people, but some will want to be able to choose the exact size of their hat.
Fabric Type: 100% Polyester | Closure: Yes, Drawstring | UPF: 50+ | Feature: Breathable Mesh | Care: Hand wash only
Best Budget: Connectyle Outdoor Mesh Sun Hat
Why this is a quality choice: The budget-conscious gardener can find great value in the Connectyle Outdoor Mesh Sun Hat. The mesh band that surrounds the brim allows for great airflow but maintains the 50+ UPF rating.
It also has the buttons on the sides to create a cowboy-style hat, which is an option I like to use in the evenings. Once the worst of the sun is gone, I find that clipping up the sides of my hat lets me feel that cool evening air.
Who is this for: This entry on our list of the best gardening hats is a basic model that works well in most environments, but if you’re often in very strong sun you might want to opt for a larger hat.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Its 3-inch-wide brim is smaller than most of the hats on this list but still provides plenty of protection from the sun. Gardeners who are more image-conscious might not like the bright colors on offer, but kids really do.
Fabric Type: 100% Polyester | Closure: Yes, Drawstring | UPF: 50+ | Feature: Cowboy buttons | Care: Hand wash only
Best On Amazon: HUAMULAN 6″ Super Wide Brim Sun Hat
Why this is a quality choice: The name of this HUAMULAN hat doesn’t make any false promises. It is a super wide brim hat. In my experience, some gardening hats can leave the back of my neck exposed, but that won’t be a problem with this one. The brim provides great protection from the sun by reaching far down onto your back without also digging into it.
That means you can feel comfortable wearing this hat even if you’re taking care of succulents in the Arizona desert!
Who is this for: If you’re really concerned about protecting all areas of skin while working outside, the HUAMULAN 6″ Super Wide Brim Sun Hat will keep you suitably covered.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: The “flaw” of this hat is mostly aesthetic, since the super wide brim can (to some eyes) look a bit funny (but not as funny as farmer’s sunburn!). But, it’s worth it if you’re looking to keep everything shaded all of the time.
Fabric Type: 65% Cotton, 35% Polyester | Closure: Yes, Drawstring | UPF: 50+ | Feature: Wide Brim | Care: Hand wash recommended
Best for Men: Henschel Aussie Mesh Breezer Hat
Why this is a quality choice: This bold sun hat for gardening from Henschel can help you bring a roguish, Australian style out with you to the yard. It’s a striking look that people will notice, but the hat’s fully mesh construction will also keep you cool. And, despite all the room for air, it still maintains a 50+ UPF rating, meaning it’ll keep you safe and shaded wherever you’re gardening.
Who is this for: The Henschel Aussie Mesh Breezer Hat is one of the best gardening hats for men who care about looking good while they’re gardening!
Flaws but not deal-breakers: This isn’t one of the waterproofed hats that can also keep you sheltered in the rain. If you don’t already have a rain hat you love, you might want to choose an option like the EINSKEY Sun Hat that can do double duty.
Fabric Type: 100% Cotton | Closure: Yes, Drawstring | UPF: 50+ | Feature: Full Mesh Construction | Care: Hand wash only
Best for Women: INOGIH Women’s UV Hat
Why this is a quality choice: The INOGIH Women’s UV Hat combines aesthetics and function exceptionally well, delivering both a 50+ UPF rating and cool two-tone design. It has both a ponytail hole and cowboy clips, meaning you have a lot of options for how exactly to wear it. And, since the hat comes in almost a dozen color combinations, I’m sure you’ll be able to find a scheme you like.
Who is this for: This is one of the best gardening hats for women who spend a lot of time in the sun and value a great-looking hat, too. It can be paired with gardening sleeves too.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Some users have reported that the INOGIH Women’s UV Hat ships folded up, creating creases. But most find it easy enough to steam out those creases.
Fabric Type: 90% polyester, 10% Mesh | Closure: Yes, Drawstring | UPF: 50+ | Feature: Neck Flap | Care: Hand wash only
Best Straw Hat: Pineapple&Star Straw Fedora
Why this is a quality choice: The Pineapple&Star Straw Fedora looks like a classic straw hat, complete with a striking black ribbon running above the brim, but it boasts a few innovative features. These include an inner, adjustable band that helps that ensure your hat fits snugly without becoming uncomfortable.
In my experience, customization options like this one go a long way towards ensuring that you end up loving a gardening hat.
Who is this for: This straw fedora is a great option for anyone who wants a simple straw hat but also wants customization options to ensure a great fit. If you’re finicky about one-size-fits-all hats, you might want to consider this option.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: The removable drawstring can be a bit of a pain, especially if you either forget to bring it out with you or leave it out in the garden.
Fabric Type: 100% Straw | Closure: Yes, Removable Drawstring | UPF: 50+ | Feature: Inner Hook & Loop System for size adjustments | Care: Spot clean only
Best for On the Go: GearTOP Wide Brim Sun Hat for Men and Women
Why this is a quality choice: The GearTOP Wide Brim Sun Hat stands out as one of the best gardening hats to wear outside of the garden. Its hidden pocket is great for stashing your valuables while you’re out at the beach or keeping yourself cool with an ice pack. I love this feature, since I always get anxious about my cash whenever I’m taking a dip somewhere!
Who is this for: GearTOP’s hat is the perfect option for people who are looking for a great gardening hat but are also interested in something they can take with them when they’re out on the go.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: The polyester material is very light, which can help you stay cool, but it also means the hat risks flying away if it’s windy out.
Fabric Type: 100% Polyester | Closure: Yes, Drawstring | UPF: 50+ | Feature: Hidden Pocket | Care: Machine Washable
pineappleandsta / Instagram
Buying Considerations for the Best Gardening Hats
Quality and Longevity
I hate spending money on products that don’t last. I wouldn’t consider products you’ll need to replace every season to be the best gardening hats for anyone. All the hats I’ve recommended are made out of quality materials that won’t wear down quickly. It’s a sure bet that you’ll be wearing your new sun hat for years to come.
UPF Rating
As I’ve been saying, the best gardening hats have an important job to do. They’re necessary to protect your face, head, and neck from the sun. And, luckily, UPF rating is a trustworthy measure of how much protection from UV rays a piece of clothing will provide. You should definitely use it!
Appearance
Finally, I think it’s important that the best gardening hats look great while also blocking out the sun. If you don’t like the way a hat looks, there’s not really much of a chance you’ll actually wear it. And what’s the point of buying a sun hat for gardening with a super-high UPF rating if it never goes on your head?
On the other hand, you’ll be excited to wear a hat that you love while you’re gardening! That way, you can feel confident while you’re out there and stay safe in the sun.
How We Choose These Products
As an avid gardener who also happens to have fair skin, I learned about the importance of sun hats a long time ago. As I said, I’ve tried out quite a few of the products on this list myself. I’m also aware of the reputations of brands that are active in the gardening space, both through my own experience and through my work here at Gardening Products Review.
That makes me able to assess the claims that companies are making online and give you the real down-low. And, I was careful to back up all my conclusions through researching what other people said about the products online. I truly believe that keeping yourself safe from the sun while gardening is essential, so I want to put as many people as possible in gardening hats they love!
geartopdesign / Instagram
Final Verdict
At the end of the day, the EINSKEY Sun Hat stands out as my top pick overall on this list of the best gardening hats. I made that decision in light of its simple design, effectiveness at blocking out the sun, and great value. For my money, it’s the best hat for gardening out there.
However, all the other options on this list have standout features as well, whether that’s the hidden pocket of the GearTOP Wide Brim Sun Hat or the distinctive look of the Henschel Aussie Mesh Breezer Hat.
I hope you’re ready to make a call and pick up your ideal sun hat for gardening. (And why stop at just one?) After all, the sun is definitely going to be out there waiting for you to start planting this spring!
FAQs
Is UPF important for gardening hats?
Yes, UPF is an important consideration when you’re buying a gardening hat. The UPF rating of a sun hat for gardening tells you how effectively it will protect you from UV rays. A thin, white gardening hat won’t be nearly as effective as a thick, straw hat for protecting you from the sun.
Why do gardeners wear hats?
Gardeners wear hats to keep them safe and comfortable in the sun. Not only do sun hats prevent sun burns and heatstroke, but they also keep the sun out of your eyes and keep you cool. No experienced gardener will be caught in the sun without their trusty hat.
What’s the most breathable material for a garden hat?
Historically, the humble straw hat has been the most comfortable and breathable choice for gardeners and farmworkers. And they’re still great, but more recently, UPF-rated nylon and polyester have been used to create breathable sun hats. Which type of hat is the “most breathable” will depend on individual preference.
