The 8 Best Packable Sun Hats for Your Next Warm-Weather Getaway
Best for Everyday
Gigi Pip Sal Crochet Bucket Hat
Why We Love It: From the first time Senior Beauty Editor Erika Reals put on this hat, she knew it would be her new go-to. As a bucket hat, it's designed with a short brim, but it does its job in terms of protecting most of the face on a sunny day. While it didn’t quite compare to the Eugenia Kim visor she also tested in terms of area covered (face, neck, decollatage), she says she feels safe wearing this as an everyday hat to protect her fair skin this summer when paired with SPF. The material seems super durable yet pliable, making it easy to roll up and pack in a weekender bag or errand tote bag. It generally holds its shape, though it's designed to have a little asymmetrical floppiness overall.
Who It’s For: Those looking for an easy, everyday hat who may also have trouble with sizing due to particularly small or large head specs. The XS suited her well. “Usually the 'small' hat sizes are still a bit loose on me, but this fit perfectly snug,” she says. Even on a windy day, she recalls that it didn’t fly off her head.
Material: Paper straw | Size: XS 55–XL 61
Best Budget
Uniqlo Adjustable UV Protection Wide Brim Hat
Why We Love It: At first glance, our tester was skeptical about how this Uniqlo hat would fold and pack, but she was pleasantly surprised by how flexible and malleable the cotton and linen blend material really is. After traveling and packing the hat, it maintained its structure very well; it didn’t retain any folds after being packed.
Who It’s For: Those who want a utilitarian hat that’s also a good value. You can throw it on while exploring towns or villages (or while running weekend errands when you return home from your adventure). While many hats range from $50 to $300, this one costs only $40.
Material: Cotton and linen (Off White, Brown); cotton (Navy) | Size: OS
Best Wide-Brimmed
Janessa Leone Waverly Wide Brimmed Raffia Straw Hat
Why We Love It: Maximum sun coverage and packable? Yes, please. Senior Fashion Editor Hayley Prokos says it’s not too light and not too heavy. Plus, the wide brim keeps her face shaded. The fit is true to size, although the brand notes that the style stretches approximately an eighth of an inch over time.
Who It’s For: If this hat is within your budget, it’s perfect for a vacation you plan to document fully. It’s basically impossible to look less than glamorous in this timeless, statement-making piece.
Material: Raffia | Size: S–XL
Best Bolero
Cuyana Straw Bolero Hat
Why We Love It: Admittedly, boater hats can be tough to pull off—some look straight out of a Music Man costume. However, this elegant version’s minimalist shape and colored band offer a modern twist. According to our tester, the hat’s lightweight and compact design prevents it from taking up too much space in a suitcase.
Who It’s For: The traveler who wants a hat they can wear while lounging at a cabana, shopping in a nearby town, and enjoying extended cocktail hours.
Material: Toquilla straw | Size: 56–59
Best Visor
Eugenia Kim Trixie Hemp Packable Visor
Why We Love It: Wearing this visor, with its extra-wide brim, is such a chic way to keep your face out of direct sunlight. (Although, if you’re in an extremely sunny destination, it’s worth applying SPF to the part in your hair to avoid a sneaky burn.) Eugenia Kim uses hemp straw fabric to make the hat, and it’s a breeze to fold into a suitcase and spot clean. The back is adjustable, making it suitable for a variety of head sizes.
Who It’s For: The hat-averse person. This visor offers more breathability around your head than a full-coverage hat while still protecting your face from the sun.
Material: Hemp straw | Size: OS
Best Bucket
Lack of Color The Inca Bucket
Why We Love It: Made from a tight raffia weave that keeps sun rays from poking in, this relaxed bucket hat is easy to throw on and always looks good. It has a slightly longer brim than traditional alternatives, and the raffia weave feels more elevated than materials like canvas. Although you won’t damage its shape by crumpling and folding it in your carry-on or crowded suitcase, it’s not as flexible as some other options on this list, so you may want to keep it in your purse so you can throw it on the second you arrive.
Who It’s For: Grab this hat if you're a last-minute, messy packer, or if you’re headed on a road trip that doesn’t require tight packing.
Material: Raffia | Size: S–XL
Best Canvas
Lola Hats Bread Bag
Why We Love It: Most canvas sun hats read as overly casual, but this one leaves you looking pulled together due to its easy mix of cotton and raffia materials. While the base is ecru, it's threaded with one of four punchy colors: blue, orange, green, and pink. There’s also a black option for those who prefer neutrals. In terms of function, the brim is relatively wide for a bucket style, which is great for extra sun protection.
Who It’s For: This option is ideal for anyone who dislikes the look or feel of a traditional straw sun hat. It has all the same benefits with less of a vacation-specific vibe.
Material: Cotton, raffia | Size: OS
Best Fedora
Janessa Leone Judith Packable Straw Fedora
Why We Love It: The tightly woven fabric boasts a UPF rating of 35 and a slightly longer brim than traditional fedoras for added coverage. It's finished with a brown leather strap and knotted detail, and it’s available in two neutral colors that are so easy to wear.
Who It’s For: If you’re fedora-curious but scared of looking like a Hollywood scenester, this Janessa Leone design is a wonderful entry point into the style. The wider shape makes it classic and elegant without being over-the-top or kitschy.
Material: Straw | Size: S–XL
What to Keep in Mind
- Material: Look for hats made from materials that can get a little smushed without losing their luster. “The best styles are crafted from malleable materials,” says Janessa Leone, a milliner and the chief executive officer and creative director of her namesake brand. She often includes wire in hat brims to maintain their shape. “We carefully consider materials and their durability, choosing options like high-quality raffia and straw that can withstand being reshaped after travel.” Mariela Alexandra, a milliner and founder and creative director of Mains de Vapeur, avoids synthetic options. “Natural fibers are more durable, breathable, and elevated, making them a great choice for long trips.” This route can drive up the price, but there's a good reason for the extra cost. “Natural fiber hats are handwoven, requiring hours of craftsmanship, and the finer the weave, the higher the quality and price.”
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Sun Protection: Generally, the wider a hat’s brim, the more sun protection it provides. However, if you want to go the extra mile, it’s worth looking into a specific hat’s ultraviolet protection factor (UPF), a rating to see how much of the sun’s rays can penetrate the fabric and reach your skin. Leone’s suggestions? “Raffia and tightly woven straw are ideal for breathable yet protective sun hats,” she says. “For extended outdoor activities in direct sunlight, cotton hats with a high UPF rating provide optimal protection and comfort.”
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Purpose: “Hats are designed with specific purposes in mind, and the activity you're doing will often dictate the best style,” says Alexandra, who explains that the right silhouette can enhance your outdoor experience—say, like choosing a cap for sports or a visor to go sailing. However, if you have minimal suitcase space and a packed itinerary, milliner Gigi Burris, who founded an eponymous brand, encourages you to pick a piece that can easily transition between activities. “Go for something versatile that you can wear consistently,” she says. “We like to design pieces that have a place at the pool and a sunset dinner.”
Your Questions, Answered
What’s the best way to pack a sun hat?
Burris suggests using the “donut packing method,” which involves leaving a hole in the middle of your hard suitcase as you arrange your belongings. From there, place the hat so that the crown side is facing down in the empty space and fill it with soft items, such as your bathing suits and underwear, before placing a folding garment on top to keep everything in place. Another option? “Wear it on the plane,” she says. “There isn’t a more festive way to start a trip, and all the other passengers will look at you with envy.”
What is UPF?
Not all fabrics are the same, especially when it comes to their ability to protect your skin from the sun. To determine how effectively a garment shields the skin, check its UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) rating. UPF indicates how much UV radiation (both UVB and UVA) light a fabric allows to reach the skin. The highest a garment or accessory can rank is a UPF of 50, which blocks about 98 percent of the sun’s rays, reducing your exposure significantly. When shopping for a sun hat, it’s helpful to choose one with built-in protection.
Source: https://www.instyle.com/fashion/best-packable-sun-hats?utm_medium=con&displayPrice=no&utm_source=googlepaid&utm_medium=con&utm_content=Cj0KCQiA-YvMBhDtARIsAHZuUzIxnmy7_DcW3c5oE9rqMzzQaGjPuKaHGF6CjBag6heROT6y5_-Z4PkaAruyEALw_wcB&utm_campaign=commerce-dd-Hats_InStyle_Combined_CommSEM_DSA&utm_term=sun%20hat&kw=paidnoads&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20976485414&gbraid=0AAAAACeazfCDhSEOAUISbIxBSyBp8M-dE&gclid=Cj0KCQiA-YvMBhDtARIsAHZuUzIxnmy7_DcW3c5oE9rqMzzQaGjPuKaHGF6CjBag6heROT6y5_-Z4PkaAruyEALw_wcB
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