Hats are tricky, especially if you’re looking for a packable sun hat for travel.
This new category of hats cropped up in recent years, answering the prayers of hat lovers everywhere. A travel gear essential, these toppers can vary wildly in material and style, but the end result is the same: They pop right back into shape without any structural damage once you’ve arrived at your destination and start unpacking your carry-on bag.
But their importance goes beyond style and covenience. They’re also a key tool to evading harmful UV rays and thusly protecting your precious skin — but you have to shop carefully. A fabric must have a UPF rating of at least 30 to qualify for the American Skin Cancer Foundation’s Seal of Recommendation. You’ll often find that adventure-focused packable sun hats meet this requirement, while some style-forward options do not.
Between style, protection and price, finding the right hat for you is no easy feat. So, let’s take a look at some of your packable sun hat options from around the internet. Some hats on this list offer stellar UPF ratings for long days in the sun, while other are fashionable picks.
Best packable sun hats for women
Meet one of Amazon’s top-selling straw hats. Boasting more than 35,000 positive reviews and a 4.5-star rating, this paper-and-polyester option from Lanzom comes in 21 colors, has a dipped crown and has an adjustable interior sweatband for sizing. Do note, however, that the brim on this hat is on the smaller side, coming in at 2.9 inches deep. It has a UPF 50+ rating.
A cult-favorite Madewell accessory, this paper straw hat is known for being stiff enough to look propped up on your head while also floppy enough to withstand even the most overpacked of suitcases. Our favorite details are the pretty braided texture, the 3.5-inch brim and the ribbon that can stretch around the hat, keeping it locked into place in your luggage. Love the look but want it in a visor? Fear not, it exists.
Featuring a generous 4.5-inch brim, this hat from accessories designer Eric Javits is as fancy as they come. We love the four color options, the intrinsic “Squishee” material comprised of recycled fibers and that the hat has UPF 50+ protection. When it comes to packing, the brand recommends turning the Daphne upside down, stuffing her crown with softer items and using surrounding articles to support the brim.
Splurge alert! Finding a movie-star-quality hat is no easy feat, but this straw option from designer Janessa Leone is just that. A-list celebrities like Taylor Swift, Meghan Markle and Gwyneth Paltrow are huge fans of the brand. Ventilated thanks to cutouts at the crown and loaded with UPF 35+, the Harlow is available in four sizes and can be packed in your suitcase or even wedged into your carry-on bag, and it will quickly return to its original form when you’re ready to wear it.
You’re guaranteed to make a statement in this showstopper hat that features a whopping 8-inch floppy brim that would be equally at home on the beach or strolling down Madison Avenue. Liked by more than 4,000 Free People shoppers, the straw hat is packable and comes in six colors.
This stylish paper straw hat is perfect for everyday wear, offering a 3.5-inch brim, detailing at the crown and SPF protection. The adjustable sweatband also allows for the perfect fit. Plus, it’s designed with packability in mind, so you can rest easy knowing it won’t get ruined in your luggage this summer.
This striking hat from Cuyana is handwoven in Ecuador and is comprised of a softer straw that can be folded in half. Available in four sizes and two colors, the hat has a 3.14-inch brim and an interior adjustable band for an even more precise fit.
Oversized and boasting an adjustable under-chin rope strap — which has a cute cinching bead attached to it — this woven straw hat from Free People is a bestseller for the brand, with more than 2,200 likes. Available in four colors, the Arizona has a dipped crown and big ol’ brim that is sure to keep the sun at bay.
We’re big fans of this oversized visor hat, and so are Amazon shoppers — nearly 12,000 of them have left reviews. In addition to a detachable chin strap, the Furtalk visor has a 4.7-inch brim and is made of UPF 50+ certified paper straw. More to know: It’s one-size-fits-all, thanks to an adjustable Velcro strap in the back of the visor.
Shield yourself from the sun with this super-versatile hat from Australian brand Solbari. Reversible and packed with UPF 50+ protection, the Holiday Sun Hat has an adjustable interior cord for customizing the fit and an interior wire embedded into the 4-inch brim for tailoring the shape. Available in five colors, the hat is a linen-and-cotton blend and easily packable.
This hat offers UPF 50+ protection with a wide brim. A one-size-fits-all hat due to its internal grosgrain ribbon for an adjustable fit, it’s the perfect pick for your next beach trip. And with five different color options and a ribbon bow on the back, you’ll be sunbathing in style this summer.
As it turns out, not all packable hats are straw, and we love this 100% wool fedora for non-beachy trips. Available in multiple sizes, the Brixton features a stately grosgrain ribbon band and a packing-friendly design that springs back into shape once you take it out of your luggage.
Protection from the sun has never looked so pretty, thanks to this Toucan Hats bow option. The woven straw hat is available in six hues — from sweet pink to a nautical navy stripe — and the bows can be monogrammed for an extra $15 too.
Best packable sun hats for men
Men need travel hats too, and this one gets the job done. Loaded with UPF 50+ protection, the polyester Galileo comes in two colors and four sizes, and it has a faux-leather chin cord with a wooden bead, making it a versatile option to throw in his suitcase.
This cute (and crushable!) baseball hat option from Melin is available in over half a dozen sizes and nine colors. The hat is water-resistant, floats and has a hidden interior pocket for cash. An homage to California surfer culture, it also has retro-style rope details, a shallower fit and a flatter bill.
This classic fishing hat from Columbia is a favorite among Amazon shoppers, with a a 4.7-star average from over 7,400 ratings. The hat has a 3-inch brim to block sun and an adjustable drawcord to keep the hat snugly on your head as you hike, fish or relax on the beach. Its signature Omni-Shade material is rated at UPF 50 and blocks UVA and UVB rays. And of course, the hat easily folds down for travel.
Best packable sun hats for children
According to the manufacturer, this reversible sun hat for kids blocks 98% of UVA and UVB rays, thanks to its UPF 50+ rating. It’s available in two sizes and three colors, each of which are reversible to fit with any of your kid’s outfits. The hat is small and flexible, making it easy to fit into your suitcase or diaper bag.
This packable sun hat for younger children comes in fun animal designs, but that’s not the only reason we like it. Like others on this list, its fabric is rated at UPF 50+, which should block most UVA and UVB rays. Plus, the back of the hat extends further than the visor, protecting your child's neck from the sun. The price is right at just $10 too.
Patagonia’s take on the children’s packable sun hat is ready for adventure. It’s made from a water-repellent recycled nylon faille material that’s rated at UPF 40+ and flexible for easy packing. There are ventilation holes for heat regulation and comfort, and an internal headband that wicks moisture.