The 10 Best Fishing Hats for 2021

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Photo: Silverscreen

Many people will argue on the necessity of a fishing hat. Well, if you want to be protected from sunrays and prevent sunburns and bugs then you direly require a fishing hat. But the quest is to find the best fishing hat which can help you cover the face area effectively.

Generally, there are boonie hats that are most common and popular with the fishing enthusiasts. There are other styles also available that cover the neck area as well or come with a mesh to prevent mosquito bite or bugs getting onto your skin.  

We dedicate this review to help you find a fishing hat that best serve your needs.

Review of the 10 Best Fishing Hats

1. Ddyoutdoor 07-281 – Best Overall

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The Ddyoutdoor is the best overall fishing hat because of its waterproof nylon material and give great protection against UVA/UVB while fishing because of the full-face coverage. Plus, there are 5 colors available in this product so you have enough choice to make.

The flaps are removable so the hat is finely collapsible and you can carry it conveniently. The product is versatile enough and other than fishing, you can wear it for camping, boating, hiking, or gardening.

Also, the ventilation is excellent through the mesh side panels with 2 large meshed eyelets. This product offer everything you want from a fishing hat. Plus, it is available on a decent price too.

Furthermore, this product is available in only one size but the stretch makes it suitable for all, without putting a lot of pressure on your head.

Something that might bother you is that it doesn’t look very stylish. If you solely want a fishing hat for sun protection and from the bugs and mosquitoes then this is your product.

Pros:

  • Completely waterproof and well ventilated
  • Available in 5 color options
  • Versatile for different purposes
  • Stretchable and not pose stress on your head

Cons:

  • Not too stylish

2. Kbethos Unisex Fishing Hat – Best Budget

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For all those who are on a strict budget, this is a fantastic product to buy as it is the most affordable product on the list.

You can find it in three sizes of small/medium, medium/large, and large/extra-large. Plus, you get a lot of color choices in this product.

This is a classic boonie hat made with 55% cotton and 45% polyester. You can use it for multiple purposes like fishing, hiking, hunting, beach, or for everyday use.  

Plus, the 4 brass outlets are suitable for effective ventilation. On the downside, this product does not give a lot of coverage and it is not waterproof.

Pros:

  • Available on the most affordable price
  • Comes in different sizes
  • Versatile in usage
  • Good ventilation

Cons:

  • Does not give a lot of coverage
  • Not waterproof

3. Rothco 58917 – Best Boonie

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If you want the best boonie hat for fishing then this is the most considerable product to buy. It is available in variable sizes such as 6-3/4, 7, 7-1/2, 7-1/4, 7-3/4, and 8 to satisfy the need of every individual. Plus, there are 7 color options you get with this product.

The construction is done with cotton and polyester material to prevent sweating. Plus, there are 4 screened side vents for complete ventilation. It also provides optimal protection against sun.

The adjustable chin straps to keep the hat fixed to your face so that the hat doesn’t blow away. This is a great product except that you cannot wash it in a machine. You will have to handwash it every day.

Pros:

  • Best boonie hat in multiple sizes
  • Perfect material to prevent sweating
  • Well ventilated
  • Comes with an adjustable chin strap

Cons:

  • Cannot wash it in a machine

4. Camo Coll Anti-Mosquito – Best Wide Brim

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This one is the best wide brim straw fishing hat as it comes with a wide brim of 3.5-inches. It doesn’t just give you great face coverage but also protect from mosquitoes with head mesh. You can also expect great amazing sun protection as well.

The polyester material is easy in washing and it is also completely waterproof. The ventilation is great through the mesh.

Furthermore, you get chin straps and cord lock to put the hat in its place. The product is highly recommended for hiker, campers, and hunters. However, it is mostly for women and won’t go as seamlessly with men’s style.

Pros:

  • 3.5-inches brim for amazing face coverage
  • Completely waterproof
  • Extreme protection against mosquitoes

Cons:

  • Not so much for men’s style

5. Camo Coll Outdoor Sun Cap – Best Bucket Hat

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So, this one is the best bucket fishing hat with 7.5-inches inner diameter and 13.5-inches outer diameter. It is made of high-quality material of cotton and polyester to prevent sweating and keep your head as relaxed as possible.

This is a very well-ventilated hat with mesh top to keep your head cool and comfortable on the sunniest day. Plus, it comes with an adjustable drawstring to keep the hat firm on the head and prevent it from blowing way on a windy day.

The hat is very comfortable and you get a lot of color choices in this product. Plus, the cost is very affordable so you will not have to spend a lot of money on one of the finest products on the market.

The only problem with this product is that harsh washing will fade away the color. You will have to handle it carefully.

Pros:

  • High-quality bucket hat with 7.5-inches diameter
  • Very comfortable material
  • Available in multiple colors
  • Suitably priced

Cons:

  • The color could fade with harsh washing

6. Lethmik SH0010GY – Best Lightweight

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This one is perfect for transporting because of its lightweight of 3.2-ounce. It is the best lightweight fishing hat available on the market.

It is a great product made of polyester material, making it perfect for all kinds of environments. Whether it is sunny outside or a rainy day, you can wear this hat.

It is highly great for sun-protection. Plus, there is an adjustable drawstring to keep the hat perfectly fitting on the head.

The construction is done beautifully and durably and perfectly suitable for hiking, fishing, camping, etc.

On the downside, you cannot wash the hat in a machine. Plus, it lacks in color choices as this model is available in 2 colors only.

Pros:

  • Extremely lightweight and comfortable product
  • Adjustable for a perfect fit
  • Versatile in usage
  • Waterproof material construction

Cons:

  • Lacks in color options
  • Not suitable to wash in a machine

7. S.W. Military Fishing Hat – Best Sun Protection

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This is the best sun protection fishing hat due to the neck flap that covers the neck from the back entirely and make sure that you don’t get sunburn.

This product is quite amazing and available in multiple color options. You get 4 sizes of small, medium, large, and extra-large size.

The ventilation is also very effectively reserved with this product through the 4 gourmet eyelids. It will keep your head comfortable.

To keep the hat firm, there is a chinstrap and a cord lock. However, the chinstrap is not very durable and may break soon. But, on the plus side, this is pretty reasonably priced.

Pros:

  • Ideal for sun protection
  • Extremely well ventilated
  • Available in 4 sizes
  • Multiple colors available

Cons:

  • Chinstrap is not very durable

8. The Hat Depot 300N – Best Fishing Hat with Maximum Color Options

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This product gives you maximum color options of 32-colors. You get all kinds of colors to make a selection.

The material used in the making is partly cotton and partly polyester and it will not let sweat accumulate. This is a classic bucket hat with 2.25-inches brim.

Moreover, there are 4 vents for ventilation that helps in keeping your head comfortable. The product can be used for various outdoor activities.

It is suitably priced and a decent product except that there is very small coverage against sun. Make sure not to wear it on a harsh sunny day.

Pros:

  • Available in 32-colors
  • Comfortable material
  • Great for ventilation
  • Suitably priced

Cons:

  • Have very less coverage

9. Columbia Unisex Fishing Hat – Fishing Hat in Moisture Wicking Fabric

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Some people experience a lot of sweat. For all those, this one is the best hat made of moisture wicking fabric of nylon and poplin. The material is also extremely durable too.

You get a lot of color options in this product. There is an adjustable closure to tighten the hat. The mesh on the top of the hat makes it pretty good in ventilation.

Talking about the downside, this is available in one-size and might give you hard time with greatest fitting.

Pros:

  • Made of moisture wicking fabric
  • Mesh top for ventilation
  • Adjustable closure to tighten the hat

Cons:

  • One-size might not give you very amazing fit

10. MG Men’s Fishing Hat – Standard Fishing Hat

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This one is a cotton made basic fishing hat that you can wash easily with hand or in a machine. There are 6 colors available in this product to make a choice. Plus, there are 4 sizes to make a selection.

It has a decently sized brim to give suitable coverage. Plus, there are side snap and chin cords to tighten the grip so that on the windiest days, the hat will not blow away with the wind.

The vents on the hat gives you the best ventilation and keep your head comfortable. However, if you do get sweat, this one will be drenching because it is not very good at soaking it.

Pros:

  • Available in 4 sizes
  • Decent brim for suitable coverage
  • Side snap and chin cords to tighten the hat
  • Keep your head comfortable

Cons:

  • Not good in absorbing sweat

How to Buy the Best Fishing Hat

photo: outdoorgeartoday

This section of fishing hat review will help you select the best of the products and understand the evaluation criteria.

1. Type of Fishing Hats

There is no denying the fact that fishing hats also add some dapperness to the overall look of the wearer. However, looking stylish is not the only cause of getting these hats but protection against sun and other environmental elements is the main reason.

So, these are some types of fishing hats you can find on the market.

Boonie Fishing Hat

It is a round hat made of a variety of materials like cotton, polyester, and nylon as well. The brim of the hat is wider and can cover the ears and neck area and keep the wearer protected efficiently from sunrays.

The best boonie fishing hat you can buy online is the Rothco 58917 fishing hat made of the finest combination of materials and have 4 screened side vents for maximum ventilation.

Wide Brim Hats

As the name suggests, these hats have wider brim. The shape is more or less like a boonie hat but it is angled downwards to shield the head, face, ears, and neck area.

The brim of these hats extends from 3 – 6-inches. Therefore, you can expect excellent protection from sunrays, mosquitoes, and bugs. It has also been assimilated that hats with wider brims are equally efficient as SPF of 5. And the reason why these hats are towards the downside is to limit the peripheral vision.

The finest recommendation for the best wide brim hat is the Camo Coll Outdoor Anti-Mosquito Hat with 3.5-inches brim. It is suitable enough for concealing your ears, neck and entire face.

Bucket Hats

Well, bucket hats are also very popular among buyers. These are referred as fisherman’s hat and are modelled just like boonie hats except that these has shorter brim.

These hats are made of cotton material. The circumference is such that these will only sit on your head and not cover ears and neck area at all. You should prefer wearing them on a mild sunny day when you don’t need excessive protection against sun.

The best bucket hat that you can buy is the Camo Coll Outdoor Sun Hat with 7.5-inches inner diameter, lightweight and very comfortable.  

Sun Skirts & Neck Flaps

The sun skirts are hats that come with extra covers extending up to the shoulders of the wearer. These hats are considered perfect for protection against sun, rain, mosquitoes, and other bugs near water.

The fabric hanging down on the neck is lightweight. Just like the sun skirt, there are neck flaps with drapes extending down to the neck area. The drapes are removable and you can also fold it up inside the hat.

Baseball-Style Fishing Hats

As the name suggest, these hats look like baseball caps and other great protection against sun to the top of the head, cheeks, chin, neck area.

Buying Advice: The most practical option is a boonie hat for fishing. However, you should go with the sun skirts and neck flaps if you are fishing in an extremely sun exposed condition.

2. Adjustable Chin Strap

Chin strap is very important in holding down the cap. The weather is uncertain and on a perfect sunny day, sometimes you might start to experience heavy wind. The chin strap will be able to hold your hat effectively.

Plus, you wouldn’t want to spend all the time adjusting the hats. Thus, a fishing hat with adjustable chin strap is considered to be the best for usage.

You are recommended to pick hats with leather straps as they are very comfortable and durable in usage.

3. Ventilation

The primary need of a fishing hat is to protect you from sunrays. This means that you will be wearing it while fishing in sun and sweating will be unavoidable.

Therefore, it is important to select a product with good ventilation. Basically, these hats allow air to circulate in the head while giving an outlet for heat. Such hats keep your head sweat-free and comfortable.

You can search for the hats made with mesh fabric panels. Plus, the vents should be given on the hat sides rather than on the top.

Furthermore, the material is also highly responsible in determining how cool or dry you will be while wearing the hat. Cotton is a great material to keep you comfortable but it will be drenched in sweat in no time.

Then there is polyester material that has high tendency to soak sweat. However, it overheats and might make your head uncomfortable. A combination of these two materials is a great purchase.

Lastly, the color is also a main consideration. Make sure to pick lighter colors as they don’t absorb a lot of heat. The Columbia Unisex Fishing Hat is a suitable product as it comes with sweat wicking capability.

4. Size

The size of hat should be picked appropriately. It shouldn’t be too tight to give you a headache but at the same time, a loose hat will have settlement issues on your head.

You can find hats with one-size so it is difficult to tell the accurate size. You can still get the idea from the circumference of the head and relate it with the circumference of the hat.

5. Waterproof

Since fishing is an outdoor sport, you should be prepared for rains and downpours. It will be good if the hat is waterproof. It will not just let rain fall on your face but stay dry itself too.

One more thing, if the hat accidentally falls inside the water, it will still stay dry. You can just take it out of the water and wear it without having to dry it.

Nylon is the best material that makes a hat completely waterproof. The other considerable material is polyester which is completely waterproof too.

Conclusion

By Michael C. Gray/shutterstock

On concluding the fishing hat review, we would like to give you some of the best recommendations to pick candidly.

The Ddyoutdoor 07-281 fishing hat is the best overall product as it gives you effective sun protection as there are flaps extending to your neck. So, you can expect overall protection from sun and bugs.

Also, if you go out fishing occasionally and need an affordable alternative then go with the Kbethos Union fishing hat as it costs you really economical.

Check out all these products and make a suitable purchase of the best fishing hat. Happy Shopping!

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Martin Garagher
Martin was born in a fishing village near Baja peninsula. He knows the art of fishing since he was 6 years old. He is now an accomplished fisherman with many decorations in his belt. He currently works as a professional fishing trainer and an author in many international fishing magazines.

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