The best sun hat shades your face, ears and neck with a brim of three inches or more all the way around, blocks light through a tight weave, and stays on in wind. A stated UPF 50 rating means the fabric blocks 98 percent of the sun's rays, per the Skin Cancer Foundation. We rank every in-stock sun hat on brim, stated UPF, airflow and sizes.
Quick picks
MyHatFinder Preferred Brand
Why we chose it ›American Hat Makers. Three sun hats from our Preferred Brand, picked for the range of sizes they stock.
*Per American Hat Makers, as stated on their site Nov 6, 2026. We earn a commission if you buy, at no cost to you, as with every store we link to. The ranked list below is scored separately, on the criteria in "How we chose".
Shade is the job, so the score leans on brim width and a UPF rating the store actually states, then airflow, sizes in stock and whether it packs. Margo's rule: if you can see the lamp through the brim, so can the sun. We scored all 114 in-stock hats on stated UPF rating (30%), brim width (30%), vents or mesh (15%), sizes in stock (15%), packable (10%), using only what American Hat Makers lists for each hat. Researched, not tested: we haven't worn these hats, and no pick here is based on reviews or ratings. How we rank
We earn a commission if you buy through these store links, at no cost to you. How we rank
#1 · Best overall · Researched, not tested
Lightweight Cowhide Leather and Polyester Mesh, a 2 3/4 in brim, a stated UPF 50 rating, 6 sizes in stock.
$77
Price as of Nov 6, 2026
At American Hat Makers · Preferred Brand. We earn a commission if you buy, at no cost to you.
#2 · Researched, not tested
Polyester, Fabric, and Breathable Mesh, a 2 3/4 in brim, a stated UPF 50 rating, 6 sizes in stock.
$99
Price as of Nov 6, 2026
At American Hat Makers · Preferred Brand. We earn a commission if you buy, at no cost to you.
#3 · Researched, not tested
Polyester and Lightweight Mesh, a 2 3/4 in brim, a stated UPF 50 rating, 6 sizes in stock.
$127
Price as of Nov 6, 2026
At American Hat Makers · Preferred Brand. We earn a commission if you buy, at no cost to you.
#4 · Best straw · Researched, not tested
Vented Canvas Fabric, a 3 1/2 in brim, 5 sizes in stock.
$89
Price as of Nov 6, 2026
At American Hat Makers · Preferred Brand. We earn a commission if you buy, at no cost to you.
#5 · Researched, not tested
Lightweight Soft Straw, a 3 1/2 in brim, 4 sizes in stock.
$83
Price as of Nov 6, 2026
At American Hat Makers · Preferred Brand. We earn a commission if you buy, at no cost to you.
#6 · Researched, not tested
Vented Canvas/Cotton Fabric, a 3 1/4 in brim, 5 sizes in stock.
$89
Price as of Nov 6, 2026
At American Hat Makers · Preferred Brand. We earn a commission if you buy, at no cost to you.
Slot: JJ Hat Center pick
Fills once JJ Hat Center joins MyHatFinder. Its hats will compete on the same criteria.
Slot: Hats24 pick
Fills once Hats24 joins. Adds brands American Hat Makers doesn't carry.
Swipe sideways to see every column →
| Hat | UPF | Brim | Packs | Sizes | Price | Store link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BreezeBest overall | Yes | 2 3/4 in | No | SM, MD, LG, XL, XX, 3X | $77 | Check price › |
| Cabana | Yes | 2 3/4 in | No | SM, MD, LG, XL, XX, 3X | $99 | Check price › |
| Soaker | Yes | 2 3/4 in | No | SM, MD, LG, XL, XX, 3X | $127 | Check price › |
| BarcelonaBest straw | No | 3 1/2 in | No | MD, LG, XL, XX, 3X | $89 | Check price › |
| Paulo | No | 3 1/2 in | No | SM, MD, LG, XL | $83 | Check price › |
| Florence | No | 3 1/4 in | No | MD, LG, XL, XX, 3X | $89 | Check price › |
Source: American Hat Makers product feed via Awin, Nov 6, 2026.
