It is summer hat season once again, and we are all looking for the perfect sun hat to make us look cool while protecting us from the glaring sun. Online stores are full of straw hats, baseball caps, bucket hats, fedoras, trucker hats, Panama hats, and everything in between, so no wonder things can get overwhelming. To ease the difficulty in choosing, we have put up a list of the best summer hats for men, in terms of style and sun protection.
A hat is an accessory that is worn year-round, only the style of the hat changes for seasons. In the winter the focus is on keeping your head warm, and in summer, the focus is on sun protection.
Characteristics of the best sun hats for men
Protecting yourself from the sun is extremely important because exposure to the sun can lead to skin cancers and premature aging. The best sun hats for men are comfortable, lightweight, and most importantly, provide excellent protection from the sun. A brim that shields your eyes and face is a necessity in a sun hat, and the wider the brim, the bigger and better the shield.
We have put together a list of the best summer hats for men. Not only will the hats on this list protect you from the burning sun, but they will also look stylish and add a classy vibe to your outfit. To make sure that these hats are accessible for all, the hats on this list are affordable and will be delivered worldwide. Let's get to the list!
Best men's sun hats for summer
1. Men's summer straw hats
Men's straw hats are the number one hat style for summer, for a good reason. Straw hats are woven out of thin straw, and the material is either natural or synthetic. Straw hats are trendy, extremely lightweight and comfortable. Also, they offer the best protection from the sun while allowing your head to breath. There is nothing worse than getting a headache from the heat that builds up underneath an unbreathing hat. A straw hat keeps your head cool in the heat of the summer so that you can concentrate on relaxing and having a good time.
The most popular men's straw hats are in the shape of the fedora or the Panama hat. In addition to the lightweight material, the smart design of fedoras and Panama hats leave some room on top of your head, increasing the breathing and cooling effect. The brim works as a shield for your eyes against the sun's rays. However, wearing sunglasses on sunny weather is still highly recommended.
Simple straw fedoras
Simple Straw Fedora - 7 Colors, €29.95 EUR
A fedora is a very classic hat that grew popular during the 20th century. There are some variations to fedoras, but commonly they have a small to medium sized brim with a slight upturn in the back. A fedora is a classy hat commonly worn with a suit or professional attire. If you are looking for a suitable hat for a summer wedding or a cocktail event, a straw fedora is a great option.
Straw Panama hats
Panama Hat - 7 Colors, €22.95 EUR
Panama hats are perfect for summer. The wide brim and lightweight material offer superior sun protection. Even though some like to wear their Panama hats with formal attire, Panama hats are strongly linked to the tropics, vacation, and leisure. Therefore, feel free to choose the Panama hat as your go-to holiday hat.
Panama hats have their origins in the 19th century Panama, where the Panama Canal was constructed. Ecuadorians weaved lightweight hats from toquilla straws and sold them to the American workers in Panama. The hats became extremely popular and are known as Panama hats ever since.
Lightweight fedora hats
Straw Fedora in Light Brown, Blue, and Beige, €34.95 EUR
This straw fedora will upgrade all your formal summer looks. Woven of paper straws, it is an extremely lightweight and breathable dress hat that also complements smart casual outfits. The blue and white ribbon adds an elegant touch to the classic outlook of the hat. If you have a summer event to attend to, it's hard to find a better hat than this.
2. Men's summer dress hats
Dress hats are, as their name indicates, hats that you wear with a suit. If you are wearing a smart casual or formal outfit, dress hats are your best companion. Dress hats are the most formal type of hats that should never be worn with sportswear or other extremely casual clothes. Dress hats are often made of wool or felt and they feel uncomfortably hot in the glaring sun. That's why they are perfect for chillier days or evening events. However, if you're attending an event in midday, on a hot day, opt for a lightweight, breathable straw hat instead. It will be equally good-looking but so much more comfortable. All three straw hat options above are great for this purpose.
Classic fedora dress hats
Classic fedora hat in white, beige, light grey, dark grey, black, brown, camel, olive green, navy blue, and burgundy red - €43.95 EUR
Year after year, a classic fedora hat like this is the most popular dress hat for men. If you have an evening event where you want to look your best, this fedora hat will complete your look effortlessly. A classic fedora like this is a great investment; not only will it look great in the summer evenings and nights, you can also wear it throughout the spring and fall as well. And what's best, this particular fedora hat comes in 10 stunning colors, making sure there is one for every taste.
Summer pork pie hats
Pork Pie Hat - 3 Colors, €32.95 EUR
Pork pie hats are stylish hats that require some level of confidence from the wearer. Pork pie hats are known as the hat of choice for Walter White, the main character in Breaking Bad. They are a little less commonly used than fedoras or Panama hats, giving you a chance to stand out from the crowd if you wear one. Pork pie hats are very elegant, and if you can pull it off, you will look extremely elegant and classy.
3. Men's bucket sun hats
Bucket hats are among the most wanted casual summer hats in the past couple of years. A bucket hat is a good summer hat for a man who digs the casual vibe of a cap but isn't very fond of the outlook of it. Bucket hats are considered cool, so if a cool look is what you're going for, a bucket hat is a great choice. With a small to medium brim size, a bucket hat gives you just enough cover for regular outdoor activities. If you're planning to stay exposed to the sun for longer periods of time, you may want to consider a wide brim sun hat that gives you maximum protection from the sun.
Black bucket hats
Basic Black Bucket Hat, €24.95 EUR. Also available in white, beige, grey, and blue.
Black is the most popular bucket hat color now. A black bucket hat is a very cool and subtle accessory, making it a perfect complementing piece to your outfit. Black is a very neutral color that looks good combined with any outfit. Also, if you're going for a casual all-black look, a black bucket hat is an excellent hat choice.
Reversible bucket hats
Reversible Bucket Hat, €25.95 EUR
This reversible bucket hat is perfect for summer! The palm tree pattern creates a real island vibe. The hat has two sides, one with a pattern of black palm trees on white background, and one plain black or white. You can switch sides according to your mood, whether you're feeling fancy or trendy.
4. Men's summer caps
Caps are ideal for laid-back summer looks. The visor on the front keeps your face protected from the sun. A cap is probably the easiest hat to pull off if you're not the most confident person. You can wear a cap anywhere as long as your outfit is casual. If you're wearing a suit or a dress shirt with slacks, go for a dress hat or a straw hat instead.
Even though there are cool caps made of leather, suede, or even sheepskin, you should skip those in the summertime and focus on more lightweight and breathable materials.
Men's trucker caps
Plain Trucker Cap - 7 Colors, €19.95 EUR
Trucker caps are a nice addition to a laid-back look. With the rear half made of mesh, trucker caps are extremely breathable, thus, making them perfect for hot summer weather. Trucker caps originated in the 1960s, as they were handed out for free as promotional merchandise at gas stations in the United States. Today, you can find trucker caps in many stores because they are so popular.
Men's sport caps
Breathable Cap - 6 Colors, €22.95 EUR
A basic, plain sports cap is a piece of headwear every man should have in their hat collection. You should have one even if you're not into sports. The name sports cap just means that the cap is lightweight and breathable, giving you an advantage when doing sports. This is a cap you can wear on the hottest days of the summer.
5. Men's wide brim sun hats
Men's wide brim sun hats are popular among men who like to spend time outdoors. These kinds of hats are perfect for all outdoor activities, such as hiking, fishing, hunting, you name it. The wide brim keeps your face, neck, and ears well protected, and the chin cord ensures the hat stays on even on windy weather. These kinds of hats are very comfortable to wear, thanks to the soft canvas and breathable design.
Black wide brim sun hats
Wide Brim Sun Hat - 11 Colors, €29.95 EUR
The style above, also called a boonie hat, is one of the most popular men's wide brim sun hat styles. The black color is always timeless and classy. This hat has all the characteristics of a good wide brim sun hat. It has a wide brim to shelter you from the sun, breathing vents to keep you cool in the heat, and a convenient chin cord. Also, if you travel a lot, you can fold the hat and store it in a tiny space.
Confidence is the key when wearing a hat
A hat is a statement piece, and wearing one requires confidence. Not all can pull off, say a classic fedora look, with confidence. If you can, however, you will stand out from the crowd in a positive way. This guide will give you tips on how to wear different hat styles if you're unsure how to pull a certain style off.
Whether you want it or not, the style of your hat tells others a lot about you. People are prejudice when it comes to hats. They can easily form an opinion of you based solely on the hat you're wearing. For example, if you're wearing a fedora, people think of you as a classy person, and if you wear a trucker cap, you generally seem easy-going and chill. You should consider that when choosing the best summer hat for you.
There aren't that many distinctive hat styles for men, to be honest. There are variations, of course, but the main shapes of the hats have been around for ages. Let's take a cap and a fedora as an example. Both designs are timeless since they have been around for decades. A cap has a visor only in the front, and the brim on a fedora goes all around the hat. Most hat styles are based on the design of these two. The slight changes to the shape, details, material, and brim size are what make the difference between hat styles. If you doubt it, go ahead and scroll through this comprehensive list of all hat styles and see it for yourself. The majority of the hat styles have a visor on the front as caps do or a brim all-round the hat as fedoras do. Since the hat styles are limited, it might not be that hard to narrow down your favorite hat style.
To find all the hats on this list and much more, go ahead and visit out Caps & Hats Collection. You'll find trendy hats for all seasons, especially for summer. The shipping is free, and you are sure to get the best quality for the price.
Thank you for reading!