10 Best Hiking Hats UK 2024 | Columbia, SealSkinz and More

We recommend choosing a hat with a brim of around 3 inches; too short and it won’t do its duty, and too wide and floppy and you won’t be able to see where you’re going. If you’re easily burnt or you’re exploring somewhere very hot with little shade cover, you could opt for a design with an additional longer neck cover.

Another top tip for hiking in very humid climates is to go for a pale coloured hat that won’t absorb as much heat as a darker shade. And if you do so, look for a darker fabric stitched beneath the brim that will further help reduce glare from the sun.

The great thing about baseball caps is of course value for money and flexibility of use — you can wear them for numerous other activities or excursions, or just day to day. Travellers who like to get out and about in nature whilst on the road will also find their multi-use status appealing, as you’ll be able to get away with only packing one hat for your trip.

They too can function as an all-rounder for trips incorporating both beach time and outdoor rambles, but the narrower brim will make them another one for milder rather than scorching sunshine. Bucket hats are commonly worn for fishing, and can be a great way to keep your head dry and the rain out of your eyes during wet hikes, so long as you find a waterproof design.

Whilst there are numerous beanie hats out there for general cold weather wear, for hiking we’d recommend finding one that covers your ears, which you should be able to determine from the product images or description. Some may also feature longer ear flaps, so if you’re going sub zero this could be a wise choice.

Hats for summer should preferably provide safe sun protection, which will be stated as a UPF(Ultraviolet Protection Factor). This will protect you from harmful UVB and UVA light, whereby a UPF rating of 50 equates to protection from 98% of these rays. So, this should be the minimum you seek out.

Mesh panels are another way to limit overheating and promote air circulation to your head on summer hikes, and will usually be found on the crown or sides of the hat. Bear in mind the UVF won’t be present on these sections, but they should be small enough not to affect it too much.

Additional linings such as fleece are also recommended if you’re planning on hiking in particularly cold climates, as well as thermally insulated hats. A waterproof treatment is sometimes applied to these fabrics, so seek this out if you need it.