Best Fishing Hats – Comparison & Buying Guide

 

If you want to find the best fishing gear, but you don’t have time to go through the buying tips and reviews prepared by our research team, this short paragraph should tell you everything you need to know about the best fishing hat. After analyzing a lot of feedback coming from both amateur and professional fishermen, we have concluded that the Columbia Sportswear Bora Bora Booney II is the best because it is designed to fit almost all head sizes thanks to its nylon construction that won’t easily shrink if it gets wet and this also helps it retain it shape even if it is accidentally sat on. To ensure that you can stay safely out in the sun, the hat it capable of blocking up to 98 percent of the sun’s damaging UVA and UVB rays, and you will also appreciate knowing that it has received the seal of approval from the Skin Cancer Foundation. If the Columbia Sportswear Bora Bora Booney II is not available, you should consider the Aegean Men’s Wool Greek Fisherman’s as it is a reliable alternative both in terms of performance and quality.

 

 

Comparison table

 

 

 

5 Best Fishing Hats (Reviews) in 2023

 

1. Columbia Unisex Bora Bora II Booney Hat, Moisture Wicking Fabric

 

Giving consumers a genuine choice, the Columbia Sportswear Bora Bora Booney II comes in fashionable colors of collegiate navy, fossil, sage, grill and white.

This one-size-fits-all fishing hat is made of 100 percent nylon, ensuring resistance to shrinkage and the ability to maintain its shape when subjected to abuse. This is a lightweight product at just 4 ounces. It comes equipped with Columbia’s proprietary Omni-Shade UPF 50 sun protective technology to keep the wearer shielded from the harmful rays of the sun even when fishing for extended periods at a time. This sun protection element shuts out 98 percent of harmful UVA and UVB rays, giving the hat the Skin Cancer Foundation’s seal of recommendation.

The Omni-Wick sweat band works in combination with the mesh vent panel to keep perspiration from rolling down from the head to the eyes, helping the angler keep their eye on the prize no matter how warm the day is while staying cool.

The adjustable drawcord and toggle at the back allow the hat to be adjusted to fit any size head, so finding the right fit is never an issue. The chin strap is adjustable as well, so the fishing hat stays securely on the head even when the weather isn’t quite so cooperative.

Pros

This model comes in white, fossil, sage, grill or navy fashionable colors.

It is an one-size-fits-all fishing hat and is made from 100% nylon that resists shrinkage and shape change.

At only 4 ounces it is a lightweight product with a sun blocking feature thanks to Omni-Shade technology, protecting you from 98% of the harmful rays even when fishing for a longer period.

With the Omni-Wick sweatband, you can forget about drops of sweat pouring in your eyes. Plus, the mesh vent panel allows breathability and a comfortable feeling.

Finding the right fit won’t be an issue thanks to the adjustable draw cord and toggle found at the back and when in difficult weather you can secure this fishing hat with the adjustable chin strap.

Cons

If your head is not quite of the average proportions, you may find it difficult to find this fishing hat suitable because of its one-size-fits-all configuration.

 

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2. Aegean Women’s Wool Greek Fisherman’s Cap

 

Just like what Captain Archibald Haddock wears in The Adventures of Tintin, the Aegean Men’s Wool Greek Fisherman’s Cap is a lovely piece of headgear that will make users feel they are the captain of their own fishing vessel.

This awesome seafarer-friendly fishing hat is made of 85 percent wool and 15 percent polyester, so it has excellent anti-shrinkage properties. The hat’s wool fabric is a natural material that ensures breathability and delivers instant warmth unlike synthetic elements. Thanks to wool’s ability to regulate itself according to individual body temperature, the hat is really warm when it’s cold and cool during the summer.

Serving as a good buffer against the wind, snow and rain, the hat is also designed to be naturally moisture repellent or water-resistant, deserving of the best fishing hat reviews it has gotten. This also means the hat is resistant to mildew and mold as well as the buildup of nasty odor.

Available in navy, ecru, grey, brown and black, this fishing cap can be washed by hand to ensure it maintains its shape. The matching brocade provides a fashionable and boating-themed accent. The faux leather sweatband plus red satin lining provide a luxurious and classy look to make the fishing cap a good streetwear headwear to match a fashionably smart turtleneck shirt and blazer.

Pros

If you ever had a fantasy about being captain of a vessel then try this beautiful, stylish hat that would make you feel like one.

By combining 85% wool with 15% polyester, you can be sure that shrinkage will be at the bottom of your list of worries.

The wool fabric ensures good breathability, and it adapts to your own body temperature keeping warm or cool when you’d like to feel that way.

It serves as good protection against not-so-fair weather like snow or rain, and it is naturally moisture and water resistant. This also means that it won’t have problems keeping away mildew, mold or nasty odors.

It provides a classy look thanks to its variety of colors, its faux leather sweatband or its matching brocade which gives a boating-themed appearance.

Cons

One user said that the hat might be deformed by the rigidness of the staple that keeps the sweatband together.

 

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3. Camo Coll Outdoor Sun Cap Camouflage

 

The Camo Coll Outdoor Camouflage Bucket Mesh Boonie fishing hat is a one-size-fits-all product that offers a snug headgear to accommodate any size head. Made of cotton and polyester, this fishing hat is designed to stay cool and comfortable on the head with its inner diameter of 7 ½ inches and outer diameter of 13 ½ inches.

The combination of materials makes it a lightweight hat that won’t wear you down. The cotton fabric balances the inability of polyester to absorb moisture while polyester combats the inability of cotton to resist staining, giving users a stain-resistant hat that can absorb moisture from sweat and the water.

Polyester is able to maintain its shape better as well, so the hat won’t get deformed or bent out of shape easily. The polyester fiber also makes the hat resistant to wrinkling and shrinking, so this hat stays in pristine condition even after being washed a number of times.

The hat has a mesh section so air ventilation is always at an optimum level, keeping the wearer cool. The adjustable string enables effortless fixing and securing of the hat on the head especially during windy days. This fishing hat is available in a wide range of colors for both men and women.

Pros

This one-size-fits-all product is designed to keep heads cool being made out of polyester and cotton. It comes in a great variety of colors for both men and women.

The combination of materials makes it an easy to wear, easy to wash hat that won’t stain easily.

Air circulation is assured thanks to the mesh section. This means that your head will stay cool enough to focus on your fishing.

Thanks to the adjustable drawstring you can forget your worries about running after your hat after being struck by a gust of wind.

Its shape won’t be lost thanks to the properties of polyester which also makes the hat resistant to shrinkage and wrinkles.

Cons

Some buyers advised in buying an additional headband because the one that comes with this model has trouble with absorbing moisture.

There was one complaint about the fact that this fishing hat is not UPF rated.

 

 

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4. Camo Coll Tactical Outdoor Fishing Camouflage Bucket Boonie

 

The Camo Coll Tactical Outdoor Fishing Camouflage Bucket Boonie is available in a range of lovely colors including grey camo, pink camo, khaki camo, blue camo and army camo. The colors allow the wearer to blend easily with the surroundings so the fish don’t get spooked.

Making an excellent sun hat, the product has a wide brim going all around the head to protect the face, ears and neck from the harmful rays of the sun while enabling the user to spot the fish. The hat is made of cotton and polyester fabrics, which provide resistance to staining and resilience against shrinking, while being able to absorb moisture from sweat and water easily. The hat is designed to keep its shape when subjected to the rugged conditions of fishing.

With an inner diameter of 7.5 inches and an outer diameter of 13.5 inches, this is easily the best fly fishing hat for many users thanks to how it enables the user to execute the cast easily with unimpeded sight. The four ventilation holes keep the user cool by ensuring good circulation of the air around the head. Fixing the hat is easy even on windy days thanks to the adjustable drawstring. Protecting the wearer from the sun and the sand, this headgear is a fantastic piece of outdoor apparel.

Pros

This fishing hat has a range of camo colors to offer that is consisted of gray, pink, army, khaki and blue giving a choice for every taste and a stealth fishing approach.

It is an excellent fishing hat that protects your face, neck, and ears from the harmful UV rays thanks to its wide brim that goes all around the head.

Made out of cotton and polyester fabrics this hat is resistant to stains and can be washed with ease. It offers moisture absorbing capabilities and resilience towards shrinkage or shape altering conditions.

Your head will be kept cool because the good air circulation is ensured by the four ventilation holes and on windy days make sure that your fishing hat stays on top of your head by using the adjustable drawstring.

Cons

For some with a head a bit on the large end of the spectrum this hat might cause a bit of a problem.

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5. Ddyoutdoor Trade 07-281 Fashion Summer Outdoor Sun 

 

If you are looking for a fishing hat that you can use for any outdoor activity, the Ddyoutdoor™ 07-281 may be right up your alley. It provides excellent coverage against sun rays, and it has a UPF factor of over 50. For camping, hiking, gardening and pretty much all the activities that require you to spend a lot of time in the sun, this is an excellent choice.

The neck guard, the face mask, and the flaps can all be removed, which means that you are provided with a lot of versatility, and you can wear the cap as you desire. Because these accessories are large enough to cover your skin against UVA and UVB, you do not have to worry about suffering sunburns.

Another important aspect to mention about this model is that it provides excellent ventilation. The mesh on the sides is made from a breathable material, as are the brass eyelets. When you are spending a lot of time in the sun, this is important, as you do not want to end up with your head all sweaty. At the same time, the hat is quick to dry. As it is a collapsible model, it can be packed and carried around with ease.

Pros

This hat comes with removable flaps, so you can wear it any style you want, or just adapt your outfit to the weather conditions you are experiencing.

Another important trait of this hat is that it offers complete protection against UVA and UVB, which makes it ideal for all kinds of outdoor activities, no matter for how long you need to be outside in the sun.

On the sides, the fishing hat has mesh panels that allow for proper ventilation, so you will not feel like your head becomes too hot.

As it is a collapsible model, the hat is easy to carry around, and you can easily accommodate it in your backpack.

The material the hat is made from is quick to dry, so you will not experience discomfort.

Cons

Attaching the face mask and the neck guard can be a bit tricky since there are no Velcro attachments, but little hooks you have to use instead.

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Why it is important to use fishing hats?

 

There are not too many best fishing hat reviews around, so a fisher basically has it all to himself when dealing with this kind of purchase. Every self-respecting fisherman who still loves their existence on land knows that the combination of the sun’s UV rays and the wind will result in really bad skin and even lousier hair. Thus, an outdoor fishing adventure should be taken while wearing a fishing cap or hat to protect the head from the intense heat and tough wind.

One doesn’t just pick out any other hat on the shelf or the virtual catalogue, since fishing hats are designed to handle a unique task: protect the user from the elements of fishing.

 

 

Why even wear a fishing hat?

A fishing hat or cap is pretty useful for concealing hair that has not seen a pair of barber’s shears or a comb. You don’t really have to impress the fish with your hairstyle anyway, so the fishing hat simply conceals unruly hair, or maybe (wink!wink!) a shiny dome. That is both aside from protecting one’s noggin from the sun. The hat keeps your head out of the sun’s rays.

The fishing hat keeps your head dry during rain while keeping it cool when it is sunny.

Another reason for wearing a fishing hat is having something that will enable you to look out across the water. The hat helps keep the sun’s glare overhead to a minimum, so you can have a sight of what is out there in that wide expanse of water and easily spot the fish.

 

What the fishing hat can’t do

Of course, you can never replace what a good quality sunscreen can do with just a good hat and a pair of polarized sunglasses. With the way the water can magnify the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, your skin needs powerful sun protection when exposed to potentially harmful solar rays.

The fishing hat neither provides a convenient space to stow away fishing lures or to store small tackle items and keep them out of the way. Unless you have the secret ambition to get body piercings, all on your head, never use the fishing hat as a mini-tackle box.

 

 

 

 

Choosing the right fishing hat

 

While a well-dressed man or woman always used to wear a hat, the fishing hat is a must until now for anglers. The sun’s rays could raise the temperature so high the angler’s head could get really hot under there. It is important to consider one’s personal needs and preferences when checking out the best fishing hat. Additionally, there are some aspects to consider as well.

 

Style

Fishing hats range from the traditional Stetson hat featuring a wide brim to the good old baseball cap. Choose the style that reflects your personality and your fishing attitude, if possible. With the right style of fishing hat, one can feel inspired to finally land that big trophy fish ahead of their fishing buddies.

Trucker hats or peaked caps are easily the most commonly worn hats throughout the globe. Suitable for any purpose, the trucker hat features a wide peak that effectively blocks the glare of the sun from hitting the eyes directly. Since a trucker cap only has the front peak sticking out while fitting the head snugly, it can be worn easily underneath other fishing apparel, including a rain poncho. You want the underside of the brim to be dark so as to reduce glare.Although not able to shade the ears and the neck, the trucker hat is a lightweight and comfortable headgear that can come with visors of varying lengths to protect the eyes from the glare of the sun.

With a back flap that folds down to protect the ears and the neck from the hot sun, a full-brim hat also helps shield the back of the head from fly hooks. It also sheds rain. Stay away from brightly colored or white hats since they can spook away sensitive trout.

The bush hat is what you see Harrison Ford wearing in his Crocodile Dundee movies. The bush hat features a brim that goes all around it. Typically made of cotton, wool or felt, the bush hat offers a lot better protection from glare compared to a trucker or baseball cap. The bush hat can not be worn under any clothing item, however, unlike the baseball cap. The full brim can protect the wearer from all angles, and this includes the backside of the neck.

The bucket hat is an unstructured piece of headgear. It is generally a casual hat, thanks to how it is easy to stuff in your pants pocket, unlike the trucker hat that has a stiff brim. The bucket hat is also easy to wash and pack along with your other fishing equipment. It has a moderate brim that goes around the head while ensuring shade from the sun’s rays. The casual styling of the bucket hat makes it a good foil to any type or style fishing shirt.

For plenty of avid anglers, the best fishing hat is the military style boonie hat. An awesome functional hat, the boonie hat has been adopted the world over as the perfect military hat. The brim also goes all around the hat, which incorporates the benefits of the bush hat in terms of protecting the wearer from the glare of the sun. In addition, this piece of fishing apparel can easily be squashed down, enabling the wearer to have it on under other items of clothing in the same way as a baseball cap. This hat delivers the best of both worlds!

 

Material Enhancement

Your favorite trucker or baseball cap may be outfitted with a coriander-like mesh to make it feel nice and airy, but when you have to be in the water for 8 hours or more, those tiny holes will let in more than the normal amount of UV rays to give you a burnt scalp. Look for a trucker hat that adheres to the cool trucker guy design while ensuring that the mesh, preferably of sun-blocking polyester material, will be able to effectively keep out nearly 100 percent of UV radiation. To mop your brow, extra mesh on the sweatband helps as well.

Of course, the real angler may not focus much on how the weather is, but when it rains, a dedicated fisher will put a raincoat or poncho on, pick up the fishing gear and still head out into the water. Thanks to the vast array of waterproof fishing hats, one can enjoy fishing even when the rain decides to challenge one’s commitment to catching trophy fish.

Most bucket hats are made of soft fabric, such as cotton or cotton blend. The material can be coated for water resistance.

Thanks to the new technology in fishing hat fabric or material, sun protection hasn’t been left out of the manufacturing process. Most modern fishing hats have sun protection. This element may not be of use when it’s raining. However, when the weather is nice and the sun is all shiny and bright, it would make the perfect day for fishing. The fisher can suffer from painful sunburn if they forget about what fishing in the sun can do. Staying at home to recover from sun damage can be a terrible thing. So check if the fishing hat is equipped with sun protective material.

 

Hat Features

The classic bucket hat is built with a flexible brim that goes all around the head. Many have ventilation eyelets located at the sides of the head.

Many military style boonie hats or bush hats have a chin cord, strap or tie, so the headgear can be held secure to the chin to prevent the hat from being blown away by strong wind. Make sure the strap is strong, preferably of leather material, so the hat stays on your head securely no matter how strong the wind blows.

A snap-up brim can be pretty helpful since one can always keep it rolled up when the glare of the sun isn’t that intense, then snap it down to protect the eyes from the sun’s bright glare.

Some hats are stylized with an insignia or patches or perhaps some embroidery to add a touch of fashion or style. Those can make a statement for the angler who wants to be fashion forward while enjoying their hobby.

To keep the sun off the back of the neck, an extended rear brim is extremely helpful.

Some fishing hats have a buttoned or zippered pocket that enables the user to carry keys, money or other items.

Premium quality bucket hats boast mesh panels for good ventilation, along with sweatbands that prevent perspiration from running down to the eyes and blinding the fisher annoyingly. Imagine what this can do when you have a fish in the hook!

You also want an adjustable fishing hat, although many of this type of fishing apparel are made in one-size-fits-all designs.

Like mentioned earlier, stay away from brightly colored fishing hats, especially white ones. Go for neutral brown colors or camouflaged designs. A distressed color canvas hat is good.

For bush hats, you can go stylish if you prefer, so you can use the headwear even when you are not on a fishing trip. Wool material is completely washable, but there are cotton bush hats, too, which are also 100 percent washable. You may also want the bush hat to be easy to squash or roll up without getting deformed of losing its shape entirely.

Some military style boonie hats are equipped with air vents on the sides that help keep the cool air circulating.

 

 

Most popular brands

 

The Columbia Sportswear Company is based in the Pacific Northwest region of Portland, Oregon, giving the firm the ideal testing ground on which to have its vast array of active and sportswear products subjected to the most extreme conditions imaginable, including the world of fishing. At the helm is Gert Boyle, whose coveted seal of approval on any Columbia Sportswear product means that the item has really been tested tough, so to speak.

With over 70 years of experience and expertise in the sportswear industry, the company has never ceased to be widely recognized as the foremost maker of genuinely hardworking apparel that keeps users protected, warm and cool and consistently dry in all weather conditions, whether in the sun, water or snow, and even at unbelievable heights. The Columbia Sportswear Company continues an unmatched Pacific Northwest heritage while being buoyed by nothing less than the amusing irreverence of the Boyle family.

 

Back in 1971, Johnny Morris was disappointed with the lack of fishing tackle in the stores in his area. Thus, he rented a UHaul™ trailer and used it to go across the country and fill the vehicle with the latest quality fishing tackle he encountered on the road. On returning to his hometown of Springfield in Missouri, he immediately went and used his father’s liquor store as a shop to sell his fishing tackle haul. The shop was on the way to Table Rock Lake, the perfect location to sell tackle. This simple yet innovative idea was where the Bass Pro Shops was born.

From its humble beginnings, Bass Pro Shops has evolved into the leading outdoor retailer in the fishing industry in the US. The company has stores in the USA and Canada. One can find an awesome range of boating and fishing gear at every Bass Pro Shops store. The company is also acknowledged as the premier source of camping, hunting and outdoor cooking equipment along with nature-themed gifts and outdoor footwear.

 

Q Headwear Inc.

Q Headwear, Inc. is backed by nearly two decades of experience and exactly two decades in the industry to deliver good quality fishing hats to people with a great love for the outdoors, including fishing. The company is a distributor of headwear, and is also an importer and manufacturer of various types of hats. The company offers beanies, corduroy, hats with trim along with baseball style caps, as well as custom hat bands and golf towels, aprons and totes. Hats are available from small to extra large, to fit any size head. Straw hats can come with a tropical band for accent, a sweat band to keep perspiration away from the eyes, or a chin strap to hold the hat in place during windy days.

The variety of outdoor hats offered vary from boonie hats to ones with a long chin cord and back flap to cover the neck and long hair especially of lady anglers.

 

What began as a startup company in 2011 by a group of college buddies evolved into what is now Eposeidon. Taking a break from their intensive MBA studies at Syracuse University, those college friends found great enjoyment in fishing. Thanks to their training and education in finance, internet technology, e-commerce, enterprise structures, supply chain management along with premier manufacturing practices, the group created a fishing company that manufactures exceptional fishing tackle that will not break the bank. The group employed factory direct sourcing so they could pass on the savings to their customers. And they made sure to make fishing what it should be: fun, fun, fun!

Eposeidon Outdoor Adventure, Inc was launched and incorporated in New York on March 15, 2013. The company keeps prices beyond low for the sake of avid anglers like the firm’s founders. Keeping operation costs down and inventory levels at an optimum, the company offers quality products for the avid outdoor person.

 

 

Products that are no longer available

 

Eposeidon KastKing

 

Available in cloud gray, khaki sand, flamingo gray and shady pink, the KastKing Fishing Cap from Eposeidon earns high marks for its variety of features. This gaiter styled sun beater headgear provides UV protection to ensure versatility as well as wearer comfort.

Easily the best fishing cap for both men and women, this headgear provides protection for the face, neck and ears. The protection element can be removed at option to enable users to have unimpeded view from all sides. The oversized bill offers added protection by delivering the best shielding against the blazing sun and its harmful solar rays. The face mask and neck protection are unique features that other fishing hats do not commonly come with.

This product is an innovative combination of a sun hat and a sun mask or face scarf, which easily keeps the sun rays blocked as well as keeps intrusive and annoying insects away from the wearer’s face, ears and neck. To keep the fishing cap on the user’s head at all times, even on particularly windy days, the product is equipped with a removable chin strap. The side panel vents keep the wearer cool and comfortable by preventing buildup of heat. The adjustable backstrap enables use for different size heads.

 

 

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