The 18 Best Cooling Hats

Summer is the best season for adventure and spending quality outdoor time.

However, it also brings with itself the scorching heat and harmful UV rays from the sun.

Fortunately for you, we’ve compiled a list of the best cooling hats you can buy today to keep your head cool and safe in the summer heat.

If you’re ready, let’s dive in!

The Best Cooling Hats — Top Picks

1. EINSKEY Sun Hat for Men/Women

Best Features: One size fits most people, Wide-brim protects both head and neck, Water-repellent, Folds into half for portability

Whether you’re fishing, gardening, or going on a long hike, the Einskey Sun Hat will always be there to keep your head cool in the scorching summer sun. It’s wide brim keeps the sun rays away from your face and neck, while the side mesh panels allow air to circulate around your head and evaporate any sweat.

The hat also promises a snug fit with an adjustable chin cord and rear drawstring. It’s made from polyester, which is both waterproof and deflects sun rays away from your head. The unisex cap is perfect for both men and women, and is also available in a variety of colors.

2. MISSION Performance Cooling Hat

Best Features: Cools down 30 degrees in 30 seconds, Comfortable fit with hook and loop closure, Maintains coolness for upto 2 hours

For people that want an evaporative hat with style and comfort, Mission’s performance cooling hat is an excellent option.

The cap has cooling panels in the front which absorb all the moisture and the sweat to provide a cooling effect. Its ultra-wicking fabric allows the cap to dry up sweat in a matter of minutes as well.

It is made with 80% polyester and 20% nylon, has an adjustable closing strap, and is supposed to be hand-washed only.

The fabric of the cap is not just lightweight, but also has UPF 50 protection from the sun.

In order to get started with your Mission cooling hat, all you have to do is wet it, twirl it and wave it in the air.

3. Home Prefer Outdoor UPF50+ Mesh Sun Hat 

Best Features: Protects from 98% UVA/UVB rays, Covers neck with flap, Mesh panels on crown for maximum airflow

Home Prefer’s Outdoor Mesh Sun Hat is an essential piece of gear for people that spend long hours directly under the sun. The hat is highly effective at blocking almost 98% of UVB/UVA rays and provides protection to both your head and neck.

Besides protection, the hat is also super-comfortable to wear and can be adjusted from various points to get an optimal fit. The sides of the crown are made from mesh, which allows airflow and dries out sweat to give your head a cooling effect.

4. Arctic Hat Evaporative Cooling Hat with UV Protection

Best Features: The lightweight, breathable, and durable cooling hat features evaporative cooling liner and UPF reflective technology to protect against UV rays

Let’s start with the most popular cooling hat out there. The Arctic Hat is famous for all the right reasons. In addition to boasting a highly effective evaporative cooling technology, the manufacturers claim that this hat offers up to 20 degrees lower temperature from the surrounding and 99% protection against UV rays.

This massive declaration is based on features like UV barrier, evaporative cooling liner, wide brim to protect face and neck, high-performance lightweight and breathable fabric, and ventilation panels to allow free flow of air. Always check for washing instructions to keep your hat safe. This product is highly recommended.

5. Columbia Unisex Bora Bora Booney

Best Features: Sweat-wicking fabric with UPF 50 sun protection technology that shields from UVA and UVB rays

The Bora Bora cooling hat is a famous pick for fishers. The hat is made from high-quality nylon poplin, which serves as an efficient sweat-wicking fabric to keep you dry and comfortable.

It also offers maximum protection against destructive UV rays and harsh sunlight with its advantage sun-protection technology, so you can enjoy doing what you love to do outdoors.

6. MISSION Cooling Bucket Hat

Best Features: Enjoy outdoors with a cooling hat that can be activated with water and cools within 30 second to help you stay active and comfortable for longer  

The instant cooling technology highlights this product among the rest. The hat can be activated in three simple steps. Wet it, wring it out and wave it.

This bucket hat will cool instantly in under 30 seconds and stays cool up to two hours so you can stay active and enjoy cooling comfort longer. The lightweight fabric and sun-protection technology are benefits that will keep your face, neck, and ears protected from the sun.  

7. Cooling Ranger Hat Lined with Evaporative PVA Material for Fast Cooling Relief

Best Features: This cooling hat is made with high-quality fabric with vented mesh side panels for breathability and increased air flow and drip-free cooling relief

This cooling hat is a top pick for road and railway workers, and other field workers that need both protection against the sun and improved visibility. Made with ANSI certified polyester and reflective tape, the hat is visible from several kilometers and makes fieldwork safer for people.

The cooling hat offers long-lasting and instant cooling relief so you can work with comfort on a sunny day. Choose the right size and keep your neck and ears covered too.

8. Mission Cooling Skull Cap-Hat, Helmet Liner with Evaporative Cool Technology

Best Features: This cooling hat can be activated with water for instant cooling and is made from ventilated feather-light fabric to keep the sweat away

If you prefer brimmed hats or baseball caps, this stylish skull cap is the best way to keep cool outdoors in the scorching heat. The cooling hat features VaporActive fabric as its effective cooling system that draws in sweat and absorbs it instantly to keep you dry and cool.

The material has active fiber particles that also trap any odor-causing molecules, reducing bacteria and smell as well. The simple, super-thin cap can be easily fit under the helmet to stay protected during hot summer days.

9. CJCGLOBAL 2 Pcs Anti-UV Sunstroke-Prevented Cooling Hat Lined with Evaporative PVA Fast-Cooling Relief Outdoor Cap

Best Features: The effective cooling hats features breathable fabric and claims to block 99% of harmful UV rays and 80% of sun heat to keep you protected

This one comes in a set with one hat and a cap so you can pick the style as per your need. The boonie cooling hat can be used for days when you need extra coverage for your neck and ears, while you can pick the sun cap if you’re going to play sports or exercise outdoors.

This cooling hat combo offers a real experience without compromising on the quality or features of the hat and will keep you comfortable even in the scorching summer heat.

10. Outdoor Research Activeice Cap

Best Features: The hat features wide brim, sun cape, and mesh vents and is designed in breathable fabric to keep you comfortable, cool, and dry

The wide-brim cooling cap features a sun cape to achieve added sun protection. It is designed in breathable and lightweight material that instantly cools up to keep you comfortable outdoors.

The fabric also features breathable mesh panels for improved cooling and better absorption of sweat. Enjoy active cooling with this full-coverage cooling hat that also offers UPF 50+ sun protection.

11. Columbia men’s Bora Bora Booney

This particular cool hat comes in 8 different colors and is made with textured nylon poplin. Its not just sweat proof, but comes with UPF 50 sun protection technology to keep you protected under the sun.

It’s a fishing hat style that comes with drawstrings so you can adjust it accordingly. The net in front of the hat keeps you ventilated and cool for long hours under the sun.

The hat’s got the best moisture management technology which soaks the sweat right from the skin and spreads it across the fabric and evaporates it in the air. This keeps you sweat-proof and keeps the hat dry even if you’re sweating till your toes.

12. Frogg Toggs Chilly Bean Cooling Hat

• Blue and white in color
• One size fits all
• Reusable zip-closed storage
• Can keep cool for long hours

13.  Solaration 7001 White Fan Baseball Golf Hat

• Baseball cap style
• Fan in the brim to keep the head cool
• Solar-powered fan
• 3-inch fan but not as powerful as a real indoor fan

14.  MistyMate 17001 Cooling Cap, Colors May Vary

• 2 different styles
• Strap at back for tying up the cap
• Can keep cool for long hours
• Cooling crystals in the fabric absorb and hold up to 200 times their weight in water

15. Ontel Arctic Air Evaporative Cooling Cap

Best Features: Protective UV lining, ventilated mesh, lightweight and breathable, cooling effect, adjustable size.

The Ontel Arctic Air Evaporative Cooling Cap features hydro-chill technology. This is a special lining that holds onto water and gradually releases it. To keep you cool, for the best results, you should first wet the hat with water.

The Ontel Cooling Cap also features super lightweight and breathable ventilated panels. These allow for great airflow for an added cooling effect. The hat as a whole is also extremely lightweight to make it comfy and travel friendly.

This hat also comes complete with a built-in protective UV barrier. This helps to keep the harmful rays of the sun off of your head. The Ontel is made with 100% polyester, so it’s also quite durable, plus stain resistant too. It does need to be hand washed.

To ensure that it fits properly, the rear of this cooling hat is adjustable for size. It should fit most people just fine. This is absolutely one of the best hats for hot weather out there at this time.

16. BUILTCOOL Mesh Cooling Baseball Hat

Best Features: Cooling technology, adjustable strap, lightweight mesh, many different colors, moisture-wicking sweatband, durable polyester.

The BUILTCOOL Mesh Cooling Baseball Hat is designed to be wet with water before being worn. It features a fabric weave combined with a hollow core construction. This allows it to hold onto water and gradually release it to keep you cool throughout the day.

This hat features a Velcro strap closure on the rear. This makes it easy to adjust for size, so it should fit most people with ease. The lightweight mesh design that this hat features allows for great comfort. It’s not very heavy at all. The polyester mesh is also fairly durable and long-lasting.

Between the cooling effect and lightweight mesh, this hat can cool down to 30 degrees below your body temperature. On a side note, you might also like how this hat comes in well over a dozen different colors.

Moreover, this cooling hat also features a moisture-wicking sweatband. This helps to prevent sweat from running down your face and getting in your eyes. The fairly large brim of this cap also helps to keep the sun out of your eyes. It’s one of the best cooling hats for men out there at this time.

17. Ontel Arctic Air Sun Hat

Best Features: Super lightweight, 360 degree brim, Built-in protective UV lining, hydro-chill technology with gradual water release.

The Ontel Arctic Air Sun hat features a 360 degree brim. This helps to keep the sun not only out of your eyes, but off your neck as well. It also helps protect you from the sun’s UV rays thanks to the built-in UV barrier. In terms of hats that keep you cool and protected from the sun, it’s a great one to consider.

This is a cooling hat, so for the best results, you do want to get it wet first. This hat comes complete with hydro-chill technology. This means that it is designed to hold onto water and to gradually release it over time. Thanks to this gradual water release, it’s one of the most popular cool hats for men out there.

This hat is also extremely lightweight and breathable. You can easily fold this hat down and put it in a bag or pack for portability.

Not only does it keep you cool with gradual water release, but it has great airflow too. The lightweight nature of it makes it comfortable to wear for long periods of time. Do keep in mind that this hat is hand wash only.

18. Womens UV Protection Wide Brim Sun Hat

Best Features: Drawstring closure, well-ventilated for a cooling effect, converts into a cowboy hat, ponytail hole, 360-degree brim, UPF50+ sun protection.

Although labeled as a women’s hat, it could technically be used by men as well. It’s labeled as a women’s hat due to the ponytail hole in the rear. Well, men can and do often have ponytails too.

Either way, it’s got a ponytail hole for anyone with long hair. To ensure a good fit, it features a drawstring closure.

The hat itself is fairly lightweight. It’s not too heavy to wear on your head or to carry around in a bag. It is made out of very soft materials, so it should be comfortable to wear all day long. The materials here is also quite thin and very well ventilated to help keep your head cool.

This is a large-brimmed sun hat, with a 360-degree brim. This keeps your neck and face protected from the sun. The material used here also features UPF50+ UV ray blocking ability for maximum protection. On a side note, this hat features snap buttons so it can be converted into a cowboy-like hat.

Buyer’s Guide

Factors to Consider Before Buying the Best Cooling Hat

There are many factors that make up a good cooling hat. Check them out below to see if you’re getting the right one for your hot summer days.

Sun Protection

The ultra-violet rays from the sun can damage our skin and eyes. Regular exposure to UV rays can also speed up the aging process. The best cooling hat is one that can offer you maximum protection against the harmful UV rays. Here are the two different aspects you need to know:  

• SPF

The SPF offers protection from harmful rays of the sun and is usually present in lotions, creams, and other cosmetics. The SPF rating helps measure the duration of the sun protection before it wears off and can harm your skin.

• UPF

UPF or Ultra-Violet Protection measures the amount of UV radiation that could seep through layers and reach your skin. It is crucial to consider the fabric of the cooling hat to ensure it has a high UPF level to offer you maximum protection while you’re out in the sun.

Color Factor

Most people think that dark-colored cooling hats are not effective enough. That’s the reason why light-colored cooling hats such as white, cream, or beige are more preferred. It is believed that these colors tend to reflect UV rays more effectively. And while this is a fact, these specific cooling hats do not compromise on the quality of effectiveness because of color. Hues such as black, brown, tan, olive, and grey are as effective as light-colored cooling hats.

The color factor, however, may impact the appearance and style of the hat.  You can choose one according to your own personal preference.

Straps and Fit

The fit and straps add to the overall comfort of wearing a cooling hat. You wouldn’t want an ill-fitted cooling hat that will keep on falling or fly away with the wind. Hats with adjustable straps and a good fit are important factors to stay comfortable in the cooling hat.

Moisture-Wicking Factor

An additional moisture-wick lining is an excellent way to keep your head and face dry in the sweltering heat. Cooling hats with this feature are more suitable for people with day-long outdoor jobs.

The Material

Pick a cooling that’s made with a durable, lightweight, and breathable material like polyester, nylon, partly, or 100% cotton. It is important to ensure that the material is designed to protect you and keep you cool.

Purpose of Cooling Hat

The purpose of wearing a cooling hat is an important consideration. It’s a must-have if you do fieldwork or are an active outdoor person. Whichever style you pick, make sure it fulfills the purpose. For instance, you can work with a regular cooling cap on a relaxing day at the beach but if you’re going for a boat ride on a sunny day, a cooling cap with secure straps will ensure it doesn’t blow away with the wind. Choose a high-quality cooling hat so it actually keeps you cool and comfortable throughout.

Price

Price is another important consideration. In this case, a lower price doesn’t mean crummy quality. The key is to see if an affordable cooling hat has all the features you need for your purposes. If you have the budget, you may consider getting yourself an expensive cooling hat with extra features.

FAQs

1. Are these hats really effective in keeping you cool?

Yes, these special cooling hats are designed from lightweight, moisture-wicking material. They also feature UV barrier technology to protect you from harmful sun rays and offer you a prolonged cooling effect.

2. What features should work best for maximum sun protection?

It is important to look for a reliable technology for maximum sun protection. The best features include:

• UV protection
• Suitable material
• Moisture-wicking factor
• Width of brim

3. Is a black hat hotter?

Since black color retains heat, a regular hat tends to get hotter. However, if you choose a special cooling hat, it will not get hotter regardless of color. Just focus on the features and even a black cooling hat will keep you comfortable on a hot summer day.