10 Best Sailing Hats In 2019

Sailing hats are a great way to keep the sun out of your eyes, so you can steer a clear course for safe sailing. From shielding your eyes to protecting your skin from the power of the sun, sailing hats are useful to anyone aboard a sailboat. Most people will use a sailing hat as their accessory of choice because of the great protection it provides.

Sailing hats come in a variety of styles and many have different color options available. They are comfortable and functional for use both in and out of the water. However, a quality sailing hat can be hard to find. There are a lot of cheap designs that won’t provide the protection you need.

Our guide is designed to help you find the best sailing hat that you’ll feel confident using all the time. Below we have some important features, as well as a list of the ten best sailing hats.

How To Choose A Sailing Hat – Buying Guide

Out of all the protective sun wear, sailing hats tend to stand out as the most popular choice because they are durable, functional, and can keep you looking stylish. Yet with the large market and many options available, you are stuck with an overwhelming choice.

Here are some features that will help you determine what makes a quality sailing hat. These tips will make the buying process effortless, so you can put the focus on sailing your boat.

Style

There are lot and lots of different styles of sailing hats; not every design will be the same. There are styles that are full coverage and designs that cover less. You will have to decide what style suits you best and what you prefer.

A popular style is the sailing bucket hat, because it covers more and usually includes an adjustable string to secure the hat to your head, which is also similar to a tilley hat for sailing. Boating caps will normally cover less and for some, may be a better choice is they don’t want a wide 360-degree brim on their sail hat. Cruiser hats may be another style that you prefer too.

No matter what your preference is, you should be able to find a sailing cap style that is exactly what you want.

Protection

Not all boating hats will have the same level of protection. It is important that you determine how much or how little protection you want in your boat hat design. Some boating caps are made to be full coverage. This means that a wide brim protects your head and neck. Other men’s boating hats will even have protective flaps that can be adjusted.

If you aren’t looking for full coverage protection, consider boating caps or cruiser hats. These types of hats offer less protection, but still shield the vital areas like your face and eyes. Cruiser hats can also provide minimal protection, if you like to feel the breeze on your neck. For the best all-around coverage that isn’t too restrictive, look at sailing bucket hat designs.

Along with the style of the cap, you should consider if it has any extra protective features like a UPF rating. The best hat for sailing won’t just shield the sun, it will resist it, so that it can’t penetrate past the material of your boating cap.

Durability

Men’s boating hats need to be durable. Any hats for boating need to be durable. A durable sail hat will function better and last longer. Plus, you’re exposing yourself to a harsh environment with salty air, water, and wind. All hats for boating need to be durable enough to withstand a dunk in the ocean or a full day on the sailboat.

One way to check if a sailing cap is durable is to read sailing hat reviews. Other customers will likely leave their input and level of satisfaction with a boat hat design and this can help you make a choice and select one hat. Remember that the best sailing hat will be made of high-quality materials, which make it more durable.

Use

Boating hats can be used both on and off your boat; they are that versatile. Whether you are getting your boating safety checklist completed on land or you’re hanging out in the waves after anchoring your sailboat, sail hats can be used for protection. Sailing hats can also be a great accessory alongside your sailing shorts and boat shoes.

However, the sun is a strong element and you should also consider your protection just as important as your safety. Sailing hats are just as necessary as sailing gloves and life jackets.

Maintenance

A top rated hat for sailing should be easy to maintain. You can check the brand specific instructions or information that is provided with your boat hat to get the best information with how to maintain your boat hat.

FAQs

Q: Why do I need a sailing hat?

A: Sailing hats are an important accessory because they help protect your skin from the sun. If you use sailing sunglasses, you understand how powerful the sun can be and while sunglasses protect your eyes, they can’t protect your skin. The best sailing hat will also be UV protective and have a UPF rating to ensure that the sun really can’t do any damage.

While it is not absolutely necessary that you use boating hats, it is highly recommended because you are in an environment where you can’t escape the sun. Everything around you, from the boat to the water, will reflect the sun. It’s hard to avoid, but a top rated hat for sailing can really reduce the contact you have with the sun and provide you with some shade.

Q: How do I measure the level of protection?

A: You can, and you can’t. Some protection can be measured by a level like UV and UPF protection, but others are based solely on the style or design of the sail hat. UV and UPF can be measured and the rating should be provided in the product information. Most ratings are given as a UV/UPF followed by a number. The number tells you how protective your sailing cap is against the sun.

However, the design of the hat can also affect the level of protection and this doesn’t come with a rating. Sailing bucket hat designs are more protective than boating caps because they have a brim that goes all the way around the hat, rather than just covering the face. It is up to you to determine which style delivers the level of protection you want.

Globo Surf Overview

A top rated hat for sailing will always be a popular choice in boating sun protection. Sailing hats offer excellent protection, versatility, durability, function, and style. With the best men’s sun hat for sailing, you will be able to cross the high seas without turning lobster red. The best sailing hats also make a great gift for sailors and boaters.

Source

1. What Does a UPF Rating Really Mean? – radicoolbeachwear.com

Do you own one of the sailing hats that made it onto our list? Let us know how it has worked for your sailing or boating needs in the comments section below.