The 10 Best Fishing Hats
Special Honors
Shelta Seahawk The Shelta Seahawk provides extra arm clearance for casting while also doing its best to keep your face protected and the sun out of your eyes by having shorter brim on the sides than the front. It also has patent-pending technology in said brim to prevent floppiness. One our our favorite features though, is its ability to float if dropped in the water. However, we would like to see an attachable neck flap considering its lofty price. sheltahats.com
Pelagic Gear Baja Straw If you often find yourself fishing the beaches, you have no doubt seen many other anglers wearing something akin to the Pelagic Gear Baja Straw. It is crafted from 100-percent natural fiber, which is more breathable than synthetics, and it features an adjustable chin strap and comfort headband. On the front is a PVC rubber marlin and tuna patch that lets any onlookers know you are on the hunt for a big catch. pelagicgear.com
Editor's Notes
April 14, 2020:
While wind and rain resistance are important, what truly matters when it comes to fishing hats is sun protection. With that in mind, we made sure that nearly every item on our list had components that boasted a UPF 50+ rating. In fact, the only exception to this is the JFH Brim Bora Safari, which we decided to include in the list because we realize some people are willing to sacrifice a some UV protection for extra ventilation, which this hat, with its near-full mesh crown and 60-percent cotton construction definitely offers.
A good fishing hat should protect more than just the head, but also the entire neck and/or face too, since those are areas especially prone to burning. The Sunday Afternoons Ultra-Adventure and Solaris Wide Brim both feature neck flaps, while the iColor 360 and Seektop Boonie are equipped with neck flaps and face veils, both of which are removable for those days you need a little extra airflow. If even the thought of a neck flap or veil already makes you start sweating, you can opt for the Hillman Super Wide, which boasts an oversized brim that provides all the protection you need, without blocking any airflow to your face or neck whatsoever.
Of course, some people may just want something that offers a reasonable amount of shade without looking like they are a vampire that needs to completely hide from every little ray of sun, in which case we recommend the Columbia Bora Bora II or Coolibar Beach Comber. Both have enough of a brim to keep the sun out of your eyes and offer some shade to the face and neck, without completely throwing every fashion sense out the window.
If mosquito are a major concern where you'll be fishing and you don't like putting repellent on your neck and face, you'll probably want to consider the Camo Coll Outdoor, which has attached netting to keep those pesky buggers at bay. The lighter colors tend to affect visibility though, so we recommend sticking with one of the darker options if you choose this hat.