Gone are the days of frumpy old staw gardening hats. These days it’s all about trendy, fun, unique, and stylish gardening hats!
So what’s so good about gardening hats anyways? Why do you need to purchase one? Can’t any old hat just do?
If you want the answers to these questions along with the best gardening hats to date, keep reading on.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall (Women’s):
Outdoor Research Oasis Sun Hat
Best for Men:
Outdoor Research Sunbriolet Sun Hat
Best Splurge (Men’s):
Tilley LTM6 Airflo Broad Brim Hat
Best Budget (Women’s):
Gellwhu Set of 3 Women’s Sun Hats
Best Overall (Women’s)
Outdoor Research Oasis Sun Hat
A great gardening hat provides sun protection coverage, keeps your head cool when the temps soar, stands up to all kinds of gardening weather, and lasts for multiple seasons. You get all of these and more with the Outdoor Research Oasis Sun Hat from REI.
You might not think to buy a hat from one of the leading outdoor gear companies, but what’s more outdoorsy than gardening? The Oasis hat is a lightweight, wide-brim style hat made with nylon and poly blend fabric and a moisture-wicking lining. It’s rated as 50 SPF, so it’s ideal when the sun is shining and the mercury is climbing!
But we know it’s not always sunny during gardening season and there will be rainy days to contend with. This hat is up to the challenge because the fabric is water-resistant. And for windy days, the adjustable chin strap keeps the hat firmly in place on your head, rather than traveling to other parts of your garden or yard.
Best of all, the Oasis Sun Hat is machine-washable, so after a day of dirty gardening you can toss it into the washer with the rest of your gardening clothes (just be sure to let it air dry afterward).
It’s sized for head circumferences from 21.5-24 inches and has an adjustable drawcord in the crown, so it fits most adult women’s heads. This is the hat that checks all the boxes for best gardening hats for women.
Pros
- SPF 50 sun protection
- Lightweight
- Water-resistant
- Machine-washable
Cons
- Might be too large for petite-sized gardeners
- Foam-filled brim is not crushable or foldable
Best for Men
Outdoor Research Sunbriolet Sun Hat
Everything we said about the Oasis Sun Hat for women can be said about the Outdoor Research Sunbriolet Sun Hat for men. It’s also a foam-filled, wide-brim hat with an SPF 50 sun protection rating, water-resistant nylon/poly-blend fabric, moisture-wicking lining, adjustable crown, and adjustable chin strap. Like the Oasis, the Sunbriolet is also machine-washable and needs to air-dry afterward.
Some differences are that the Sunbriolet is a darker color on the underside of the brim to reduce reflected sunlight from water or the ground. The design is also described as “crushable,” which means it should bounce back from rougher use than the Oasis.
This the go-to men’s gardening hat for most weather conditions you’ll encounter.
Pros
- SPF 50 sun protection
- Lightweight
- Water-resistant
- Machine-washable
Cons
- Brim may be too small for some
- Reports of sizing problems
Best Splurge for Him
Tilley LTM6 Airflo Broad Brim Hat
For the man who’s serious about his gardening, not just any gardening hat will do — he’s going to want the best gardening hat out there. The Tilley Airflow Broad Brim Hat is the hat that fits the bill.
This hat has everything you expect from a gardening hat — SPF 50 sun protection, machine-washable nylon fabric, moisture-wicking band, a wide-brim design, and a cord that can be fastened under the chin or behind the head. Sizes 7-8 fit head circumferences measuring anywhere from 22-25 inches.
This is a more expensive hat than the others on our list, but there’s a reason for that. Tilley offers a lifetime guarantee this hat won’t shrink, fall apart, or even wear out — this means it’s the last men’s gardening hat you’ll ever have to buy!
Pros
- Lifetime guarantee
- Checks all boxes for gardening weather
- Has hidden pocket inside crown for keys or other small items
Cons
- Expensive
- Can get hot because of the foam in the crown
Best Budget (Women’s)
Gellwhu Set of 3 Women’s Sun Hats
Getting three ponytail-style sun hats for the price of one sounds pretty good, doesn’t it? That’s what Gellwhu offers with this three-pack of wide-brimmed hat made of quick-drying polyester fabric that keeps you cool and shielded from the sun.
An adjustable band gives you a snug, custom fit and the chin cord helps keep your hat secure if conditions are windy. This hat does run a little smaller in size than others on this list, and specifies 22.8 inches as the largest head circumference it fits.
The hats aren’t machine washable, so you’ll need to clean them by hand. But remember — you have three! While one is drying, you’ll have two more ready to go!
Pros
- Three hats for the price of one
- Adjustable fit
- SPF 50
Cons
- Runs small in size
- Hand-wash only
Best Budget (Men’s)
EINSKEY Sun Hat
When you want a really good men’s gardening hat, but don’t want to break the bank, this is the one for you! The wide-brim sun hat from EINSKEY is made of waterproof, breathable polyester fabric that keeps you both cool and dry.
Design features include mesh side panels in the crown, a built-in sweatband, a drawstring to adjust how snugly it fits, and an adjustable chin cord to keep the hat in place. It’s foldable and can withstand the usual rigors of gardening.
Hand-washing is recommended for best results, so, unfortunately, you can’t toss this hat into the washing machine.
Pros
- Affordable
- Waterproof
- Foldable
Cons
- Hand-wash only
- Crease from folding during shipping takes a long time to flatten out
Best Overall for Kids
Sunday Afternoons Play Hat
Gardeners of all ages need a hat to protect them, and kids who love to be out in the yard or garden are no exception. Don’t let “Play Hat” in the name fool you — this Sunday Afternoons hat is a great piece of headwear that comes in sizes for babies all the way up to tweens and also comes in a variety of colors.
The neck veil means your mini-gardener’s neck stays sunburn-free and the mesh panel ventilation in the crown keeps sweaty scalps cool. Like the men’s Sunbriolet hat that was featured earlier, the underside of the brim of this hat is a darker color to cut down on sun glare for your child’s eyes. The adjustable chin strap keeps the hat on your child’s head when it’s windy (or they’re really active), but it also has a break-away design so there’s no choking risk for younger kids.
The hat’s nylon fabric is machine-washable, lightweight, resistant to water and stains, and wicks moisture away. It’s rated for SPF 50 sun protection and if you size for growth, this sun hat will last for years of use.
Pros
- Provides great sun protection
- Durable
- Safety design of chin strap
Cons
- Pricey for children’s clothing
Best Ponytail Hat
Tutuko UV Protection Foldable Sun Hat
Gardeners with long hair don’t just want to stay protected from the sun — they also want to stay cool and the foldable, wide-brim hat from Tutuko give them both. This bucket-style hat offers great sun protection on the neck and shoulders while allowing you to comfortably wear your hair off your neck with the ponytail opening in the back.
The mesh panel in the crown provides airflow, and the elastic band in the crown allows you to adjust the fit to be nice and snug. The Tutuko hat is waterproof for those rainy gardening days and comes in a wide variety of colors.
Pros
- Waterproof
- Adjustable
- Hair can be worn in ponytail
- Foldable
Cons
- Sized for 21-23 inch head circumference
- Hand-wash only
Best for Style
FURTALK Women’s Foldable Sun Hat
Admit it… sometimes you want to look good while doing some light gardening chores. This foldable hat from FURTALK is the perfect hat for weeding, watering, and harvesting in style!
The brim measures well over four inches wide and provides lots of shade from the sun. There’s a chin strap cord that can be removed if you’re not worried about wind gusts. The hat is made in two sizes to fit most women’s heads and it’s available is several straw and ribbon color combinations.
The FURTALK sun hat is made of paper straw, so it has to be spot-cleaned and air-dried. But if you want to make a fashionable impression in the garden, this is the hat to help you do that!
Pros
- Lightweight
- Packable/foldable
- Attractive and stylish
Cons
- Not the best material
- Runs large
Best Unisex Option
Sunday Afternoons Men’s Adventure Hat
Even though this does say men’s hat, the Sunday Afternoons Adventure Hat can be worn by everyone. It’s basically the grown-up version of the best kids’ hat featured earlier in our list and comes in great color choices.
With moisture-wicking properties and a lightweight feel, this hat provides tons of sun protection while also keeping you cool and comfortable. Like the kids’ version, the underside of the brim and neck veil are darker colored, there’s a mesh ventilation panel in the crown, and the deep brim offers lots of shade for your face, neck, and shoulders.
Unlike the version for kids, there’s a drawstring to keep the hat in place and the neck veil can be flipped up and secured with a velcro fastener to be worn off the neck. The Adventure Hat is also hand-wash only, whereas the child’s Play Hat is machine-washable.
Pros
- Superior sun protection
- Lightweight
- Resistant to water and stains
Cons
- Hand-wash only
- Neck veil can get hot
Gardening Hats 101: How to Pick the Best
There are all kinds of styles of gardening hats. Choosing the material, shape, and color is mostly up to personal preference but some may offer more benefits than others.
Brim Size
When choosing the best gardening hats one of the most important aspects of the hat is the brim, this is what offers sun protection. Most gardening hats have a wide brim of at least 5 inches but the bigger the brim the more protection you receive.
The con of a wider hat brim is it can restrict your view so it is best to try out what you think would work best for you.
Material
Another important aspect is the material the hat is made out of. There are many different gardening hats made of all kinds of materials but it is best to pick one that is easy to clean and offers good sun protection as well as good ventilation.
Color
A lot of this comes down to personal preference but, when choosing the color on your new gardening hat you may want to opt for a lighter color. Dark colors tend to absorb the sun causing you to feel hot and sweaty way quicker than you would in lighter colors.
Comfort
When choosing the best gardening hat for you you’re going to want to make sure it’s a comfortable fit, after all, you are going to be using it for hours while in your garden. Of course, a lot of hats claim one size fits all but it is a very general statement.
You may want to visit a gardening store where you can try out what styles fit you best or invest in a hat stretcher. Or invest in a har that has adjustable straps so you can find the best fit at home.
Ease of Cleaning
Dirt. Yes, there is going to be a lot of dirt, and sweat too. And when we are working out in the sun you tend to wipe your face or may need to grab your hat and adjust it while it’s on your head. This can lead to the dirt on your hands making its way to your hat.
That’s why it’s always good to invest in a hat that is easy to clean and you won’t need to create a new cleaning regime just for your gardening hat. Microfiber hats are great for this, they are super easy to clean and whisk away most dirt and moisture.
Gardening Hats, What’s the Point?
As gardeners, we love the sun! It’s what brings life to our garden. Without sunshine there would be no flowers, right? But there are a few downfalls of too much sunshine — maybe not for our plants, but for our skin and hair.
UV Protection
It’s no secret that the UV rays from the sun can cause damaging effects when we do not use the proper protection. Gardening hats along with an SPF are two things that can help you continue to work in your garden all afternoon long with no worries about these harmful rays.
Gardening hats especially wide-brimmed can help stop the sun from directly hitting your face, neck, shoulders, and chest. Creating an amazing level of protection that sunscreen alone cannot.
Regulate Body Temperature
When weeding the garden and hauling plants and dirt you are bound to break a sweat. A gardening hat helps to regulate your body temperature by adding some shade and protecting the top of your head and back of the neck from the sun.
Prevent Hair Damage
Just like our skin, the sun has the opportunity to cause damage to our hair. Some signs of sun-damaged hair are discoloration, brittleness, and extreme dryness. But with the use of a gardening hat, you can stop your locks from being damaged.
The Different Styles of Gardening Hats
There are many styles of gardening hats on the market, some are your classic straw large brimmed hats and some are more high-tech with mixed fabrics and mesh ventilation.
Straw Gardening Hats
Oh, the classics. Straw hats have been around well since forever. And for good reason, these hats are lightweight, breathable, and offer great sun protection.
Mesh Breathable Gardening Hats
Newer to the market are nylon or polyester hats that consist of some mesh to offer adequate airflow for the especially hot spring and summer days. They are also lightweight and are incredibly easy to clean most being machine washable.
Caped Gardening Hats
Caped gardening hats are perfect for those who have shorter hair and more sensitive skin. These hats tend to only have a front brim like a baseball hat and a caped back that drapes over the neck. Great for when you are wanting complete coverage from the sun.
The Best Ways to Clean Your Garden Hat
Now that you have your perfect fit, you are going to want to take care of that new gardening hat the best you can. So of course after some time working outside in the heat and in the elements our gardening hats can get a bit dirty.
So here are a few of the best ways to clean them when that happens.
Machine Washable
Of course, if you purchased a hat that is machine washable by all means make it easy on yourself and toss it in the wash. If the hat is very dirty and stained you can always pre-treat using some stain remover or extra soap before washing.
Just remember even though they may be machine washable I wouldn’t dry them in the dryer. It is best to hang dry for optimal results.
Natural Materials and Fibers
When cleaning a gardening hat that is made from straw or any other type of natural fibers it’s important to never submerge this type of hat into water. Instead, follow the directions listed below.
- With a clean toothbrush, brush off any dirt or dust you can see.
- Using a mild solution of either dish soap or laundry detergent and water, use a clean brush to brush on the soap in a circular motion of the stain.
- Be careful not to brush too hard, this can change the way the material looks or holds.
- Remember to always air dry these hats never use any kind of direct heat as this will distort the shape.
- If there are any dents or bends in the brim use a heavy item like a large book to flatten them out.
To store your garden hats when not in use, it’s best to keep them in a cool dark place like inside your laundry area or by your back door.
How to Waterproof Your Gardening Hat
If you have fallen in love with a specific gardening hat but it is not waterproof, not all hope is lost. On the shelves today are many types of fabric sprays that can waterproof different types of materials.
In order to find out what spray you need you first need to find out what material your gardening hat is made of. Once you purchase the spray it is super easy to spray let dry and in no time you have yourself a beautifully waterproofed hat.
Most sprays are a similar consistency to hairspray and spray in an even coat all around the hat, if you notice any dripping or splotching take a microfibre towel and dap around the areas to work in the extra waterproofing spray.
Pro Tip: When working with natural fibers make sure to spray further away than the can suggests. This way you get a finer mist of the waterproofing and you won’t soak any of the natural fibers. You may need to repeat this step a few times but it is truly worth it!
Wrapping up the Best Gardening Hats
No matter the type or style of gardening hat you decide to wear you are doing yourself a great thing. Gardening hats protect you from the sun’s rays, keep you cool, and keep you looking stylish.
If you’re looking for even more of the best gardening clothes make sure to check out our other top lists. Want more garden content? Visit our gardening page for in-depth guides, explainer posts, and great ideas!