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Looking for the best women’s hiking hat? This top list has you covered for all seasons so you stay protected from the elements!
Best Womens Hiking Hat
Table Of Contents
A great hat is essential for a long hiking expedition. They can keep you cool and protected from the sun on hot summer days, and warm and comfortable on chilly winter days. Because of their amazing functionality, they’re super versatile and make the perfect accessory for so many activities—including travel and everyday use.
Whether you’re hiking a mountain, going on a safari, exploring a theme park, or doing an easy nature walk, these best womens hiking hats can aid your outdoor escapades!
What’s the Top Women Hiking Hat?
Shop: Amazon
Outdoor Research Radar Pocket Cap – UV Protection Foldable Hat
When I did a whirlwind 2-week trip to Utah last spring, I was in need of a good, protective hat. Through my searches, I found the Outdoor Research hat and was intrigued because it’s compact and looks more like a regular cap.
This turned out to be fabulous and readers adore it as well! I love how lightweight it is, how breathable it is in the hot sun (with UPF 50+ protection), and how it stayed super clean! I hiked in a lot of dusty areas, and the dust fell right off of it!
In my Outdoor Research Hat and Old Navy Tank Top
The cap is easily adjustable, but it was still slightly too large on the back of my head, which can be seen in some of the pics. I do wish it had a slightly more secure band for strong gusts of wind, especially when I hiked the Great Sand Dunes, but not sure any hat could’ve stayed on with that wind!
Overall, I think this is an awesome hat for hiking or simply being out and about in the sun. I was looking for a hat that was more a baseball hat or military cap style, and this one was perfect. The vents on the sides make such a difference in hot weather, and as I mentioned before, it has UPF 50+ protection, which is an incredible bonus.
One wearer says, “Just a great all-around travel and outdoor hat. So lightweight, breathable, and stow-able. My backpack never goes on a hike without one of these caps packed inside!”
These Outdoor Research hiking hats have become a fave of mine and are highly recommended by our readers too!
Do you want to know what I did and saw on my 2-week Utah jaunt? Read my entire trip diary!
Continue below to see a full roster of the most popular hiking hats for all seasons!
Best Hiking Hat for Hot Weather
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Columbia Bora Bora Booney Unisex Outdoor Hiking Hat
The Columbia Bora Bora UV hiking hat is a great option for sunny treks. It blocks harmful UVA and UVB rays, which are crucial for long days in the sun. Its moisture-wicking material and excellent ventilation will keep you dry and cool all day long. It also features both an adjustable head strap and an adjustable chin strap, so you can be sure that it’s not going anywhere. It comes in over 20 colors, too!
Users love how portable and versatile this hat is. One shares, “I bought this hat to help protect my face while out on the water for a recent trip to French Polynesia. The hat is lightweight, collapses down to a small size for packing, is very breathable, and provided the sun protection I was looking for.”
Shop: Amazon
Wallaroo Seaside Sun Hiking Hat Women’s Style
This stylish hiking hat from Wallaroo is great for so many purposes! The Seaside is adjustable fit, quick-drying microfiber material, and great ventilation make this the perfect hat for any outdoor experience. Wallaroo hats are known for their excellent sun protection, having UPF 50+ protection. With this hat, you can spend a day at the beach or hiking up trails while keeping your skin safe and looking cute!
One user is so impressed and gives a glowing review, “This hat served me well on the Silk Road in China. I survived the Gobi desert with no sunburn. I was able to take the 98-degree heat in Turpan with the help of my ventilated hat. The strap kept the hat on my head, and my hair protected during a wild windstorm.”
With this amazing functionality and the super adorable style, you can’t go wrong!
Our readers are always on the lookout for the best sun hats for travel!
Shop: Amazon
Outdoor Research Oasis Wide Brim Hiking Hat Womens UPF Protection
For even more cool hiking hats by Outdoor Research, the Oasis has fantastic coverage and UPF 50 sun protection, so you’ll definitely be sun safe while outside. It’s also water-resistant, moisture-wicking, and features a stiff foam brim that won’t flop down into your face. Additionally, it’s easily adjustable, and wearers report that it’s really comfortable to wear for long periods of time under the hot sun.
One wearer says, “It fits as expected, the string keeps it in place. I wore it last October to a trip to Grand Canyon, it was 101 degrees and this hat kept me cool. It got wet while hiking and dried really fast.”
Shop: Amazon
Sunday Afternoons Adventure Hiking Hat Women Downslope Brim Style
The Sunday Afternoons Adventure is a waterproof hiking hat women love for outings that involve water and sweltering heat. This is definitely an “adventure hat”, as the name suggests! The UPF 50 fabric gives your head full coverage, while the mesh panels and moisture-wicking material will keep you cool on the hottest of days.
One wearer says, “This resilient hat provided three weeks of fantastic prolonged daily sun protection on a recent trip to Jordan, Israel, and Egypt. I love that it’s lightweight and packs flat. The material is thin and breathable, and the adjustable chin strap kept it from blowing away on several occasions. The color stayed fresh in spite of sweaty, dusty conditions, and it has handled its first bath super well.”
Read our post on the benefits of polarized sunglasses for added sun protection!
Tilley Wanderer Hiking Hats Womens Bucket Style
Tilley makes some cute hiking hats and the Wanderer is fantastic for so many activities and destinations. It’s made out of 100% cotton material that’s both water repellent and has UPF 50 sun protection. It comes in a variety of neutral colors, and you can’t go wrong with this classic bucket hat style!
One user says, “Just perfect. Comfy, looks great and has good sun protection. Love the neck strap, too. That came in handy when wind wanted to abscond with my Tilley on a hike.”
Shop: Amazon | The North Face
The North Face Hiking Hat Women Class V Brimmer
The North Face makes a great desert hiking hat, and their Class V Brimmer is an incredible option. This hat is amazingly durable and can handle the hot sun, strong winds, intense rain, and everything in between. This cap’s moisture-wicking material will keep you dry, and its UPF 40+ protection will keep you safe from the sun’s rays.
Wearers of this hat love the secure and comfortable fit. One shares, “The brim is a bit more firm than a standard bucket hat, but it bends easily into a cooler look and has ample sun coverage.”
Read our complete guide to find out exactly what to wear on safari!
Shop: Amazon
Coolibar Lenny Women Hiking Hats
If you want a more sports cap style, the Lenny from Coolibar is one of the best hiking hats for hot weather. It’s ultra-lightweight and breathable, while offering ample coverage and UPF 50+ fabric to shield your face. With the Lenny, you’ll be completely unencumbered while on the go.
One happy wearer says, “Very nice hat to wear just about anywhere out in the sun. It’s comfortable, lightweight, and blocks the sun from your eyes, and protects the top of your head. It’s also easy to adjust the size to fit your head perfectly.”
Best Winter Hiking Hat for Cold Weather
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The North Face Osito Fleece Warm Hiking Hat Beanie
The Osito fleece beanie from North Face is one of the best winter hiking hats. Wearers rave about how warm and cozy it is. It’s made out of dreamy fleece, and another awesome feature is that it’s sustainably made with 100% recycled fabric! Overall, this cozy cap is a perfect choice for cold, winter hikes.
One wearer reports, “Cozy and comfortable. Bought this for cold weather walks outdoors. It’s perfect!”
Shop: Amazon
Smartwool Isto Retro Women’s Merino Wool Hiking Hat
TFG readers absolutely love Smartwool for their cold-weather travels, so if you’re gearing up for a winter hike, this cute hiking hat is an awesome choice. It’s made with a warm merino wool blend that has natural anti-odor properties, so you’ll be fresh no matter how long your outing is!
It definitely has a retro, classic feel, especially with the cute pom-pom on top. One reviewer shares, “This hat is very warm, comfortable, and stylish. I wear it for both hardcore outdoor activities and around town on cold days.”
If you’re planning to go hiking, you may want to consider using trekking poles!
Columbia Cascade Peak Women’s Winter Hiking Hats
Users absolutely adore the Cascade Peak winter hiking hats by Columbia—another tried and trusted brand that TFGers love. This one is simple yet classic-looking and has all the functionality you need. It’s made with acrylic yarn and lined with super-cozy microfleece. Insulating and durable, it will keep you toasty not only for your entire adventure but for years to come as well.
One wearer says, “This is a great hat. I bought it for a trip to Iceland and pretty much wore it the whole time. It kept my head warm while still looking stylish.”
Shop: Amazon
TrailHeads Trailblazer Womens Hiking Hat With Ponytail Hole
This insulating yet breathable hiking hat from TrailHeads is a highly recommended choice for winter hikes and other sporty activities. It’s lined with a super cozy spandex fleece and features a drop-down fleece design to protect your ears and neck from freezing temperatures. It also has a ponytail hole for added comfort and functionality.
One reviewer shares, “I went hiking over the weekend and it was 30°F and my neck stayed warm all day. The flap made it so easy to vent when I was getting too warm. Not once did I need to adjust it or feel like I needed to remove it because it was too hot or making me too sweaty. I could not say enough good things about the hat during the hike to my husband.”
TFG is sharing the top hiking pants women love that are sturdy yet nice enough to wear off-trail too!
What do you think are the best outdoor hiking hats? Share with us in the comments!
For more women’s hiking gear, please read:
- 9 Best Women’s Hiking Boots
- Feel Dry and Comfy In the Best Hiking Shirts for Women
- 6 Best Hiking Pants for Women That Are Lightweight and Practical
- Best Hiking Poles to Tackle Any Terrain Near or Far
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Thank you! I’ve already ordered three of these – I appreciate you and your readers” recommendations so much. It saves me tons of time and inspires me for travel (and looking cute!)
So happy to have helped!!! 🥰