Before we dive into our top 13 picks for the best safari hat, let’s learn exactly how a hat like this can enhance your experiences in the outdoors. Ahead, you can also find the factors you need to keep in mind while choosing your hat.
What Is A Safari Hat?
Safari hats have been around for ages to help explorers stay safe in excessively hot, desert-like conditions. They can be composed of any material ranging from natural ones like cotton or leather to synthetics like polyester and nylon, each having its own benefits. Sitting on your head with adjustable features, these hats can also come down to your neck to prevent sunburns. Mesh panels or patches inside and outside can aid in superior ventilation to keep sweat from pooling in. Some are also coated with a water-repellent finish to keep rain and hail from getting absorbed.
13 Best Safari Hats To Wear Before Setting Out For The Woods
1. Best Secure Fit:Kolumb Widee Breim Boonie Hat
With a cotton and polyester blend, Kolumb’s African safari hat is stitched in a durable manner for a long shelf life. The wide brim works to protect your eyes and skin from harmful UV rays, and the camo print complements any outfit from your wardrobe. This jungle safari hat also has an adjustable chin strap for a secure fit along with pop-in buttons if you want to transform into a confident and stylish cowgirl! Pros
Available in 13 colors Adjustable chinstrap Wide brim for UV protection Anti-fade colors Practical pop-in button Breathable materials
Cons
Might lose some shape after multiple uses
2. Best Moisture-Wicking:Sun Cube Wide Brim Sun Hat
With Sun Cube’s safari hat, women’s skin is safeguarded from the sun, which can prevent the early onset of wrinkles. Composed of quick-dry nylon, the hat is supplemented with mesh panels on the top sides to aid in breathability. Both the brim and the neck flap in this women’s safari hat provide UPF 50+ sun protection from all angles. Adjustable straps on the head and the chin extend security while the hat folds easily and packs down compactly for travel. Pros
Available in 11 colors Neck flap and wide brim UPF 50+ protection Moisture-wicking Quick-drying fabric Lightweight and breathable
Cons
Some might find it a bit stiff.
3. Best For Ponytail Slit:Fordicher Women’s Ponytail Bucket Hat
Fordicher’s safari hat for women will be your new favorite as it has a slot especially for your ponytail to come through, which also helps keep hair off your neck. The exterior is made of breathable and quick-drying polyester while a mesh layer on the inside keeps you cool. With the adjustable chin strap on this wide-brimmed safari hat, you won’t have to fear the wind or the sun ever again. Pros
Available in 6 colors Ponytail slit on the rear Inner mesh layer Quick-drying fabric Adjustable chin strap Breathable
Cons
Might have an initial chemical odor
4. Best Lightweight:Tough Headwear Safari Hat
Tough Headwear has made this sun safari hat in collaboration with The Skin Cancer Foundation to ensure that it’s the best protection for your skin. Both UVA and UVB rays are effectively blocked with the help of the UPF 50+ coating. At the same time, you won’t need to deal with sweat on hot summer days as the fabric wicks it away to keep you fresh. This British safari hat dries super quickly and can be customized to fit your head with the adjustable chin strap. Pros
Available in 7 colors Moisture-wicking Quick-drying UPF 50+ protection Lightweight and breathable Adjustable chin strap
Cons
Might wrinkle slightly
5. Best Breathable Material:The Hat Depot Safari Bucket Hat
Made with 100% cotton, these khaki safari hats by The Hat Depot are trendy and pack down tiny so you can carry them anywhere in the world. Brass-toned eyelets keep ventilation constant while the thick strap helps you adjust the fit according to your comfort. This wide brim safari hat does a fantastic job of keeping you in the shade and protects sensitive scalps from damage. Pros
Available in 22 colors Breathable materials Adjustable chin strap Lightweight fabric Easy to wear and pack
Cons
Some might find the brim slightly flimsy.
6. Best Quick-Drying:LLmoway Women’s Lightweight Safari Sun Hat
The LLmoway lightweight safari hat features a wide brim that extends UPF protection well down to your neck. Composed of 100% polyester, this material naturally blocks out the sun and is also known to be quick-drying in cases of sweat and after a wash. The 4 eyelets help with breathability while the foldable and packable design allows for easy traveling. LLmoway’s safari hats for women can be adjusted at the back and the chin for windproof gear. Pros
Available in 9 colors Wide brim Adjustable head and chin straps 4 ventilation eyelets Quick-drying Moisture-wicking
Cons
Might be slightly stiff for some
7. Best Sweat Absorption:Phaiy Safari Bucket Hat
Phaiy’s olive green safari hat can be styled with any of your neutral pieces for a day out in the desert. The 100% cotton make boasts a UPF 50+ sun protection coating with a double-fabric design for better sweat absorption. Ultralight with a foldable and portable feature, you wouldn’t want to leave this ladies’ safari hat when you set out for your next trip. You can easily pin the brim up if it gets in your way with the press buttons on the side. Pros
Available in 16 colors UPF 50+ protection Foldable and lightweight Inner band for sweat absorption Adjustable chin strap Multipurpose wear
Cons
Might crease slightly
8. Best Long Neck Flap:WMCaps Sun Flap Hat
WMCaps’ safari hat with neck flap is all you need before stepping foot on the soil as it ensures sunburns are a thing of the past. The wide frontal brim combines with the rear neck flap to give you all-around safety for all the fun outdoor activities. Moisture-wicking nylon is used for this model that is aided by mesh panels on the sides to keep you fresh and going even after long hours in the sun. Pros
Available in 8 colors Long neck flap Wide brim Inner moisture-wicking sweatband Adjustable chin and head strap Side mesh panels
Cons
Might be slightly bulky
9. Best Foldable:Boao Cotton Safari Hat
Lightweight to both wear and carry, Boao’s cheap safari hat is foldable and fits easily into any nook and cranny in your luggage. With optimum sun protection owing to the brim, the sides can be pinned up if you find them to be causing too much hassle. The chin strap is adjustable for a fit that doesn’t flap around in the wind or constantly keeps slipping off your head when you’re having fun. Pros
Pack of 2 hats Foldable Wide brim Adjustable chin strap Air vent design Double insulation
Cons
Might be slightly snug on people with thick hair
10. Best High-Quality:Gelante Safari Sun Hat
With Gelante’s high-quality safari hat, women can effectively keep the sunlight out of their eyes for a distraction-free time in the desert. The front visor is super-wide to keep the sun’s ultraviolet rays far away from your skin, which can also reduce sweating. This 100% cotton brown safari hat is soft and stays put even if the wind is strong as you can adjust the chin strap for a fit that doesn’t fail. Pros
Available in 24 colors Soft and lightweight Adjustable drawstring Brass eyelets for ventilation Snap-up sides
Cons
The brim might lose stiffness with use.
11. Best For The Day Time:iColor Safari Cap With Neck And Face Flap
Composed of 100% nylon, iColor’s cute safari hat features removable flaps for all-around sun protection during the daytime. Water-resistant and quick-drying, this gear is also windproof and keeps sweat at bay so you can enjoy your time outdoors to the max. The windbreaker belt allows for easy adjustment so that the crushable safari hat stays securely put and serves you well. Pros
Available in 4 colors Removable neck and face flaps Wide brim Adjustable drawstring Moisture-wicking Quick-drying
Cons
Might not be ideal for people with larger heads
12. Best Unique Style:TZ Promise Safari Bucket Hat
TZ Promise offers ladies’ safari hats that are ultralight owing to their 100% cotton composition. The wide brim keeps you in the shade while it can be snapped up on the sides for a unique style as well. This Aussie safari hat is so compressible that it saves you a ton of space in your suitcase and the ventilation holes prevent sweat from pooling up and weighing it down. Come wind or sun, the customizable chin strap keeps the hat from budging. Pros
Available in 13 colors Breathable Lightweight and compressible Adjustable chin strap Snap-up sides
Cons
The brim might be slightly loose.
13. Best Wide Brims:Jackell Safari Sun Hat With Veil
It’s not exactly news that every kind of bug resides in the wilderness, and Jackell’s versatile hat is your savior from unknown elements. To keep mosquitoes away, you can simply let down the mesh net that can be pinned up when not necessary. Equipped with a wide brim for sun protection and a chin strap for security, this hat is a must-have for those who love spending time in nature. Pros
3 color options Frontal mesh layer Wide brims Adjustable chin strap 4 breathable vents Quick-drying fabric
Cons
Might crease easily
Now that we’ve looked at some of the best safari hats for fun-laden adventures, let’s dive into how you can pick the right one.
How To Choose The Right Safari Hat
Brim
Your safari hat should have a wide brim in the front and back to keep the sun’s rays fully blocked.
Waterproof
As you will be sweating a bucket when out in the sun, this feature repels any moisture to keep you dry. Also for days when it rains, you can keep fresh and prevent the water from causing you any discomfort.
Material
Cotton, polyester, and nylon are great at keeping you dry and cool owing to their moisture-wicking and breathable properties while also being lightweight. You can also invest in a leather safari hat that requires maintenance but will last you a long time.
Fit
As you don’t want a hat so loose that it disappears with a gust of l=wind, look for adjustable straps at the chin and the head. This allows you to tighten the fit and loosen it when you please.
Extra coverage
If you happen to have sensitive skin or are going to a place with especially harsh sunshine, you would do well to look for hats with added coverage. Neck and face flaps are a good choice as they give you 360° protection and prevent sunburns. Some hats make these features removable so you don’t have to walk around with the bulk all the time.
Lightweight
The hat you choose should be super light, foldable, and packable so it doesn’t take up too much space in your luggage.
Easy to clean
Hats that are resistant to stains and wrinkles are the best as it is inevitable that they will get dirty in the wilderness. They must also be able to retain their shape when washed. After you’ve bagged a safari hat that’s ready to be worn, let’s learn how it must be used to give you the best results.
How To Wear A Safari Hat
Place the safari hat on your head and customize it to your head size. For this, you can pull the toggles on the adjustable drawstring present at the back of the head and the long strap on the chin. This will keep the hat from moving around when it is windy outside. If you like, you can also use the side snaps for a different look. Some hats have a face flap that is helpful in preventing insect bites. You can adjust it if you happen to wander into an area with a lot of bugs. Despite the sun protection these hats offer, we suggest you don’t skip on sunscreen!
Why Trust StyleCraze?
Priyam Gupta, the author of this article, is a fashion and makeup enthusiast who likes to explore and recommend styles that will endure the test of trends. Her opinion is based on her research and several user reviews on various online platforms. This carefully curated list of safari hats pair with almost all outfits that help you prevent sunburns and provide proper ventilation. When should you wear a safari hat? Safari hats are best worn when you’re spending a lot of time out in the sun. This gear is crucial in the summer daytime if you’re out in the wilderness. Why do safari hats have one side up? Centuries ago, one side of the safari hat was folded up to allow better visibility when a rifle was propped on the shoulder.
