Keep it Covered
Wearing a hat while fishing not only helps provide warmth and protection from mosquitoes/ticks, wind and weather, but it allows you to express your unique style… *if you’re into it*
“Looking the part helps one to play the part.”
Explore our best fishing hats for men and women below.
My Story
I hated wearing hats growing up. I didn’t play baseball like my younger brother, and I hated the feeling of something flattening my unruly hair on top of my head. My father, however, was quite the opposite.
The only time I would see him without a ball cap on was when he was getting ready to go to sleep, or when my mother sternly demanded that we needed a proper Christmas picture.
His hat collection was and still is massive, and he keeps his favorites in a faithful rotation.
When he started taking me fishing at 15, he bought a camo hat for me right along with my Eagle Claw 7’ 5 weight.
I was a bit reluctant to wear it at first, but it only took one trip through heavy brush occupied with lively ticks for me to realize how useful a simple ball cap could be, especially when chasing natives through tight brush.
I have my own collection of hats now, one for every occasion it seems, and several reserved just for fishing. A hat is a piece of gear so simple I think many of us don’t give it much thought, especially when we are preoccupied with waders, boots, rods, flies–the list goes on.
In this review, I’m going to examine the best fishing hats for both the summer and winter months so you can, as always, buy them with confidence.
This article will cover:
- Best fishing hats for summer
- Best cold weather fishing hats
- Fishing gaiters and buffs
- Different types of fishing hats
- And more!
Lets get started!
Best Fishing Hats for the Summer
1. Simms Cutbank Sun Hat (For Men)
Simms’ Cutbank Sun Hat is their take on the traditional wide-brimmed style of hat that is often seen in angling journals and outdoor magazines.
It’s constructed of woven palm leaf, which provides ample protection from the summer sun while being breathable and light.
I see these hats in droves from June to July all along the banks of the Susquehanna.
The shade they provide keeps the sun off of your face and neck, and they dry off quickly should you be unlucky enough to dunk yours in the water.
Features/Specs
100% Woven Palm Leaf
Stampede Strap for Around the Neck Wear
Crushable Brim and Crown for Ease of Storage
Easy Fit Sweatband
Simms is renowned for producing quality products and this hat combines function and style effectively for summer angling use.
2. Fishpond Lowcountry Hat (Men or Women)
Fishpond is a company that I feel like I don’t talk about enough in my reviews. They are a family-owned, Colorado born company committed to producing quality gear for the modern angler.
This hat is another wide-brimmed sun hat with lanyard to keep your face and neck protected from the sun (that’s also rated UPF 50+ Equivalent).
I’m a sucker for a nice hatband, and Fishpond’s graphics department has created a stylish western-inspired pattern for this hat. It just looks cool, and that, in my opinion, is a major selling-point for this sun hat.
Features/Specs
4.5” Brim
Guatemalan Palm Material
Fishpond Webbing Accent
UPF 50+ Equivalent
3. Patagonia Forge Hat (Men or Women)
Patagonia is another company that, like Fishpond, has expanded into the realm of outdoor lifestyle clothing while remaining loyal to the fishermen and hikers that built up the company’s base.
Their Forge hat is built for outdoor use, whether that be hiking, canoeing, or spending a day on the water. Reviews do say that the hat fits large, so consider sizing down.
Patagonia is committed to making an environmental and social impact with their products, and a big selling point for me is the fact that 82% of their line is Fair Trade Certified.
Features/Specs
Fair Trade Sewn, Sustainably Constituted
Large Fit
Rugged and Durable
Perfect for Trail and Stream
In addition to this, they use hemp, cotton and other sustainable materials in their products, and on their website you can see the breakdown of what these materials are and how they are sourced.
These are all great reasons to consider Patagonia’s Forge hat for the coming Spring season.
4. Columbia Unisex Bora Bora Booney
Columbia’s Bora Bora Booney hat is an affordable alternative to the similar style hats reviewed above.
At about half the price of the sun hats I have already reviewed, the Bora Bora is functionally similar (sporting its own UPF 50+ equivalent rating), and just as durable, making it a good choice for the angler on a budget.
Features/Specs
100% Nylon
Small/Medium and Large/X Large Sizes
Multiple Color Options
Affordable at $29.99
5. Stenson Straw Hat
Stetson has produced some of the most iconic American hats for well over a hundred years.
With its roots in Philadelphia, Stetson is a name that evokes images of the American West, and high-quality hats for outdoor use.
Their straw hat is a luxuriously thick cut of woven Mexican Palm, with a pinchfront crown and wide 4” brim. While it is not UV rated like a few of the other hats in this review, owners of this hat remarked that the weave is dense and almost no light can penetrate it.
Features/Specs
Woven Mexican Palm Straw Construction
4” Brim
Pinchfront Crown
Leather Hatband and Chin Strap
Eyelet Vents
This hat is gorgeous and functional. The high quality leather on the hatband and chin strap is supple, and in my opinion a nicely dressed fly on the band would make the perfect accompaniment to an already quality hat.
6. Outrip Wide Brim Hat with Neck and Face Flap
This workhorse of a hat from Outrip is affordable and waterproof, and the detachable face and neck panels seem to be growing in popularity, especially on the Susquehanna.
The face and neck coverings are designed for complete sun and wind protection, but I’ve seen local anglers here in central Pennsylvania using them for protection from ticks and mosquitoes as well.
While these hats are less than stylish, they perform well in difficult conditions and offer protection from a variety of obstacles in the field.
Features/Specs
Waterproof Nylon Fabric
Polyester Net Mesh
360 degree Sun Protection
Detachable Neck and Face Panels
With a $14.00 price tag (current Amazon price), you can’t go wrong with these customizable neck and face panel hats, and they’re worth a try especially if you fish in those out of the way, wild places.
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Best Cold Weather Fishing Hats (For Men and Women)
7. Simms Challenger Insulated Fishing Hat
Simms makes products that can stand up to years of use, and here they’ve created a light, functional winter hat to keep your ears warm when the air temperature drops.
100gsm (that’s grams per square meter) insulation combined with a high-pile sherpa fleece interior create a hat that can withstand the coldest winter days.
Features/Specs
100% Polyester
Waterproof, Breathable Shell
Cinch-Lock
Insulated Ear Flaps
The adjustable ear flaps and advanced materials used to create this hat are what enable this hat to stand up to snowy weather and wind. It also carries the Simms guarantee, which is iron-clad and an important selling point for the new buyer.
8. Patagonia Brodeo Beanie
Patagonia is able to use recycled and sustainable materials to come up with very resilient fabric blends that are both comfortable and functional.
Their Brodeo beanie is a classic cuffed beanie that utilizes recycled wool and nylon to create a water resistant and cozy product for the cold weather fisherman.
There’s no better way to wear your pro-sustainability mindset on your sleeve than with Patagonia products, and it’s interesting to see the breakdown of the impact each product has on the Patagonia website.
Features/Specs
Quality Blend of Recycled Materials
Classic Cuffed Beanie
Warm and Water Resistant
Plus, you get a sewn on patch with the iconic Patagonia trout on the lip. You can’t go wrong here if you’re looking for the best fishing hat in cold weather–the tried and true, beanie hat.
9. TAGVO Winter Unisex Balaclava Beanie Hat
As the temperatures drop lower and lower approaching December, this is the style of hat/neck gaiter that I prefer for long hours outdoors and on the water.
Winter winds are arguably more problematic for the cold weather angler than the sun, and this style of hat provides ample protection from them.
Its adjustable design means you can lose the neck portion on days with less wind, or nix the neck portion entirely for early Autumn excursions.
Features/Specs
Balaclava Style, Protects Face Neck and Ears
Hat Brim for Winter Glare
Elastic Closure
Acrylic and Artificial Fleece Liner
This hat from TAGVO is super affordable and well worth the $17.00 price tag (current Amazon price). I have used a hodgepodge of scarves and beanies to achieve this same overall effect, and I wouldn’t be caught without something like this when fishing in Late December/January.
Best Fishing Gaiters and Buffs
10. Simms Sungaiter
Gaiters are becoming more and more popular, particularly on those hot August days when the sun is unforgiving and the humidity is up.
Simms has created a lightweight breathable gaiter for neck and face protection from the sun, that can keep you cool when wet.
Lowering your core body temperature during summer is not solely a comfort related–heatstroke is a real and dangerous possibility when pond hopping for bass or smallmouth in July.
Features/Specs
Lightweight, Breathable Stretch-Fabric
30% Cooler Surface Temp When Wet
Laser Cut Breathing Holes
UPF 50 Sun Protection
This gaiter is a great precautionary measure against the heat when you know you’ll be out in the heat for an extended amount of time.
Like other Simms products it carries that rock-solid warranty, and it’s also at a reduced price right now ($33.72, down from $44.95), so consider grabbing one for summer.
11. Buff Coolnet UV+ Headwear and Facemask
One of the main reasons gaiters are catching on in popularity is because of the numerous ways they can be worn and used while engaged in outdoor activities.
From a hair tie to a full face mask, gaiters are a low profile piece of gear that easily fits into your backpocket for sun protection.
Coolnet’s Buff works well when wet to keep your core temperature down, and has a high-visibility trout print on it that can be seen from a distance.
With a low price and multiple uses on and off the water, this gaiter is worth a trial run in the summer, especially if you’ve never used one before.
Features/Specs
95% REPREVE Polyester Material
Multi Functional Design
Elastic Stretch MAterial
Odor Resistant Polygiene Fabric
Types of Fishing Hats
Summer weather in Pennsylvania is hot, humid and the sun can be brutal. The sun hats that I’ve reviewed are a traditional answer to sunburn and the glare that the sun can cast on the water.
They have an admittedly classic feel to them with their woven palm materials and wide brim. They’re not for everyone though, and if you want a more modern look, the gaiters in this review are stylish, minimalistic and effective at protecting your face and providing you a way to cool off when damp.
A good hat is also your first line of defense against ticks, and the neck and face panel type hats are good for keeping hungry mosquitoes at bay when fishing into the evening.
As far as winter fishing goes, insulation and comfort are key.
We lose 7-10% of our body heat through our heads, and our ears are very susceptible to frostbite when exposed to sub-freezing temperatures (much like our fingers and toes).
While I prefer the balaclava-style hat/scarf combo myself, beanies can allow you to layer your headgear as you see fit. Staying warm is a pertinent safety issue in the winter months, and should be treated as such.
Reeling it in
If you already have a lucky fishing hat, consider adding one of these above-reviewed lids to your collection. Getting a hat or gaiter that has a specific intended use will only increase your comfort level on the water, and may extend the duration of your fishing trip in the heat or in the snow.
Keeping your head protected and free from moisture, UV rays and the onslaught of mosquitoes and ticks that plague the banks during the summer months, as well as staying warm in the winter months, will only improve your ability to fly fish effectively in less than perfect conditions. Fish on!
