Hats for the Beach

When it comes to the sun, hats are a necessity not an accessory. Fortunately, beach hats come in many styles and most everyone can find one that suits their personal taste. It’s important to pick a beach hat in a dark color and made from a tightly woven material so you can get the best protection from the sun’s damaging rays.

Hats With Wide Brims

Wide brim hats have a rim extending from the cap that provides shade from the sun. Wearing one with a three- to four-inch brim can reduce the amount of ultraviolet radiation that reaches your face by up to 50 percent. Wide brim hats can be plain and simple or very fancy. Some have brims that extend two inches while others have brims extending more than 7 inches. Common materials these hats are made from include straw, polyester, cotton and linen. Some wide brim hats are marketed with an ultraviolet protection factor. The UPF will tell you how much protection from the sun the hat provides. A hat with a UPF of 50 offers the most protection.

Legionnaire Hats

Legionnaire hats have a bill much like a baseball cap. A flap of fabric extends down the back of the hat to cover the neck and ears. Some legionnaire hats have a zip-off or Velcro back flap which gives you the flexibility to wear it as a traditional baseball cap. Many of the hats are made to get wet; this makes it a good choice for fun at the beach. Legionnaire hats are usually made of lightweight fabrics like polyester, nylon and Lycra.

Bucket Hats

Bucket hats have a wide, floppy brim. This hat often comes with two eyelet openings on each side to help keep you cool. Bucket hats are most often made of soft cotton, denim and canvas. If you’ll be fishing at the beach, a bucket hat will help keep the glare out of your eyes so you can see your line more clearly.