Best Fishing Hat – Get Ready For Your Fishing Trip With These 12 Picks

When it comes to fishing, there is so much gear involved. Plus, everyone is always advising you to get this and saying you must buy that. That can be confusing – and, not to mention, drain your budget. 

And as much as I hate being one of those “You absolutely need this” people, I wish to add one more item to your existing fishing gear list: 

A fishing hat. 

Granted, it’s more of a clothing item than a piece of equipment that will help you land your catch, but that doesn’t make it any less important. After all, spending an entire day out in the sun is not particularly healthy – not when you leave your head exposed to the heat. 

So, what are the best hats for fishermen? 

Don’t worry; choosing one won’t be that hard. And I’ll even give you a few suggestions along the way! 

We may receive a commission if you click a link on this page and then go on to purchase something, but at no extra cost to you. Learn more here.

In A Rush? The Winner After 42 Hours Of Research:

Things To Consider When Choosing The Best Fisherman Hat

Choosing a good fishing hat should be a pretty simple task, provided that you know what to look for, that is. 

The main things that you need to cover – well, other than your actual head – are the same basics that you would follow when buying any other piece of fishing gear or clothing.

All your clothes and accessories should be comfortable and, more importantly, capable of drying off quickly. You don’t want to sit in soaked garments all day long; just trust me on that. 

Granted, your hat probably won’t get as wet as your pants – but quick-drying is still a major plus. 

The type of hat you imagine as the quintessential fishing hat is, more than likely, the boonie. But did you know that you have plenty of other options in that regard? 

Baseball hats, bucket hats, straw hats – the list goes on. And don’t worry; the fishing police won’t give you a ticket for wearing a straw fedora.

Still, you need to ensure that the hat you choose is, indeed, the right one. And that’s where I can help. 

Fisherman Hat Types: What Kind Of Hats Do Fishermen Wear? 

First, let’s talk about the classic fishing hat – a boonie. 

If you look up the word, you will likely find it simply defined as a wide brim hat. And sure, that is technically true – but I don’t imagine boonie fishing hats whenever somebody says “wide-brim hat.” 

That can be confusing to someone looking into fishing gear for the first time, though. So, here is a more straightforward explanation: 

Boonies are basically wide brim – or, to be more precise, hard brim – bucket hats. 

They’re actually hats used by military forces that are stationed in hot, tropical climates. Because of that, they are usually designed to withstand water, high humidity, and sweat. That pretty much makes the boonie the perfect hat for fishing, period. 

Boonie hats are just one style, there are other types of hats you can check out, though:

• Bucket hats – arguably the most popular choice of hats for fishermen – with a mid-sized, soft or semi stiff brim, that slopes downwards but doesn’t restrict your vision 

• Baseball-style hats – popular and widely available but not that great in terms of providing sun protection (or staying on your head) 

• Legionnaire-style hats, which are essentially baseball-style hats, but with longer ear and neck flaps that offer excellent sun protection 

And while I prefer boonie fishing hats, that is a personal choice. You’ll be fine with rocking any of these on a fishing trip, no doubt.  

Best Fishing Hat: Features To Look For 

Alright, so, what makes a good fishing hat? 

I already mentioned a few things – but how about we get into the details? What are some things you need to look for when choosing a new fishing hat? Or, to rephrase that, what makes a fishing hat good? 

Coverage & Protection 

First and foremost, a good fishing hat should be able to protect you from the sun. Spending time on the water – as one does during a fishing trip – means constant exposure to UV rays and heat. 

That increases your risk of developing sun-exposure-related conditions, ranging from heatstroke to skin cancer. So, it’s not something to be taken lightly. 

On that note, the best hats for fishing should have: 

• A wider brim, measuring three to six inches on average 
• A UPF rating, which is the fabric’s equivalent of sunscreen, and protects the skin from UVA and UVB rays – a major cause of skin cancer
• A long neck flap (preferably a removable one) that will protect your neck and upper back from the hot sun 

But it goes without staying, a fishing hat is only part of the sun protection puzzle.  You should always wear sunscreen, sunglasses, and a high-quality fishing shirt when you go out on the water –  basically, the more protection you can provide from the sun’s rays the better.

Breathability 

Sweating bullets through your hat probably isn’t your idea of fun. Yeah, I figured that much. So, I think breathability should be high up on your list of priorities. 

Now, here’s the good news: 

Most fishing hats are made of lightweight and breathable materials, so you probably won’t have any issues in the breathability department. 

Still, it doesn’t hurt to check if the hat boasts mesh panels and vent holes that allow for sufficient airflow. 

Adjustable Chin Strap 

I’m willing to bet that thousands of fisherman’s hats were lost somewhere on the water, never to be seen again. 

You don’t want yours to join the club, do you? 

That’s where a proper retention system – like a chin strap – comes in to save the day. It’s crucial on a windy day when there’s a much higher chance of it being blown right off your head. And it doesn’t hurt to have one if you’re accident-prone and are known to lose things by simply leaving them behind or dropping them in the water. 

If you do get a hat with a chin strap (and you should), make sure that it’s adjustable. It makes for a more secure fit. 

Waterproof & Floating Design 

It doesn’t matter how cautious you are; you’ll likely get wet at some point during your fishing trip. And you want gear – including your hat – that can handle a splash or two.  

So, if possible, go with a waterproof fishing hat – or, at the very least, one that is water resistant and can dry off quickly. 

Oh, and be sure to check if it floats while you’re at it. 

That last bit is obvious to anglers who have a few hats sitting at the bottom of lakes and rivers – but a newcomer might not have thought about it. 

Good thing I’m here to remind you, huh?

Choosing The Right Fit: How Do I Measure Hat Size? 

Everything else I’ve mentioned so far goes out the window if you don’t have a hat that fits you – or, rather, your head – right. 

Sure, a hat that’s too big could still provide shade and sun protection, but it will be so loose that even a slight gust of wind will get it right off your head – and into the water. On the flip side, one that’s too small will be too tight and uncomfortable to wear for more than a few minutes.

With that in mind, measuring the circumference of your head will be the most crucial thing to do when buying a new fishing hat. And once you have your measurements, finding the right hat should be a breeze because you can just refer to the manufacturer’s hat sizing chart. 

Of course, it’s best to get a hat with an adjustable fit so that you can fine-tune it to your liking.

Now, how about we move on to a round-up of what I think are the best fishing hats to buy at the moment. I’ll go over the “specs,” price tags, some notable advantages – and the disadvantages. 

Sounds good? Great, let’s get going!

Best Fishing Hats Of 2022: Reviews & Recommendations

Best Hat For Fishing: Conclusion

I made it pretty clear that the KastKing UPF50 Boonie is my personal favorite – and the absolute winner of this round-up of hats for fishermen. It’s one of those fishing hats I think you should just go ahead and buy: 

It’s great value for the money and offers you every practical feature that you could ask for on a fishing trip. You get additional sun protection – including the neck flap and UPF 50+ rating – and breathable mesh for all-day comfort. 

And it isn’t expensive, either.  
Of course, the choice is entirely up to you. Maybe you’d prefer a straw hat – or the good, old ball cap, for example. I’ve included some fantastic recommendations for those styles – and I am sure you’ll find the best fishing hat for you today.