Sun protection is no longer optional. With UV indexes hitting record highs, a standard baseball cap leaves your ears and neck vulnerable to damage.
To stay protected during a full day outdoors, you need 360-degree shade that handles wind, sweat, and packability. That is where the boonie hat (aka booney hat) excels.
Choosing the right head protection comes down to more than just style. You need to consider brim stiffness, crown depth, and material performance. Our top picks for 2026 address these specific needs. Let’s check them out below!
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| Boonie Hat | Details |
|---|---|
Columbia Bora Bora Booney | Best Overall Boonie 100% Nylon, UPF 50+ Customizable fit Various designs available Check price at Amazon |
KastKing UPF 50 Boonie Hat | Best Boonie Hat with Neck Flap Draw cord for optimal fit Useful but removable neck flap UPF 50+ Check price at Amazon |
Rapiddominance Boonies Hat | Best military-themed Boonie 100% Cotton, military tested Choose your right size Check price at Amazon |
Sunbriolet Sun Hat | Best Multiple Purpose Boonie Wider brims, UPF 50+ 86% nylon, 14% polyester Hand wash only Water resistant Check price at Amazon |
Tilley Endurables LTM6 Airflo | Lifetime durability Beautiful design Nylon/Polyamide Semi-stiff Check price at Amazon |
Sunday Afternoons Adventure Hat | Adjustable neck flap UPF 50+ Water repellent / stain resistant Check price at Amazon |
If you want to get a bit more in-depth with each of the models that we recommended, read on for our complete reviews.
Columbia Bora Bora Booney
Best Overall Boonie
The Columbia Bora Bora stands out for its light weight and reliable sun protection. It weighs just 4 oz, making it easy to wear for hours. This hat is crafted from 100% nylon and features an Omni-Shade UPF 50 finish for solid sun defense.
The Omni-Wick sweatband and mesh panels keep you cool during active days. An adjustable chin strap ensures a secure fit, which is helpful for travel, hiking, or fishing.
I appreciate how this hat stays comfortable even on long trips, and the quality of the material speaks for itself. The sweat management technology of this boonie is nothing short of impressive and it’s clear that it is designed for the outdoor life.
The brims are just the right size: not too large to hit everything around, but not too small to be completely worthless. After all, Columbia has a long history of outdoor gear that performs under pressure and this hat makes no exception to the rule.
KastKing UPF 50 Boonie Hat
Best Boonie Hat with Neck Flap
This KastKing boonie hat is absolutely amazing and can only be described as no-nonsense headwear that you will love.
This option shines when you need extra protection on your neck. With a headband circumference of 22.8 inches and overall dimensions of 14.6″ x 12.4″, plus a neck flap measuring 13.4″ x 10.2″, the KastKing UPF 50 Boonie offers adjustable features that help it fit perfectly.
Its removable neck shield, moisture-wicking headband, and adjustable draw cord make it perfect for fishing, hiking, camping, and traveling.
I found this hat especially handy on days when the sun seems to hit you from every angle. Its ability to roll up for easy packing adds to its appeal for anyone on the move. Not to mention that it has my favorite form of all booney hats on this list.
It also has a SPF 50+ protections, offering additional shielding from UVA and UVB radiation. Definitely one of the best budget boonies out there.
Rapiddominance Boonies
Best Military Boonie
The hat is made from 45% polyester and 55% cotton, which in a sense, allows you to get the best of both worlds.
The cotton gives the hat great breathability and it’s good for absorbing sweat. On the other hand, the polyester provides the much-needed durability and makes the hat resistant to stretching and shrinking.
The military specs give it a rugged feel without sacrificing comfort. I appreciate that it holds up well in various outdoor scenarios and provides reliable performance when you need it most. It is battle tested and of really high quality so it won’t break, rip or generally let you down.
The Rapiddominance Boonie is very lightweight. The floppy brim allows you to wad it up and throw it in your jacket or backpack without concern about damage.
It comes with a chinstrap and leather cord lock to ensure that the thing stays in your head. Overall, it’s a great boonie that should suit your needs. Just make sure to pick the right size for you, based on the size chart below:
S: 6 7/8″ – 7″
M: 7 1/8″ – 7 1/4″
L: 7 3/8″ – 7 1/2″
XL: 7 5/8″ – 7 3/4″
Sunbriolet Sun Hat
Best Multi-purpose boonie
Looking for a hat that’s more on the high end side and would make you look like an explorer to boot?
Well, you should definitely take a look at the Outdoor Research Sunbriolet Sun Hat. It features SolarShield construction and UPF 50 certified for that ultimate solar protection and has slightly wider brims to keep the sun away.
The strategically placed vents in the crown along with the moisture wicking mesh lining will provide breathability and keep your head cool and dry. The vents are smaller than on most boonie hats – like small cuts on the sides – but they do a pretty good job nevertheless.
The brim is equipped with piping along the edge that adds wind resistance. The hat also comes with a headband that will ensure a good fit while wicking away moisture. The chin cord is removable and adjustable which is great for making sure the hat stays in place.
It’s also made from Nylon / polyester blended fabric so you can trust that it’s both comfortable, quick drying and durable. Again, it’s a solid high-end boonie that delivers on all fronts and is indeed perfect for all sorts of activities, thus getting my “best multi-purpose” award.
Tilley Endurables LTM6 Airflo Hat
If you want a hat that outlasts everything else in your closet, the Tilley LTM6 Airflo is the standard.
It is more expensive than a basic boonie, but it comes with a lifetime warranty against wearing out. This is a technical piece of gear that happens to look like a classic hat.
The LTM6 is made from a water-repellent nylon that actually floats if it falls into a lake or ocean. It features a 3/4-inch mesh strip around the crown for ventilation, which Tilley calls the “Airflo” system.
I find the hidden pocket in the crown particularly useful for storing a credit card or emergency cash when you don’t want to carry a wallet.
The brim is semi-stiff, meaning it won’t flop into your eyes when it gets wet. It also features a unique dual-cord wind system. One cord goes behind your head and the other under your chin, keeping the hat secure in heavy gusts. If you value sustainability and quality, this is the best choice on the list.
Sunday Afternoons Adventure Hat
This hat weighs 3 ounces, is built entirely from polyester, and is just oozing in style. Certified with UPF 50+ protection, it features a 7.5-inch back veil neck flap with a lift-up tab, increased ventilation, a chin strap, and water-resistant fabric with moisture wicking capabilities.
It works well for camping, beach days, hunting, fishing, gardening, hiking, and backpacking.
Made from 100% polyester, this hat is strong, durable, and can withstand most chemicals and elements. This gives the hat quick drying properties as well, but also makes it water resistant.
It comes in various sizes, but also has an additional size adjuster to really make it a perfect fit. It is very comfortable and light – a pleasure to wear, even for long hours under the sun!
Another thing worth mentioning is that the hat is actually available in many different colors but not in your standard camo patterns.
I’ve found it to be an excellent choice for days when you plan to be active outdoors for hours, offering comfort and protection in one package. For the money, you’ll be hard pressed to find a hat that’s as durable, comfortable and with good coverage as this one.
What Makes a Good Boonie Hat?
Now that we have looked at the top models for this year, let’s talk about the technical details. When I select a hat, I look for specific performance markers that go beyond just “looking good.”
Brim Integrity: Stiff vs. Floppy
This is a detail most people miss. A floppy brim (like the Rapiddominance or KastKing) is great for “crushability” – you can shove it in a pocket and it pops back to life. However, in 15 mph winds, a floppy brim will blow into your eyes or flip up, leaving your face exposed.
If you plan to be on a boat or at high altitudes, look for a “piped” or stiffened brim like the Outdoor Research Sunbriolet. If you just need something for the woods or a calm day of fishing, a soft brim is more comfortable and easier to pack.
Material Performance: Nylon vs. Cotton
- 100% Cotton: Best for dry heat. It breathes well and absorbs sweat, which can actually help cool you down as it evaporates.
- Nylon/Polyester: Best for humidity and water. These materials don’t soak up water, so they stay light even when it rains. They also dry in minutes.
- Blends: These offer a middle ground, providing the comfort of cotton with the durability of synthetics.
Ventilation and Airflow
Look for hats with ample air vents or mesh strips. The Tilley LTM6 and Columbia Bora Bora are leaders here. Proper venting allows heat to escape from the top of your head, which is essential for preventing overheating in humid conditions.
An adjustable chin strap is another mandatory feature. It prevents the hat from shifting during active use or flying off your head in a gust.
Also read: Best shoes for plyometrics.
Why Wear a Boonie Hat?
The main reason for wearing a boonie hat is the sun protection it offers. These hats are designed to shield you from harmful UV rays while providing ample coverage for your head and neck. Their comfort level is high, and many models are made to be lightweight and easy to pack.
You can read more about the UV index and tanning in my guide and fully understand how dangerous sun can be nowadays.
Back to the hats, from a practical perspective, they are affordable and versatile. You can purchase several without breaking the bank, and their variety of colors and patterns means there’s one to suit every taste. It doesn’t matter what activity you perform out in the opne – a boonie hat is a simple yet effective accessory to have on hand.
Final Thoughts
If you spend time outdoors, investing in a quality boonie hat is a no-brainer. Each model reviewed here has its own strengths, whether you need extra neck protection, a military-inspired design, or a versatile hat that can handle various activities.
Think about what features matter most to you and choose a hat that aligns with your needs – you will find the perfect option above.
Are you a fan of boonie hats? What’s your favorite brand or model? Let us know in the comments to get some discussions going!
Mark Foster loves to push his limits when it comes to survival in the wilderness. He might go for a 30-days adventure without any food or equipment except for a survival kit and a knife. We should mention that his survival kit has 122 items in it, so he know what he is doing. Mark is working on his book to share with the world all his experience gained during those brave adventures.
There is a lot of good variety in your best of list, both in style and usage. I wear mine primarily for sun protection and appreciated your point about getting one with a darker brim, which was something I hadn’t thought about.
Those little things make the difference, as I’ve found out from buying these hats for years. AND also from numerous complaints I often hear from my buddies, LOL. Go for reversible boonie hats, you’ll see and feel the difference right away. 🙂
I did some research-not for myself, I just don’t think I could rock one of these hats-bout I figured my husband might like something like this. I read some reviews that said to buy quality when you are going to buy one of these hats. But I think I agree that you should buy quality no matter what you are purchasing.
I have worn these hats before, especially because I hate to get sun burned on my face. I don’t think they are the best fashion choice for me but hey, it’s not about fashion in some cases-it’s all about function. These hats are great because they stay on, stay put, and protect.
That’s correct and I agree with you 100%! Investing in quality gear and equipment is crucial, especially when you are having a lot of activities outdoors. I know you’ll find a boonie hat that your husband will love. There’s a good selection here to choose from just by reading the reviews.
Yeah, these are basic boonie hats but you can see that they are good-looking, as well! Most people really prefer great functionality but it doesn’t hurt for these manufacturers to come up with better designs in the future.