13 Best Sun Hats with Neck Cover

As we’ve become more aware of how important it is to be protected from the sun’s rays, the variety of protections have also expanded thoroughly. When it comes to accessories, we always have trusty sun hats on us. An essential part of the avid traveler’s wardrobe, sun hats are both stylish and functional, not only shielding your head and face but also elevating an outfit. We were now looking to add to our accessories list sun hats with a neck cover. Also called trapper hats, these hats covered our necks, one of the most unprotected parts of our heads that we completely forget about when it comes to protection.

The choices we found not only had excellent neck flaps but also a load of other adventure-ready features such as ventilation, securing chin straps, waterproof fabric, and UPF ratings. Here’s a guide to the best sun hats that offer neck protection as well.

Moon Kitty Store Foldable Neck Flap Fishing Hat

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We begin with the Moon Kitty Store Foldable Neck Flap Fishing Hat, which had one of the most natural-looking neck flaps we’d ever seen. This hat was crafted from 100% high-quality polyester which was waterproof and durable. What’s more, in addition to the 5-inch brim, the hat came with an 8.5-inch-large neck flap, which offered our head, ears, and necks complete sun protection. If that wasn’t enough, the hat was rated for 50+ UPF to protect against harmful UVA and UVB rays. Thanks to the adjustable chin drawstring, we could fix the sun hat to sit nicely on our heads, especially on windy days. Did we mention the ponytail opening in the back? Yes!

KOOLSOLY Outdoor Sun Hat

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Best ponytail opening sun hat. We were looking for a sun hat with a neck flap that would accommodate our long hair in a ponytail, and the KOOLSOLY Outdoor Sun Hat was perfect. Not only did it have a long 10-inch neck flap that protected our ears and necks, but also there was a slot at the back wherefrom we could pull our ponytail out instead of having to bunch up all our hair under the hat. What’s more, the sun hat had UPF 50+ protection which protected our ears, necks, and heads from the harmful sun rays. Rounding things up were the ventilation meshes on both sides of the hat that kept our heads breathable and cool even on the hottest of days.

DOCVIT Store UPF50+ Sun Hat

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The DOCVIT Store UPF50+ Sun Hat offered our heads 360-degree protection with a detachable neck flap and a wide brim. So, we could keep our necks protected as well as remove the flap when we deemed, we didn’t need it or it didn’t suit our look. But that’s not all. There were excellent ventilation mesh holes atop the hat, this kept our heads comfy and cool. Crafted from polyester net mesh and waterproof nylon, the sun hat was wear-resistant, quick-drying, and easy to clean, making it perfect for outdoor adventures. Finally, the adjustable elastic band ensured that the hat fit heads of a variety of sizes.

ZOORON Store UPF 50+ Sun Hat

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The ZOORON Store UPF 50+ Sun Hat is one of the most breathable and lightest fishing hats made from high-quality nylon. So, it was also waterproof, foldable, packable, and quick drying. What’s more, it featured a huge and wide brim and neck flap which, when combined with the 50+ UPF, protected our ears, necks, and heads against harmful UVA and UVB rays. This one-sized hat fit both men and women, thanks to the elastic buckle on the behind that allowed us to adjust it. Wrapping things up was the adjustable chin strap that kept our hats securely on our heads even in windy weather.

KastKing UPF 50 Boonie Hat

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The KastKing UPF 50 Boonie Hat had many key features that made it such a great hat. Firstly, it came with mesh venting and a moisture-wicking headband, which ensured that we were comfortable, no matter what. Thanks to the adjustable chin strap and the adjustable draw cord, we found a fit that was perfect for us. However, what we loved the most was the removable neck shield, which, along with the UPF 50 protection, protected not just our heads but also our ears and our necks. Furthermore, the material was lightweight and breathable, ensuring that we were dry and cool on hot sunny days.

Tirrinia Neck Flap Sun Hat

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The Tirrinia Neck Flap Sun Hat is one of the best sun hats for fishing. This sun hat offered complete head protection from the sun. What’s more, it even included a 10-inch neck flap which provided complete UVA/UVB protection for our neck and ears as well. If that wasn’t enough, the neck flap could be rolled up and hidden, transforming it into a stylish baseball cap for versatile wear. There were other things we liked about the hat too, such as the high-quality UV-resistant UPF 50+ microfiber material, which was breathable and lightweight. If that wasn’t enough, it was even quick-drying and windproof, making it great for outdoor activities with the elements flying around. What more could we ask for?

KOOLSOLY UPF 50+ Fishing Hat

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Best 360-degree protection. The KOOLSOLY UPF 50+ Fishing Hat was perfect for us anglers who were planning a fishing trip. Costing less than USD 10, the sun hat offered 360° sun protection with the large shawl, a neck flap, and a breathable face protector. So, it kept the delicate skin on our faces, ears, and necks safe from the harmful UVA and UVB rays. What was amazing was that the shawl, the face, and the necks were all removable and breathable. Quick-drying and lightweight, this hat was crafted from breathable polyester, which was also waterproof and windproof. It not only offered UV resistance, but also absorbed sweat and scattered the light so it didn’t hit us. Did we mention that the back of the hat had an elastic fast buckle so it could fit a variety of heads.

Sunday Afternoons Adventure Hat

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The Sunday Afternoons Adventure Hat was the perfect companion for sun protection when we were headed outdoors. This unisex design hiking hat featured a generous 7.5-inch neck cape, which covered not only our ears but also our necks completely. On the front, the reverse split brim was equally generous. Complementing these two covers was the hat’s certified UPF 50+ sun rating, which made it the perfect accessory for hot, sun-kissed days. Not only could we easily adjust this hat but also the adjustable chin strap was a blessing for the hat not flying off on windy days! Equally functional and comfortable, this hat was the one to watch out for.

Outdoor Research Sun Runner Cap

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The Outdoor Research Sun Runner Cap is one of the most versatile sun hats we’ve seen. Firstly, this one was unique as some colors came as regular caps while others were sun hats with a neck shade. This performance sun cap boasted a wicking sweatband and mesh side panels that kept us cool even in the middle of summer. That, along with the fact that it came with a removable sun cape, made it all the more versatile. Hence, we could keep the neck cape on when we needed protection and remove it the other times when we didn’t want it around. Rounding things up was the UPF 40+ sun protection it offered.

“We loved that the neck cape was removable, allowing us to feel stylish at times and stay protected the rest of the time.”

WOW Travel

Sunday Afternoons Kids’ Play Hat

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Best for kids. We have another Sunday Afternoons hat on this list, but this time it’s for the kids. The Sunday Afternoons Kids’ Play Hat is hands down our favorite hat for the children as it was not only protective but also is comfortable and looks good. The full-brimmed hat featured a 5.5-inch neck cape which provided protection for not only their ears but also their necks. What’s more, the hat was extremely comfortable, lightweight, and had a rigid brim that kept it from drooping into our kids’ field of vision and irritating them. Rounding things up are the useful mesh panels for ventilation, with even the main hat material also being very breathable.

Coolibar UPF 50+ Women’s Anastasia Elegant Full Coverage Hat

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The Coolibar UPF 50+ Women’s Anastasia Elegant Full Coverage Hat boasted a UPF 50+ rating, thus helping block 98% of harmful UVA/UVB rays. We loved the breathability and comfort of the featherlight Aire fabric, which happens to be the only luxury UPF 50+ fabric. Thanks to that, we could roll down the hat to a compact and packable fit, which easily fits even in our travel weekender bag. The hat featured in-built stretch for a beautiful drape around our heads, no matter the size, with the attached drape or neck cover providing excellent coverage for our ears, neck, and shoulders.

Check out the official product page.

Solbari Women’s Ultra-Wide Cotton Linen UPF 50+ Sun Hat

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Now, the Solbari Women’s Ultra-Wide Cotton Linen UPF 50+ Sun Hat might not have a separate neck cover, but looking at the design, you’ll have to agree that it doesn’t need it either! Available in two sizes, the sun hat had such an extra-wide and large brim that it completely covered our neck, coming right down to our shoulders, even. Thanks to the UPF 50+ protection, it even blocked UVA and UVB rays. We especially loved that besides the generous protection; it even had a ponytail opening as well as a detachable chin strap for customized comfort for us. Wrapping things up were the adjustable toggle and the shapeable internal wire for versatile styling.

Sunday Afternoons Ultra Adventure Hat

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Best overall. There are many reasons why the Sunday Afternoons Ultra Adventure Hat sits at the top of our list. Firstly, it boasted a unisex design with a generous 6-inch neck cape and a reverse split brim, ensuring that we not only get complete coverage for our heads but also our necks. What’s more, it had a UPF 50+ sun rating including the crown ventilation, ensuring that we could wear it all day long. Furthering the comfort and the fit was the adjustable sizing of the crown, thanks to the chin strap which also ensured that the hat stayed securely on our heads. Did we mention how comfortable the breathable mesh layer and the wicking sweatband were? Yes!

Check out the official product page.

Our Verdict!

While we loved all the sun hat options on this list, and that too all with neck flaps, here’s a specialized list that will actually help you choose.

• Best ponytail opening sun hat: KOOLSOLY Outdoor Sun Hat
• Best 360-degree protection: KOOLSOLY UPF 50+ Fishing Hat
• Best for kids: Sunday Afternoons Kids’ Play Hat
• Best overall: Sunday Afternoons Ultra Adventure Hat

How To Choose The Best Sun Hats With Neck Cover?

Sun Protection

One of the first features we look for in a sun hat with a neck guard is the extent of sun protection they offer. We usually look for sun hats with wider brims or visor. What’s more, we also look whether the hats shield our ears. Another important factor we look for is sun hats with UPF and their UPF rating.

Style

While sun hats needn’t be runway-ready, we didn’t want to look completely silly when we wore them either. Drawstrings or ties are extremely helpful when we’re hiking or angling when it’s windy, but we looked for options with removable drawstrings for style. However, let’s be honest: there’s really no way to make a neck flap or cover look cool, so we’ll have to compromise!

Durability and Water Resistance

We did want our sun hats to be able to withstand the test of time, especially since saltwater and sweat take a massive toll on their lifespan. So, it’s also a great idea to regularly rinse your hat in freshwater to extend its life.

Another factor we check for in sun hats is whether they’re waterproof or water-resistant at the minimum. Since we spend a lot of time at the beach, we didn’t want our hats to get wet and ruined. Moreover, we’re huge fans of sun hats that can not only take a splash but also dry out quickly.

Packable

Whether we travel by car, trains, or flights, we need to have things that are packable. That’s why we considered how well the sun hats we were looking for could be easily packed down in a backpack or suitcase. While straw hats aren’t packable, fabric hats with neck shades are much more packable and malleable, making them a better choice anyway.

Neck Protection

Finally, we come to neck protection, which is not that big an issue for hats with wider brims. However, we needed neck covers as we wanted our neck to be completely covered. What’s more, some neck flaps on some hats were even removable. They might not be the most stylish, but they do the job.

What is the best material for a sun hat with neck flaps?

While breathable and lightweight fabrics like linen keep the head cool when it’s warm, polyester and nylon fabrics are extremely durable for adventures like camping or hiking. Also, look for fabrics with UPF 30 or higher.

How do you keep a sun hat on your head?

Try methods like ribbons, headbands, hat pins, or chin straps to keep sun hats on your head on windy days. 

How effective are sun hats?

Sun hats could reduce sun exposure by as much as 50%, so it’s a good idea to necessarily wear sun hats but also use other protection like sunscreens and sun protection face masks.