I need a workout hat.

February 22, 2009 10:00 AM

I need a hat for exercising outside in the sun, in Texas.

I like to exercise outside. I jog, walk, sometimes sprint, and try to vary my routine with jumping rope, doing lunges around the block, or whatever else I can think of. In other words, I move around a lot.

I currently use my trusty baseball cap, but I get age spots freckles on my cheekbones and my ears get sunburned. I have tried various brands of sunscreen but I either sweat it off too quickly or it makes me break out.

Can you recommend a hat that stays on, provides coverage, and doesn't look too dorky? Extra bonus points if you have sensitive skin and can recommend a sunblock too.

Muchas gracias!

posted by txvtchick to health & fitness (15 comments total)

Headsweats, Sweatvac and others (Nike, Under Armour, the usual suspects) make elasticized, wicking baseball-style caps. They're often aimed at runners, triathletes and volleyball players. If the baseball hat brim doesn't provide enough coverage, the next step would probably be a broad-brimmed hat made of light, wicking fabric. These are mostly aimed at beach/water types--fisherfolks, boaters, etc.--and so you should be able to find a good selection at either REI/MEC/Campmor or at the other kind of outdoor store, like Cabela's/Gander Mountain/Bass Pro Shops.

I like Neutrogena sunblocks a lot. Bull Frog would probably be my second choice.
posted by box at 10:04 AM on February 22

Seconding Headsweats baseball style caps and Neutrogena sunblock.
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 10:10 AM on February 22

I swear by the Neutrogena sensitive skin sunscreen. You should be able to find a good hat at REI or LLBean, although I can't recommend any specific brands.
posted by martinX's bellbottoms at 10:31 AM on February 22

Seconding martinX's bellbottoms suggestion to try Neutrogena. I am super pale, my skin is sensitive, and I work outdoors in Houston all summer. This is good stuff.
posted by Neofelis at 10:47 AM on February 22

I have a Sun Precaustions hat. They have variable brim sizes and are quite soft. I also use Eucerin's Facial Sun Block.
posted by 6:1 at 10:53 AM on February 22

Seconding Sweatvac. I run year round in their stuff, and I love it.
posted by IWoudDie4U at 11:09 AM on February 22

Oops, Sweatvac
posted by IWoudDie4U at 11:11 AM on February 22

Your pain, I feel it. As a marathon runner who's lived in Texas and Southern California, I am in pursuit of the perfect hat/sunscreen combo.

Best sunscreen for protection while sweating is Ocean Potion Sport Exterme Oil Free Sunblock Lotion with SPF 50. That stuff will not budge and it gives a full 4 hours of protection. My skin is very pale and very sensitive. I've never had a problem with the Ocean Potion. I use Neutrogena sunblock as my everyday product and it's very good, but it doesn't hold up to sweat the way Ocean Potion Sport does. Ocean Potion can be tough to find, when I see it I stock up for the season.

Hats - I'm still looking. Right now I'm running in an Adidas long brim running hat, but I've had Headsweats, Nike, all kinds. The brim is never long enough to protect your whole face. At best, it'll shade down to your lips, but your chin isn't really protected. You absolutely need sunscreen.

The best (and suckiest) advice is to move your workouts to times of the day when the sun is weaker. When I get to long miles, I start at 6am so that I can finish my run before the sun gets really intense at 10am.
posted by 26.2 at 11:16 AM on February 22

Perhaps a Tilley hat? Lifetime guarantee!
posted by raildr at 11:35 AM on February 22

The Neutrogena sensitive skin sunscreen in a bottle stings like acid on my bad skin. However, the Healthy Defense Oil-Free Sunblock Stick is a life-saver. (It does seal you up in this weird way so that instead of sweating, your face will produce the occasional tear-like sweat bead. Weird, but you get used to it.)

There are Hollywood mummies with better-looking hides than mine, but that's from the years before I found a tolerable sunscreen..
posted by Lesser Shrew at 12:24 PM on February 22

I like classics. Go for a Cricket Sun Hat. They were made for playing cricket in the sun for several days straight. Can't have a better recommendation than that :-)
You'll just have to find an American supplier and like it. (I googled myself raw before I found this one, because it's hard to get hats in really LARGE sizes. And most cricket seems to be played with baseball style hats nowadays. Not that I know anything about it.)
posted by mmkhd at 12:54 PM on February 22

Seconding the Tilley hat raildr linked to. Models T1, T2, and T3 are similar to the Cricket Sun Hat mmkhd links to. They are very popular among boaters who, like you, want great sun protection for head, ears, and face. Look for them in boating stores and REI.

For even wider sun protection, you could consider a really broad-brimmed hat like this which is favored by lifeguards at beaches.
posted by exphysicist345 at 1:35 PM on February 22

I like Kavu hats.
posted by 517 at 3:31 PM on February 22

I really like the Outdoor Research Sun Runner Cap. It's unisex, convertible, lightweight and wicks sweat. Also guaranteed for life - accidentally tore part of the bill off (was 100% my fault) and still got it replaced free of charge!
posted by handabear at 4:19 PM on February 22

Guys these are all great suggestions - I will check them out. Thanks!
posted by txvtchick at 7:19 PM on February 22