Help me not hate hats; is there a hat I won't hate?

June 22, 2023 10:39 AM

I should wear a hat to protect against the sun, but I hate hats, because they block my vision and interfere with my hearing. Please recommend ways to not hate wearing hats so much, and recommend specific hats I might actually like wearing.

I made the mistake of wearing a bucket hat for months even though I disliked it, and now I HATE hats. They block my vision. They interfere with my hearing. They rub against my ears. They never stay put. If I use a chin strap, they choke me.

I am a tiny person with a tiny head, so I guess a hat has to be really adjustable to fit me well.

It would be lovely if I could find a hat with a nice firm brim that stays well out of my eyes, but can ALSO be folded down into something tiny I could stow when I'm not wearing it.

I am also somewhat cheap frugal, so I'd prefer not to spend a ton of money.

So:
* protects against the sun
* doesn't block my vision
* doesn't irritate my ears
* stays put without choking me
* ideally, stowable

In my perfect world I'd have a silent smart parasol drone that would constantly shade me perfectly from the sun, but since I can't find that, can you recommend a specific hat I won't hate, and offer any tips you have for not hating wearing hats?

Thank you!

posted by kristi to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (15 answers total)

Note that this will only protect the top of your head....I also dislike hats, but kerchiefs actually work for me. Those can be folded flat, don't block your vision, and can be tied in such a way that they don't bug your ears.

The caveat is that they don't protect your face or offer a brim. But if you're open to considering that, I've had great success there.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 10:44 AM on June 22, 2023

Not quite a drone, but umbrella hats are a thing - indeed, enough of a thing to have their own Wikipedia article!
posted by sagc at 10:53 AM on June 22, 2023

Panama hats come in many sizes, are lightweight and stylish, are not intended to cover your ears, fit snugly when sized correctly, and block the sun without blocking your vision. Expect to pay $50-$100 for a hat from a reputable maker.
posted by seanmpuckett at 10:55 AM on June 22, 2023 [2 favorites]

You may or may not like the look, but the Baggu packable sun hat meets a lot of your criteria—adjustable, small-head-friendly, non-elastic chin strap can be tied to your liking, stiff brim that doesn't block ears or eyes, folds up and (bonus) pops out very satisfyingly. (The popping out part is my favorite part.)
posted by babelfish at 11:15 AM on June 22, 2023 [5 favorites]

I am a not-tiny person with a tiny head who has sometimes found hats that fit in the children's department. I have no idea whether you will find anything you like there, but it's a source you may not have considered.
posted by gentlyepigrams at 11:29 AM on June 22, 2023

I also hate hats, but I will wear this visor no problem: Mission cooling visor
posted by oomny at 12:19 PM on June 22, 2023 [2 favorites]

I have this Scala sun hat, it has a wide 4 1/2” brim and a thick drawstring (like 1/4” diameter) around the interior hat band so it’s adjustable. The material is similar to linen, lined in the crown, and comes in a bunch of colors. My favorite part is the brim is moldable so I can fold it up in front, off my face when I need to. Can stuff it into my bag and looks fine, unwrinkled when I pull it out.
posted by TWinbrook8 at 12:29 PM on June 22, 2023

I too hate hats. But I love kayaking more. The only hat I will ever use is my Filson Tin Cloth Packer.

However, not cheap. But has lasted me over ten years and still as good as new.
posted by RedEmma at 12:47 PM on June 22, 2023

I have a couple of Solar Escape boonie-type hats. Lightweight; adjustable crowns; shape-able, non-floppy, non-view-obscuring brims; still soft and foldable for packing. (Boonies have long, adjustable chin straps; sometimes I tuck them into the hats but they could also be lopped off.)
posted by Iris Gambol at 3:52 PM on June 22, 2023

My favorite hat is a $10 straw hat (somewhat Panama style as suggested above). Brim is firm enough to be out of my eyes and big enough to actually shade my face and neck. It's flexible enough that I can sorta fold it in half and stuff it in a bag, but it doesn't fold up real small. I've had it for a decade, though, and couldn't tell you a brand or location to buy from.

My partner swears by her Tilley hat.
posted by carrioncomfort at 4:41 AM on June 23, 2023 [1 favorite]

Try a clear sun visor. Available cheaply on Amazon, Shein, or Shopee. You can also buy from Asian knickknack stores! I use this on my morning walk and just angle the brim low. It acts like a rigid veil that I can see through without triggering photosensitivity.
posted by Didnt_do_enough at 6:56 AM on June 23, 2023

I’m sorry I don’t have hat suggestions (I have a big head and love hats!) but if a parasol drone is your ideal, how about an actual parasol? They’re possibly a click more eccentric, depending where you live, and have their own potential irritations, but might be worthwhile to try. In the height of LA summer I often carry both.
posted by CtrlAltDelete at 7:59 AM on June 23, 2023

Second thread today i've had occasion to recommend Barmah Hats! Foldable, leather or canvas. Available on Amazon.
posted by goo at 8:28 AM on June 23, 2023

Just want to put another vote in for Tilley. I just got a T3 and I love it. Doesn’t interfere with your ears (and the sides can be pinned up with poppers anyway), has a very high sun protection rating (UPF 50+), plus it’s built to last (in Canada!) and guaranteed for life.

Does it block your vision? Yeah, a bit. That’s the price you pay for sun protection.

I wouldn’t have chosen it, but then I tried one that my friend owns. Instant convert. I love this damned hat.
posted by Ted Maul at 8:56 AM on June 23, 2023 [1 favorite]

I impulse bought a cotton knit beret, sold specifically as a sun hat. Much to my surprise I’ve worn it a lot. It doesn’t help shade the face or neck so less functional than wide brimmed hats but it can be squished into a bag or a pocket and works ok with earphones and sunglasses. Most importantly because I don’t hate it, I actually wear it.
posted by ElasticParrot at 10:14 AM on June 23, 2023