When you put a hat on, you might assume it’s protecting the skin on your scalp and your face; however, it’s slightly more complex than that. Fabric for hats, sun hats, and other pieces of clothing uses a UPF rating to gauge a fabric’s effectiveness at filtering both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) light. Think of this as similar to an SPF (Sun Protection Factor) rating for sunscreen. 

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The highest rating a fabric can receive is UPF 50+, which indicates that the particular piece will only permit 1/50th (or 2%) UV transmission. As a comparison, a piece with UPF 15 rating allows 6.7% UV transmission. 

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To ensure you get the most protection possible for your scalp and skin on your face and neck, we’ve compiled a variety of sun hats that are rated UPF 50+ from a variety of brands, many of which specialize in a variety of clothing made with UPF 50+ fabrics. 

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Tenth Street - Saguaro Hat

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Maybe you’ve never been to the outback, but that shouldn’t stop you from wearing an outback hat. This hat by Tenth Street Hats utilizes garment washed twill to create a rugged, well-worn look. Made with UPF50+ material to protect your skin and a cotton sweatband to help wick away sweat, this hat will have you ready for anything your outdoor adventures bring. 

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Solbari - Elite Visor

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Solbari is a brand completely focused on sun protection. In fact, the name Solbari is a combination of the words Sun (sol) and Barrier (bari).  While they offer a variety of UPF50+ rated hats and visors, their men’s sun protective visor caught our eye. Made with 100% cotton twill rated UPF 50+, a high-absorption internal sweatband made from 100% polyester, and created to be travel friendly, this visor is perfect to take to any outdoor game.

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Melin- A Game Hydro Hat

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If you’re a fan of water sports, or maybe you simply sweat a lot on your scalp, the Melin A Game Hydro Hat could be your hat-match made in heaven. Not only is this hat created with UPF 50+ fabric, it also has a PFC-free durable water repellent treatment that allows water and sweet to just bead off of it. Because no one needs a hat that stays soaking wet! Another perk is that this hat is designed to be buoyant, holding its shape while floating, making it super easy to find if you’re spending a day on the lake, river or beach. 

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Coolibar - Men's Eagle Golf Gambler UPF 50+

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Golfer at heart? This golf gambler hat from Coolibar sets the tone for your on-the-course look. UPF 50+ rated, this hand woven hat features a braided palm crown and brim but has a COOLMAX® knit lining both on the crown and under the brim. Similar to Solbari mentioned above, Coolibar is very focused on creating products with UPF 50+ protection. In fact, according to their website, they were the first clothing company to receive The Skin Cancer Foundation’s Seal of Recommendation. 

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Sunday Afternoons - Bug-Free Adventure Hat

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If hiking or gardening are more your style, the bug-free adventure hat by Sunday Afternoons will be your new go-to hat. It features a 4” brim and a 7.5” neck cape to protect your scalp and your neck from harsh rays. While it does have a UPF 50+ rating, it also has an EPA-registered No Fly Zone® fabric that’s designed to repel bugs. That’s a combination of features we can definitely get behind!

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Regardless of which hat style is your favorite, it’s excellent to know that you’ll be as covered as possible from both UVA and UVB rays with these UPF 50+ hats.