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052113sunhat

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Summertime: The weather can sometimes bring delight and sometimes bring sweat and sunburn. Trading a spring jacket for a sun hat helps ward off those twin evils. Any cheap hat with a wide brim can help keep the sun off your face, but we looked for additional features such as breathable fabric and UV protection. Here are some of the best sun hats for men, women, and children for $25 or less.


Best Sun Hats for Men
Henschel Aussie Breezer
Price: $25
This American-made hat earns a very high rating on Amazon, where buyers say they often get compliments on the style. They credit the so-called CoolMax band with keeping moisture at bay and the mesh crown with keeping their heads cool. While this particular Breezer hat is made with cotton twill, you can find one with UPF 50+ fabric for greater protection from ultraviolet rays and slightly more money. Reviewers praise the quality construction and generous 3-inch brim. Several mention that the hat is highly packable, although a couple warn that if you crush it down too small, it may not quite return to its original shape.
Outdoor Research Transit Radar Cap
Price: starting at $25
This is a cap-style hat, rather than a wide-brimmed sun hat, with almost exclusively positive reviews online. The cap shields sensitive scalps from the sun with an ultraviolet protection factor, or UPF, of 50+. At the same time, mesh panels on the side allow for ventilation and prevent overheating. Reviewers appreciate the air circulation, as well as the lightweight, wicking fabric, which stretches to fit the head comfortably. Several also mention that the folding bill makes for convenient for storage and washing.
Best Sun Hats for Women
Hat.a.girl Ribbon Crusher Travel Hats
Price: starting at $12 on sale
Shoppers have declared these hats both adorable and durable. They come in a variety of styles with wide brims ranging from 4 inches to 7 inches. They're designed to be crammed into a bag or purse without ruining their shape. One reviewer notes that the flexible brim can be bent to better block the sun or slightly change the look. These bargain hats also offer UPF 50+ coverage. In general, buyers say they live up to their promise of being protective and chic at the same time.
Scala Collezione Wide-Brim Cotton Hat
Price: $22
This sun hat has won over more than 150 reviewers on Amazon with its comfortable, practical design. It comes in more than a dozen different colors, from aqua to walnut; some shoppers seem to have bought one for every occasion and outfit. An inner drawstring makes the one-size-fits-all hat easy to adjust. The fabric is 100 percent cotton with UPF 50+ sun protection. Several buyers comment that the 3-inch brim provides just enough shade to keep the sun off your face and neck without getting in the way. Many reviewers also note that it's easy to bend and retains its shape nicely, so it works well for travel.
Best Sun Hat for Kids
Sunday Afternoons Kids' Play Hat
Price: starting at $19
This highly protective hat keeps little ones shielded from the sun with a UPF 50+ rating, a 2.5-to-4-inch brim, and a veil that comes down in the back to protect the neck. It's unisex, available in 12 different colors, and sizes range from infant to youth (5 to 9 years). Parents rave about this hat in reviews on Amazon, claiming their children wear it without complaint. They also testify to the hat's durability, saying it stands up to daily use and lasts until kids outgrow it. It's made of nylon/polyester fabric that's water and stain resistant and designed to lay flat or roll up for packing. Mesh sides provide ventilation and a chinstrap holds the hat in place but breaks away for safety.

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