Bucket hats once fell out of style, but now they’re back and booming, so if you’re looking for the best bucket hats you’ll find on the market, you’ve come to the right place. As seen on outdoor professionals and TikTok feeds around the globe, bucket hats have made their triumphant return. They fell out of style after being all the rage in the mid ‘90s and early 2000s, but ever since a couple of years ago, they’re back and booming. Although their popularity peaked last summer, they’re a youthful and stylish accessory that will protect you from the sun’s rays — or just turn your outfit from drab to fab. Here, you’ll find a list of some of our favorites out there, from a variety of different materials and ideal uses. And at the end of this article, we’ll go over what bucket hats are and how they compare to other styles, plus we’ll give you some features to look for while you shop. Whether you’re looking for the perfect outdoorsy bucket hat for a sunny spring day, or you just need a chic cap to complete your fit, one of the best bucket hats is just a click away.

Cover image: Shutterstock

Best Bucket Hats to Beat the Summer Sun

	Quiksilver Men’s Bushmaster Sun Protection Floppy Visor Bucket Hat	Columbia Unisex Pine Mountain Bucket Hat	Mimfutu Reversible Women’s Bucket Hat
Brand:	Quiksilver	Columbia	Mimfutu
Sizes:	Small-Medium, Large-X-Large, XX-Large	Small-Medium, Large-X-Large	One-Size
Material:	100% Cotton	96% Polyester, 4% Elastane	100% Cotton
Available Colors:	Nautical Blue, India Ink, Thyme, Oyster Grey, Tarmac, Insignia Blue, Blac, Parisian Night, Steeple Grey	Black, Collegiate Navy, Tusk	Daisy Black, Butterfly, Checkered, Dollar, Flamingo Light Green, Flower Pink, galaxy, Mushroom Black, Pineapple White, Smiley Face Black/White, Strawberry, Sunflower
Weight:	113.4g	60g	68g
	amazon.com	amazon.com	amazon.com

The Best Bucket Hats at a Glance: 

1. Quiksilver Men’s Bushmaster Flopper Visor Hat
2. Columbia Unisex Bucket Hat
3. Mimfutu Reversible Women’s Bucket Hat 
4. Adidas Mens Victory 4 Bucket Hat
5. The Hat Depot Packable Bucket Hat
6. Furtalk Bucket Hat
7. Outdoor Research Bucket Hat

Best Bucket Hats Reviews

1. Editor’s Choice: Quiksilver Men’s Bushmaster Sun Protection Floppy Visor Bucket Hat

Specs:

If you’re looking for the bucket hat with the best outdoor protection, we think that this is one of them. It’s made from a cotton twill fabric that doesn’t get too hot, and it’s the perfect companion on a summer day. 

The brim is large enough to keep the sun out of your eyes, which is essential when you’re out on long treks in nature, and you can adjust the strap to fit snugly on your head so that it won’t blow away in the wind. It’s also very comfortable, and it has some holes to improve the breathability.

We’re loving the brightly colored nautical blue version of this hat, but feel free to choose a more neutral tone if you need it to go with anything.

Pros:

• Well-made and durable
• Pull on closure
• Adjustable strap
• Wide variety of colours and sizes available

Cons:

• Some people found the brim too floppy

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2. Runner Up: Columbia Unisex Pine Mountain Bucket Hat

Specs:

You’ve no doubt heard of Columbia, and they’ve jumped on the bandwagon and made a bucket hat too — it was designed with summer sunshine in mind and will keep you protected and cool.

It’s made from polyester and a bit of elastane, so there’s a bit of stretch for comfort and it’ll be more water- and rain-resistant than your average cotton bucket hat. It sits snugly on your noggin, so it isn’t likely to blow away on a windy day. 

The brim around the edges is 2.25”, so for many people this will be enough to keep the sun out of your eyes, but you might find it a bit short depending on your head shape. 

Pros:

• Reputable brand, and good quality
• Easy to store away in your bag
• Protects against the sun well
• Easy to clean

Cons:

• • Brim might be a bit short for some people

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3. Best Prints: Mimfutu Reversible Women’s Bucket Hat

Specs:

Festival season is upon us, and a vibrantly patterned bucket hat like this is sure to turn heads. There are plenty of different prints to choose from, including daisies or strawberries against a black background. 

It’s reversible, too — one side has a bold pattern, and the other side has a more neutral colour, so you won’t need to worry about clashing patterns. It’s also made from a comfy cotton material that’s lightweight and breathable, and it’s easy to fold up and store away while you’re on the go. 

The brim is a bit short, so keep in mind that it might not keep the sun out of your eyes the best. 

Pros:

• Lots of cute patterns to choose from
• Reversible
• Comfy and breathable
• Packable

Cons:

• Some buyers had issues with the sizing

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4. Best Sporty: Adidas Men’s Victory 4 Bucket Hat

Specs:

For those who need a sporty and breathable bucket hat for their outdoor excursions, consider this option from Adidas — it strongly protects against the sun, and it has perforations for maximum air flow.

This one’s sort of a cross between a bucket and a boonie hat, so you get the best of both worlds; it looks stylish and sporty, but it still has a very wide brim for sun protection. The polyester material helps keep out water and moisture, too.

Inside the hat, you’ll also find a moisture-wicking sweatband, that’ll help keep you dry, cool and comfortable, plus there’s an adjustable drawstring you can use to ensure a proper fit. 

Pros:

• High UPF rating
• Wicks away moisture
• Very breathable
• Adjustable drawstring

Cons:

• Some buyers had sizing issues

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5. Most Colorful: The Hat Depot Packable Summer Bucket Hat

Specs:

This 100% cotton bucket hat comes in many different colours, so it’s easy to match one with your outfits — why not pick up a couple of them — one neutral and one pop of colour — so you have all your bases covered? 

The fit on this one is a bit different than your typical bucket cap because it’s a bit deeper than normal, which can help people with larger heads feel more comfortable in it. It also has a wide 3” brim, which will help keep the sun out of your eyes when you’re out and about.

Pros:

• Well-made
• Bright and vibrant color options
• Accurate sizing
• Breathable, even in heat

Cons:

• Crumples easily

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6. Also Popular: Furtalk Bucket Hat

Specs:

Here’s another popular bucket hat to consider — this one is packable and protects you from the sun well, plus it’s very breathable, so it won’t feel too hot on your head in the summer heat.

This is one of the most affordable options on this list, but it’ll still get the job done well, and with all the fun prints and colors you’ll look great out and about. The brand also uses a washing process to bring out a vintage look in the fabric that looks great, especially in the tie-dye versions.

There’s an adjustable chin strap you can use to keep the hat secure (or if you don’t like it, feel free to remove it) and there’s an inner sweatband that ensures a comfortable fit. You can hand wash this one, too, which makes it pretty easy to clean.

Pros:

• Affordably priced
• Lots of colors to choose from
• Adjustable strap
• Crushable and packable

Cons:

• Material feels a bit cheaper than some other options here

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7. Honorable Mention: Outdoor Research Bucket Hat

Specs:

Last but not least is this bucket hat from Outdoor Research — it doesn’t have as many sizes of colour options as some others here, but it’s well made, water-resistant, and perfect for your outdoor pursuits.

For sunny days, you’ll appreciate the UPF 50+ rating of this hat that’ll keep you protected. This one’s great for rainy days out in nature, too — the material that it’s made from wicks away moisture, and it’ll dry very quickly once you get home. 

This one comes with a chin cord to help keep everything secure, but it comes off if you don’t like the look of it. The crown of this hat is also lined with mesh, which helps ensure a breathable fit that’ll keep you cool in the summer heat.

Pros:

• Durable material
• Adjustable strap around chin
• Water-resistant
• Breathable

Cons:

• Limited sizing and color options

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Best Bucket Hats to Beat the Summer Sun Comparison Table

Bucket Hats to Beat the Summer Sun		Brand	Sizes	Material	Available Colors	Weight
Quiksilver Men’s Bushmaster Sun Protection Floppy Visor Bucket Hat		Quiksilver	Small-Medium, Large-X-Large, XX-Large	100% Cotton	Nautical Blue, India Ink, Thyme, Oyster Grey, Tarmac, Insignia Blue, Blac, Parisian Night, Steeple Grey	113.4g
Columbia Unisex Pine Mountain Bucket Hat		Columbia	Small-Medium, Large-X-Large	96% Polyester, 4% Elastane	Black, Collegiate Navy, Tusk	60g
Mimfutu Reversible Women’s Bucket Hat		Mimfutu	One-Size	100% Cotton	Daisy Black, Butterfly, Checkered, Dollar, Flamingo Light Green, Flower Pink, galaxy, Mushroom Black, Pineapple White, Smiley Face Black/White, Strawberry, Sunflower	68g
Adidas Men’s Victory 4 Bucket Hat		Adidas	Small-Medium, Large-X-Large	100% Polyester	Black	117.93g
The Hat Depot Packable Summer Bucket Hat		The Hat Depot	Small-Medium, Large-X-Large	100% Cotton	Black, Light Denim, Dark Green, White, Hot Pink, Light Pink	86.18g
Furtalk Bucket Hat		Furtalk	Medium, Large	100% Cotton	Tie-Dye Blue, Black, Light Khaki, Tie-Dye Grey, Tie-Dye Pink, Tie-Dye Skye Blue, White, Green, Grey, Khaki, Orange	109g
Outdoor Research Bucket Hat		Outdoor Research	Medium, Large, X-Large	86% Nylon, 14% Polyester	Khaki	81.65g

What is a Bucket Hat, and How Does it Compare to Other Styles?

Bucket hats are known for their narrow, downward sloping brims, which can keep the sun from getting into your eyes. Historically they’ve been made from heavier duty fabrics, like denim or canvas, but nowadays synthetic fabrics that wick away moisture are popular too. While these hats protect you from the elements, they’re also having a moment in the fashion world now, after falling out of favour in the late 2000s. 

Here are a couple other similar hats to compare them to:

• Boonie Hats: These are closely related to the bucket style, except they have wider, stiffer brims that are more apt for very hot climates. They also tend to have an adjustable chin strap on the bottom, so that everything stays secure.
• Big Brim Hats: For even more sun protection, you might want to check out a big brim hat, like the floppy sunhats you see on beachgoers everywhere. Bucket hats offer a bit less protection for your eyes, but don’t have as garish of a look. 

Keep An Eye on These Features: 

Material: Most of the hats you’ll see are cotton, and they can either be lightweight or a heavier duty cotton fabric like denim. Cotton is generally softer and comfier overall, but it does have some drawbacks — often it’ll absorb water instead of repel it, so if the hat gets wet, your head will too. Synthetic materials, like polyester, are better at wicking away moisture and sweat.

Sizing: It can be tricky to figure out the proper sizing for hats — everyone has a different head shape, and some hats come in one size fits all. Make sure you measure your head beforehand and compare it to the size charts provided before making your purchase. If a size guide isn’t provided, read reviews from other buyers; often times people will give their measurements and say what size did or didn’t fit them. 

Breathability: If you live somewhere very hot, or you plan on using your new hat when travelling somewhere warm, you’ll want to make sure that your hat is breathable. If it isn’t, you’ll find your head sweating and overheating under the sun’s rays. Breathable hats will have plenty of eyelets on the top to improve air flow, and some designs even have some perforation to ensure an airy feel. Cotton will also generally be more breathable than synthetic overall, but if the hat doesn’t have proper airflow, being made from cotton alone won’t save it.