Hats are indispensable travel accessories since they provide both fashionable and practical functions.
High-quality bucket hats, sunhats and fedoras provide protection against the sun’s harsh rays, safeguarding your skin from harmful UV radiation. This, in turn, helps you avoid sunburns and premature aging.
Beyond their protective role, hats effortlessly elevate any travel and vacation ensemble, giving your outfits a touch of style and personality. Whether you’re lounging on a beach, hiking a scenic trail, or waiting for your flight at an airport, the right headgear completes your look and provides a comfortable barrier against the elements.
Hats are compact, versatile and easy to pack, making them an essential item on your packing list if you need an accessory that perfectly blends practicality and flair.
Best Hats to Bring When Traveling
With different types of hats to choose from, you may have a hard time picking which one (or ones) to bring when you travel.
Below is a list of the five best travel hats you can consider bringing on your next journey.
Packable hat
Packable hats encompass different types of hats that can be easily folded and packed in a handbag, purse or luggage. They come in different designs, sizes and materials, including straw, cotton blend, and linen, allowing you to choose one that works for you in terms of style and practicality.
These accessories offer the same protection as regular wide-brimmed hats but fold easily for effortless packing. They also do not take up space in your bag.
Once you unpack the hat, it pops back into its original form without any creases, lines or damage. You can wear it without any worries about unappealing wrinkles or folds.
Straw hat
Straw hats are timeless and versatile accessories made of natural plant fibers, such as straw, rattan, or seagrass. They are light and often have a breathable design, making them the ideal headgear for warm weather.
The wide brim of a straw hat effectively shades the face and neck, making it a popular choice for beach outings, outdoor wellness activities, picnics, and strolls. Since they are light and breathable, you can wear them for hours without feeling too hot and sweating.
Whether in boater or wide-brimmed style, straw hats add a touch of laid-back elegance to your ensemble. They are the perfect accessory to bring for both your leisure and business travels.
Panama hat
Although it is called the Panama hat, this accessory did not originate from said country. It is traditionally a summer hat woven from toquilla palm trees found in Ecuador.
It became known as the Panama hat because former US President Teddy Roosevelt was seen and publicized wearing it when he visited the Panama Canal construction site in 1904.
A Panama hat is usually light-colored due to its material and has a fedora or wide-brim design. It is light and breathable, making it an excellent headgear for different climates.
The hat’s wide brim provides excellent sun protection, shielding your face and neck whenever you’re outdoors. It is also highly flexible, which means you can pack and unpack without worrying about damaging it.
With a timeless design, Panama hats for women effortlessly elevate any outfit, from casual exploration to sophisticated city escapades.
Bucket hat
This hat is another versatile accessory you would do well to consider bringing when you travel. It comes in a wide range of sizes, providing protection against the sun. It also helps your head stay warm when it is chilly.
Bucket hats can be made from different fabrics, including cotton, canvas, twill and denim. They come in various colors as well. Because of this, you can easily find one that works with all your outfits. Moreover, they have a simple and attractive style that gives your overall look a modern and trendy aesthetic.
Bucket hats are also packable so they can fit neatly in your suitcase or handbag.
Caps and visors
Caps give you a casual, laidback style, while visors offer sun protection without sacrificing breathability. Both hats shield your face from harmful UV rays, making them excellent options for your outdoor activities.
With adjustable straps and a variety of styles, caps and visors ensure you have accessories that meet your preferences and go with your outfits.
The compact design of caps and visors also makes them easy to pack, ensuring they don’t take up precious luggage space.
These features make caps and visors excellent travel companions, offering a blend of comfort and versatility.
Beanie
If you’re going somewhere cold, you need a hat that can help keep you warm. A beanie is the best headgear you can get for this purpose.
A beanie is a cozy hat that helps you stay warm when temperatures are low. It is incredibly versatile, allowing you to pair it with any outfit you wear.
This hat is also easy to pack in your luggage or bag, regardless of its size. You can even tuck it in your pocket so that you can bring it out and put it on quickly when you need it.
When you narrow down your options to these travel hats, you can have the perfect stylish and functional accessory you can wear wherever you go.