Wide brimmed hats offer superior sun protection. If you spend time outdoors, a hat with a large brim can significantly reduce your risk of skin cancer. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends a brim of 3 inches or more, although lesser brims will provide some protection.

We are pleased to offer a variety of wide brimmed hats and sun hats, providing both great style, great comfort and great protection from the dangerous UVA and UVB rays.

View All Wide Brimmed Hats

Why a 3 inch brim?
The direct UVA and UVB radiation from the sun is the most damaging. The radiation is the strongest when the sun is directly overhead, with less of the earth's atmosphere between the sun and us to absorb the radiation. A 3 inch hat brim shield most of the face and ears, not only when the sun is directly overhead, but during the peak radiation hours. Larger brimmed hats, such as the Akubra Territory, will provide even more protection.

The shape of the hat brim can also make a difference. Brims which curve down will provide more protection from reflected and scattered radiation, which can also damage the skin.

Hat Material
The material from which a hat is made affects the level of sun protection. Generally, a more dense material or tighter weave will provide better protection. Additionally, some materials have been specially developed to absorb more UVA and UVB radiation.

UPF Rating
The UPF Rating (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) indicates how much protection from UVA and UVB radiation a material provides. A UPF rating of 50 indicates that for 50 units of radiation exposed to the material, only 1 unit will pass through (and 49 units will be blocked.) The UPF rating is useful when selecting a hat for sun protection.

List UPF Rated Hats and Clothing

Currently, UPF ratings are self regulated by the manufacturers according to testing standards prescribed by the AATC and ASTM. Manufacturers will often only test to determine UPF ratings for hats specifically designed for sun protection. Some of the hats we offer do not have known UPF ratings, but still provide great protection include the Kangaroo Hat, a leather bush hat.

For more information ...
Please follow the links below for more information.

Hat Sizing
Hat FAQ's
Hat Care