#4 on this list
Bora Booney Hat
Columbia
The Columbia Bora Booney Hat proves that reliable, all-around sun defense does not require dropping serious coin. Built around a classic military-style booney silhouette, it is tailored for casual weekend hikers, trail work crews, and anglers who want dependable sun coverage without overpaying. It delivers full 360-degree shade with a moderate brim width that protects the nose, ears, and base of the neck during midday hours. The hat relies on Columbia's Omni-Shade UPF 50 fabric paired with an Omni-Wick sweatband. Around the mid-crown sits a wide horizontal mesh vent that promotes cross-ventilation, helping cool breezes circulate around your head rather than stagnating inside. An adjustable toggle at the back of the crown lets you snug the fit against your skull, while a standard adjustable chin cord keeps it from sailing away in gusty weather. The fabric dries quickly if dunked in a stream to cool off on scorching afternoons. The trade-off for the low price point is in the brim structure and refined finishing. The brim is completely unstructured; when it gets soaked with heavy sweat or rain, it gets noticeably limp and can droop around your ears. In strong winds, the front brim tends to flop upward, exposing your forehead to the sun. Still, for hot, moderate trails and open fishing flats, its cooling performance and price make it tough to beat. **Highlights** - Omni-Shade UPF 50 fabrication blocks damaging UVA and UVB rays - Omni-Wick interior sweatband draws moisture away from the brow - Generous 360-degree mesh ventilation strip allows heat to disperse - Rear barrel-lock cinch provides quick circumference adjustment - Excellent price-to-performance ratio for casual hikers **Watch-outs** - Floppy brim tends to collapse when wet from heavy sweat or rain - Brim flips upward easily in gusty conditions
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#5 on this list
Ultra Adventure Hat
Sunday Afternoons
Sunday Afternoons built its reputation as a pure sun-protection brand, and the Ultra Adventure Hat is their definitive trail creation. Unlike round booney hats, this model uses an engineered silhouette: a wide, folding front bill paired with an overlapping six-inch rear cape. This asymmetric design eliminates the annoying problem where traditional wide rear brims collide with the back of a large expedition pack, while still offering class-leading coverage for the back of your neck. The clamshell folding bill is one of the best packability features on the market. You can fold the bill right down the middle, roll the fabric cape around it, and slide the entire hat into an exterior water-bottle pocket or pack compartment without worrying about snapping structural stays. Ventilation is handled via subtle crown vents that lift slightly when breezes blow. Sunday Afternoons also integrated functional sunglass sleeves into the crown, which keep your shades securely locked to your hat when you bend down to filter water. The trade-off is the distinctly technical, quirky aesthetic. You will not wear this out to a brewery post-hike without looking like you just completed a trek through Death Valley. Additionally, while the cape provides exceptional sun shade, it can catch gusty crosswinds, causing the fabric to flap against your ears on exposed mountaintops. **Highlights** - Asymmetric design with a wide front bill and a six-inch rear neck cape - Reverse clamshell folding brim packs flat into tight backpack pockets - Sunglass Lock sleeves securely hold eyewear temples in place - UPF 50+ certified sun rating across all main fabrics - Wicking interior sweatband keeps brow sweat under control **Watch-outs** - Polarizing aesthetic that looks strictly functional - Loose fabric neck cape flaps around your ears in persistent crosswinds
- Price
- $65 MSRP
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Specs side by side
| Spec | Bora Booney Hat | Ultra Adventure Hat |
|---|---|---|
| Fabric | 100% textured nylon poplin crown, polyester mesh | 88% nylon, 12% polyester main body |
| UPF Rating | Omni-Shade UPF 50 sun protection | — |
| Brim Width | 3 inches all-around coverage | 3.25 in front bill, 6 in rear neck cape |
| Fit System | Rear toggle cord with adjustable chin strap | — |
| Ventilation | 360-degree horizontal mesh crown panel | — |
| Weight | Approximately 3 ounces | 2.6 oz (73.7 g) |
| Sun Rating | — | UPF 50+ certified fabric |
| Packability | — | Reverse clamshell folding brim |
| Closure | — | Rear cinch lock and adjustable chinstrap |
What our reviewers liked and didn't
Bora Booney Hat
- UPF 50 fabric provides dependable 360-degree protection across face and neck
- Generous mesh venting band allows heat to vent continuously from the crown
- Fully crushable construction allows effortless packing in pockets or bags
- Priced accessibly for trail maintenance crews and recreational hikers
- Unstructured brim easily folds backward in moderate head-on winds
- Floppy brim sags and sheds water inward when fully soaked by rain
- Shallow crown depth may sit too high on larger head profiles
Ultra Adventure Hat
- Folding bill packs flat into exterior backpack pockets without warping
- Generous rear cape shields neck without colliding with high pack frames
- Integrated Sunglass Lock sleeves securely anchor eyewear during activity
- Crown vents and wicking brow band manage high heat and sweat effectively
- Unattached rear cape flaps against ears in gusty crosswinds
- Technical, unconventional styling looks out of place off the trail
Prices change constantly — the figure shown is the last verified catalog price, and the buy buttons always go to the current listing.