#9 on this list
Sun Tripper Cap
Sunday Afternoons
The Sunday Afternoons Sun Tripper Cap is built for hikers, trail runners, and backpackers who hate the floppy circumference of wide-brim hats but still need serious sun protection. It takes the classic baseball cap silhouette and injects it with technical trail engineering, most notably a reverse-clamshell folding brim and low-profile mesh ventilation panels that keep you cool on long climbs. The highlight of the Sun Tripper is its folding brim. The bill has a vertical hinge down the center that allows it to fold in half cleanly, sliding flat into a hip belt pocket, running vest, or cargo shorts without warping. Despite its low profile, the UPF 50+ fabric and generous bill length cast reliable shade across your eyes and nose. Strategic mesh side panels provide airflow across the temples, while a moisture-wicking sweatband pulls sweat away from your brow. A concealed pocket inside the crown holds an emergency key or folded cash. The obvious trade-off is total coverage. Because it is a cap rather than a full-brim or caped model, your ears and the back of your neck remain completely exposed to the sun. If you choose the Sun Tripper for exposed desert or alpine trails, you must pair it with a hooded sun shirt or be diligent about reapplying sunscreen to your neck and ears throughout the day. **Highlights** - Folding clamshell bill packs flat into compact pockets without deformation - UPF 50+ main body fabric shields the scalp and forehead - Side crown mesh panels vent heat cleanly off the temples - Integrated hidden interior pocket stores emergency cash or a key - Quick-adjust rear buckle provides a tailored, low-profile fit **Watch-outs** - Leaves ears and the back of the neck fully exposed to the sun - Best paired with a hooded sun shirt to compensate for limited coverage
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#10 on this list
Explore Booney Hat
Buff
The Buff Explore Booney Hat is designed for casual trail wanderers and weekend hikers who want a packable, low-fuss sun hat that delivers practical protection without over-engineering. Buff took the loose, laid-back feel of a bucket hat and stretched the brim into a wider booney shape, striking a pleasant middle ground between compact packability and wide-area sun defense. The hat uses a lightweight, UPF 50 certified fabric that packs down into its own self-storage pocket, making it easy to toss into the top lid of a pack or keep in your car's glove compartment for impromptu outings. Side mesh ventilation panels allow steady airflow when you are working up an incline, and the built-in wicking sweatband does an admirable job capturing moisture before it drips. An adjustable rear toggle and a standard chin cord help dial in the crown tension against passing breezes. Because the materials are soft and lightweight, the brim has very little internal structure. When caught in a moderate headwind, the front brim tends to flutter or invert upward, and sustained downpours or heavy sweat will cause the brim to droop. For casual trails, camp chores, and low-wind summer hikes, it provides comfortable, packable shade at an accessible price. **Highlights** - Highly packable design compresses into a pocket for quick storage - UPF 50 certified fabric provides dependable sun protection - Lateral ventilation ports improve airflow on warm, still days - Rear bungee toggle allows quick circumference micro-adjustments - Soft internal sweatband absorbs brow moisture cleanly **Watch-outs** - Soft brim lacks stiffness and readily flips up in moderate winds - Fabric can sag and flop against the brow when soaked through
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Specs side by side
| Spec | Sun Tripper Cap | Explore Booney Hat |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 2.6 oz (74 g) | Approximately 2.8 oz (80 g) |
| UPF Rating | UPF 50+ main fabric (mesh not rated) | UPF 50 certified protection |
| Brim Length | 2.5 inches | — |
| Closure Style | Adjustable rear buckle with webbing | — |
| Packability | Split-folding clamshell bill | Compresses into integrated self-storage pocket |
| Fabric | 100% nylon main body, polyester mesh | — |
| Brim Style | — | 360-degree soft unstructured booney |
| Closure System | — | Rear cinch cord and adjustable chin strap |
| Primary Material | — | Recycled nylon shell with polyester sweatband |
What our reviewers liked and didn't
Sun Tripper Cap
- Clamshell folding bill stows flat in running vest pockets without deforming
- UPF 50+ main body fabric provides dense forehead and scalp defense
- Side mesh panels purge heat quickly away from the temples
- Low-profile crown stays stable in high winds without catching gusts
- Leaves the ears and back of the neck completely exposed to sunlight
- Mesh side crown panels are unrated for UPF and admit filtered UV rays
Explore Booney Hat
- Stows into its own self-contained pocket for compact, effortless packing
- Certified UPF 50 fabric shields against harsh high-elevation solar radiation
- Featherlight, soft crown eliminates friction points and headaches on long treks
- Dual-cinch retention system secures crown fit against moderate trail winds
- Unstructured brim flips upward readily when walking into moderate headwinds
- Fabric saturates and droops over the eyes during sustained rainstorms
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