#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
- Reader rating
- No reader votes yet
- How we assessed it
- Specification researched
#6 on this list
Horizon Breeze Brimmer Hat
The North Face
The North Face Horizon Breeze Brimmer Hat is built for sweltering, wind-scoured summer days where staying cool and keeping your hat on your head are constant battles. Built from an airy, recycled nylon ripstop, it features a broad circular brim that offers solid shade around the perimeter. It is aimed directly at hikers who find standard booney hats too warm or stuffy during peak midsummer climbs. The standout element of the Horizon Breeze is its crown ventilation. The North Face incorporated a full 360-degree perimeter mesh venting system that creates a continuous chimney effect, shedding head heat quickly as you move. Inside, the proprietary FlashDry-Pro sweatband wicks sweat fast, preventing moisture from pooling around your eyebrows. The brim is lightly stiffened—rigid enough to cut through a breeze without acting like an anchor, yet flexible enough to roll into a daypack without suffering permanent creases. Because the brim is moderate in width, it may not offer as much lower-neck coverage as dedicated caped hats if you are walking directly away from a low-angle sun. In very humid, stagnant conditions, the ripstop nylon can feel a little clingy against the scalp if you sweat heavily, but the extensive venting helps mitigate this better than most solid-crown brimmers. **Highlights** - 360-degree mesh perimeter vent provides consistent crown cooling - FlashDry-Pro interior sweatband actively wicks moisture on steep climbs - UPF 40+ rating blocks significant solar radiation on exposed routes - Fully adjustable, removable chin cord with toggle lock for windy days - Moderately stiffened brim holds form better than unstructured boonies **Watch-outs** - UPF 40+ is slightly lower than the UPF 50+ benchmark of competitors - Does not provide as much rear coverage as a dedicated cape
- Price
- Check current price
- Reader rating
- No reader votes yet
- How we assessed it
- Specification researched
Specs side by side
| Spec | Ultra Adventure Hat | Horizon Breeze Brimmer Hat |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 2.6 oz (73.7 g) | — |
| Sun Rating | UPF 50+ certified fabric | — |
| Brim Width | 3.25 in front bill, 6 in rear neck cape | — |
| Fabric | 88% nylon, 12% polyester main body | Recycled nylon ripstop, polyester mesh |
| Packability | Reverse clamshell folding brim | Rollable and crushable |
| Closure | Rear cinch lock and adjustable chinstrap | — |
| Sun Protection | — | UPF 40+ |
| Sweatband | — | FlashDry-Pro moisture wicking |
| Brim Style | — | 360-degree moderate circular brim |
| Retention | — | Adjustable, detachable chin cord with toggle |
What our reviewers liked and didn't
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
Horizon Breeze Brimmer Hat
- Full 360-degree perimeter mesh vents hot air continuously off the scalp.
- FlashDry-Pro sweatband wicks forehead perspiration before it reaches your eyes.
- Lightly stiffened brim maintains its shape in wind without flopping.
- Crushable construction packs flat inside a daypack without permanent creasing.
- UPF 40+ rating is lower than the UPF 50+ standard of key competitors.
- Circular brim leaves lower neck exposed during low-angle morning and evening sun.
- Shallow crown depth may feel perched on individuals with thick hair or large heads.
Prices change constantly — the figure shown is the last verified catalog price, and the buy buttons always go to the current listing.