14 Best Packable Sun Hats to Bring on Vacation
No matter what your calendar looks like right now, sunglasses and summer hats are essential for staying shady—bonus points if it’s one of the best packable sun hats. With heat waves happening all over the world, it’s not a bad idea to invest in a derm-approved sunscreen, perhaps some UPF clothing, and a cool, versatile topper that can take you from the bustling streets of New York City to the beaches in Malibu. Lucky for you, we’ve compiled a list of travel-friendly styles that are your best bet for looking cute and protecting your skin from a potential sunburn.
Best Packable Sun Hats 2023:
- Best Packable Straw Hat: Madewell Straw Bucket Hat, $48
- Best Sun Visor: Shade & Shore Packable Straw Visor Hat, $6,
($8) - Best Travel Hat: Rahi Lake Washed Bucket Hat, $38
- Best Wide-Brim Sun Hat: Shady Character Packable Wide-Brim Hat, $68
- Best Floppy Sun Hat: Helen Kaminski Provence 12 Packable Raffia Hat, $325
- Best Outdoor Adventures: The North Face Horizon Breeze Brimmer Hat, $45
- Best Beach Hat: Furtalk Wide-Brim Roll-Up Summer Beach Hat, $22
- Best Chin Strap: Furtalk Wide-Brim Summer Straw Sun Hat With Lanyard, $27
Wondering what exactly a travel-friendly hat looks like? It’s all about what it’s made of. Ideally, you want to look for lightweight materials like straw, nylon, or cotton that can easily be rolled or folded without losing their shape. (No need to fly with a hat box in your weekender bag or wear your panama hat for eight hours on the plane.)
In addition to providing your face with adequate shading from the sun’s rays, many of our top picks have useful features like adjustable cords or removable chin straps, which are key to helping your hat stay put if you’re on a boat or encountering wind of any kind.
But it’s not all function over form. This list also includes tons of trendy, editor-approved styles—think weird-girl bucket hats, visors, and wide-brim straw options—to complete your ’fit. What are you waiting for? Your next beach accessory awaits.
All products featured on Glamour are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
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Madewell Straw Bucket Hat
This under-$50 crocheted straw bucket continues to be a Madewell bestseller. The foldable style comes in four colors (striped neutral, pink, blue, and green) and has a brim just wide enough to shade your eyes. “I purchased this to wear at the lake or pool in the summer so I can read without the sun in my eyes,” explains one shopper. She also notes the brim has a wire in it so you can adjust as needed.
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Madewell Packable Braided Straw Hat
If you’re looking for a fedora that rolls up tightly for travel, look no further than this other Madewell favorite. The paper straw hat comes in three shades of cream and tan, each with a subtle fabric band around the base for a touch of contrast. Throw it in your beach bag for a day trip or pack it in your carry-on for a romantic weekend getaway.
Save when you shop the best packable sun hats with these Madewell promo codes.
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Madewell Organic Cotton Broken-In Baseball Cap
A classic baseball cap never goes out of style. Not to mention a logoless monochromatic cap is currently a very on-trend accessory to pair with your bikini and athleisure looks. This timeless staple is made of soft organic cotton and comes in a wide range of colors (our top picks are black, white, and olive). One shopper calls it the “best cap I’ve ever owned” thanks to the adjustable sizing in the backs that allows for a snug yet comfortable fit.
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Free People Shady Character Packable Wide-Brim Hat
If you’re one to bring the drama, this packable wide-brim hat will make quite the statement. The ultralight paper straw accessory features a massive eight-inch brim all the way around and comes in five shades. One shopper says she literally stopped traffic in it and loves that it “adds so much drama and style to any outfit while protecting your face from the sun.”
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Helen Kaminski Provence 12 Packable Raffia Hat
For those willing to drop some cash, this gorgeous hand-crocheted raffia sun hat is the definition of quiet luxury. The natural-hued accessory has a delicate straw bow and a 4.5-inch brim that you can flip up or down. It also features a soft neoprene band inside to help with fit and comfort. It’s truly the perfect accessory for all your sundress looks this summer.
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Shade & Shore Packable Straw Visor Hat
This under-$10 Target visor is an absolute steal. The lightweight, packable hat features a snap-back closure so you can easily customize the fit. The top opening conveniently allows you to wear it with a high ponytail, or with your hair down if you wish. It comes in black, white, and natural, but for this price, why not get all three?
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Helen Kaminski Mita Packable Raffia Visor
Upgrade your visor game with this chic, roll-up raffia style. The retro-inspired design features a thin canvas trim (available in black and white) along the woven brim. The trim also has delicate straps that tie into a pretty bow at the back for a custom fit. One shopper purchased it for her mom, saying it “shades her cheeks as well as her nose without crushing her hair” and is “a classy, timeless choice.”
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Adidas Originals Washed Bucket Hat
This unisex Adidas bucket is a year-round staple that looks great with sunglasses. The embroidered logo style—available in 24 colors and prints—adds an instant cool factor to any look, with a small brim for shading. “Love the thickness of the material,” raves one shopper of its durability. It’s “my favorite hat for walking out the door or going to the beach,” says another.
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Furtalk Wide-Brim Roll-Up Summer Beach Hat
This affordable Amazon bestseller has over 10,000 rave reviews. The foldable, ponytail-friendly visor comes in seven color options, all made of straw. It’s compact enough to fit in your glove box or beach bag and features a Velcro closure and UPF protection. “Being able to wear a bun with my hat is a game changer,” says one shopper who also notes “it’s wide enough to cover your face and your shoulders.”
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Muryobao Wide-Brim Foldable Mesh Fishing Hat
For a more functional or outdoorsy look, this mesh fishing hat is a vibe. The one-size-fits-most style comes in tons of fun colors, features air vents along the top, a drawstring chin strap, and a small opening in the back for a ponytail to loop through. It’s made of quick-drying, breathable polyester, folds up compactly, and provides UPF protection. One shopper calls hers “a world traveler” as she brought it to Hawaii and Mexico, and now uses it at home to garden in.
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Rahi Lake Washed Bucket Hat
This classic bucket hat folds up so tightly you might even forget it’s there. The unstructured style features a wide, floppy brim and an easy-tie chin strap. The washed fabric is 100% cotton and has a worn-in vintage look. “The material is soft and just thick enough to be floppy without being heavy,” says one reviewer. Another got this cotton hat for a fishing trip to the Bahamas and says it stayed put on her head and never flew off.
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Hat Attack Packable Canvas Hat
This durable canvas hat comes in one perfect shade: An off-white that will brighten up any summer look. The floppy brim has frayed edges, which give a relaxed look. The inside is 100% cotton so it’s breathable and comfortable in the heat. Pair it with a linen shirt and flowy cotton trousers.
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Anthropologie Cotton Crusher Hat
This colorful hat is crushable since it’s made entirely of cotton, hence the name. It has a good UPF rating (UPF50) and an inner drawstring so you can keep it snug. The five-inch brim gives extra shade and a bold look to any outfit. “The way the brim is shaped adds a feminine touch, and the fabric allows me to shape it how I want it,” says one shopper. Another likes that “it covers your face from all sides, which is a plus for me gardening all day.”
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Anthropologie Printed Crochet Bucket Hat
Add a little pizazz to any outfit with this printed crochet bucket hat. The straw style comes in natural or pink and features a simple geometric design. It can just as easily be paired with jean shorts and a white T-shirt or a maxidress and comfy walking sandals. One shopper calls it the perfect vacation hat. “You can also fold up the top and give Blossom vibes or leave it floppy for an effortless look,” they say.
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