The 11 Best Sailing Hats 2025: Top Yachting Headware
Getting the best sailing hat possible for those blissful days out on the water is essential for your enjoyment and your safety. If you’re spending any amount of time out at sea then you’re going to need the best hat you can find to offer all-around protection from both the cold and the sunshine.
Being exposed to the sunshine all day, often with little shade, can be a real health hazard and while you’re sailing one of the best ways to avoid getting too much sun is with a hat that will offer great protection.
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To be useful at sea that hat needs to fit a whole load of extra criteria to a hat you’d use at home. The best sailing headwear will have a whole host of extra useful features that you might not have even thought of till now!
Over two years of sailing, we’ve been through our fair share of boating hats, and we’ve spoken to lots of other full-time cruisers to get their top recommendations too!
Here’s our guide to the best sailing caps, beanies, and sou’westers to help you enjoy your time on the water to the max.
Quick Guide To The Best Yachting Headwear
- Helly Hansen Crew Hat
- Gill Marine Technical – The best budget hat
- Outdoor Research Sombriolet – Best for comfort
- Sunday Afternoons Adventure – Best for sun protection
- Gill Race Cap – Best baseball cap design
- Tilley LTM6 Airflo – Best in quality
- Sealskinz Hat – Best for cold weather
- Islamorada Catamaran Hat – Best for style
- Gill Offshore Hat – Best for offshore sailing
- Helly Hansen Roam Hat
- Best Sailing Hats For Kids
Should you wear a hat on a boat?
What kind of hat do you wear sailing? Features to look for
How to keep your hat on while sailing
Why do sailors wear beanies?
The Best Sailing Hats
Here are our top sailing hat picks. We’ve included some of their best features to help you make the right decision for you. Remember, all of these hats also make great sailing gifts!
#1 Helly Hansen Crew Hat
This is a great budget option for anyone who wants to stay protected out on the water. It’s a simple baseball cap design, but in true Helly Hansen style it doesn’t compromise on quality and this cap is all you’ll need when out sailing in the summer.
It’s super lightweight, making it comfortable to wear. It dries quickly after getting wet from spray or rain, and it’s made from durable material that will last.
✅ Grab yours from Helly Hansen now
#2 Gill Marine Technical
This is one of the best budget sailing hats around, and it should meet all of your sailing hat requirements! Gill is a well-known sailing brand for a reason – they deliver quality sailing gear.
This sailing hat is no different. For starters, it floats! And it has an adjustable chin strap that you can remove if you need. We have lost way too many hats to the sea and the wind. Having a hat that floats is a real bonus.
The brim is wide which is perfect for keeping the sun off your face and neck, and it keeps the glare out of your eyes too.
This sailing hat is made from a really lightweight, water-repelling material which means it actually dries super quickly if it gets wet (which it will, obviously!) It also has an absorbent headband which is one of my sailing hat must-haves to try and combat sweat!
✅ For current prices head here!
#3 Outdoor Research Sombriolet Hat
This hat by Outdoor Research is a little more expensive than the Gill sailing hat but worth it if you’re spending a lot of time outdoors.
This hat has been made to last, with a wide foam stiffened brim and a UPF 50+ rating. It has a wicking headband to keep sweat off your face and breathable panels to keep you cool in the heat – perfect for lazing about at anchor in the sunshine.
We love how easy the drawstring cord is to adjust – you can do it with one hand while you’re sailing.
This hat is made out of durable materials, it’s easily washable and water resistant. It’s also super light and folds away easily for convenient storage or packing.
This is a great all-rounder sailing hat and is worth the extra money for a hat that will last.
✅ For current prices head here
#4 Sunday Afternoons Adventure Hat
If you’re after the best possible sailing hat for sun protection then this is it. This is a world-famous hat for all types of adventure sports with its huge brim and neck cape that provides all-around sun protection.
It floats, it’s light and durable, its size is adjustable and it has a wicking inner headband. The big difference between this hat and the others we’ve mentioned is the neck cap and wide brim. Perfect for covering up when spending all day in the sun.
The only negative with this hat is that it’s perhaps not the trendiest, but when you’re out at sea who’s looking anyway!?
#5 Gill Race Cap
If you love baseball caps then you’ll know the dangers of wearing a standard one out on the water! Baseball caps don’t make great sailing hats because as soon as the wind picks up it catches the lip and blows them straight into the sea. It gives you a great chance to practice your MOB procedure but it can get a little tiresome!
Luckily there are sailing hats out there designed to overcome this problem. This baseball sailing hat from Gill comes with a strap and plastic clip to keep your hat from being anywhere but on you. If it blows off it won’t be going anywhere!
It has all the other features you’d want in a sailing hat, like a wicking headband, 50+ UV rating, water resistance, and durable fabric.
The only downside is that baseball caps don’t give as much all round sun protection and leave the back of your neck exposed. Consider grabbing a few buffs to combat this problem if you’re more comfortable in a baseball cap design.
#6 Tilley LTM6 Airflo Brimmed Sailing Hat
Tilley hats were designed by an avid sailor and have a bit of a cult following (for a reason). These hats are certainly not a budget option but they might just be one of the best.
The Airflo Collection is designed for versatility and function in every outdoor adventure. Every hat is designed to be breathable, packable, and protective from sun, rain, and wind. Perfect for every sailing condition.
It comes with all the other expected features of a sailing hat, such as UPF 50+ ratings, floatation, washable, water resistance, and a strap to tie on in the wind. But these sailing hats have received a whole lot of extra love too.
Each Tilley hat is hand-sewn and all seams are lock-stitched so they won’t unravel. The crown of these sailing hats is slightly higher so the top of the hat doesn’t sit against your head (one of my pet hates in sailing hats).
This obviously allows more ventilation from the mesh. They have a sewn-in pocket for storing small valuables like a room key or cash.
These sailing hats are guaranteed for life and the manufacturers claim that this will be the last hat you ever buy! Perhaps the price looks a little more appealing now!
#7 Islamorada Catamaran Boating Hat
I have a real thing for straw hats (or straw-looking hats!) This is an awesome choice for sailing as it looks super cute but is also very practical and designed with sailing in mind.
The ultra-wide 4 1/4″ downsloping brim offers UPF 50+ sun protection with a chinstrap to keep it in place when the weather gets spicy! If you’re looking for something you can wear on and off the water then this is a great option.
✅ For current prices head here
#8 Sealskinz Winter Sailing Hat
If you’re looking for the best sailing hat for cold weather then look no further.
This sailing hat by sealskinz is 100% waterproof and windproof but still breathable. It’s designed for extreme cold weather with a three-layer construction. There are ear panels to keep your ears warm (my biggest hate!) and the adjustable fit means it won’t blow off in the wind.
#9 Gill Offshore Hat
The Gill Offshore hat is designed for anyone who will be out in the elements for extended periods. This is a pretty serious sailing hat!
It is made from two-layer quick-drying fabric, with a fleece lining to keep you cosy. The wire peak can be adjusted to help visibility in rain and spray, and there’s an adjustable and removable chin strap so your hat will actually stay on in a blow!
#10 Helly Hansen Roam Hat
The Roam hat by Helly Hansen is another great option if you want maximum sun protection but with a little style. It has a wide-rim to protect your face and neck, and is made from quick drying fabric which makes it a great option for sailing.
Plus we love how it looks. I know it shouldn’t be important but let’s face it, it is!
#11 Best Yachting Hats For Kids
The best sailing hats for kids are designed to be fun for them to wear (to encourage them to keep them on!) to be comfortable, and to provide maximum protection from the elements for their young skin.
We would opt for this Helly Hansen Ocean Race hat with it’s wide brim and toggle under the chin so there’s less chance of it going straight in the sea!
Should you wear a hat on a boat?
I wouldn’t like to tell people what they should and shouldn’t do, but if pushed I would say a definite yes, you should wear a hat on a sailboat.
Sailing exposes you to so many elements and it’s not always easy or possible to escape them. You will need a hat to protect you from the sun or the cold, or quite probably both! Even if you decide not to wear it in the end it’s an excellent idea to have one with you so you’re safe and comfortable out on the water.
What kind of hat should you wear sailing? Features To Consider
These days boating hats come with all sorts of fancy features – but what do you really need in the best hat for sailing?
We’ve put together a list of a few of the things you might want to consider before you buy a hat for sailing, ranging from the amount of protection from the sun and wind it gives you to some of the fancy extras like wicking bands and vents.
Ultimately, the best yachting hat for you will be a personal choice and you’ll have to decide what you want to prioritise. You might just be sailing for a few hours a week and want to prioritise your budget, or you might sail every day and need a sailing hat that will last.
Hopefully we’ve given you enough options to help you make the best decision for you! And don’t forget, decent sailing headwear will make a great present for that sailing-fanatic loved one in your life! For the ultimate sailing kit guide check out our post – essential sailing gear.
Why Sailing Hats Are So Important
A sailing hat has a few different jobs that are equally important. Firstly, as most of us prefer to sail in the sunshine, a hat will protect you from the sun’s harmful rays. This includes damage to your skin and heat from the sun.
If you sail in colder climates a good sailing hat will also protect you from the cold. We lose most of our heat from our heads so a decent quality winter sailing hat for cold weather is very important.
I would always recommend having headwear for both weather extremes on board just in case. You never know when the wind will pick up and you’ll need some warmth!
Consider Where You’re Sailing
Where you’re sailing, when you sail, and how often you sail will have a big impact on what you decide is the best sailing hat for you.
As I mentioned earlier, if you’re a weekend fair-weather sailor then you might decide you need a budget hat that will keep the sun off your face. If you plan on sailing through the UK winter then you’re going to want a hat that will provide protection from the wind and cold weather.
Decide on your priorities in a boating hat before you buy.
Think UPF Ratings
A UPF rating is a sun protection rating applied to clothing. It measures the amount of UVA and UVB radiation that penetrates the fabric and reaches the skin. In most cases, you’ll want a hat that provides a UPF rating of 50+ giving you nearly 100% protection from the sun through the material.
Brimmed Sailing Hats
For most activities, a really wide brim is a huge bonus as it will keep more sun and heat off of your face. However, when we’re out sailing the wind can be a pain. It will either force the brim of the hat up, whipping the hat off your head or leaving you unprotected, or it will force the brim down and you’ll be blinded!
Most of the best sailing hats combat this with a stiffened medium-sized brim.
Which Is The Best Sailing Headwear Material?
A sailing hat needs to be pretty durable. It’s going to be put through its paces out on the water spending lots of time wet, in the sun, being packed down small and repeatedly washed.
The best sailing hats will stand up to all of these things and will be made to last.
How To Keep Your Hat On While Sailing
This is not the easiest of tasks! If you’re having a great day’s sail then you’ve almost certainly got some great wind. Chances are, that great wind is also doing a great job of ripping that hat off your head!
So how do you keep your hat on while sailing? The answer is simple: you tie it on!
Most hats designed for sailors will come with a chin strap. Use this to secure your hat onto your head. It also helps if your hat fits snugly. You can also use hair pins to help secure your hat or cap, though these won’t always hold up in strong winds!
If your hat doesn’t come with a chin strap then you can buy a hat lanyard that attaches your hat to your clothes so it won’t blow away. Or if you’re really stuck, just tie some string around the top of your hat and under your chin! It isn’t the most stylish look but it will secure your hat in high winds.
Why do sailors wear beanies?
Beanies were traditionally worn by sailors on watch to keep them warm when on the lookout for hazards or enemy ships. They were usually made from wool yarn and protected the sailors from the harsh winds at sea.
These days sailors wear them for the same reasons, only technology has moved on a bit and you can get ones made from breathable, quick dry fabric that won’t soak up all that salt spray.
Conclusion: The Best Sailing Hats
Hopefully this guide has given you some ideas when it comes to choosing the best sailing hat for you so that you have more time for fun out on the water!
Now you’ve got your head sorted make sure you think about the best sunglasses for sailing and what to wear on your sailboat!
Hi Emily and Adam,
I was reading your blog on hats suitable for sailing and I’d like to introduce you to our Arntson Marine Tahoe Brim full brim sun hats that are high speed and gale force wind stable. There’s with no flapping, flopping, or flying off your head, providing UPF 50+ protection. Not only is it high wind stable, it floats!
I would welcome the opportunity to send you each one of our Tahoe Brim WindSun hats so you can see for yourself why we’re so excited about this new design. Please check out our website at https://arntsonmarine.com/pages/arntson-marine-hats-caps, find a color and size that will work for you and email me your preference. As soon as I hear from you, I’ll ship you each a hat. I can be reached at Beth@ArntsonDesign.com and 775-683-3388.
Thank you for your time!
Beth Coffey Curle
Arntson Marine and Tahoe Blue Gear
Beth@ArntsonDesign.com