Whether you're jetting off to a sunny beach or exploring a chilly mountain town, the right travel sun hat is capable of elevating your style, shielding you from the weather, and tying everything together in a travel ensemble. From this all-inclusive guide, learn how to choose the perfect hat for your holiday, pack it effectively, and get it to its destination in great condition.

Best Hats for Vacation

Sun Protection Hats

Look after your skin and look good while doing it. Any vacation suitcase needs a hat in the mix. Not only will this protect your face, neck, and ears from harmful UV rays for extra protection, but packable sun hats will also add a dash of style to your outfit.

Pick the right hat: choose straw and wide-brimmed options with breathable fabrics such as cotton, linen, or synthetic blends with UPF ratings. If you don’t have enough space, visor hats are a great choice—they fold easily, come in different styles, and protect your face. And for breezy beach days, a hat with a chin strap is a double win.

Remember: UV rays can penetrate on even cloudy days. 

Stylish Vacation Hats

Add some flair to that vacation outfit with a fashionable hat. From floppy hats in bold prints to fedoras in neutral colors and bohemian-inspired bucket hats, these stylish hats have got everything to transform your vacation outfit from basic to brilliant.

Match the hat with the outfit. A sun hats wide brim and a flowy maxi dress are perfectly put together for the beach. A fedora adds sophistication to any city exploring ensemble, while a bucket hat is light-hearted and adds fun to casual wear.

Versatile Hats

Want a hat that will take you from the beach to the boardwalk? Need something that packs easily and still looks great for any occasion? 

Then panama hats, straw fedoras, and straw wide-brim hats are perfect choices. They can be dressed down for a casual day at the beach or dressed up for a romantic dinner or an excursion. For maximum styling flexibility, choose colors like black, white, beige, or gray.

Packable Hats

Packable hats—the traveler's dream! These hats are designed to be folded, crushed, and stuffed into your bag without losing their shape. Made from lightweight, flexible materials, they are the perfect solution for maximizing luggage space.

Packable hats are amazingly convenient without compromising on style. From foldable visor hats to thin bucket hats, there's a packable option for every adventure.

How to Choose the Right Hat for Travel

Consider Your Destination

The first would be the climate. A sunny beach definitely calls for a wide-brimmed sun hat, while a chilly mountain retreat might want a fishing hat or docker. Don’t forget a hat for rain if your destination has a wet climate. Look for hats made from waterproof materials like treated cotton, nylon, polyester, or PVC. These materials won't be damaged in the rain and will keep you dry and stylish.

Heading to the mountains? Choose a lightweight, breathable hat like a mesh or trucker cap. For desert destinations, opt for a full-cover sun visor with a neck flap. Touring a city? A fedora or straw cowboy hat will work wonders.

Choose a Hat Based on Activity

The perfect hat depends on your adventure. What will you do in your journey? Your activities will determine the kind of hat that is good to carry with you.

For outdoorsmen, the boonie hat or baseball cap is the best hat for hiking and for camping and, of course, other busy outdoor enthusiasts. In colder climates, a beanie or even a wool hat keeps the head warm.

Beach/Pool Relaxation Seekers: Wide-brimmed summer hats or classic straw hats are perfect for chilling by the beach or next to the pool. You could wear a fedora or even a crochet bucket hat to stand out.

For city explorers, either a panama or a cap will do for urban explorations. They are both stylish and sun-protective, sitting well with many outfits. In case of colder towns, a beret or knit beanie may do in a stylish way.

Style and Comfort

While picking a travel hat, never compromise convenience for style or vice versa. Try finding one that perfectly combines personal style and destination.

Consider comfort and think about how to travel with hats efficiently. Opt for breathable materials like cotton, linen, and even straw to keep your head cool. Be mindful of the weight and fit—if a hat is too tight or too loose, it can cause discomfort when worn for several hours. It’s better to choose one ideal hat rather than several that might just end up left in your suitcase.

How to Pack and Travel with Different Types of Hats

Sometimes hats can be a pain to pack. So,  “how to pack hat in suitcase?” - is a common concern for travelers.

Packing Tips for Straw and Wide-Brimmed Hats

Preserve the shape. Begin by filling in the crown of your straw hat with soft goods like socks or t-shirts. For wide-brimmed hats, consider folding the brim in half and placing the hat on its side in your suitcase.

Choose luggage wisely. That way, you can keep your eye on it and make sure it doesn't get lost or damaged.

Bonus tip: If you're concerned about having your hat crushed, then do invest in a hat travel case or a travel hat box.

Packing Tips for Packable and Convertible Hats

Packable and convertible hats are your BFFs in travel. To these, when keeping form, fold or roll gently along the crown. You can also utilize a special hat box or stuff the crown with very soft things like socks if extra care is to be taken.

This will prevent wrinkles and damage. You can wear it on the plane or clip it onto your luggage with a travel hat bag. Your hat will come out at your destination looking just like new if you follow these tips.

Traveling with Hats: General Tips

Don't let your hat become a headache! Package it smartly to preserve precious luggage space. Softer hats, like visor hats or baseball caps, can be folded. Stiffer hats, like fedoras or panama hats, will call for a hat box or some stuffing with clothing. You can find hat boxes wholesale in our store, which offer a practical solution for keeping your hats in perfect shape.

Keep your hat looking its best on the go. Quick touch ups using a soft-brush will help remove dust and debris. For minor stains, use a slightly damp cloth. If you can get to a washing machine, use a gentle cycle and a mild detergent.

Keep your hat in the hotel room in a cool, dry place without direct sun rays. If you have limited space, you can hang it on a padded hanger or put a shower cap on the hat to protect it from dust.