Updated July 5, 2023. This article was thoroughly audited by multiple golf experts and coaches for its accuracy. You can read more about our rigorous testing protocol here.
The best golf bucket hats provide the perfect mixture of keeping you cool and protecting you from the sun. It should have a large brim and material conducive to keeping you cool during hot sunny days.
This guide will walk you through several of the best bucket hats. We honestly reviewed them after testing the hats ourselves. We’ll help you pick the perfect golf bucket hat that will fit your style and the needed amount of sun protection.
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Table of Contents
Best Golf Bucket Hats 2023
Here are our top 10 picks of the best golf sun hats:
EINSKEY Sun Hat
Best Golf Bucket Hat Overall
PROS
- Breathable design to keep air flow moving
- Two elastic bands in the brim and neck
- Large brim that covers the face and necks Upper layer is very breathable
CONS
- Waterproof polyester can get warm
This is perfect for golfers that need some flex in the fit of their golf hats. It is designed with an elastic band at the base of the crown and another adjustable neck drawcord for the ultimate fit.
The sides of the crown are designed with two mesh vents to maximize breathability and keep you cool longer.
One of the drawbacks is the waterproof material is made of a heavier polyester that tends to be warmer than other non-waterproof material blends.
The waterproof material may keep the moisture on your head instead of wicking it away like other performance materials and models.
Coolibar UPF 50+ Ventilated Hat
Most Breathable Golf Bucket Hat
PROS
- Neck drawstring for a guaranteed fit
- Large stiff brim for total sun coverage
- Vented for maximum breathability
CONS
- Cotton Polyester blend may be warmer
This is for golfers that need a neck drawstring to keep golf hats on their heads and also want to vent to maximize comfort.
Coolibar has designed this golf bucket hat with a mesh vented crown to ensure golfers have the most breathability and keep their heads cool in the sun. The large three-inch stiff brim stays the same shape no matter what conditions are on the golf course.
One main benefit is the adjustable chin cord making it perfect for sunny and windy conditions to keep the golf bucket hat on your head.
This is great for golfers that play in windy conditions, need extra UV protection, and enjoy a breathable hat.
Mission Cooling Bucket Hat
Best Golf Hat for Sun Protection
PROS
- Outstanding sun protection with an SPF rating of 50 for blockage of 98% of UV rays
- Cools 30 degrees lower than body temperature after soaking in water
- Three-inch brim brings sun and glare to a minimum
CONS
- Doesn’t possess a distinct style, more functional than stylish
The MISSION Cooling Golf Bucket Hat offers a pleasant experience by keeping your head fresh and protected from the sun while you play your favorite golf course.
With a three-inch brim, SPF 50 sun protection, and cooling zones that let the air in to cool your body, the MISSION golf bucket hat dazzles behind its first-rate design.
Another area where the Mission golf bucket hat excels is helping you cool down. Just run water on the hat, wring it out and then fan it back out. The water activates the cooling zones in the hat’s material to lower the hat’s temperature up to 30 degrees, providing hours of relief.
The Mission golf bucket hat provides SPF 50 protection to block 98% of the harmful UV rays that cause sun damage to the skin. Its lightweight material also provides a comfortable wearing experience that doesn’t require much adjusting.
Dorfman Pacific Men’s Boonie
Best Breathable Golf Bucket Hat
PROS
- Nylon material is light and stays cool
- Adjustable neck drawcord to keep it close to the head
- Top meshing is breathable
CONS
- Flimsy brim may get in the way during swings
- Nylon may crease or fold
The meshing on the crown is 360 degrees around the golf bucket hat for breathability from all sides. There are two forms of assuring fit between an elastic drawcord fed through the crown and a neck drawcord to assure the hat stays on the head.
Unlike polyester or cotton bucket hats, the manufacturers used nylon and a nylon mesh to keep the golf bucket hat lightweight and also resistant to the sun. Nylon doesn’t degrade over time with exposure to the sun but is susceptible to creasing and folding when traveling with the hat.
Adidas Victory 3 Bucket Hat
Best Lightweight Golf Bucket Hat
PROS
- Adjustable drawstring provides a customized fit
- Moisture-wicking sweatband keeps moisture away from the eyes
- UPF 50 sun protection from harmful UV rays
CONS
- SPF 40 protection is not as high as others
- Mostly polyester construction can be hot
The Victory 3 Bucket Hat is our choice for the best lightweight bucket hat for golfers.
With a handy adjustable drawstring that provides outstanding customization, the Victory 3 bucket hat also offers high-grade UPF 50 sun protection and a capable moisture-wicking sweatband that keeps sweat away from your face.
Made from 100% polyester, the Victory 3 golf bucket hat delivers a lightweight feel throughout your round for dynamic comfort that keeps you cool and dry all day long.
Coolibar UPF 50+ Golf Hat
Best Golf Bucket Hat with a Rigid Brim
PROS
- Larger brim for more face and neck protection
- Lightweight cotton feel that dries quickly
- Drawcord for easy fit adjustment
CONS
- No venting or mesh on top of the hat
- Missing chin/neck drawstring
The Coolibar men’s and women’s golf bucket hat is perfect for golfers that don’t have an issue with golf hats falling off mid-swing.
Because it is missing the adjustable chin drawstring, it could come off for golfers with faster moving heads. Coolibar uses a drawstring found on top of the brim to compensate for the no chin drawstring that pulls to give you the perfect fit.
The top doesn’t have any venting. It may overheat the top of your head on the scorching summer days. The large four-inch front brim and three-inch side brim extend UV and sun protection to the face, neck, and shoulders for optimal sun coverage.
The Weather Company Golf Hat
Oversized Brim and Simple Hat
PROS
- Oversized brim for great sun protection
- Elastic band in hat crown for adjustability
CONS
- Polyester material tends to overheat
This golf bucket hat is perfect for golfers who need an oversized brim without many other features. The oversized brim is ideal for maximizing sun protection on the neck, shoulders, and face.
An adjustable elastic band in the crown of the golf bucket hats helps with the one size fits most drawback of the hat’s design.
Without a venting system in the hat’s crown and a one hundred percent polyester blend, this can get hot in the summer.
Also, polyester doesn’t lend itself to wicking away moisture and is more likely to trap sweat under the hat. The durable material design will keep this available for years.
Frogg Toggs Waterproof Hat
Lightweight Golf Hat for Travel Golfers
PROS
- Single elastic band in the hat for a great fit
- Foldable and crushable for maximum portability
- Different from polyester and waterproof
Frogg Toggs is the best golf bucket hat for travel. The crushable and foldable design means you can put this in almost every pocket on a standard golf bag.
In addition, there is a thick elastic band at the base of the hat’s crown to make sure the fit is perfect.
It is built with polypropylene, which differs slightly from polyester but keeps you cool and waterproof.
The elastic cord is easier to adjust than most other cords and can be done while you are still wearing the bucket hat. A moderately sized brim allows sun protection on all parts of the face and neck.
Under Armour Iso-Chill ArmourVent Bucket Hat
Best Ventilated Bucket Hat
PROS
- ArmourVent Technology keeps the head cool
- 100% polyester offers a lightweight feel
- Comfortable pull-on closure keeps hat in place
The Under Armour Iso-Chill ArmourVent Bucket Hat offers golfers a lightweight, well-ventilated bucket hat for the golf course.
The golf bucket hat provides a flexible, durable, and high-quality fabric that keeps the air moving around inside the crown.
The golf bucket hat also features the Iso-Chill sweatband that wicks away moisture, keeps sweat away from your eyes, and dries quickly to keep your head fresh. Machine washable, the Under Armour hat provides comfort and dynamic sun protection.
Kangol Stripe Lahinch Hat
Most Stylish Golf Bucket Hat
PROS
- Offers classic look with style
- Provides flexibility that wears well on the course
- Gives golfers sun protection for their eyes and brow
Offering a classic look with a bucket hat style, the Kangol Stripe Lahinch Bucket Hat delivers style to burn for the everyday golfer.
The popular hat, made from cotton, features a wide stripe band just above the brim with the Kangol logo centered in the middle of the crown.
The golf bucket hat offers sun protection and a comfortable fit and won’t fall off during your swing. The Kangol hat should provide a wonderfully stylish approach to your outfit if you often play at a club with strict dress code rules.
Things to Consider When Buying the Best Golf Bucket Hats
Sun Protection
Sun protection has two components: the shade’s size and UV protection. For golfers, playing in climates with lots of sunny days, it is essential to stay protected for as long as possible.
The shade size will come down the brim width from the hat’s crown. The larger the brim, the larger the protection area.
The second criterion, UV protection, helps prevent burning and having to dip into your bag for a screen that can get greasy in your hands.
Many well-constructed golf hats will have UV protection, but hats made of straw or more mesh will not have the added UVA and UVB protection.
Fit
Under the sun, golfers tend to sweat in the summer. The last thing you need is your golf bucket hat sliding around during the backswing.
Just like when you’re buying golf pants, fit is one of the most important all-around categories to consider when buying a bucket hat.
If it doesn’t fit or isn’t adjustable, it isn’t likely you will enjoy wearing it. There are several different considerations when looking into a fit.
Adjustable features, such as neck or head elastic bands, garner a higher score in this category because they lead to a more flexible fit.
Material and Construction
The difference between a high and low-quality golf bucket hat is durability and comfort. Lightweight hats for sun protection are better under the sun, but there is a line where lightweight becomes unwearable.
The perfectly constructed golf bucket hat is rigid enough to allow the brim to function properly but flexible enough to conform to golfers’ heads.
If the material used is too heavy, like leather or some high-density polyesters, it can attract and retain heat, causing discomfort mid-round. Materials that encourage wicking and drying quickly help keep the head cool without adding too much weight.
Finally, make sure that the material is also waterproof. It will help keep your lid dry all the time.
Breathability
Large bucket hats for sun protection that aren’t designed with some porous sections will leave golfers feeling overheated as the sun beats down on their heads.
Straw hats and other mesh designed crowns offer the most breathability and are best for keeping the heat from the sun to a minimum.
Many synthetic designed hats will have partial or full crown mesh or perforated sections to keep air moving over your head. Another breathability factor is the hat’s ability to move moisture from your head.
The optimal golf bucket hat will have a well-designed venting system, meshing or perforations, and moisture-wicking material.
This combination of design features keeps air and moisture moving over and away from the body, keeping the space under the bucket hat cooler for an entire round of golf.
Chin Straps
The chin straps on a golf bucket hat are necessary to help keep the hat attached to the head. Most straps for a bucket hat have a fastener that allows to place the strap against the face or leave it loose for more casual wearing.
The straps are typically lightweight and won’t burden the face or neck area. While most golfers prefer to either remove or place the strap away from the front of their face, the strap can be helpful when riding in the cart so it won’t fly away when met by wind resistance.
Size
The size is usually the biggest complaint that a golfer has when choosing headwear for the links. While the golf bucket hat may not offer a “wow” factor while playing, it is incredibly practical and offers benefits that exceed the vanity of wearing one.
The biggest reason to play with a golf bucket hat is to keep the sun away from the most sensitive skin areas on the body. The neck, face, and ears feature delicate, thin layers of skin that can become easily sunburned if left exposed.
So the size does serve a purpose, even though it may seem to be burdensome to golfers.
Purpose
The purpose of golf bucket hats is to wear headwear with a wide brim that reduces the skin’s exposure to the sun. The golf bucket hat also has a full covering that keeps the sun away from the skin at the top of the head.
The golf bucket hat also features a very wide brim that offers shade to keep the face free from the sun and cool during the hottest parts of the day.
In concert with sunscreen, a golf bucket hat also provides excellent protection for the golfer by blocking harmful rays from the sun, so the skin stays healthy and blemish-free.
Brim
The brim of a bucket hat is wide enough to offer protection and coverage for the face and neck and complete shade for the ears.
Since most golfers who play in the sun without protection see sun damage on their skin over time, a bucket hat can prolong the skin’s health by shading it from harmful UV rays.
The bucket hat is also highly versatile, and parts of the hat, including the brim, can be molded to offer even more coverage for certain facial areas.
A smaller bucket hat is wonderful for providing solid protection with a spot of customization for a better feel when wearing it on the golf course.
Questions & Answers
Which bucket hat is best?
The best golf bucket hat is the EINSKEY Sun Hat. Not only is the Einskey hat incredibly breathable, but it also provides the golfer complete coverage from the sun for the neck and ears.
The hat’s wide brim is another delight for golfers that need maximum sun protection. The brim comes away from the hat at a shallow angle for better coverage that shades most of the face, neck, and ears.
The elastic band on the hat is also worth noting as it is very comfortable to wear and won’t pinch or squeeze the temples.
How do you clean golf hats?
Most golf hats for sun protection are machine washable, although it is essential to follow the recommended instructions by the manufacturer. Golfers need to frequently wash their bucket hats, especially during the hottest months when sweat is a factor.
Since sweat has salt in it, the salt can settle into the band’s fabric that rests around the head. The salt can stain the band if leftover time and break down the fabric, so it needs to be removed via washing.
If you prefer a non-machine method, all you need is a bucket, warm water, and your favorite dish soap. After soaking the golf bucket hat for a couple of minutes, you can take a small towel or brush and scrub the band and inside the hat to clean.
Why choose bucket hats for sun protection?
Bucket hats for sun protection are great for the golf course because they feature a wide brim that shadows the face, a complete covering of the top of the head, and straps that keep the golf bucket hat locked in place while driving your cart.
The best feature of golf hats is the brim. The 360-degree brim keeps the sun off of the golfer’s face, neck, and ears. All three locations have skin easily burned by the sun, causing potential problems later down the road.
Bucket hats for sun protection also offer excellent UV protection. With the latest technology innovations, bucket hats manufacturers can make hats that provide lighter material and premium protection that blocks harmful UV rays from the head and face.
How do I pick a proper size for my bucket hat?
For most bucket hats, the best process is to take a quick measurement of your head. You want to take a tape measure or piece of string if you don’t have a flexible tape measure.
Take the string or flexible tape measure and wrap it around the widest part of your head. This will often be halfway up the forehead over the ear line and wrap it around your head.
This will tell you the circumference of your head. Then, using the string, you can mark from the end to where your fingers meet and measure the length of the string.
Once you have this number, you can look at the dimensions of the bucket hats to find the best fit.
For models with the one size fits most, as long as your head is not bigger than the unchanged diameter of golf hats, you shouldn’t have a problem since the elastic cord will help make smaller adjustments.
Final Thoughts
Although most golfers may not consider the bucket hats stylish, plenty of golf hats on this list offer a clean, crisp look with the protection only provided by this hat style.
Our choice for the top bucket hat, EINSKEY Sun Hat, offers breathable venting, a comfortable strap, and a wide brim that covers most of the neck, ears, and a considerable part of the face.
Bucket hats are a great alternative for golfers who love to walk the golf course but don’t want sun exposure. Long gone are the days when wearing a visor provides adequate protection, and instead, bucket hats have grown in popularity among weekend warriors.