Life's a beach, but if you want to avoid sun damage and come out in the same shape as when you went in, you'll want to make sure your head is protected. And with our collection of UPF 50+ sun hats for men, women, and kids—many designed just for all-day wear or do-it-all activities like surfing, gardening, or trail running—you get an ultimate sun protection without sacrificing style, comfort, fun, or performance.When you spend so much time caring for your skin, it makes sense to protect it from the sun as well. When you’re in the great outdoors or on vacation, you don’t want a burn or painful skin cancers; you want a hat that will prevent you from overexposure to harmful UV rays.Sun protection hats protect your head from harmful UVB rays. They come in various shapes, sizes, and materials. There are different types of hats that will protect your head such as tactical caps, bucket hats, fedoras, sun visors, boonie hats, trucker hats, and wide-brimmed hats. These sun protection hats offer a varying degree of protection depending on the material they are made out of.Both the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the World Health Organization have identified UV as a proven human carcinogen. According to SkinCancer.org, most people don't realize that their head is one of the most common locations for skin cancers.By wearing a sun protection hat you can prevent skin cancer on your head by doing so.Wearing a sun protection hat will help reduce your risk of developing skin cancer on your head. There are many different types of hats that will protect your head from the harmful sun rays but some include baseball caps, hats with a large brim and straw, or felt cowboy-style hats with a small brim.In this article, we provide some tips on how to choose the right sun hat in order to keep your head protected and cool during summer.Are all hats UV protection?No, not all sun protective hats provide ultimate sun protection. A hat with a brim that extends all the way around is the best type of hat for protecting your face, head, ears, and neck from the sun. But even if a hat has a brim, it might not offer enough UV protection unless it is made from tightly woven breathable fabric. A good rule of thumb is to hold the hat up to the light – if you can see through it, UV rays can get through it too.Most sun protection hats will provide some level of maximum protection from the sun’s UV rays. However, the level of protection may vary depending on the type of hat, the materials it is made from, and how it is worn. For example, a wide-brimmed hat made from tightly woven fabric lining will offer more protection than a baseball cap made from a covered mesh panel fabric. If you are looking for a hat to wear while spending extended periods of time outdoors, it is important to choose one that offers a high level of UV protection.Imagine the days of summer in the Southern Hemisphere. The sun is out in full force, and you're trying to find a way to enjoy it without getting sunburned—or worse, developing skin cancer.In the United States, people worry about skin cancer too, but we have sunscreen to protect us. But how much protection does sunscreen actually offer? A study performed by dermatologists in Australia tested the effects of a wide-brimmed hat on UV radiation exposure and skin damage. The results were published online in November 2011 in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology.The researchers found that wearing a hat that covers most of your face and neck reduces exposure to ultraviolet radiation by 50%. This was true even for sun protective hats with smaller brims. (The University of Sydney news release offers more details.) Studies have proven that wearing a UPF sun protective hat offers better protection and should be the first step in any outdoor activity.The researchers measured the amount of UV light passing through fabric and skin samples before and after they were exposed to simulated sunlight. They also placed detectors on participants' foreheads while they were wearing hats so they could quantify how much UV light was reaching their faces.These results are great news for everyone concerned about sun damage—especially when you consider that most people don't apply broad spectrum sunscreen as often as they should. Sunscreen will not provide sufficient protection specially if you live in an area with strong sunshine year-round, or you spend a lot of time outdoors, wearing a hat is a great way to reduce your risk of skin cancer.Koala Pro Tip: Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) measures the amount of UV radiation that a fabric will allow to reach your skin, with higher numbers indicating more protection. Wearing clothing with a UPF rating of 30+ will prevent most sunburns; 50+ provides excellent protection in the sun. The higher the UPF rating, the more UV shielding a fabric can provide.What kind of hat is best for sun protection?Just because you love the outdoors doesn't mean you want to be vulnerable to skin cancer. Sun hats are essential protection while active in the sun whether at the beach, festivals, hiking, mountain biking, running, and more. For women and kids, a big-brimmed cap like our Sun Protective UV Fishing Hat offers wide coverage for solar coverage above the neck and ears too. It's also packable with moisture wicking sweatband, removable neck flaps, adjustable chin strap, water resistant, lightweight and adjustable, and offers exceptional sun protection, in a range of stylish colours.The sun protection hats are designed to protect the head from the harmful UV rays of the sun. These hats are not your typical hats that are used for good protection against cold weather. They are made with four-way stretch fabric that is tightly woven and feature a UPF 50 rating, which means they will block up to 98% of UVA and UVB rays.UPF ratings break down as follows:Good: indicates clothes with an Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) of 15 to 24Very good: indicates clothes with a UPF of 25 to 39Excellent: indicates clothes with a UPF of 40 to 50 SPF (Sun Protection Factor) The SPF number indicates how long you can stay in the sun without burning.For example, if you use an SPF 15 sunscreen, you can stay in the sun for 15 times longer than you could without any sunscreen. The higher the SPF number, the more protection you have against UVB rays.However, no sunscreen can completely block all UV rays — even an SPF 50 sunscreen only filters out about 98% of UVB rays. A standard cotton T-shirt has a UPF rating of 5 and UPF clothing often scores at or over 50 UPF - this is a big difference.Sun hats can be an effective way to protect your skin from the sun, but not all hats are created equal. In order to choose the best sun hat for you, it's important to consider the brim size, material, and UPF rating. It's also crushable for travelling, and features a comfortable cotton sweatband that is found around the inner crown to keep you looking cool in any weather. It is a great feature especially if the wearer sweats a lot.The weave of the fabric also prevents any light from penetrating through the material, so if you are looking to go fishing or hiking outdoors, a sun protection hat will ensure that your head is protected from the sun's glare.There are various brands, styles, and colors available in the market today. These hats come in sun protection caps, straw hats, and other styles. You can choose from visors, tactical caps, bucket hats, and many more.The Australian Government recommends a brim length of at least 7.5cm for a wide brim hat (for adults) and 6cm for a bucket hat. Shape The Australian Government recommends wide brim sun hats, bucket hats, and legionnaire style hats as the best way to protect yourself from the sun's harmful rays.How much UV rays does a hat block?The amount of UV protection offered by a hat depends on the type of fabric it is made from. A UV protection hat made from a tightly woven fabric will offer more protection than a hat made from a loosely woven fabric. A well-constructed hat with a wide brim can provide good protection from the sun, while a poorly made or improperly worn hat will offer little protection.You may have heard that the amount of UV radiation reaching your eyes can be reduced by wearing sunglasses, but what about a hat? A hat can reduce the amount of ultraviolet (UV) radiation reaching the eyes by 50%. While this is less than what sunglasses can do, there are some situations in which a hat can be more convenient and protective.If you're at risk of getting too much sun exposure on your face or in general, consider wearing a baseball cap with at least a 4-inch brim. It will help to keep the sun out of your eyes. But if you're taking precautions against eye damage from UV rays, it's important to remember that baseball caps are designed for style rather than complete sun protection. They don't block all UV rays from the top and back of the head, and they only protect those wearing them.The best sun protection hats to protect your eyes are ones with wide brims that cover your forehead, and that you can position to shield your eyes from the sun. The brim should extend far enough down so it doesn't block your vision, and it should be made of a light colored material. An ideal hat will allow little light through.Polarized sunglasses are another great way to reduce the amount of UV rays that enter your eyes. They're even more effective than regular sunglasses because they block more UV rays and also keep rays from reflecting off water or snow once they reach your eyes.What about a baseball cap? While this sun protection hat have become very popular over the past decade, they don't offer much protection for your eyes because their brims don't extend far enough down to block any rays. A cap with a deep bill does help shade the sides of the face and ears, though!What is the best material for sun hats?There are a variety of materials used for the best sun protection hats, and each has its own benefits. Cotton is a popular choice because it is lightweight and breathable. However, cotton does not provide as much UV protection as other materials. Polyester is another popular choice for sun hats, as it is durable and provides good UV protection. Ultimately, the best material for a perfect sun hat depends on your personal preferences.Straw is a lightweight and breathable material, but it is not as effective at blocking UVA rays as some other materials. Polyester is a durable and effective material for blocking UVA rays, but it is not as breathable as some other materials.In general, the best material for a sun safe hat depends on your personal preferences. If you are looking for a lightweight and breathable hat, cotton or straw may be a good option. If you are looking for a durable and effective sun hat, polyester may be a better option.Koala Outdoor knows that it’s more fun to be outdoors when you're cool and comfortable, so we constantly innovate to find new ways for you to enjoy the great outdoors. Every sun hat in our collection will protect you from the sun with UPF rating of 50+ and hats in our line of performance caps also a good sun hat features - moisture-wicking sweatband that promote ventilation so you'll stay cool even when the temperature rises.Best brim size for sun hats?The best brim size for sun protection hats depends on your personal preference. A wider brim will provide more coverage and protection from the sun, but a narrower brim may be more comfortable to wear. Be sure to try on different hats with different brim sizes to see what works best for you.The brim size of a good sun protection hat is important to consider, as it affects how much coverage the hat provides. A wide brim hat is ideal, as it will protect your face, neck, and shoulders from the sun’s harmful rays. However, a wide brim hat can be difficult to pack, so if you are planning on hiking or backpacking, a smaller brimmed hat may be a better choice.What colour blocks the most UV rays?The colour that blocks the most UV rays is black. Black fabric absorbs more light cause thesunlight canthan Directany other colour, which makes it effective at blocking UV rays. White fabric reflects ligh.t, so it does n sunlightot absorb direct as much heat from the sun. However, white fabric will still provide some protection from the sun’s harmful rays.Sun Protection Factor, or SPF, is based on the time it takes for UV-exposed skin to redden; if you burn after 20 minutes, if used correctly, an SPF 15 sunscreen may protect your skin 15 times longer. Another important distinction: UPF measures both UVB and UVA rays, while SPF measures only UVB. What makes clothing sun safe? Yes, your clothing shields you from the sun, but not all fabrics and colors provide equal protection. That said, the larger the UPF rating, the more UV protection you can guarantee.While many people think that sunscreen is their only defense against skin cancers, the truth is that both UVA and UVB rays, which comprise UV light, can cause a number of harmful effects - this can lead to sunburn, premature photoaging, sun damage, and skin cancer. Everybody is at risk. The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) is the primary authority on radiation protection and nuclear safety in Australia.Wearing a hat that gives good UV protection is an important preventative measure to help reduce these risks.What is the best colour for a sun hat?When walking or hiking in the blazing sun, it's important to stay cool and comfortable. The best way to do this is to choose a hat that reflects the sun's rays and lightens your load—literally. Hat colour can affect how much cooler you feel on a sunny day, so when shopping for a hat to protect you from the sun, you should look for one with a light-coloured fabric.The best colour for a great sun protection hat is light-coloured, as it will reflect more sunlight and keep you cooler. Avoid dark colours, as they will absorb more heat and make you warmer. White or light-coloured hats are ideal for hiking in sunny conditions.Black is one of the darkest colours there is, and thus it tends to absorb heat more readily than lighter-coloured fabrics and objects. A black hat will trap more heat from the sun and radiate it back onto your head, making you feel hotter than you would if you were wearing something lighter.White and light pastel colours are ideal for keeping your head cool during warm weather. These hues reflect the sun's rays instead of absorbing them like darker colours do. This is why it's not just good practice to wear light-coloured sun protective clothing on a sunny day but also good sense—the less heat your clothes absorb from the sun, the better they will work at keeping you cool.Sun hats structure and function of colourColour is the result of light interacting with the molecules in an object. White and light-coloured objects produce more light than dark colours do, because they reflect more light energy and less heat energy. Darker colours absorb more light energy and less heat energy; therefore, they can become quite warm. The effect is called selective absorption.In order to measure the amount of heat different colours absorb, researchers used something called a "black body." This is any object that absorbs all wavelengths of light at once, so it looks completely black by reflecting back none of the wavelengths that reach it.In this case, researchers used an iron ball heated to 100 degrees Celsius (212 degrees Fahrenheit). They placed it in a box with openings on each side, so scientists could measure the amount of radiation passing through the box at each wavelength.Then, they placed different-coloured objects in front of the box's openings and measured how much radiation was absorbed at each wavelength. The findings showed that black objects absorb more heat than white or light-coloured objects do.In fact, black objects can absorb up to 90% of the heat that hits them, while white absorbed the least amount of heat. This is because black objects absorb all wavelengths of light, while white objects reflect all wavelengths of light.The study also found that there was a big difference between the amount of heat absorbed by different colours. For example, black absorbed about twice as much heat as blue, and three times as much heat as green.So, if you're hiking in hot weather and you have a choice between a black hat and a white hat, the black hat will absorb more heat and make you feel hotter. If you're looking for a sun hat that will keep you cool, choose a light colour instead.How to care for your UV protection hat?Caring for your UV protection hat is important in order to maintain its effectiveness. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to clean and store the hat.In general, you should avoid washing the hat too often, as this can degrade the fabric and reduce its UV protection properties. If the hat does get wet, allow it to air dry in a shady area. Avoid storing the hat in direct sunlight, as this can also degrade the fabric. Inspect the hat regularly for signs of wear and tear, and replace it if necessary.Steps to clean a sun hat1. Check the manufacturer’s instructionsDepending on the type of fabric your sun protective hat is made from, there may be different instructions on how to clean it.2. Avoid washing too oftenWashing your sun hat too often can cause the fabric to degrade and reduce its UV protection properties.3. Allow the hat to air dryIf the hat does get wet, be sure to allow it to air dry in a shady area.4. Store in a cool, dry placeWhen you’re not wearing the best sun protection hat, store it in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight.5. Inspect regularly for wear and tearInspect the sun hat regularly for signs of wear and tear, and replace it if necessary.When to replace a sun hatOver time, the fabric of your UV protection hat can degrade and lose its ability to avoid too much sun exposure. If you notice that the fabric of your hat is thinning or tearing, it is time to replace it.Depending on how often you wear the best sun protection hat and what type of activities you use it for, it may need to be replaced more or less often. Be sure to inspect the hat regularly and replace it as needed.How to store a sun hat?When not in use, sun hats should be stored in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. This will help to extend the life of the hat. Be sure to inspect the sun hat regularly for signs of wear and tear, and replace it if necessary.If you have any questions about storing or caring for your sun hat, please feel free to contact us.ConclusionMany types of hats offer sun protective qualities and you should be able to find at least one that works for you. Of course, if you are especially sensitive to the sun or have fair skin that doesn't take kindly to sunburns, then my advice is to look specifically for hats made with UPF fabric that blocks both UVA and UVB rays.These days, there are plenty of sun hats to choose from. The above guide should help you narrow down your options and make an informed purchasing decision. With the right hat, you'll get UV protection, look great, and feel cool on even the hottest summer days.In the end, UV hats are a good investment if you're looking to stay safe in the sun. By including a hat in your wardrobe, you'll be able to stay sun-safe and out of harm's way. Of course, it's important to stay hydrated as well—keep an eye on the temperature and make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day!
