Choosing the Best Women’s Hiking Hat for every season

I can still hear my mother saying, “you lose 90% of your body heat through your head” as I left for the bus stop each morning. While that is a complete overstatement, most people agree that wearing a hat is very important in the winter. Why do you need a hat hiking any other season? Having a good cap can keep your head dry and protected from the sun. It can keep bugs off you and keep the sun and rain out of your eyes. If you don’t hike with a hat, you should.

Why are hats so important while hiking?

I can still hear my mother saying, “you lose 90% of your body heat through your head” as I left for the bus stop each morning. While that is a complete overstatement, most people agree that wearing a hat is very important in the winter. Why do you need a hat hiking any other season? Having a good cap can keep your head dry and protected from the sun. It can keep bugs off you and keep the sun and rain out of your eyes. If you don’t hike with a hat you should.

With all the different types of hats out there, how do you know which is best for you? I’ve done the outdoor research and personally tested the products. Today I’m helping you decide what is the best women’s hiking hat for every season.

The Best Women’s Hiking Hats for Each Season

Best Winter Hat for Hiking in Cold

A great go-to hat for winter. This Cable Knit Hat from C.C is perfect when things get cold. It’s super soft and, as a bonus, has an elastic opening to pull a ponytail through. If you aren’t feeling the pony you aren’t left with a wide-open hole. The hat is 100% acrylic and easy to throw in the wash. I take this hat with me around town, sledding, hiking, and just about everywhere there is snow on the ground.

If you are looking for a wool alternative, the Tough Headwear Women’s Beanie Winter Hat is a superb choice. It’s your traditional cable knit beanie hat. Made from 100% Merino Wool, it holds up better if the hat gets wet. This is important for backpackers and those who may not have access to dry up earlier. It naturally wicks away moisture too.

Best Light Weight Women’s Hiking Hat in Winter

My favorite hat to wear in-between seasons is the Under Armour Women’s Storm Launch Beanie. It’s lightweight enough to give me enough extra warmth, but not hot for when you heat up. It’s super-compact that I have it in my coat pocket and don’t even realize it. Originally designed for runners and bikers. It’s ultra-warm with a fast-drying exterior. The material wicks away sweat. As a bonus, it has a panel in the back designed to keep your hair up or down.

Best Wide Brim Sun Hat for Summer Time

Having a wide brim is great to keep the sun off you, especially on hikes with little cover, when on the water for protection against UV Rays or to help keep bugs off of you. I like to have a wider brim hat with me when I use my bug net to create a bubble of safety. The GearTop UPF 50+ Wide Brim Sun Hat is my favorite adventure hat. It has a large 3″ wide brim. The lightweight feel and added, breathable mesh band design keeps you cool. It’s got a chin strap and side snaps to customize it as you need.

Best Trail Hat for Inbetween Seasons

For the everyday hat, nothing compares to a baseball cap. Be it your favorite team, or one designed for hiking. My favorite kind is the Muryobao Women’s Ponytail Ball Cap. It has a crisscross opening in the back, allowing you to do a high ponytail or messy bun and off your neck. The mesh sides are great at keeping you cool.

Best Women’s Waterproof Hat For Hiking

Most of the hats lists are all about warmth and staying cool. But what about downpours? For the best waterproof hats, you need the FROGG TOGGS Waterproof Boonie Hat. This hat is 100% waterproof and lightweight. It’s made from nylon material, that is lightweight and easy to throw in a backpack pocket. What I love about the FROGG TOGGS Brand is that they are super affordable.

Best Beanie Hat for Hunting Season

An inexpensive Blase Orange stocking cap is perfect to throw on. For your safety, style doesn’t matter. That’s why I love having a few of these inexpensive knit hats in my car. I highly recommend keeping them there, as it’s usually not until I get there when I realize that I should have brought my hat. What I like about these hats is they keep you warm, but still keep you visible.

What to look for in a women’s hiking hat

1. When are you hiking?

The best women’s hiking hat depends on the season you hike in and the weather forecast. It will affect if the hat choice. You’ll need to consider if it’s sunny out. If it’s overcast, a baseball cap is all you need for sun protection. Will you be on the water, or not under the cover of trees? Then you’ll need a wide brim sun hat to protect your face and neck. Do you need something to keep you warm while you are sleeping in a tent? Does it need to still keep you warm if it rains? If you do, consider something made of wool.

2. Consider Comfort

If the hat isn’t comfortable, it won’t stay on your headlong. Breathability is a must. Most hikes you work up a sweat. Having a moisture-wicking material will keep you dry and cool. In winter, you won’t have a blend of wool materials. Blends or Merino Wool are softer.

3. Style and Functionality

Let’s get real for a minute. If the hiking cap doesn’t give you confidence and makes you feel like a bad-ass, it may as well stay at home. Everyone has their own unique style. With longer hair, I love keeping my hair in a ponytail, especially in winter. If I keep it down, it becomes a rat’s nest. That’s why I’m always on the lookout for an adventure hat that can accommodate. Thankfully, designers have figured this out. For shorter trips and on cooler days, I keep it down. But when it’s sticky out, I don’t want to be messing with hair. Either way, you decide to use an outdoor hat for hiking. You want a stylish hat that gives you confidence.

Which is the Best Women’s Hiking Hat for you?

Women’s Hiking Hat is essential in your hiking gear. Have the right hat for the season you love to hike.