Along with well-fitted running shoes and a comfortable pair of shorts, a dependable running hat rounds out the go-to kit of many passionate runners. The best running hats should wick away moisture, keep sweat out of your eyes, and protect against the sun, wind, and rain.
In 2023, running hats no longer resemble the heavy cotton baseball caps of the past. Instead, today’s running hats are lightweight, breathable, stylish, and impressively unobtrusive. From quick neighborhood jaunts to grueling ultramarathons, the proper running hat can immediately fit into your gear kit and add plenty of benefits to your training or racing.
At the end of our top picks list, be sure to check out our Comprehensive Buyer’s Guide for advice on how to choose the best running hat for your needs. Also, check out our Comparison Chart to see how each model’s specs stack up against one another, and our FAQs for understanding everything you need to know about running hats.
The Best Running Hats of 2023
Best Overall Running Hat
-
Materials
Headsweats’ Eventure Woven fabric -
Sizing
One size fits most -
UPF Rating
25+ -
Weight
2 ounces
-
Adjustable strap and ponytail portal accommodate lots of head sizes and hair types -
Reflective brim for safety and visibility -
Weighs less than 2 oz. -
Moisture-wicking liner keeps sweat away -
Good value
-
For follicly unprotected (well, bald) runners, the thin shell may not provide adequate sun protection on its own
Runner-Up Best Running Hat
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Moisture-wicking -
Good sun protection -
Fits lots of different head sizes and shapes -
Quick-drying -
Lightweight -
Clean-looking design -
Integrated mesh for effective ventilation
-
More expensive than other options -
Adjustable band can start to wear after heavy use
Best Reflective Running Hat
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Materials
Headsweats’ Eventure reflective fabric -
Sizing
One size fits most -
UPF Rating
N/A -
Weight
2.5 ounces
-
Simple design -
High visibility -
Lots of color choices -
Comfortable with a ponytail -
Dark underside of bill reduces glare
-
No UPF sun protection -
One size fits most, but runs slightly large
Most Breathable Running Hat
-
Materials
Front panel/bill: 95% nylon and 5% spandex with water-repellent finish; Crown/back panels: 100% recycled polyester -
Sizing
One size fits most -
UPF Rating
N/A -
Weight
1.5 ounces
-
Extremely comfortable -
Highly breathable -
Incredibly lightweight -
Easily packable
-
Brim and front panel can get waterlogged -
No UPF rating
Most Packable Running Hat
-
Materials
60% polyester, 40% nylon with two-way stretch nylon with a water-repellent finish -
Sizing
One size fits most -
UPF Rating
N/A -
Weight
Not listed
-
Highly breathable -
Super lightweight -
Easily packable -
Comfortable with sweat-wicking band -
Water repellent
-
Limited sun protection for the head -
No UPF rating
-
Materials
88% nylon, 12% spandex with polyester and spandex liner -
Sizing
One size fits most -
UPF Rating
30 -
Weight
1.8 ounces
-
Comfortable, snug fit -
Laser-cut vents keep head cool -
Sun protection -
Internal sweatband keeps sweat out of eyes -
Light
-
Minimal color selection -
Bungee closure doesn’t hold the tension for very long
Running Hat Comparison Chart
Why You Should Trust Us
The GearJunkie team is stacked with runners. From weekend hobbyists to ultramarathon podium threats, we’re diehard runners, through and through.
Like most runners, we use running hats for sweat-wicking and sun protection. Over the years, we’ve tested dozens of running hats in all sorts of conditions.
A good running hat should be durable, comfortable, breathable, and effective against the sun’s harsh rays. The recommendations on this list are the results of our careful observation and first-hand experience. We’re confident these are the best running hats on the market.
As new running hats become available, we’ll be sure to try them out in consideration for this list.
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose a Running Hat
A running hat is a handy tool that offers several functions as a part of your running kit. A well-made cap can provide sun protection, warmth, visibility, moisture-wicking, and water resistance. When shopping for the best hat for you, some key considerations to keep in mind include ventilation, comfort, adjustability, moisture transfer, and reflectivity.
This mix of features makes a running hat different from a typical ball cap. The materials used may keep it lightweight, flexible, and sweat-wicking. Liners can help keep sweat or rain from dripping down your face and depending on your selection, you may find water-resistant materials to keep you dry. Running hats tend to fit snugly for distraction-free aerodynamic movement.
After considering these features and determining your present and future needs as a runner, look over this list to find the option that best meets your criteria. We recommend every hat on the list, but some will suit certain runners better than others.
Ventilation & Breathability
Even when it isn’t especially warm out, runners tend to get hot and sweaty. In the hot sun, this reality becomes all the more challenging, and it becomes especially important to utilize gear with plenty of ventilation.
Choose a hat with lightweight fabric such as mesh or thin polyester, especially if you spend a lot of time running in warm conditions. Choosing a light color may also help keep your head cool during your run. Some hats, like the Nathan RunCool, are specifically designed for hot weather running. Add in that some hats will include UV protection, which can help provide an extra layer of protection.
Make sure to round out your kit with breathable and comfortable running shirts, running shorts, and running shoes to ensure you don’t overheat or overexert yourself while exercising.
Comfort & Fit
It’s helpful to have a good sense of the size of your own head when purchasing a hat. Once you know your head size, compare it to the dimensions of the hats you’re considering. Next, look for a hat with superior adjustability. Brooks hats, for instance, are known to accommodate larger heads.
Weight also affects a hat’s comfort. It’s imperative to have a well-fitting, lightweight running hat so your gear remains distraction-free, such as the Topo Designs option. A snug, comfortable fit will ensure you’re not worried about adjustments while on the road or the trail.
Moisture Transfer
Moisture transfer reflects a hat’s ability to quickly dry after becoming saturated with sweat or other moisture. Many hats on our list include sweat-wicking internal liners that pull sweat away from your skin and eyes.
Hats made from mesh and thin polyester tend to dry quickly. Wool, with its natural sweat-wicking properties, is sometimes used in a liner, but too much wool can be cumbersome. When shopping for a running hat, avoid materials like cotton.
The sweat-wicking properties help during warm runs but can also provide benefits in the cold weather. Moving sweat away from your head can keep sweat from drying, which can make you feel even colder.
Adjustability Options
Changing the sizing of your hat is one thing but changing it mid-run is vital. When selecting a running hat, be aware of the adjustability options and what might work best for you. The main adjustability options include plastic snaps, Velcro, a slide adjuster, or a bungee pull. Each has its own benefits.
Keep in mind that the plastic snaps and slide adjusters may be difficult to switch on the fly but often remain in place throughout runs, whereas the Velcro and bungee pull may provide an easier on-the-move selection, even if they could loosen during a run.
Flexibility
The flexibility of your running hat is about more than fit and comfort. Sometimes you’ll want to strip off the hat and store it in a pocket or jam it into a travel pouch. Selecting a flexible hat gives you more options for storage, whether on a run or on the way to your favorite route. The GADIEMKENSD offering brings its own unique blend of folding to the running hat space.
Reflectivity
A high-visibility running cap reflects light and helps others see you when running in low-light conditions. Good reflectivity increases your safety while running, especially in high-traffic areas. Reflectivity isn’t just beneficial in low-light evening scenarios, but also crucial in low-light morning runs, a common time for runners to hit urban streets.
Price & Durability
Running hats range in price from $10 to about $40. Depending on your budget, you’ll want to purchase the highest quality and most durable hat that you can. Durability comes from the quality of the materials used in the hat.
Some hats on this list are well-known for their high-end durability. If affordability is your biggest concern, the GADIEMKENSD Running Hat is just $15 and still offers lots of features.
FAQ
The best running hats (like the ones featured on this list) are meant to be worn during strenuous exercise and in warm, sunny conditions. Because of their strategic polyester and mesh construction, these hats are designed to breathe and remain well-ventilated throughout your run.
Some cooling hats for men and women, like the Nathan RunCool, even come with integrated pockets to store ice during your run. While these hats are designed to stay cool, you may want to choose a light-colored hat if you’re concerned about heat.
Choosing a visor versus a running hat comes down to your needs and preferences as a runner. A visor will not protect the top of your head from harmful UV rays, nor will it protect your head from rain or snow.
Because a visor is fully open on the top, it’s a good option in warm weather for those who aren’t concerned about UV exposure on the top of their head.
Measure your head before your purchase to make sure the hat you’re interested in will fit. Once you’ve purchased the hat, use the closure system to customize your fit.
While running, you want a nice snug fit that’s also comfortable. In windy conditions, it’s wise to tighten the hat to prevent it from flying off your head.
The best materials for a running hat depends on the weather conditions that you’ll typically run in. If you expect to run in winter, or in especially cool or wet weather, you’ll want to look for a hat that has solid material instead of mesh, a lining, and possible reflectivity for the darkness.
If you typically run in the summer, or it hot and dry weather, you’ll want a hat that is lighter weight, has moisture-wicking materials, mesh construction or other ventilation features, and UPF protection.
Your running hat’s brim shades your face from the sun — and sometimes even rain. The longer the brim, the more shading it provides, but that also means the more weight you’re carrying and the more ability for the wind to catch the hat.
Of course, the size and style of the brim also bring quite a bit of the fashion aspect to the hat, but when it comes to choosing a hat with the right brim, you’ll want to balance the need for sun shading with the worry of wind catching the brim.
From sunny beaches to high alpine trails, our experts evaluated the best men’s running shorts for fit, comfort, mobility, moisture-wicking, and more.
By now, we all know the best running shirts should be moisture-wicking. Not allowing sweat to wick off your skin can be a source of overheating.
