Best Running Hats of 2024

While there are endless options for running hats — and choosing the best running hat can seem like an impossible task — the top options have several features that make them stand out from the rest. Using a hat to shield your face, eyes, and lips from the sun saves energy on the trail, increases comfort, and can prevent a tough recovery later. Today’s best running hats have evolved from simple and utilitarian tools into nuanced pieces of gear. They can block harmful rays and wick sweat, dry swiftly, and help regulate temperature. Some trail runners and ultrarunners also place a premium on hats that fit into running packs when not needed. Hats need to pair well with our favorite running sunglasses, adjust easily on the fly, and not impair visibility.

To help you choose the best running hat, our crew of professional, competitive, collegiate, and recreational trail runners and ultrarunners donned a range of the most popular, top-rated running hats — and a few that aren’t on the typical runner’s radar — for hundreds of miles through all seasons of the year. We ran from dusk to dawn across the Rocky Mountains and the Western United States on dusty trails, rocky singletrack, mud-packed routes, and sandstone in all types of weather. We loved the Janji AFO Hyperlight Cap in nearly all conditions, turned to the Outdoor Research Sun Runner Cap when we needed maximum sun protection, and chose the Sauce Swift Toque for winter conditions.

You can learn more about our methodology, read our answers to your frequently asked questions, and peruse our suggestions for choosing a running hat after our list of recommendations.

Best Running Hats

• Best Overall Running Hat: Janji AFO Hyperlight Cap
• Best Overall Running Hat — Runners-Up: Ciele Athletics ALZCap SC and On Lightweight Cap
• Best Classic Running Hat: Patagonia Duckbill Trucker Hat
• Best Technical Trucker Running Hat: Boco Gear Technical Trucker
• Best Budget Running Hat: Headsweats Running Hat
• Best Sun Shade Running Hat: Outdoor Research Sun Runner Cap
• Best Winter Running Hat: Sauce Swift Toque
• Best of the Rest Running Hats: Gone For a Run CoolRun Pocket Hat, Territory Run Co. Long Haul Cap, Nathan RunCool Ice Run Hat, Fractel T-Series Trucker Hat

Best Overall Running Hat: Janji AFO Hyperlight Cap ($38)

Pros:

• Easily packable
• Lightweight

Cons:

• Not many color options

If you’re searching for a barely-there hat that will keep the sun off your face, look no further than the Janji AFO Hyperlight Cap. Weighing only 29 grams, there’s really nothing much to this hat, and it packs away to nearly nothing. It’s an excellent option for a hat that will scrunch up and fit into almost any running pack so that you don’t have to wear it for the entirety of a run — ideal for someone who starts or ends runs in the dark when you don’t need a hat to protect your face from the sun anymore. We appreciate that the bendy foam brim retains its shape, even after riding around in a pack for hours, and provides enough sun protection on the face.

The bungee strap on the back of this hat makes it easy to tighten down and micro-adjust when the wind picks up, but it never felt like the hat fit too tightly, even when we had it cranked down to keep it on our heads. The material is fast-drying and great for dunking in a creek during a mountain run to cool the head. As with many products from this brand, environmental impact is a top consideration, and the AFO fabric features 88% recycled polyester. It is also bluesign certified, meaning that the manufacturing process met strict environmental and safety standards.

Janji AFO Hyperlight Cap

Best Overall Running Hat — Runner-Up: Ciele Athletics ALZCap SC ($50)

Pros:

• Quick-drying
• Comfortable
• Packable
• UPF 40

Cons:

• High price tag
• Very quick-drying but not ideal for conditions requiring water resistance

The Ciele Athletics ALZCap SC checks all of our boxes for what makes a good running hat. It provides excellent sun protection while being quick-drying, breathable, and packable. Ciele changed their original ALZCap model to bring runners a softer, pre-curved brim — which they call their Softcurve design. The flexible and short brim makes it easy to stow this hat away in a pack when you don’t need it, and we also liked wearing this hat backward since the brim didn’t interfere with a pack. Much of this hat includes Coolmatic mesh material, a recycled polyester, that breaths well while still providing UPF 40 sun protection.

This low-profile design has a style that we loved, and we found that the mesh was cool enough to wear even during hot runs. Ciele makes this hat in a variety of colors, and this one came with reflective lettering on the front to increase nighttime and low-light visibility. The mesh cap is quick-drying and keeps our heads cool during warmer runs. There is an absorbent sweatband around the edge to keep sweat out of the eyes, and the adjustable strap has a hide-away garage so that the strap doesn’t flap around. This cap goes opposite from many other popular Ciele Athletics caps with large brims. We appreciated this hat’s compact and more subtle style compared to other options from the brand.

Ciele Athletics ALZCap SC

Best Overall Running Hat — Runner-Up: On Lightweight Cap ($45)

Pros:

• Quick-drying
• Lightweight
• Ventilation ports in sweatband

Cons:

• The sweatband texture is a bit abrasive when we slide the hat on and off
• It is not easy to adjust tightness while being worn

The featherlight On Lightweight Cap fits comfortably and securely and features a robust bill, making it one of our favorite workout hats. It has the classic style of a traditional sleek and streamlined running hat with a fairly normal-sized brim and non-structured material to cover the head. The cap material is pliable and soft, while the rigid, wide brim will withstand abuse and offer consistent form and protection over time. Unlike flat-brimmed trucker caps that are increasingly popular, this brim has a fairly significant curve to provide high sun protection.

The cap’s sides feature uniform ventilation holes that are laser-cut into polyester fabric. The reasonably soft one-inch-wide sweatband snags salty droplets well. The hat also has a garage to secure the adjustment strap’s tail. When the sun is overhead, the bill does an excellent job of blocking light from hitting the face, neck, and the top of the ears if you tuck them into the hat.

On Lightweight Cap

Best Classic Running Hat: Patagonia Duckbill Trucker Hat ($39)

Pros:

• 100% recycled nylon
• The back clip is easy to adjust while being worn
• Super breathable

Cons:

• The mesh portion on half of the cap doesn’t block sunlight from the head
• The pliable bill can curl upward over time
• Minimal sun protection

The Patagonia Duckbill Trucker Hat is comfortable, extremely breathable, quick-drying, and lightweight, perfect for running and cross-training adventures.

This running hat hardly needs an introduction. We originally bought this hat for trail running years ago and have pulled it on for nearly every other type of outdoor adventure. The front of this cap is a nylon-foam blend, and the back includes a polyester mesh, which is super breathable. Unfortunately, the mesh doesn’t provide much sun protection, which is something to consider if you don’t have a lot of hair to cover your head. We’ve found this to be one of the best cooling hats for men and women, and the design fits seamlessly beneath climbing and mountain bike helmets. This makes it a versatile option if you do a lot of sports. The crown and bill have a durable water-repellent finish that wards off rain, splashes, and snow. To our surprise, the material floats well, too, as discovered on a multi-day standup paddleboard trip.

The plush sweatband is soft, absorbs sweat quickly, and dries fast. If you’re looking for a comfortable, breathable, heat-releasing hat that pairs well with other activities, this is your new best friend. In our Best Hot Weather Running Gear guide, we named this hat the best option for running in the heat.

It’s regretful that there isn’t a garage for the adjustment strap, as we found that it bounced around when we ran. This was mostly only a nuisance when we were wearing the hat backward. We also found that the brim took on various shapes after being packed away for extended periods and would curl upward over time. 

Patagonia Duckbill Trucker Hat

Best Technical Trucker Running Hat: Boco Gear Technical Trucker Hat ($34)

Pros:

• Super breathable
• Mid-level price tag

Cons:

• Must wash by hand
• Not the most packable

If you’re looking for a hat that is equally at home on trails as at the coffee shop afterward — or anywhere else — consider the Boco Gear Technical Trucker Hat. While it has the appearance of a traditional ball cap, its technical features elevate it far above its looks. The side and back panels include a mesh with laser-cut holes, and we found them to be highly effective at dumping heat during big efforts and hot days. The front of this hat is highly breathable, and the material doesn’t easily scuff or wear, so the hat doesn’t show wear easily. This hat has more structure in both the cap and the brim than traditional running hats, which some people prefer. The brim is also bigger than many other hats in this guide, providing ample sun protection. We appreciated that the hat held its shape and that our sunglasses didn’t bounce around on the brim. That said, this hat doesn’t pack away easily in a normal running pack, and if you force the brim into an unnatural position, it tends to stay that way.

The sweat liner was effective, and we never had any issues with sweat dripping into our eyes during our runs. The material dries in minutes. Staying true to the baseball cap style, it also sits a trace deeper on your head than most running hats. Adjust the hat well before use, as one of our testers experienced raw ears due to maladjustment. This hat comes in many design options and doesn’t immediately scream “technical athletic hat” with its appearance. 

Boco Gear Technical Trucker Hat

Best Budget Running Hat: Headsweats Running Hat ($25)

Pros:

• Lower price
• Great fit

Cons:

• No UPF rating
• Limits field of vision

Sometimes, you just want a hat you can put on your head and run, and the Headsweats Running Hat comes with a price tag that allows you to not think twice about owning it. This hat is fairly inexpensive, extremely comfy, and packed with features. We experienced no bouncing or shifting of this hat during our outdoor jaunts — in fact, we barely noticed it at all. The knit polyester material is soft and supple, and the cap sits lightly on your head. The brim shades well, too, and the hat never felt restrictively hot while we tested it on dusty summertime trails in southern Colorado. 

The downside is that the brim sits low over your eyes, even if you tighten the hat. This makes for excellent shading but a limited field of view, especially when looking directly above. This limited field of vision can potentially create a dangerous situation if you’re running on trails with low overhanging branches or rocks.

Headsweats Running Hat

Best Sun Shade Hat: Outdoor Research Sun Runner Cap ($40)

Pros:

• UPF 50 rating that is extremely UV protective
• Convertible hat that pairs with a breezy sun cape
• Great value

Cons:

• Bill is an iota smaller compared to other hats tested

The Outdoor Research Sun Runner Cap is a versatile option that can provide incredible skin protection for the head, face, and neck. The breathable and moisture-wicking sun cape is detachable, so you can wear this as a simple hat or one with neck protection. This hat features a water-resistant, breathable, moisture-wicking, and fast-drying material, and while the sun cape makes it hotter than other options, we could still wear it comfortably in warm temperatures. While testing the hat and cape, we experienced no issues with the field of vision, either upward or in the periphery.

Overall, this is a very comfortable setup. The cape fabric hangs around, not against, your face. A chin cord tightens so the fabric won’t flap around, keeping it from being distracting and noisy. Superior to many hats here, the 100% nylon fabric is treated to protect skin against harmful UV rays. The hat’s wide sweatband absorbs sweat and feels soft against the forehead. Mesh side panels release heat effectively; the entire hat is light and packable.  

While a hat with a sun cape might be considered overkill for shorter runs, it could be an excellent option for longer outings during periods when the UV index is high.

Outdoor Research Sun Runner Hat

Best Winter Running Hat: Sauce Swift Toque ($32)

Pros:

• Lightweight
• Fun patterns
• Cozy

Cons:

• It might be too warm for mild temperatures

When it comes to cold-weather running, the cross-country ski industry has dialed in gear, so it’s no surprise that the Sauce Swift Toque emerged as our favorite winter running hat. We also named this our favorite beanie in our Best Cold Weather Running Gear guide. Based out of Bozeman, Montana, a former elite Canadian cross-country skier started the company, and the names of the products reflect the Canadian heritage. Cross-country skiers and runners’ needs are fairly similar regarding breathability and warmth — they are both highly aerobic sports performed at relatively similar speeds — and this beanie provides the right amount of warmth for cold temperatures. We found that it was too warm for merely mild temperatures, especially for high-effort runs, and not quite warm enough for the extreme cold, especially during easy jogs, but it was perfect for the temperatures most of us encounter during our winter runs.

The majority of the hat features a single layer of fabric that is doubled over on itself over the forehead to provide extra warmth. The stretchy and cozy material blocks wind, but we found it to release enough heat that we didn’t overheat, even when running hard. The hat comes in two sizes and can stretch to fit nearly any head size comfortably. It comes in various fun patterns, and you can add a tassel or leave it as just a beanie.

Sauce Swift Toque

Best of the Rest Running Hats: Gone for a Run CoolRun Pocket Hat ($35)

Pros:

• Moisture-wicking fabric catches tons of sweat
• Material dries fast

Cons:

• Velcro closure is testy with thick or long hair
• Must be washed by hand

The Gone For a Run CoolRun Pocket Hat is lightweight, sweat-absorbing, quick-drying, and has storage. While pockets are becoming more standard in running shorts and tights, this hat provides a convenient storage option for small items like an identification or credit card for a post-run coffee or drink. Aside from the storage, this hat is a solid sun protection option. It stays on in the wind, and the adjustable strap is easy to use. The interior liner doesn’t have any pinch or rub points and catches sweat before it hits our brows. Even for our sweatiest runners, the hat didn’t feel stuffy. The brim provides decent sun protection for the upper face and eyes without blocking periphery views. 

We found the pockets of limited use — items like key fobs were too large and bulky to carry on our heads. But when it came to a thin piece of plastic or a single key, the pockets were plenty big. 

Gone For a Run CoolRun Pocket Hat

Best of the Rest Running Hats: Territory Run Co. Long Haul Cap ($39)

Pros:

• Great fit
• Breathable
• Moisture-wicking

Cons:

• Pricey

We must admit that we love a performance hat with a fun design, and the Territory Run Co. Long Haul Cap appeals to our function and fashion senses. It is light, breathable, and stays put throughout long runs, including on fast descents and blustery mountain trails. Its five-panel design offers an excellent fit for a wide range of head shapes and sizes. 

We were quickly able to adjust the hat and never experienced any headaches or irritations, even when wearing this hat for many hours while training for and racing the IMTUF 100. This breathable hat with laser-cut perforations is nice and cool even during intense efforts, and we’d often dunk it in the water during creek crossings on especially hot runs. This hat also provides more sun protection than a minimalist mold, and its brim stuffs into a pocket without getting creased or losing shape. Overall, it’s a comfortable hat you can forget you’re wearing, even after dozens of miles. 

Territory Run Co. Long Haul Cap

Best of the Rest Running Hats: Nathan RunCool Ice Run Hat ($25)

Pros:

• Great fit
• Lightweight and breathable
• Good price

Cons:

• The pockets aren’t the most practical

Long runs in hot weather call for strategic cooling, and the Nathan RunCool Ice Run Hat has a few features that allow it to excel in these conditions. With a lightweight mesh fabric that’s breathable and quick-drying, a light-blue color palette that reflects the sun’s rays, and pockets for holding ice cubes, this is a highly functional hat, especially for race day when you might have regular access to ice at aid stations.

Most importantly, this hat is comfortable and easy to adjust on the fly. The brim provides shading, but it also flips up easily if the day is overcast and you want a broader field of vision. The hat does an excellent job of wicking sweat and keeping it out of your eyes. While the pockets are nice for momentary relief during hot races when you have ice on hand, this cooling strategy won’t be as effective as dumping ice in your hydration vest, sports bra, or gaiter around your neck. And since the pockets don’t zip closed, they’re not practical for carrying anything else, such as cash. That said, this is a great everyday running hat, at a very competitive price, with the bonus of being designed for cooling. 

Shop the Nathan RunCool Ice Run Hat

Best of the Rest Running Hats: Fractel T-Series Trucker Hat ($45)

Pros:

• Stylish
• Made of 100% recycled materials

Cons:

• The adjustment system is a bit fiddly

The Fractel T-Series Trucker Hat is a lightweight, warm-weather hat with a stylish flair. It’s one of the few running hats that we’re just as happy wearing running as we are in casual settings. Coming from an Australian company that understands sun protection, the front of the hat has a UPF 50 rating, and the brim is long enough to shield the face from harmful sun rays. The flat brim isn’t as wide as many other trucker hats and can fit smaller faces, a feature that some of our smaller testers appreciated. We also liked that the brim, which threaded the line between too stiff and too floppy just perfectly, was short enough that we could wear the hat backward without the brim digging into a pack.

The front of the hat features a solid material and has a fairly tall front panel, or what the brand calls a “classic high-crown aesthetic,” and has a bit of a peak where the front and top panels come together. Made of Repreve fabric, which is recycled polyester, we didn’t find it excessively warm and could wear this hat in hot temperatures. This solid material wraps around the edge of the hat, while mesh paneling around the top and back releases heat and prevents overheating. The inner sweatband was quite soft and did a great job keeping the sweat out of our eyes, even on hot summer runs.

This hat is available in two sizes: standard and extra large. The standard fits most heads.

Shop the Fractal T-Series Trucker Hat

Comparing the Best Running Hats

HAT	PRICE	MATERIAL	UPF RATING
Janji AFO Hyperlight Cap	$38	Recycled polyester/elastane	25
Ciele Athletics ALZCap SC	$50	CoolMatic polyester blend	40
On Lightweight Cap	$45	Tear-proof woven synthetic	Not listed
Patagonia Duckbill Trucker Hat	$39	Recycled nylon and polyester	Not listed
Boco Gear Technical Trucker	$34	Woven materials/mesh	Not listed
Headsweats Running Hat	$25	Knit polyester	Not listed
Outdoor Research Sun Runner Cap	$40	Recycled nylon/nylon	40
Sauce Swift Toque	$32	Polyester/Spandex	Not listed
Gone For a Run CoolRun Pocket Hat	$35	Polyester	Not listed
Territory Run Co. Long Haul Cap	$39	Polyester	Not listed
Nathan RunCool Ice Run Hat	$25	Polyester/spandex	Yes
Fractel T-Series Trucker Hat	$45	Recycled polyester	50 on front

Buying Advice: How to Choose a Running Hat

Fit

The majority of the best running hats chosen for this guide are one-size-fits-all with a spectrum of tightness and size adjustability. The back adjustment is usually a Velcro, snap, elastic, or buckle-and-slide closure. Consider what system works best for you, your hair, and your hands. For some people, tiny pull-through elastic closures are challenging to adjust on the move, while other people want more precise adjustability than a traditional snap closure, like the one on the Boco Gear Technical Trucker Hat. When considering closure systems, you’ll also want to take into account your hair and if you wear it in a ponytail when you run. 

It’s nice to be able to loosen a hat if you need to add a buff underneath it if a cold wind picks up. Though it also works to layer a buff around the hat’s exterior, having it on the inside is often more cozy.

Some running hats, like the Janji AFO Hyperlight Cap, are more streamlined and precise-fitting, while others, including the Boco Gear Technical Trucker Hat, provide a smidge more space and structure in the cap but weigh a bit more. Some hats reach further down your forehead, which can help stabilize the fit and make it feel more secure while providing additional shade for your face. If you regularly put your sunglasses on top of your head while running, you might consider a hat with a bit more structure to keep it from bouncing around. iRunFar testers have rated many sunglasses for their ability to stay put on a hat in our Best Running Sunglasses guide.  

Ultimately, how a hat fits depends on a runner’s head and forehead size, shape, hair type, and personal preference. It might take some experimentation to narrow down the types of hats that pair well with your specific needs. We found that the Janji AFO Hyperlight Cap had the best combination of features of all of the hats that we tested.

Sun Protection

A long or wide bill on a running hat provides more shade, protecting a larger portion of your face, neck, ears, and chest from direct light. The tradeoff with a wider bill is that it has more surface area to catch the wind, so you definitely want to be sure you can tighten it down to your head when needed. Hats with wider bills generally feature a cap with a more relaxed fit, too, yet still can be tightened down. Our team loved the Headsweats Running Hat for the larger-than-average bill.

Wider bills, depending on the exact shape, can obstruct the field of vision for some runners, which is important to keep in mind if you are running heavily vegetated routes. Runners with wider heads might prefer a wide-billed hat due to the overall coverage — wider bills, whether soft or firm, will add more weight to the cap.

Alternatively, a narrow bill provides less sun shade but doesn’t catch wind gusts as easily as a wide bill. Often, a narrower bill has a more streamlined, snug cap. Hats with narrower bills, like the Janji AFO Hyperlight Cap, are typically lighter, and runners with thinner faces might prefer this style due to the overall fit.

Some running hats, like the Outdoor Research Sun Runner Cap, which features a snap-on cape made of breathable fabric, also protect the entire neck from the sun. If you don’t like the idea of a hat with a cape but still want to protect your neck and ears from the sun, consider a hooded shirt from our Best Sun Shirts for Running guide. 

A hat’s color can also keep sunlight from reaching your skin. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, dark or bright colors absorb UV rays well, so they offer more protection than lighter shades. In general, synthetic fibers like polyester and nylon are more protective than sheer cloth or natural fibers like wool. The density of the construction plays a role, too. If the fabric is loose, or you can see through it, UV radiation can more easily reach the skin. Shiny polyester fabrics can reflect radiation; companies treat other fabrics with chemicals or dyes that absorb or reflect UV rays. A mesh hat won’t provide you with much protection from the sun, which could prove to be an issue for runners with less hair available to protect the skin on their heads.

Increasingly, many hats also offer a UPF label, which informs shoppers how effective the material is at blocking ultraviolet A and B light. A UPF 15 or 20 rating indicates the fabric provides some protection, UPF 25, 30, or 35 delivers mid-level protection, and UPF 40, 45, 50, and 50-plus are the highest tiers of protection possible. The Fractel T-Series Trucker Hat has a UPF 50+ material on the front. 

Ventilation, Breathability, and Moisture-Wicking Abilities 

The best running hats include synthetic materials that wick sweat, breathe effectively, and dry rapidly. The interior is usually lined with a wide, absorbent sweatband to prevent stinging sweat from falling into the eyes. Various designs have additional ventilation features like laser-cut holes, mesh panels, and streamlined eyelets. Some internal sweatbands have ventilation ports, too. Our team found that the Boco Gear Technical Trucker Hat provided plenty of ventilation, even on hot days. For the hottest days, you can use the Nathan RunCool Ice Run Hat to carry ice around on your head. You can learn more about the proper gear and useful techniques for running in the heat in our Best Running Gear for Hot Weather guide. 

Reflectivity

Reflective panels on a running hat are an excellent safety addition so that other people can see you approaching on a trail in the dark. If you’re running near road traffic, motorists must also see you. Ideally, reflective material on the front and back of a hat would help warn approaching traffic from both directions. The front logo on the Ciele Athletics ALZCap SC is reflective and can help passing motorists see you if you’re running on the road. You can learn more about how to stay visible when running in the dark in our Best Reflective Running Gear guide.

Price and Durability

The running hats in this guide range from $25 to $50 and encompass what we consider to be a range of prices and styles for the best running hats on the market. A well-constructed hat made out of quality materials should withstand years of use if you follow its care instructions. If you sweat a ton, consider buying a darker-colored hat so it doesn’t retain sweat stains quite as easily. We voted the Headsweats Running Hat the best budget hat because it delivers a great fit and ample shade for just $25, and the Nathan RunCool Ice Run Hat also comes in at the same reasonable price. 

Why You Should Trust Us

For the initial creation of this guide to the best running hats, we first polled members of the 20-plus-person iRunFar team about their favorite — and less favorite — running hats. We also researched dozens of the highest-ranked, most popular, and top-selling hats for runners and also looked at popular hats in other sports. In doing so, we honed a list of 17 running hats for regimented testing.

Our seven product testers covered hundreds of miles with those 17 hats to pinpoint the best of the best. We followed rocky and smooth trails through high-altitude deserts and mountain slopes, sandy singletrack, steep granite canyons, sun-beaten loops, dense aspen groves, crusty post-holing ventures, and mud-caked routes. We ran pavement and dirt and endured frigid rain, blasts of snow, sunshine at 10,000 feet above sea level, and lip-chapping gales. We tracked miles through a range of environments across the San Juan Mountains, Elk Mountains, and Front Range of Colorado, as well as peaks and deserts throughout Utah, Wyoming, and Montana.

During each trail run, we meticulously examined the hats and ranked each product on a 90-point scale that included nine essential qualities, including breathability, sun protection, field of vision, comfort, and overall durability. Based on the scores, these hats were the frontrunners: Janji Transit Tech Cap, Ciele Athletics ALZCap SC, On Lightweight Cap, and Patagonia Duckbill Trucker Hat. Many hats scored high in multiple traits, while others we tested didn’t make the top-tier cut. 

Since that initial round of testing, our team has continued to take new hats out into the field for testing, and we update this guide regularly with new hats that stand out from the rest.

Frequently Asked Questions About Running Hats

What is the best running hat?

The best running hat fits your head well, is breathable, dries fast, and provides adequate sun and weather protection. For trail runners and ultrarunners, having a hat that doesn’t impede the visibility of trail obstacles is clutch. A hat’s ability to pack down during outings that continue after sunset is also important, and we appreciated that we could stuff the Patagonia Duckbill Trucker Hat into our pack without damaging the bill. The look and style of a hat also need consideration. If you’re looking for a hat that you can go anywhere in, consider the Boco Gear Technical Trucker Hat, which easily doubles as a casual hat. 

While this guide can’t possibly cover every great running hat on the market, it’s a good starting point for finding the best one that works for your needs. Our team voted the Janji AFO Hyperlight Cap the best running hat we tested for its fit, functionality, and style.

Which is better, a visor or a running hat?

Using a visor versus a hat comes down to personal preference, which might change based on the season and environment. A visor blocks the sun from your face and eyes, prevents sweat from dripping, and is more breathable than a hat because it doesn’t have a cap. They are generally lighter and more packable than most hats because they include less material. However, a running hat can help prevent UV radiation from reaching your scalp, which is especially important for folks with thin hair or no hair coverage at all. The hat’s crown also protects the top of your head from incoming rain or snow. The material can even protect the top of your head from insects if dense enough. If you want to increase the ventilation on the top of your head, the Patagonia Duckbill Trucker Hat has plenty of mesh to allow for airflow while still providing protection, which is why it was our top pick in our Best Running Gear for Hot Weather guide. 

Why not just run in your ball cap?

A ball cap should suffice for a short run, so if that’s what you have, go for it! However, most baseball caps are 100% cotton, which retains moisture. Cotton is a hydrophilic fabric that attracts or absorbs precipitation, water, and perspiration, and it doesn’t dry fast either, so it wouldn’t be very comfortable during a sweaty jaunt or one during tumultuous weather. Traditional ball cap designs are also not well-ventilated. The more time you spend running, the more returns you’ll see from an investment in a running-specific hat. If you are interested in wearing a hat while running that looks more like an everyday hat, look at the Boco Gear Technical Trucker Hat, which offers technical specifications in a trucker-style hat.

Can I wear my hat under a helmet?

Many runners do multiple sports, some of which include wearing a helmet. If you’re looking to fit your hat under a helmet, you’ll want to find one that has minimal structure and thickness. We found that the Patagonia Duckbill Trucker Hat and the Fractel T-Series Trucker Hat fit easily and comfortably under a helmet without altering the fit too much. Most helmets have a bit of adjustability on the head circumference so that you can loosen them up to wear a hat underneath. If you want to wear a winter hat under a ski or mountaineering helmet, the Sauce Swift Toque is thin enough to accommodate most situations. We also wore it under a bike helmet.

Why do I get headaches when wearing a running hat?

External compression headaches caused by headwear occur when the material places continuous pressure on the forehead or scalp. Most running hats are one-size-fits-all with an adjustable strap in the back. If you experience a headache, adjust the back strap to loosen it. Be sure your hat fits nicely on your head without being too loose. It shouldn’t jostle around or be too tight and restrictive. Normally, you should not have forehead imprints or red marks after wearing your hat unless you encounter serious wind and need to buckle down for a while. We found that the Territory Run Co. Long Haul Cap did a great job staying in place without being too tight, and hats with short brims, like the Fractel T-Series Trucker Hat, also stay put in the wind better. 

Why is it important to wear a hat when I run?

A hat protects your skin from sunburn and your eyes from strain. Most hats also have an interior sweatband that wicks sweat, preventing salty droplets from blurring your vision or burning your eyes. They can also help protect your face and sunglasses from incoming rain and snow. For runners with lots of hair, a hat can also secure wisps from flying into their eyes, especially on windy days. And on a hot day, dunking your running hat in an alpine stream can help cool you down. Those looking to maximize their protection against the sun will appreciate the side flaps of the Outdoor Research Sun Runner Cap that provide protection for the ears and the back of the neck without causing the buildup of too much heat.

Can I wear a headlamp while wearing a hat?

If you’re in a race that goes from day to night or night to day, you may not want to mess around with having to put your hat away when the headlamp goes on. Depending on your specific hat and headlamp, there are multiple ways to pair a headlamp with a hat. Most people turn their hat around so that their hat brim doesn’t interfere with the lighting. With a backward hat, you can also easily adjust the angle of the headlamp for optimal visibility. If your headlamp is a single strap that goes around your head, you can sometimes wear it comfortably under the brim of your hat. If your hat has a very short brim, it’s possible to wear the headlamp on top of a forward-facing hat above it without losing much ground illumination. If you’re considering different options for a lamp that would work with a hat, look at our Best Running Headlamps guide.

Does wearing a hat backward provide sun protection?

Most of the best running hats have a fair bit of versatility in how a runner can wear them. Hats with shorter brims are more comfortable to wear backward, especially if you’re wearing a pack. We appreciated how easily and comfortably the Fractel T-Series Trucker Hat is worn forward and backward with its short brim. That said, a short brim doesn’t provide nearly as much sun protection, regardless of the orientation you’re wearing it in. A hat like the Janji AFO Hyperlight Cap has a moderately sized brim that provides a good amount of shade when worn forward and shelters our neck when worn backward.

Call for Comments

• Is there a hat that has improved your running? Share it in the comments below so we can consider it for future updates to this guide.
• Is there a hat that has lasted you years longer than you thought it would?