Best sun hats that pack easily without breaking or bending.

Packable Sun Hat

When it comes to outdoor activities under the scorching sun, a packable sun hat is an absolute must-have. These hats offer excellent sun protection while being conveniently foldable and easy to pack for your adventures. Also, it adds nice style to your vacation outfits.

We’ve all been there: you either wear your chic wide-brimmed hat on the plane, or leave it at home, for it surely won’t survive your luggage. Until now.

In this article, we present the top 16 best packable sun hats available in the market today. So, get ready to shield yourself from harmful UV rays while staying stylish and on-the-go!

How to Pack a Sun Hat

The best space-saving method is to roll your sun hat up and secure it in a nook in your bag or with a tie of sorts. Some packable sun hats come with instructions.

Make sure you read and follow these each time in order to ensure your sun hat stays with you for summers to come.

Pro Tip: sun protection

When seeking out optimal sun protection, remember that you can see through the weave, UV rays can also filter through.

Why Are Packable Sun Hats Great?

They’re lightweight, fuss-free, and designed to be tossed into your purse, beach bag, or carry-on, making packing a breeze, especially if you’re trying to pack light. When they’re unraveled at your destinations, they look good as new.

Whether you need one for a tropical getaway or running errands, you don’t have to worry about damaging your hat.

Types

Sun hats are available in a variety of styles, materials, and colors like straw hats, floppy hats, Panama hats, baseball caps, visors, and more. 

Shop the best packable sun hats that both take your look up a notch and offer you protection from the sun here.

Our Picks

Best Packable Straw Visor
1.

Madewell Packable Braided Straw Visor

Shop Now at Nordstrom

This packable sun hat is great for beach vacations.

Not only does this straw visor roll up, but it also secures with an elastic band, ensuring that it looks just as chic when you arrive at your destination as it did when you left home.

Helpful Tip! If you’re a bit wary, follow this reviewer’s packing strategy: “I simply wrapped it around a rolled t-shirt and was good to go!”

Sizes: One size fits most

Material: Paper straw/polyester

Colors: Warm Nutmeg, Natural Multi, Distant Peri 

Price at time of publish: $32.50

Best Medium Brim Packable Sun Hat
2.

Eric Javits Crest Packable Sun Hat

Shop Now at Nordstrom

Keep it classic with a medium-brim hat that boasts black trim and ribbon. This one is not only packable, but also blocks 95% of all UVA-UVB rays.

Reviewers love the ease of this hat: “I can wear my hair in a ponytail with no problem. There is a Velcro strap in back so the hat can be easily adjusted for size.”

Sizes: One size fits most; adjustable

Material: Polypropylene/textile

Colors: Natural/black, peanut

Price at time of publish: $275

Best Floppy Packable Sun Hat
3.

Nordstrom Rack Las Palmas Stripe UPF 50+ Floppy Sun Hat

Shop Now at Nordstrom Rack

For a little bit more detail without going over-the-top with color, consider a black-and-white ombré stripe when it comes to your packable sun hats.

Helpful Tip! Pair this hat with your favorite white dress and sandals for an effortless yet chic summer look.

RELATED: 9 Best Summer Hats for Women

Sizes: One size

Material: Paper/polyester

Colors: As is

Price at time of publish: $29.97

Best Sun Protect
4.

Barbour Reef Packable Sun Hat

Shop Now at Bloomingdale’s

With a sun protection rating of +40, this paper and polyester hat can quite literally be rolled up into a ball at the bottom of your luggage and emerge at the end of the trip ready to head out to the beach.

Helpful Tip! Most hats come in one size, so if you’re looking for a more customized fit Barbour’s hat is available in various sizes.

RELATED: The 15 Best Bucket Hats for Men and Women

Sizes: S-L

Material: Polyester

Colors: Blue/white

Price at time of publish: $60

Best Statement Packable Sun Hat
5.

Baggu Packable Sun Hat

Shop Now at Baggu

If you’re looking to make a statement, go with full-blown color, like this rainbow gingham check wide-brimmed sun hat made of totally packable cotton poplin.

Helpful Tip! If you’re looking for an easy breezy hat, Baggu is machine washable.

Sizes: Fits heads sizes up to 23 ½”

Material: 100% organic cotton

Colors: 16 colors and prints available

Price at time of publish: $36

Best Packable Raffia Visor
6.

Helen Kaminski Mita Packable Raffia Visor

Shop Now at Nordstrom

Transport yourself back to an era in which nothing was packable, though this ribbon-tie retro visor is made of a packable raffia weave that won’t break when you roll it up in your bag.

Reviewers love that the glamorous visor design “covers well, yet doesn’t mash down your hair like hats do.”

Sizes: One size fits most; elasticized

Material: Raffia with cotton trim

Colors: Natural/midnight, natural sand

Price at time of publish: $210

Best Packable Panama Sun Hat
7.

Nine West Scarf Floppy Hat

Shop Now at Saks off Fifth

You can’t go wrong with a classic Panama hat. Nine West adds a contemporary twist with a fun leopard scarf. 

Helpful Tip! Let the leopard print pop and style with an elevated basic, be it a white maxi or even a t-shirt dress. 

Sizes: One size

Material: Paper/polyester

Colors: Black, leopard

Price at time of publish: $48

Best Black Packable Sun Hat
8.

San Diego Hat Company Cotton Crochet 4 Inch Brim Floppy Hat

Shop Now at Amazon

Sometimes you want that wide-brim silhouette with a more dramatic black vibe and this packable sun hat is just the thing for you.

Helpful Tip! Don’t let the dark color fool you, the cotton material and woven structure lets this hat keep you cool and protected.

RELATED: Top Men’s Sun Hats to Shop

Sizes: One size

Material: 100% cotton

Colors: Black

Price at time of publish: $27

Best Bohemian Packable Sun Hat
9.

Free People Marina Packable Sun Hat

Shop Now at Free People

For a low-key vibe go for a floppy hat with a smaller brim that will instantly transport you to a bohemian beach, far far away.

RELATED: Designer Bucket Hats Worth the Splurge

Sizes: One size

Material: Textile

Colors: Black, blush, ivory, tobacco

Price at time of publish: $48

Best Striped Packable Sun Hat
10.

Columbia Global Adventure™ Packable Hat II

Shop Now at Zappos

Available in two different sizes, you’ll have twice the luck getting the right fit. With its UPF sun protection and sweat wicking headband this packable sun hat is perfect for the trail or the coast. 

Reviewers were impressed with how well it held its shape rolled up on long travel days: “ Knowing it would be packed for ages…it did not disappoint…it popped right into shape.”

Sizes: SM/MD, LG/XL

Material: 58% paper, 25% polyester, 17% polyethylene

Colors: Safari, safari/nocturnal, straw, white, white/peach, white/purple tint

Price at time of publish: $34.95

Best Packable Ball Cap
11.

David & Young Ariana Ponyflo Stretch Cap

Shop Now at Nordstrom

This lightweight, stretchy ball cap is just the thing you need when the summer heat calls for a breezy high ponytail.

While an updo keeps your hair off your back and shoulders, this ventilated mesh cap will keep your scalp cool as well.

Sizes: One size fits most.

Material: 100% polyester

Colors: Pink

Price at time of publish: $25

Best Bow on a Packable Sun Hat
12.

Toucan Hats Packable Wide Bow Sun Hat

Shop Now at Tuckernuck

Add a whimsical, feminine touch with this perfectly oversized bow. Not only does it pair with a retro swimsuit or classic linen pants, but come spring, pair it with your favorite flowy maxi dress.

Helpful Tip! For our prepsters, Tuckernuck lets you monogram your hat for an additional $15. 

Sizes: One size

Material: Woven straw

Colors: Natural/navy, light blue, navy/white, pink, natural/cream, natural/black

Price at time of publish: $65.50

Best Oversized Packable Sun Hat
13.

Free People Shady Character Packable Wide Brim Hat

Shop Now at Free People

Just because you’re packing in a carry-on doesn’t mean you can’t go big!

Reviewers love the fashion and function as it “Adds so much drama and style to any outfit while protecting your face from the sun.”

Sizes: One size

Material: Paper/polyester

Colors: Blush, chocolate, toast, multi-brown, citron, white, black 

Price at time of publish: $68

Best Colorful Packable Sun Hat
14.

Nordstrom Packable Floppy Hat

Shop Now at Nordstrom

Add some extra color to your summer style! While most packable sun hats are available in tans, Nordstrom’s comes in classic colors and pretty pastels.

With most hats available in one size, reviewers rave that “the inside has a string to cinch if you need a tighter fit.”

Sizes: One Size fits most. 22 1/2” Inner circumference

Material: Paper straw

Colors: White, tan dark, green light, blue vintage, pink lavender, coral light

Price at time of publish: $39

Best Sporty Packable Sun Hat
15.

Wallaroo Hat Company Women’s Aqua Visor

Shop Now at Amazon

If you’re in the market for a sun hat for all your summer activities, then you’re in luck!

One reviewer writes its “ultra-light, fantastically flexible & keeps its shape…it even fits under my bike helmet” Plus, with two external ties, it’s easy to get the right fit. 

Sizes: One size

Material: 100% lycra

Colors: 10 colors and prints available

Price at time of publish: $35

Best Vintage Inspired Packable Sun Hat
16.

NYFASHION101 Open Knit Brown Braided Trim Vented Cotton Beach Sun Hat

Shop Now at Amazon

In a feminine, vintage-inspired lace style, this sun hat adds a romantic flair to any look.

And the lace holds its shape and travels with ease: “It also unfolded beautifully with no issues and I crumpled it in my luggage pretty good beforehand.”

Sizes: One size

Material: 100% cotton

Colors: Beige, black, coffee, denim, light gray, mint, navy

Price at time of publish: $20.99

Pro Tip

😎

Packable sun hats are a must when you’re traveling, and the design has come a long way in recent years.

Gone are the days where a “packable” topper feels like plastic and looks no better.

With new weaves and lightweight materials, even your most gorgeous wide-brimmed straw hat can be found with a packable stamp of approval!

FAQ

Why are sun hats important?

Hats are not only an excellent way to add style to your look, but they offer essential protection from harmful UV rays and the sun’s glare. A good sunhat protects not just your face, but also your head, neck, and ears.

This is especially important if you’re at a high risk of skin cancer and can help prevent skin damage. Just make sure you’re still applying sunscreen regularly!

What kind of packable sun hats are out there?

There’s no one most popular style. Visors and baseball caps are popular for more athletic activities or an athleisure look. Whereas a tropical getaway is begging for the beloved floppy hat or straw hat. And Panama hats are a timeless addition to your wardrobe.

RELATED: Best 12 Baby Sun Hats

All products featured on Viva Cabana are independently selected by our editorial team, and the company may earn commission through affiliate links.