The 9 Best Sun Hats For Babies To Protect Them All Summer Long

Forbes

3 days ago

While the best way to avoid sun exposure is to stay in the shade and out of the sun, sometimes that's not easy, especially for busy families. If shade isn't an option, protective clothing like sun hats, UPF baby swimsuits and sunscreen work in tandem to protect against dangerous ultraviolet rays since 'the smallest kids have the thinnest skin,' says Dr. Nanette Silverberg, chief of pediatric dermatology for the Mount Sinai Health System in New York. This means UV rays penetrate deeper, faster when they're not wearing good sun protection. 'Sun hats really do work,' she adds, noting that the best sun hats for babies offer a 'wide brim' all around or a front brim with a long flap that covers the neck. 'Both of them protect that really soft skin on the neck, but also the ears, which are hard to sunscreen.'
The best baby sun hats include a wide rim to protect little faces, ears and necks from sun exposure. ... More Illustration: Forbes / Photos: Retailers
'Protective clothing or covering is the best way to protect them from direct sunlight, from ultraviolet radiation" explains Dr. Helen Shin, the section chief for pediatric dermatology at Joseph M. Sanzari Children's Hospital at Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey. "When you have exposure to ultraviolet radiation, it does cause damage,' she says—damage that can lead to bad sunburns, premature aging and an increased risk of skin cancer.
After speaking to both experts, considering my own experience fitting sun hats onto my three kids' heads and polling Forbes Vetted parents for their picks, we've pulled together the best sun hats for babies just in time for the intense summer sun.
Best Sun Hat For Babies Overall: Green Sprouts UPF 50 Eco Flap Hat
Best Budget Sun Hat For Babies: Carter's Reversible Swim Hat
Best Wide Brim Sun Hat For Babies : Jan & Jul Cotton Bucket Sun Hat
Best Beach Sun Hat For Babies : Sunday Afternoons Infant SunSprout Hat
Best Sun Hat For Younger Babies: SwimZip Sun Hat With Neck Flap
Best Sun Hat For Toddlers: RuffleButts UPF50 Sun Protective Hat
Best Sun Hat For Babies For Swimming: Flap Happy UPF 50 Swim Hat
Most Stylish Sun Hat For Babies: Pehr Bucket Hat
Sustainable
Amazon Green Sprouts UPF 50 Eco Flap Hat
UPF Rating: 50 UPF | Sizes: 0-6M to 4T | Adjustable: Yes | Chin strap: Yes | Colorways: Nine
With protection for ears, neck and the face, this Green Sprouts UPF Eco Flap sun hat was my go-to for years, through three children. It was also the top pick for my two other baby and kids gear colleagues here at Forbes Vetted—we have nine children between us. The true magic of this hat, which might appear flimsy at first, is that the recycled polyester fabric makes it exceedingly lightweight so your baby or toddler (it fits sizes up to 4T) might not even notice they're wearing it, making it easier for you to keep it on their head longer. It never bothered my otherwise fussy kids, and the little chin strap kept it on even in the wind. It's breathable, washable and folds completely flat, making it easy to stick into a pocket, purse or beach bag. Tighten or loosen the adjustable elastic band around their head, so it can fit littles with larger- than-average or petite heads.
Carter's Carter's Reversible Swim Hat
UPF Rating: 50 UPF | Sizes: 0 to 24M | Adjustable: No | Chin strap: Yes | Colorways: Four | Certifications: Oeko-Tex Standard 100
This reversible baby sun hat from baby clothing giant Carter's offers a generous brim on all sides, so your little one's face is fully protected—and it's usually on sale for around $10. It comes in a variety of cute prints and can be flipped to suit their current style. Reviewers promise that the chin strap keeps the hat in place, and I appreciate that the UPF 50 fabric is also Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified, meaning its fabric has been tested and proven free of a number of potentially harmful substances. The brand's boy version of this hat has a slightly smaller brim in the bucket hat style of 2.5 inches, but that's still a generous amount of shade.
Sustainable
Patagonia Patagonia Baby Block-The-Sun Hat
UPF Rating: 40 UPF | Sizes: 0-3M to 2T-5T | Adjustable: No | Chin strap: Yes | Colorways: Five | Certifications: Fair Trade, NetPlus 100% recycled fabric
The sturdy, six-panel Patagonia Baby Block-The-Sun Hat protects both their face and neck with a generous front brim and extended back panel, as well as a UPF of 40. While it isn't adjustable, it does include a variety of sizes from newborn to 5T, so you can get the right fit, and the little chin strap can be tightened or loosened to keep it on. Alexis Caldwell, the vice president of business development and partnerships at Forbes Vetted, loves this Patagonia sun hat for her little one during hot Texas pool days. 'She doesn't constantly pull it off like with all other hats, and it dries super fast,' she says.
It was crafted in a Fair Trade factory from recycled fishing nets and includes a durable water repellent for water resistance at the beach, pool or in the rain. Patagonia also says it does not include 'any intentional PFAs.'
Woman-Owned
UPF Rating: 50 UPF | Sizes: 0-6M to 5 to 12 years (XL) | Adjustable: Yes | Chin strap: Yes | Colorways: 41 | Certifications: Woman and AAPI-Owned
Jan & Jul makes a variety of sun hats, including this fully adjustable, UPF 50-rated cotton bucket hat. The 360-degree brim is stiff, not floppy, and both the chin strap and the adjustable drawstring at the crown of the head can be tightened or loosened to get the right fit, offering parents longevity with the sizing. My youngest still finds this hat comfortable at age 6, and I like that the stiffer brim keeps the hat out of her face during more active play. The cotton is naturally more breathable than some other fabrics, and Jan & Jul says the UPF rating does not rely on any chemicals, dyes, solutions, PFAS or fluorocarbons. It comes in dozens of prints, colors and styles.
Jan & Jul is a woman-founded Canadian children's brand that focuses on outdoor gear like rain boots, sneakers and swimwear.
Sustainable
Amazon Sunday Afternoons Infant SunSprout Hat
UPF Rating: 50 UPF | Sizes: 0-6M and 12-24M (infants version); Small to large (ages 1-12 years) | Adjustable: No | Chin strap: Yes | Colorways: Eight (infants); 19 (Kids Play Hat) | Certifications: Bluesign, recycled fabrics, Climate Neutral Certified company, Lifetime Guarantee
This family-founded Oregon outdoor gear brand makes excellent—and surprisingly affordable—sun hats for all ages. The Sunday Afternoons Infant SunSprout Hat is made just for babes with a 2-inch flexible brim and a 4.25 inch 'neck cape.' The recycled polyester fabric is lightweight and moisture-wicking, making it ideal for beach days, providing your child with shade and a breathable, quick-drying hat. The chinstrap includes a quick release safety feature. It's extremely packable—or 'crushable,' as the brand describes it.
Once they outgrow the infant sizing, they can upgrade to the Sunday Afternoons Kids Play Hat.
Woman-Owned
UPF Rating: 50 UPF | Sizes: 0-6M to 2-8Y | Adjustable: Yes | Chin strap: No | Colorways: 13 | Certifications: Skin Cancer Foundation Seal
Designed by another well-regarded UV clothing brand founded by a skin cancer survivor and a mother, I like this SwimZip Sun Hat for young babies because it offers generous head, neck and face protection and stays securely on their head without much fuss, thanks to its snug-fit design. It adjusts at the back of the head rather than with tie straps, making it easy to fit and comfortable for little ones. The lightweight, breathable and quick-drying sun hat comes in 13 colors, including several highly visible shades. It also floats and offers UPF 50 protection.
Just be aware of the small mesh panels on the sides of the hat just above the ears and select another hat if your young child is still bald or has just a bit of light hair.
Nordstrom RuffleButts UPF50 Sun Protective Hat
UPF Rating: 50 UPF | Sizes: 0-6M to 2T to 4T | Adjustable: Yes | Chin strap: Yes | Colorways: 10
This extra-lightweight and soft Rufflebutts sun hat offers an extra wide brim all around, adjustable sizing and tie straps. The UPF 50 rating provides an added layer of protection. Like our best overall pick, it's easy to toss into the beach bag or diaper bag to ensure you always have a sun hat on hand, because it folds down compactly. It comes in nearly a dozen lovely shades and is 100% polyester. Be sure to keep a close eye on the long tie straps with very young babies—but those straps make it easier to keep on your toddler's head. Another woman-founded brand, Rufflebutts is best known for its ruffled diaper covers and swimwear bottoms.
Woman-Owned
UPF Rating: 50 UPF | Sizes: Small to XXL | Adjustable: No | Chin strap: No | Colorways: Seven | Certifications: Made from recycled materials
Made from Repreve, a recycled material, plus nylon, this swim hat from Flap Happy is rated UPF 50 with a neck flap, plus a wide front brim and coverage for their ears. It's ready for pool or beachtime and can float. Toss it right into the washing machine on a delicate cold cycle after your outing to keep it clean. While there aren't tie straps, elastic keeps it snug on their head even in the pool. Flap Happy, founded by a Southern California mom of four, makes dozens of types of sun hats if you're searching for something else, as well as UPF swimwear.
Woman-Owned
UPF Rating: 50 UPF | Sizes: 0-6M to 4T to 6T | Adjustable: Chin strap is adjustable | Chin strap: Yes (in infant sizes) | Colorways: Six | Certifications: Organic cotton
This sweet Pehr bucket hat is made of 100% organic cotton and offers a wide brim on all sides. The infant sizes include an adjustable chin strap to keep it secure while a hidden elastic at the back provides a snug fit. It's reversible, so you can flip it to whichever side suits their outfit of the day. The prints and stripes come in six options, all subtle and stylish, like the Life Aquatic sea life print, Marigold stripes and classic Ink Blue stripes. The mom- and woman-founded baby clothing brand champions its sustainable approach that includes organic cotton, AZO-free dyes and ethical manufacturing.
The Forbes Vetted team of editors and writers regularly reviews and tests a variety of kids and baby gear , including everything from baby clothes to travel strollers . We spend hours researching and interviewing experts to find the best and safest items for kids and families—and then testing and using these products in real life. Author Rose Gordon Sala is the deputy editor who oversees the kids and baby gear section of Forbes Vetted. She has 20 years of journalism experience and has been a parent for a dozen years, fitting sun hats onto her babies' heads for as many years at the Jersey Shore, on hikes and ball games and just for strolls around the neighborhood. Her children have worn three of the sun hats in this story, as well as several others.
The editor of this story, Esther Carlstone, is an experienced parenting editor and mother to three children who she is raising in sunny Southern California. Her children regularly wore the Green Sprouts sun hat as babies and toddlers.
Sala interviewed two experienced pediatric dermatologists for this story to ensure we selected the best, most protective sun hats as possible and to glean their feedback on how else to keep little ones safe from dangerous UV rays. She spoke to: Dr. Helen Shin , the section chief for pediatric dermatology at Joseph M. Sanzari Children's Hospital at Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey, and Dr. Nanette B. Silverberg , chief of pediatric dermatology for the Mount Sinai Health System in New York.
A sun hat is one layer of sun protection for babies and kids that's recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). We read through these guidelines ahead of reporting this story to ensure we were selecting the best sun hats. When selecting sun hats, we favored those with the widest brims as recommended by the two pediatric dermatologists who we interviewed for this story and according to AAP guidelines.
We included sun hats tested and recommended firsthand by Forbes Vetted writers, editors and other parents on the team as long as they met the first guidance to seek out a wide brim.
We evaluated the sun hats for other favorable attributes and considered whether the hat was made with a lightweight, comfortable fabric, the overall cost as it related to features, the inclusion of UPF, chin straps, closures and how well the hats stay on, as well as whether or not you could adjust the fit and, of course, styles and aesthetics.
Only sun hats with favorable reviews or a firsthand staff recommendation were included here. What To Look For In The Best Sun Hats For Babies
Both pediatric dermatologists interviewed for this story enthusiastically recommended a wide brim sun hat to protect the thinner, more delicate skin of young babies who also struggle with temperature regulation in the early weeks, as well avoiding the sun altogether. 'It's very much important to really avoid heavy sun exposure in younger kids,' says Silverberg. 'Sun protection, hats, sunglasses, swim shirts, sunblock and avoiding the midday sun. So a combination of activities and choices that are positive to protect the skin.' Wide Brim
The AAP makes a recommendation that you look for a wide brim hat 'with an all-around 3-inch brim to shield the face, ears, and back of the neck.' I found many baby sun hats have an advertised bill of just under 3-inches, but came close. Both experts interviewed favor wide brim hats with some neck and ear protection, as well to keep more of children's sensitive skin covered, especially over baseball hats. Material
A tight weave or a UPF rating of 30 to 50 is the best material to seek out in a sun hat. While a thicker hat might offer the best sun protection, your baby might prefer something lighter and more comfortable on their skin, so you might seek out a lighter weight material with a UPF rating. You might have to try a few hats to see which one your child tolerates best, because if they won't wear it, it isn't worth it.
One dermatologist also cautioned us to avoid mesh, which might be added for breathability, but that can potentially let that ultraviolet in. Another suggested darker colors for better protection. UPF Rating
A UPF rating stands for ultraviolet protection factor (UPF). However, Dr. Shin points out that you don't need to spend extra money on UPF clothing if the weave of the fabric is tight enough and you select a darker color.
However, a UPF rating might ease your decision. 'The idea is that they either contain chemicals that block light or they're an extremely tight weave that prevents UV light from coming through,' adds Silverberg. 'There are a variety of benefits for that. It's not just sun protection. They do tend to be fairly cool as garments go.' She points out that a rating of 30 is good but 50 is even better. Chin Strap Or Not
For many parents, the biggest challenge is keeping the hat on their child's hat. 'Babies are very quick to just take the hat off,' says Shin. A chin strap, whether it ties or closes with Velcro, can offer a bit of a deterrent to kids prone to shucking it off. So can an adjustable band that goes around the head or sometimes just a bit of elastic in the headband can keep it snugger on a child's head. Shin cautions parents to keep a close eye on babies wearing a sun hat with straps or ties and to supervise them closely. 'You don't want them to be too long," she says, noting they could pose a possible risk.
Should Babies Wear Hats In The Sun?
Yes, experts agree that babies should wear sun hats. Shin recommends that babies 'always' wear a wide-brim hat to avoid sun damage. Silverberg points out that all ages can benefit from protective clothing in the sun, but that parents should be aware of another motivating factor. 'Most kids learn sun protection by modeling from their parents,' she says. 'If you want your kid to wear a sun hat, you should be wearing the sun hat, too. If you want your kid to wear the swim shirt, you should be wearing it too.'
What Kind Of Hat Is Best For A Baby?
Both experts and the AAP recommend wide-brimmed hats for babies, especially those that offer coverage for the face, neck and ears. Neither pediatric dermatologist loved baseball caps, but said they're better than nothing thanks to the tight weave. Where they fall short is lacking that 360-degree protection. 'You're not really getting complete facial protection, just the front,' says Silverberg.
Your baby's sun hat doesn't need a UPF factor, but this could help if you can't evaluate how tight the weave is on your own. Be aware of long, dangling straps that could pose a danger to young babies, as well as mesh that could let some sun into those areas.
What Kind Of Hat Do Doctors Recommend For UV Light?
​​'You don't have to buy clothing that is labeled with a UPF factor,' says Shin. 'Tighter-knit clothing and darker colors are going to give you more protection.' Also consider how much of the face and body the hat is covering—anything that is exposed to the sun needs sunscreen applied and reapplied, she says.
Still, a UPF rating does serve as a good guide to how well the hat or the piece of clothing will prevent the sun reaching your child. Look for clothing rated at a 30 or 50 UPF for even better protection. The Skin Cancer Foundation explains how to select the most protective clothing.
How Can I Protect My Baby From The Sun?
While both experts interviewed for this story do recommend sun hats and other protective clothing for babies—and adults—they both also cautioned that a hat alone won't be enough and should be accompanied by additional layers of protection at all ages. These layers include seeking out shade, avoiding the sun during the hottest parts of the day and applying UPF 30 or 50 sunscreen. (The AAP now says that babies under the age of 6 months old should stay in the shade and out of the sun, but that small exposed areas should be covered in sunscreen.)
'We talk a lot about shade and clothing that protects and sunscreen as options for sun protection—and they're best done together,' says Silverberg. 'You want to start your day with sunscreen for protection and plan on shade and avoiding the midday sun.'
'My number one recommendation is always to try to stay in the shade,' says Shin. 'That could be under a tree, under an awning, a stroller umbrella... I usually recommend shade first and then second is protective clothing like a wide brim hat that covers the front and the back, because the baseball hat alone would only cover the front. We always recommend sunglasses… [and] sunscreen on all exposed areas. Try not to be outside when the sun is the strongest. That's usually between 10:00 and 3:00.' More Baby And Kids Summer Gear To Shop