Gift Guide
Best Accessories for Beach
Because the right hat can turn a good beach day into an unforgettable one — and keep your skin safe while you’re at it.
Picture this: you’re finally at the beach, the kind of day where the light hits the water just right and you have nowhere else to be. You’ve packed the sunscreen, the book, the good towel. But the moment you settle into your chair, the sun is relentless — and squinting through three hours of it is nobody’s idea of a perfect afternoon.
The right sun hat changes everything. Not just for the protection (though UPF 50+ coverage is genuinely serious sun safety, not a marketing footnote), but for how it makes you feel — pulled together, a little adventurous, completely yourself. Whether you’re someone who wants a classic cotton brim or a packable travel-ready option you can stuff into your carry-on, there’s a hat here that was made for the way you spend your days outdoors.
We rounded up five of the best beach-ready sun hats across a range of styles, price points, and personalities. From Scala’s easygoing wide brim to Solbari’s thoughtfully designed ponytail-friendly option, here’s what we’d actually reach for on a long summer day.
The Picks
Scala womens Cotton Big Brim Hat With Inner Drawstring & Upf 50+ Rating
The Scala cotton big brim hat is the one I’d grab on a lazy Saturday when I want to look like I tried without actually trying. The brim is genuinely generous — wide enough to throw real shade across your shoulders — and the adjustable inner drawstring means it stays put even when the breeze picks up. The warm neutral tones (think natural straw-adjacent cotton) work with everything from a white linen coverup to a faded denim shirt over your swimsuit. At $39.99, it’s the most accessible option in this roundup, and honestly the cotton construction feels better against a hot forehead than synthetic alternatives. UPF 50+ protection is built in, so you’re covered without thinking about it. This one suits the woman who likes a classic, unfussy silhouette and wants a hat she can grab year after year without babying it.
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Tilley
Tilley LTM5 Airflo Medium Brim Hat – Ultralight, Buoyant & Breathable, UPF 50+ Sun Protection, Water-Resistant
Tilley has been making serious outdoor hats for decades, and the LTM5 Airflo is why people become loyalists. It’s ultralight — almost surprisingly so when you pick it up — and the nylon blend construction is both water-resistant and breathable in a way that cotton simply isn’t on a hot, humid beach day. The Airflo mesh panel keeps air moving around your head, which matters more than you’d expect after hour two in direct sun. It floats if it hits the water, which sounds like a small detail until it saves your favorite hat from a wave. The neutral tones are understated and refined. At $79.20, you’re paying for durability and function, and this hat earns it. I’d pick this one for anyone who’s serious about sun protection without wanting to look like they’re wearing gear.
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Sunday Afternoons
Sunday Afternoons Adventure Hat
The Sunday Afternoons Adventure Hat has a quietly devoted following among people who spend real time outdoors, and wearing it, I understand why. The wide brim sits at a proportion that flatters without overwhelming, and the adjustable fit system means it works for a range of head sizes without feeling sloppy. The nylon blend dries fast — faster than cotton — which makes it the smart pick for water activities, kayaking, or any beach day where you might actually get wet. The neutral tones are muted and versatile. At $54, it sits in a comfortable middle ground between budget and investment. This hat suits someone who is as likely to be at the beach as on a hiking trail the next morning — the kind of person who wants their accessories to keep up with them.
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Tilley
Tilley T5MO Adventure Airflo Hat, UPF 50+ Men’s Sun Hat
The Tilley T5MO is worth noting even though it’s positioned as a men’s hat, because the cotton canvas construction and classic silhouette are genuinely appealing regardless of how you shop. The warm neutral colorways are handsome in an understated way, and the Airflo technology — breathable channels built into the structure — keeps it from feeling heavy even in direct afternoon heat. The cotton canvas brim holds its shape over time in a way that flimsier materials don’t, which means this hat looks good on day one and still looks good a few summers later. At $87.20 it’s the highest price point in the roundup. It’s worth it for anyone who wants an heirloom-quality hat that ages beautifully and protects reliably. A great pick for a partner, a dad, or frankly anyone who appreciates well-made things.
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Solbari
Solbari Women’s Ultra-Wide Cotton Linen Sun Hat UPF 50+, Packable, Adjustable with Ponytail Hole for Travel, Beach & Outdoors
The Solbari ultra-wide cotton linen hat is the one I’d pack for a trip. It folds down, tucks into a bag, and bounces back into shape without drama — the packable design is genuinely thoughtful, not just a marketing claim. The cotton linen blend has a slightly softer, more textured feel than pure cotton, and the ultra-wide brim offers exceptional coverage across the face and neck. The ponytail hole at the back is a small detail that makes a real difference on warm days when wearing your hair up isn’t optional. UPF 50+ protection and an adjustable fit round out the practical features. At $79, it’s a considered investment in a hat that travels well and works hard. This one is for the woman who is always on her way somewhere and needs her accessories to be ready for anything.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What UPF rating should I look for in a beach hat?
UPF 50+ is the gold standard for sun-protective clothing and accessories. It means the fabric blocks at least 98% of the sun’s UV radiation. All five hats in this roundup carry a UPF 50+ rating, so you’re protected regardless of which one you choose. For extended beach days or time near reflective water, a wide brim combined with that rating gives you the most comprehensive coverage.
Is cotton or nylon better for a beach hat?
It depends on how you’ll use it. Cotton feels softer and more natural against skin, and it’s a great choice for relaxed beach days. Nylon blends dry faster and handle water exposure better, making them smarter for activities like paddleboarding or kayaking. If you’ll be in and out of the water, a nylon option like the Tilley LTM5 or Sunday Afternoons Adventure Hat is the more practical pick.
How do I keep my hat from blowing off at the beach?
Look for hats with an inner drawstring or adjustable fit system. The Scala hat’s inner drawstring is particularly useful in wind because you can cinch it snugly without the hat feeling tight. A chin cord is another option some styles offer. Beyond fit features, a slightly stiffer brim — like the cotton canvas on the Tilley T5MO — also resists catching wind better than a very floppy, lightweight brim.
Can I pack a sun hat in my luggage without it getting crushed?
The Solbari hat is specifically designed to be packable and will recover well from being folded or stuffed into a bag. More structured hats like the Tilley styles are less forgiving when compressed. A good travel trick for structured hats is to fill the crown with rolled socks or soft items and place the hat on top of your bag’s contents rather than underneath anything heavy.
What brim width actually makes a difference for sun protection?
Dermatologists generally recommend a brim of at least three inches all the way around for meaningful face, neck, and ear coverage. The ultra-wide brim on the Solbari hat offers the most generous coverage in this roundup. A wider brim paired with UPF 50+ fabric is more protective than a narrow brim with a high UPF rating — because coverage and fabric work together, not independently.
Final Thoughts
A good beach hat is one of those things you don’t fully appreciate until you have the right one. It’s not about looking put-together for photos (though that’s a nice side effect). It’s about staying comfortable and protected long enough to actually enjoy the day — the long stretches of reading, the slow walks along the water, the kind of afternoon that feels endless in the best way.
Any of these five hats will serve you well this season and well beyond it. Start with what matters most to you: packability, breathability, classic style, or sheer coverage. Trust that instinct. The best beach accessory is always the one that makes you forget you’re wearing it — and lets you stay outside a little longer than you planned. Here’s to more days like that.