Wearing a Boonie hat for cold-weather hunting will freeze you to death! To avoid such a situation, you must learn how to select suitable hunting hats.

Hunting hats come in a wide range of designs and variations. To pick the right one, you need to consider the hat’s material, style, size, colour, hunting environment, and many other factors. Besides, not all hunting hats suit all face shapes.

But nothing to worry about! This article will provide essential guidance on how to pick the best hunting hats for you. Keep on reading- 

What Is a Hunting Hat?

Hunting hats are designed for hunters to provide protection and comfort while hunting. They keep your head covered by direct sunlight, cold wind, and other unfavourable weather conditions.

Hunting caps usually have wide brims to shade the face and neck, protecting the face from UV rays. They are available in different styles, sizes, and colors. You can pick the one that suits your taste. 

Type Of Hunting Hat

Hunting hats have a wide range of design shapes and styles. Being an ancient practice, the traditional designs of hunting hats are quite enriched. Even modern hats are often designed from traditional inspirations. Below, we have pictured different types of traditional and modern hunting hats types- 

Traditional Hunting Hats

Traditional hunting hats are usually bucket-shaped. Decorative elements are a special feature of these hats. You will find beautiful accessories picturing the ancient culture and traditional values in these hats. The most popular traditional hunting hats that you can yet style in the modern age are as follows- 

• Tricorn Hats

Tricorn hats were popular among European and colonial American hunters in the 17th and 18th centuries. These caps have wide beams folded on three sides, forming a triangle shape. This is why they are known as ‘tricorn,’ ‘tri’ means three, and ‘corn’ comes from the  Latin word ‘cornu’, which means pointed. These three-pointed hats are usually made of wool or felt. So, you can use them for winter or hunting in cold weather. 

• Schinderhannes Hats

The Schinderhannes hats are named after the infamous German outlaw Schinderhannes. These hats are, in fact, a part of traditional German hunting attire. The speciality of these hats is that they have a distinctive band or cord. This cord is placed around the base of the hat’s crown and is often decorated with feathers or other items. 

• Tyrolean Hats

The Tyrolean hat is closely associated with alpine culture. These hats’ brims have a broader profile on the sides but are narrower at the front and back.  However, the special feature of this hat is the Gamsbart attached to the side of the hat. It is a tuft of hair made from the beard of a chamois (a type of mountain goat). If you want traditional rooted hunting hats, this can be a masterpiece in your collection. 

• Fox Hunting Hats 

Fox hunting hats are also known as riding hats. They are part of the traditional hunting attire for tracking, chasing, and killing foxes. These hats look like top hats but are shorter. Besides, they have curved brims. In the early days, these hats were paired with a red coat and white breeches for fox hunting races.

Modern Hunting Hats

Modern hunting hats are simple and basic in design, unlike the fancy traditional ones. Comfort and functionality are given top priority when designing these hats. Some popular modern hunting hats are as follows- 

• Boonie Hats

Bonnie hats are wide-brimmed hats with flat crowns. They were initially designed for the U.S. Army to provide comfort and protection from scorching hats. Boonie hats come with a chin strap for secure wearing. They are also lightweight and made of breathable fabric, perfect for summer hunting. 

• Billed Beanie Hunting Hats 

Billed bean hunting hats are designed for cold-weather hunting. They are made from insulating materials like wool or synthetic blends to provide warmth. Unlike traditional hunting hats, they don’t have wide brims for sun protection. Instead, these hats have enclosed designs that protect the ears and neck from cold. A short brim is at the front, shielding the eyes from glare. 

• Hunting Caps

Hunting caps are versatile in design; you can use them for winter and summer hunting. The summer hunting caps are lightweight, have a long front hood for sun protection, and are made of breathable fabric. On the other hand, winter hunting caps are made of wool or other warm fabric. They can have long back flops or ear flaps to cover the neck and ears from the cold. Hunting options are good to go if you want something simple and stylish. 

• Trapper Hat

Nothing can work better than a trapper hat if you want complete head protection during winter hunting. These hats are made with wool or synthetic fibers to ensure you remain warm in the freezing cold. For extra warmth, they also have a fleece or fur lining. They have a long back and ear flap to cover your neck and ears. Some trapper hats also come with a mask attachment to cover your nose. 

How To Choose The Best Hunting Hats?

There are several factors to consider to pick the ideal hunting hat for you. Check the below points for guidance: 

Material

While choosing the hunting hat material, you must consider your hunting season and spot. For summer hunting, go for hats made of breathable cotton. These are comfortable and provide good ventilation. You can also choose nylon and polyester hunting hats. They are water-resistant and will keep you dry. However, for proper sun protection, look for fabric-hunting hats. 

In contrast, purchase hunting caps made of warm materials for winter hunting. Wool, Fleece, or synthetic fabrics are ideal for winter hunting caps. Besides, leather caps are also on trend. If you are a fashion-conscious hunter, this can be a great pick for you to look stylish. You can use these hats in mild and dry weather. 

Style Of The Hat 

Hunting hats are available in two major styles, brimmed hats and caps. You can choose anyone based on your sense of styling.

• Brimmed Style Hats

These are hunting hats with wide brims. They protect your face from sun and rain while hunting. Boonie, traveller, bucket, and safari hats are popular variants of brimmed hats. Brimmed hats are an excellent choice for a more traditional hunting look.

Best For: Sun protection and traditional hunting experience 

• Cap Style Hats 

Cap-style hunting hats are like basic caps. They have a long front for sun protection. Basketball caps, Billed bean hunting hats, and trucker hats are popular hunting caps. 

Best For: Visibility and modern hunter look 

Correct Size

The hats come in size labels like- S, M, L, X, etc. You need to know the measurement of your head to pick the ideal hunting hat for you. Use a measuring tape to find your head size and match the chart below for the correct hunting hats-

NB: Most hats come with adjustable drawstrings to fit your size. 

Crown Height & Brims Width  

The crown’s shape and height are crucial to ensure the hunting hat suits you. Wearing a high-height crown hat with a long oval face will not look good. You must consider your face shape when picking the ideal hunting hat. The below chart will help you with this- 

Color Of The Hat 

The colour of the hat is a personal preference. But there are some hunting hat colour codes that you must know. Green is a popular option for hunting hats. These are mostly camouflage (camo) patterns that help you hide in the environment while shooting. 

However, blaze orange hunting hats are also used in many regions for safety, especially during hunting seasons. They provide proper visibility to prevent accidental shootings between hunters. Nevertheless, you can also explore colour choices unless there is any sp[specific regional colour code. 

Climate and Weather Conditions

To ensure a comfortable hunting experience, consider weather and climate factors. The chart below will help you pick the ideal hat based on hunting weather- 

Specific Features

Besides the basic criteria of hats, you should look for some specific features to pick the ideal one for hunting. These are as follows- 

• Sweatband: A sweatband is a strip that is attached to the inner circumference of the hat’s crown. These bands absorb moisture and prevent sweat from dripping into your eyes. So, if you are going for a summer hunt, consider this feature while buying hats. 
• Chin Strap: A chin straps secure your hat in your head. Even in windy weather, the hat will remain in place.  
• Ear Flaps: For cold weather hunting, consider an earflap hunting hat. This will protect your ear from excessive cold. 
• Mesh Panels: A ventilation system in hats will keep you cool in hot weather. Purchasing hats with mesh panels or vents on the crown is a good choice. This will improve airflow and breathability. 
• Reversible Hats: For versatile styling, reversible hats are a great option. These come in two different colours on both sides. So, you can change the side and wear your preferred colour. 

Top 5 Hunting Hats: Best Picks For You

Maintenance Tips For Hunting Hats  

• Store the hat with great care. To keep the shape perfect, petter inserts papers inside the crow. Also, store the hunting hat in a dry place away from direct sunlight.
• After using the hat, keep it in fresh air to remove the odour caused by sweating.
• Check the washing guidance before you attempt a hand wash. It can damage the hunting hat. 
• Never use hot water when washing hunting hats; it will shrink the material. 
• Clean the sweatbands with a damp cloth regularly. Women’s Western Hat Styles: Top Trends & Timeless Looks

Conclusion

To pick the best hunting hats, you should first consider the weather of your hunting spot. For summer hunting, choose lightweight, wide-brimmed, and breathable hunting hats. For winter, purchase warm and insulated hats to stay warm.

Whatever design or style you choose, ensure the hat is the right size. Consider a chin strap for additional fit. Last but not least, compare prices and pick the best deal! 

FAQs

What hats do hunters wear?

Hunters usually wear wide-brimmed hats with camo patterns. This protects them from sunlight and hides them within the forest. 

What is a hunting hat called?

A hunting hat is also known as a deerstalker.

Can I wash hunting hats?

Yes, you can wash hunting hats, but not all fabrics are suitable for hand washing. Check the cleaning instructions before washing.