Protect yourself from harmful UV rays, as well as sweat, rain, wind, and whatever else tries to break your stride.
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Great running shoes? Check. Great running shorts? Also check. But don’t head out for the trail, course, road, or race without a hat, too. Running hats can be a lifesaver in all kinds of weather and climate conditions, protecting you from a light drizzle, shielding you from the sun’s harmful rays, or keeping wind out of your eyes.
Styles of running hats vary, but the sign of a better one will be the addition of breathable side and back panels that allow air flow, which keeps you cool. Moisture-wicking fabric will provide comfort while preventing sweat from dripping in your face. Some hats even include sweatbands on the interior or hidden pockets to stash a credit card or an energy gel.
A good running hat will keep the elements—rain, sun, and wind—out of your eyes, wick away moisture, and keep sweat from dripping down your face and impairing your vision. Another bonus of moisture-wicking is that, in cold weather, it can move the sweat away from your skin so you stay dry and warm.
Many running hats have built-in UPF protection for an added layer of protection against sun damage. If you're are a runner with longer hair, have bangs, or locks that are just short enough that you can’t pull them back, then one of these running hats will serve double duty by moving moisture away while keeping strands and flyaways from distracting you mid-stride. The last thing you need to do on a run is stop to fix your hair. (A running headband can also work wonders.)
A hat might be a small accessory, but choosing one that fits comfortably and serves its purpose—like keeping sun and rain out of your face—might not be as easy as grabbing one off the shelf or clicking purchase without doing your homework.
Unless you’re purchasing an authentic baseball cap, chances are your hat has an adjustability feature because heads are certainly not all the same size. There are a few popular ways to adjust a hat, including Velcro (sometimes called a hook-and-loop closure), bungee pull, sliding adjuster, and plastic snaps. Velcro is easy to adjust midrun, but over time it can lose its “stickiness” especially thanks to washing and getting stuck to other materials.
To adjust the bungee pull, you press down on the button and use your other hand to pull the string to tighten. Plastic snaps are most common on trucker-style and baseball hats, but they’re very difficult to adjust while on the move. Plus, longer hair can snag in the clasps. The sliding adjuster can be simple for some, but a source of frustration for others if it doesn’t slide just right.
Most hats are made of polyester, which is lightweight, can provide UV protection, and repels water. Many running hats have mesh panels for breathability. Wool, which has a natural anti-odor property, is used on the inside brim of some hats to manage the ick factor of sweat and stink. Some hats have a durable water repellent (DWR) finish, which makes the hat water-resistant, but you’re not going to stay totally dry if you’re running in the rain.
You might not think flexibility matters much in a hat, but if you ever need to pack a hat away you’ll think otherwise. Trucker-style hats, for example, are cooling, thanks to their mesh material, but they don’t bend. Brands like Janji, Buff, and Hoka offer models that are extremely packable—you can fold and stick these hats into your back pocket or waistband. (But hats that are too flexible might be too floppy and be ineffective at keeping, say, rain out of your face.)
Hats on their own can provide UV protection against the sun, but some models are made with UPF 50 material. Make sure you use these with sunscreen. If you’re running in the early-morning hours or at night, it’s important to make yourself as visible as possible. Many hats have reflective details, and some are all-over reflective. Finally, most hats don’t come with storage, but there are some out there that have a sneaky pocket for a key or maybe a gel. Just like the innovation in sports bra and waistband pockets, we might see more creative storage solutions in hats.
I recommended these hats based on my experience running in all sorts of weather and for both workouts and in races and marathons. I evaluated each cap on performance, price, comfort, and style. I also drew on previous versions of this article written by contributor Heather Mayer Irvine, which considered input from the RW editors and test team. Our combined efforts bring you the best running hats you can buy now.
Whatever the weather you encounter, this featherlight, fast-drying running hat is designed to keep you comfortable and dry. Cutting-edge laser-cut ventilation provides protection and cooling factors, plus there’s a soft sweatband inside. Made with tear-proof, woven fabric, this cap gets a best overall nod for not only its performance features but its low-key style. It’s suitable for the roads, trails, and everywhere in between.
Face the elements head-on with the Transit Tech cap that provides UPF 50 protection and a DWR finish for extra rain coverage. Plus, it’s foldable and has a small zip pocket for a key, card, or cash.
Born on the trails, Hoka gear holds up on the roads, too—and in all weather. This performance five-panel hat is breathable and lightweight and is easily packable thanks to its flexible brim. The bungee closure makes any necessary adjustment a cinch. Tested on the windy trails of Moab, Utah, this hat didn’t budge. And its wide brim shades your face.
The high-end running brand partnered with Ciele Athletics, known for its cycling caps, to create a lightweight, packable hat made for going off-road. Its five-panel design promotes breathability, and its 100 percent recycled polyester keeps runner stank at bay.
When runner and activist Alison Mariella Désir collaborated with women’s activewear brand Oiselle to design her AMD collection, she pushed them to rethink a fan-favorite accessory, the Runner Trucker hat. Désir, who wrote Running While Black, voiced that her number-one concern (and priority) was to make sure textured hair would be protected. To do this, she proposed using a satin liner, which would also promote breathability.
Size was another factor. In a blog post, Oiselle admitted the original cap’s smaller size was preferential to certain hair types. A larger hat accommodates Black women’s natural, textured hair.
And finally, Désir wanted a hat that “normalized” her experience and needs without screaming, “I’m so different, I need a different product.”
This relatively new apparel company doesn’t take itself so seriously—it’s all about fun on the run, which is why you’ll find bright colors and tie-dye socks on its site. The company's hats are equally cool, sans slogans. All of the models are lightweight, moisture-wicking, and highly breathable. The Lightweight Distance Hat, in particular, has huge netting panels down the side to help you stay cool but also afford some protection from the sun on the top of your dome.
Lightweight and cooling are where this lid from Nike excels. The AeroBill, as its name suggests, moves air across your scalp thanks to a slew of ventilation holes along the front and sides of the hat. The top is closed—which we like for sun protection, though that usually means heat build-up. In this case, the thin fabric doesn’t get overly hot. Bonus: The hook-and-loop closure means you don’t have a strap flapping on the back of your head as you run.
This Montreal-based upstart is infusing fun and playfulness into the sport. Make no mistake, these lids are made for performance first, but they look great, too. The GoCap is one of the brand’s signature styles and comes in a range of colorful options. We like the fast-drying Coolwick fabric that keeps your head dry on hot days, plus the multi-panel construction that allows for a sleek, comfortable fit. The soft, bendable brim and reflective accents are bonus features that roadies and trail runners, respectively, will appreciate.
Janji sells a couple of hats that we love, including the Transit Tech Cap, a five-panel hat with a water-repellent finish and a zippered pocket. That one comes in fairly conservative colors. For more flair and better performance on really hot days, the AFO Hyperlite delivers. A flexible foam brim and a stretchy cord closure on the back make it exceptionally flexible—you can crush it up and stash it in a pocket or pack effortlessly. Worth noting: It has a lower-profile fit than more traditional hats, which works better for those of us without a lot of hair.
For variety, you can’t beat Headsweats. The brand makes a ton of styles—like truckers, race hats, and even visors—in just about any color or design you could want. We like the Reflective Race Hat for its versatility. Some might bristle at hi-vis color schemes, but it’s useful for runs late in the day. And, when you stay out after the sun sets, the generous striping around the rim of the hat increases your chance of being seen by drivers.
Express yourself with the fun designs from Sprints. RW Test Editor Amanda Furrer’s favorite is the now-retired ice cream print, which she says, “says a lot about me.” Although Sprints makes its hats with polyester, we wouldn’t necessarily call it a performance hat; it lacks run-specific features (odor control, reflectivity, and storage, for example), but it’ll keep sun and rain out of your face.
We're a fan of lululemon’s running caps, especially the running-specific models that have a higher cut in the back to lift your ponytail off your neck. The lightweight crushable reflective running hat is a favorite. It uses Swift fabric which is stretchy and quick to dry. The flexible brim is well executed and lets you stash the hat in a waistband or just clip it to your belt using the adjustable back closure. Reflective details to ensure you're easily seen by motorists during early morning or after dark runs.
This hat turns a neat trick: Top-mounted vents can be flipped open on exceptionally hot days or left closed if you want full protection from the sun. The curved lines on the side make it comfortable on long runs, and it doesn’t interfere with sunglasses. The foldable bill dials up usefulness, so you can pack it flat in your gym bag—or tuck it in the waistband of your shorts, if you need to ditch it mid-run.
Ciele made the 5-panel hat silhouette cool among runners—thankfully, we’re past our trucker phase. But, seemingly every other hat maker has rolled out their own versions. Fractel is the latest, with an insanely long list of product SKUs, most built around the M-Series cap. It looks like a Ciele hat, but has a more traditional, longer brim which many runners will like for the extra sun protection. You can get it more than 20 colors, but it’s hard to go wrong with the classic white, which also stays cooler under cloudless skies. The fit is adjustable and even accommodated the largest-headed testers on our team. For even more protection, check out the Legionnaire, a tweak on the M-Series with a flap that covers your neck and ears. It looks dumb, but we found it’s great for keeping deer flies from driving you crazy on trail runs in the Adirondack Mountains.
Path Projects makes some novel running shorts, which allow you to mix and match your shorts and base liners. Its Muir Cap isn’t modular, but it delivers unrivaled performance. Thanks to 94 laser-cut holes, your head remains cool—even if you opt for the black version of this lid—and the fabric is durable, which is helpful when you’re scraping along low-hanging branches on singletrack.
Smartwool is a fan favorite, known for its durable, comfortable, and naturally odor-resistant socks. Its apparel and hat don’t disappoint, either. We tested the Go Far, Feel Good cap against odor, and thanks to its funk-fighting merino-wool interior band, we fell in love. The lightweight cap features reflective elements and UPF 20 protection. On smaller heads, it might require midrun adjustment, which can be done with a slider.
Specifically designed for the shape of a woman’s head, this hat even has tapered panels sized with females in mind. The back of the hat is engineered so women can wear their hair up, down, or some combination in between. No more struggling if you wear a braid or ponytail. While on your run, this hat’s Breathable CooliningTM materials wick away sweat to keep you cool. Featuring UPF 50+ to protect your eyes and skin from harmful UV, it comes in black, white, navy or hot pink. You may want more than one!
What is the best fabric for a running hat?
Polyester or any fabric that is breathable ensures that heat can escape your head. If you wear a hat without mesh panels, perforations or laser cut-outs, the hat can actually raise your body temperature, which is not ideal, especially if it’s already hot outside.
What is one thing to avoid when looking for the perfect running hat?
While being able to pack and stash a hat midrun is ideal, I avoid hats that lack shape or structure. I’ve found that if your hat is too flimsy, it won’t offer protection from the elements.
Visors are a great option to keep the sun out of your eyes and wick away sweat. Their open-top design ensures you don’t overheat. I am a huge fan of visors for these reasons, but there are some notable limitations. If it’s rainy this is not your best option to keep your head dry. You should also keep in mind that visors don’t provide full coverage from the sun on your head, so if you have thin or thinning hair, a cap is better.
Stephanie is a freelance writer and running enthusiast based out of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, who specializes in writing about health and fitness best practices and covering elite runners and inspirational competitors for publications such as Runner's World, The Guardian, Women’s Running, PodiumRunner, Wingfoot and Competitor Magazines. When she's not writing, you can find her running the trails with her two Vizslas or traveling with her husband to races around the world, constantly on the quest for a personal best
Heather is the former food and nutrition editor for Runner’s World, the author of The Runner’s World Vegetarian Cookbook, and a seven-time marathoner with a best of 3:31—but she is most proud of her 1:32 half, 19:40 5K, and 5:33 mile. Her work has been published in The Boston Globe, Popular Mechanics, The Wall Street Journal Buy Side, Forbes Vetted, Cooking Light, CNN, Glamour, The Associated Press, and Livestrong.com.
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