How To Choose The Perfect Sun Hat

With so many sun hats to choose from, how do you narrow it down to the perfect one? The three most important factors to consider are: brim size and shape, material, and the activity for use. Brim size is a fundamental factor in the level of UV protection provided by a sun hat. Most physicians recommend a minimum brim of 3 inches or greater. Brim size is most important for blocking direct UV rays. The shape of the sun hat and brim also impacts the hat’s UV blocking ability. This dispersed UV can bounce up underneath the brim of the sun hat and will often strike areas lower on your face such as your chin and cheeks. For complete sun protection, it is best to also use sunscreen on your lower face area while wearing a sun hat. Another approach to protecting against reflected UV is to wear a flap hat. Sun hats with flaps can almost completely protect your skin from reflected UV where the fabric lies on your skin. Also, you can purchase a UV protectant material.