UPF 50+ Sun Protection Hats: Wide Brims, Family-Made Since 1969

Most Conner sun protection hats offer UPF 50+ protection, blocking 98% of harmful UVA and UVB rays. We still maintain our company food forest at the site and have created a hub there for other small businesses to use the location. Our materials are UPF tested with ARPANSA (the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency). We also apply two rules stricter than the standard: we do not give a UPF rating to any hat with open mesh, even when the brim material tests 50+, and we do not rate any brim under 2.5 inches. UPF 50+ is the highest standard available and is widely recommended by dermatologists for outdoor sun protection. Unlike sunscreen, sun-protective clothing never needs reapplying — the protection is built into the fabric itself, whether it's dry or wet.

Regular hats without UPF ratings offer inconsistent protection. According to a Cleveland Clinic dermatologist, “most cotton shirts give you an equivalent of about a UPF of 5 when you're wearing it,” and a standard white T-shirt has a UPF of about 7, dropping to UPF 3 when wet. In contrast, Conner's UPF 50+ hats block 98% of UV radiation consistently, wet or dry, providing far more reliable coverage than untested materials.

The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends a minimum 3-inch brim all the way around to effectively shade your face, scalp, neck, ears, and upper back. Conner's wide-brim sun protection styles feature 3+ inch brims that meet this dermatologist-backed standard. Research shows that wide-brimmed hats provide significantly greater facial protection than caps or narrow-brim styles, especially for vulnerable areas like the ears and back of the neck.

Yes. Conner uses organic cotton (grown without synthetic pesticides), hemp (requires minimal water), recycled polyester made from plastic bottles, and natural raffia. The brand runs its original St. Augustine warehouse on 100% solar power and sources from suppliers who pay fair wages and practice ethical treatment of employees. Conner has been committed to sustainable hat production since founder Bill Conner established BC Hats in Byron Bay, Australia in 1969.

Yes. Conner hats are warranted to the original owner against manufacturing defects under our limited lifetime guarantee. If your hat fails due to a manufacturing defect or faulty materials, Conner will replace it. This limited lifetime guarantee reflects the brand's commitment to handmade quality and durability.

Anyone who spends time outdoors should wear UPF-rated sun protection, but these hats are especially important for outdoor enthusiasts who spend hours in the sun—hikers, anglers, golfers, gardeners, beachgoers, and travelers. They're also crucial for people with fair skin, a history of sunburns, or family history of skin cancer. Since 86% of melanomas are caused by solar ultraviolet (UV) rays, according to Cleveland Clinic, protective clothing like wide-brim UPF hats is one of the most effective prevention strategies.

Measure your head circumference just above your eyebrows and ears using a flexible tape measure, then match it to Conner's size chart:

• Small — 21.5–22 in / 54–56 cm
• Medium — 22–22.75 in / 56–58 cm
• Large — 22.75–23.5 in / 58–60 cm
• X-Large — 23.5–24.25 in / 60–62 cm

Many Conner sun protection styles offer adjustable sizing with drawstrings or elastic bands for a customized fit.

The most effective sun protection materials are tightly woven fabrics that have been tested for UPF ratings. Conner uses organic cotton, hemp, recycled polyester, wool, leather, and raffia—all selected for their UV-blocking properties and tested to ensure UPF 50+ performance. Dark or bright colors absorb UV rays better than light colors. Densely woven materials like canvas and treated synthetic fabrics provide superior protection compared to loosely woven straw or mesh.

Yes. Unlike sunscreen, which washes off or breaks down with sweat and water, UPF-rated fabric maintains its protection whether wet or dry. This makes Conner's sun protection hats especially valuable for water activities (fishing, paddleboarding, beach days) or high-output activities where you're sweating (hiking, gardening, golf). The UPF rating remains consistent regardless of moisture.

Conner is a family business that has been making hats since 1969. Our sun hats use materials from suppliers working to certified chemical standards, ship from American Fork, Utah, include two free size inserts, and carry a limited lifetime guarantee against manufacturing defects.

For hiking and travel, compare the Hiker Bucket Hat, safari shapes, outback styles, and packable options listed on individual product pages. For gardening, consider a cotton or straw style such as the Bangalow Ladies Straw Gardening Hat. Choose based on the product’s construction, fit, and care requirements rather than style name alone.

Care depends on the material and construction. Check the individual product page before cleaning or reshaping a hat, particularly for Australian wool, leather, raffia, straw, and cotton styles. Follow those instructions rather than applying one method to the entire collection, and store the hat as directed when it is not being worn.

Conner is a family-run hat business with roots in both the United States and Australia. Bill Conner made hats in Byron Bay for over 50 years, while his son Will created the Conner Hats brand. orders ship from American Fork, Utah.