Lightweight, breathable outback hats made from fabrics including organic cotton, recycled polyester, hemp, weathered cotton, waxed cotton, oilskin, and canvas mesh. Ideal for hiking, fishing, boating, and outdoor work where ventilation and weather resistance matter more than traditional leather styling. Cloth Outback Hats are practical, breathable choices for hiking, fishing, boating, gardening, travel, and outdoor work.
Start with your setting. For airflow on hot trails or fair-weather work, compare the Airflow Lightweight Recycled Outdoor, Sunblocker Lightweight Recycled Outdoor, or a mesh design such as the Aussie Cooler Canvas Mesh Hiker. For water-based activities, the Tarpon Springs and Mojave Recycled Floating Sailing hats are designed for boating, while the Murchasin River offers a water-resistant option. Choose waxed cotton, such as the Portland Waxed Cotton Rain, when weather resistance matters. Hemp and cotton styles offer a more natural look, including the Black Creek Safari and Cool Air Hiker. Review the individual product’s size availability and measure your head against its sizing guidance; the collection includes Small through XXX-Large. Care should follow the material and product instructions, especially for waxed cotton, mesh, and water-resistant finishes.
Cloth outback hats are made from breathable, weather-resistant fabrics including organic cotton, recycled polyester (often made from plastic bottles), hemp, waxed cotton, and oilskin. Unlike leather outback hats, cloth versions are typically lighter weight, faster drying, and easier to pack for travel. Wide brims provide shade for the face, ears, and neck; hats with open mesh, vents, or brims under 2.5 inches are not UPF rated. Their light weight, quick drying, and packability make them ideal for hiking, fishing, or outdoor work.
Cloth outback hats are typically lighter and can offer more ventilation, while leather outback hats are more durable in rugged conditions and develop a patina over time. For example, the Bounty Hunter Water Resistant Cotton and Tracker Water Resistant Cotton Outback Hat are cloth options; both are water-resistant.
Cloth outback hats are water-resistant at most, unless a specific product is listed as waterproof. The Portland Waxed Cotton Rain Hat is waterproof and repels rain and light moisture. Standard organic cotton and hemp styles are not fully waterproof; they may handle light rain, but prolonged downpours can soak through. The recycled polyester Tarpon Springs Floating Sailing Hat is designed to shed water and float if dropped overboard, but it should not be described as waterproof.
Yes. Many of our hats are UPF rated; check each product page for its rating. All materials are tested with ARPANSA. Wide brims can provide shade for the face, neck, ears, and upper back. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends hats with at least 3-inch brims.
Some cloth outback hats can be packed for travel, but packability depends on the style. Some safari hats are packable, and unstructured weathered cotton styles can be rolled. Check the individual product details for guidance on packing a specific hat.
For organic cotton and hemp styles, spot clean with a damp cloth and mild soap. Don’t fully soak the hat; let it dry naturally. For waxed cotton and oilskin styles, wipe with a damp cloth only and do not machine wash. Use Nikwax to re-proof cotton or canvas when needed. For recycled polyester styles, spot clean with a damp cloth and let the hat dry naturally.
For hot, dry conditions: Choose styles with mesh crown panels, like the Aussie Golf Soakable Mesh Hat ($84) or Aussie Cooler Canvas Mesh Hiker Hat ($82), which allow airflow while providing shade from the brim. For hot, humid conditions: Consider lightweight recycled polyester styles like the Airflow Lightweight Recycled Outdoor ($82) or Sunblocker Lightweight Recycled Outdoor ($80). Mesh styles are another option if airflow is a priority.
Yes. This collection includes organic cotton (grown without synthetic pesticides), hemp (uses about half the water of cotton per kilogram of fibre), and recycled polyester made from plastic bottles. Conner Hats is family-owned. Our original St. Augustine warehouse runs on 100% solar power, and orders ship from American Fork, Utah. We also maintain a one-acre food forest at the site and have created a hub there for other small businesses. Our Supplier Code of Conduct requires suppliers to pay fair wages and treat employees ethically, and our factory relationships go back to 1999.
Look first at styles labeled for boating or sailing, including the Tarpon Springs Recycled Floating Sailing, Mojave Recycled Floating Sailing, and Murchasin River Water resistant hats. These options are aligned with time on the water, while breathable mesh designs can suit warm fishing days when ventilation is a priority.
The collection includes sizes from Small through XXX-Large, although the exact size run differs by product. Check the individual hat listing before ordering and use its sizing guidance to choose the closest fit. This is especially important when comparing styles from different product types, such as bucket, safari, and wide-brim hats.
Yes. You can exchange a cloth outback hat or return it for store credit within 90 days of purchase, or for a refund within 30 days, if it is unworn and unwashed, has its paper tags attached, and is in its original packaging. Check the return requirements before sending it back; return shipping fees apply to refunds. Check the product’s available size range and sizing guidance before ordering, particularly for extended sizes.
