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    Summer Hats

    Summer hats have one job: keep the sun off you without cooking your head. This collection is built around the two things that make that possible — a brim wide enough to shade your face, ears and neck, and a crown that lets heat out. You'll find hand-braided raffia and toyo straw, lightweight cotton, and soakable mesh styles you can dip in water and wear wet.

    Choosing by activity: for the beach or the garden, go wide-brim raffia or straw — maximum shade, minimum weight. For hiking, boating and fishing, the mesh and recycled-fabric styles breathe hardest and dry fastest, and many have a chin cord for wind. For town, a straw fedora or boater gives you shade that still looks dressed.

    Where a hat is rated, the UPF rating is shown on its product page. Not sure of your size? The hat size finder takes about a minute. Every hat here is handmade, carries our limited lifetime guarantee against manufacturing defects, and ships with two free size inserts so you can fine-tune the fit. The guarantee also includes a 50% off code to replace the same hat if yours is ever lost or stolen. Free US shipping on orders over $79.

    Guides for choosing your hat

    About Our Summer Hat Collection

    Conner Hats' summer collection combines handmade craftsmanship with sustainable materials—organic cotton, hemp, recycled polyester, and natural raffia—for warm-weather activities; UPF ratings vary by hat. Each hat is crafted by a family-owned business committed to responsible production.

    Why Choose Conner Summer Hats

    Sun protection:Wide-brim styles shade the face (Skin Cancer Foundation). Hats with open mesh, vents or brims under 2.5 inches carry no UPF rating. Wide-brim styles (3+ inches) reduce UV exposure to the face by up to 48% compared to unprotected skin during summer midday hours, according to a 2018 photodermatology study. Research shows people who frequently wear protective clothing like wide-brim hats have 27% lower odds of multiple sunburns compared to relying on sunscreen alone.

    Sustainable materials with lower environmental impact: About 70–80% of organic cotton is rain-fed, while conventional cotton often needs heavy irrigation. Hemp requires minimal water and no pesticides. Recycled polyester hats are made from plastic bottles and other single-use plastics. Organic raffia is renewable and biodegradable.

    Handmade quality: Conner Hats was created by Will Conner, whose father Bill has made hats in Byron Bay for over 50 years, and each hat receives handmade attention to detail in small-batch production. Every hat includes a limited lifetime guarantee against manufacturing defects. The guarantee also includes a 50% off code to replace the same hat if yours is ever lost or stolen.

    Designed for real-world conditions: Our summer hats are built for hikers, anglers, golfers, gardeners, beachgoers, and travelers who need comfort and packability; UPF ratings are available on select hats. Features include crushable/packable designs, moisture-wicking sweatbands, adjustable sizing, and breathable construction.

    Who These Hats Are For

    Outdoor enthusiasts who spend extended time in the sun need more than fashion—they need functional protection. Conner summer hats serve:

    • Hikers and trail runners who need lightweight, breathable coverage with secure fit
    • Anglers and boaters who require waterproof or water-resistant materials and floating designs
    • Golfers who want soakable mesh construction for cooling in high heat
    • Gardeners and outdoor workers who need all-day comfort with wide-brim coverage
    • Beach and travel enthusiasts who value packable, crushable designs that maintain shape
    • Eco-conscious buyers seeking sustainable materials and ethical production
    Showing the wide brim of the Women's raffia straw hand crocheted summer hat with an open weave vent in crown and edge

    Summer Hat Styles Explained

    • Wide-brim outback hats (3-4" brim): Provide maximum face, neck, and ear protection. Research shows brims wider than 7.5cm (approximately 3 inches) are necessary to provide reasonable protection factors around the nose and cheeks. Ideal for hiking, safari, and extended sun exposure.
    • Bucket hats: Down-sloping brim offers 360-degree coverage with packable convenience. Popular for fishing, beach activities, and travel.
    • Boonie/boating hats: Feature chin cords for secure fit in wind, often with floating construction for water activities. Many include ventilation eyelets and moisture-wicking bands.
    • Mesh/ventilated hats: Incorporate breathable panels or soakable mesh crowns for cooling in extreme heat. Golf and active outdoor styles.
    • Baseball caps with extended coverage: Some styles include neck flaps or extended side coverage (legionnaire style) to protect areas standard caps miss.
    Material Sun Protection Sustainability Features Best For
    Organic Cotton Rated per hat; see product page 71% less water; no pesticides All-day comfort
    Hemp Rated per hat; see product page Low water use, biodegradable Durability
    Recycled Polyester Rated per hat; see product page Made from plastic bottles Quick-dry, lightweight
    Organic Raffia Rated per hat; see product page Renewable, biodegradable Summer wear
    Waxed Cotton Water-resistant Long-lasting durability Rain protection

    FAQs

    Many Conner hats are UPF-rated; check each product page for its rating. All materials are tested by ARPANSA, and ratings are assigned per hat. Hats with open mesh or open vents, and hats with brims under 2.5 inches, are not UPF-rated and provide shade only. A wide brim can provide shade for the face, neck, ears, and upper back.

    Yes. Conner uses organic cotton (grown without synthetic pesticides, about 70–80% of which is rain-fed), hemp (uses about half the water of cotton per kg of fibre), recycled polyester made from plastic bottles, and natural raffia. We're a family-run business, and our Supplier Code of Conduct requires suppliers to pay fair wages. Our 100% solar-powered original warehouse (orders now ship from American Fork, Utah) and biodegradable packaging reflect our commitment to reducing environmental impact at every stage. We still maintain our company food forest at the site and have created a hub there for other small businesses to use the location.

    Choose a style based on the conditions and features you need:

    • Hiking and trails: Consider cotton or hemp hiking styles.
    • Fishing and boating: Look for a water-resistant style suited to the conditions.
    • Golf: The Aussie Golf Soakable Mesh Hat is an option.
    • Beach and travel: Check the product page for packability rather than assuming a style will pack flat.
    • Gardening and outdoor work: A wider brim provides more shade.

    Only some hats have a UPF rating, so check each product page. Hats with open mesh, open vents, or brims under 2.5 inches are not rated. Material properties, packability, weight, and brim width can help you choose a style for your activity.

    Measure your head circumference just above your eyebrows and ears using a flexible tape measure. Match your measurement to our size chart:

    • Small: hat size 6 3/4-6 7/8; 21 1/4-21 5/8 inches (54-55 cm)
    • Medium: hat size 7-7 1/8; 22-22 3/8 inches (56-57 cm)
    • Large: hat size 7 1/4-7 3/8; 22 3/4-23 1/4 inches (58-59 cm)
    • X-Large: hat size 7 1/2-7 5/8; 23 1/2-24 inches (60-61 cm)
    • XX-Large: hat size 7 3/4-7 7/8; 24 3/8-24 3/4 inches (62-63 cm)
    • XXX-Large: hat size 8; 25 1/8 inches (64 cm)
    • Small/Medium: hat size 6 7/8-7 1/8; 21 5/8-22 3/8 inches (55-57 cm)
    • Large/X-Large: hat size 7 1/4-7 1/2; 22 3/4-23 1/2 inches (58-60 cm)
    • One Size: hat size 6 3/4-7 1/4; 21 1/4-22 3/4 inches (54-58 cm)
    • One Size Up: hat size 7 3/8-7 1/2; 23 1/4-23 1/2 inches (59-60 cm)

    Many styles offer adjustable sizing with drawstrings or elastic bands. If you're between sizes, order the larger size. Two free size inserts ship with every order for fine-tuning.

    Packability depends on the style. Many wool hats are crushable, some safari hats are packable, and unstructured weathered cotton styles can be rolled. Check individual product descriptions for packable, crushable, or travel-friendly details before packing your hat.

    Care varies by material:

    • Organic cotton/hemp: Spot clean with a damp cloth and mild soap. Avoid fully soaking the hat.
    • Recycled polyester/water-resistant styles: Wipe with a damp cloth. Can handle light rain. Air dry.
    • Raffia straw: Wipe with a damp cloth only. Avoid soaking, which weakens natural fibers. Store in a cool, dry place.
    • Waxed cotton: Wipe clean with a damp cloth. Use Nikwax to re-proof cotton and canvas.

    Let hats dry naturally, away from direct heat. Store with the crown supported to help maintain its shape.

    The Limited Lifetime Guarantee (50% off if lost or stolen) covers workmanship failures on purchases from connerhats.com. In the first 12 months, we’ll replace the hat with the same style, size, and colour, with shipping paid. After 12 months, you’ll receive 40% off a replacement, with shipping not included. Material degradation from use qualifies for a 30% off replacement code. For help, email customerservice@connerhats.com with photos and your order number.

    Water performance varies by style:

    • Waterproof: Kentucky, Portland, Mountain Trail, and Northern Front styles are waterproof. Nikwax is a waterproofing product.
    • Water-resistant: Some styles are water-resistant. Check the individual product description for details.
    • Floating designs: Tarpon Springs and Mojave are designed to float if they fall in water.
    • Raffia: Raffia has mild natural water resistance, but avoid fully soaking a hat and let it dry naturally.

    Check individual product descriptions for water-resistance ratings and features.

    For shade around your face and neck, choose a hat with a brim at least 2-3 inches wide all around. A baseball cap mainly shades the scalp, forehead, and nose, leaving the ears and neck more exposed.