Name: Best Running Hats of 2023
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Best Running Hats of 2023

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Buyer's Guides, Running Apparel ReviewsSupport us! iRunFar may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. Learn more.An excellent running hat will protect your face from the sun, keep your head dry, and keep sweat from dripping into your eyes. Photo: iRunFar/Eszter HoranyiShielding your face, eyes, and lips from the sun saves energy on the trail, increases comfort, and prevents a tough recovery later. Today’s best running hats have evolved from simple and utilitarian tools into nuanced pieces of gear. Hats for runners not only block harmful rays but also wick sweat, dry swiftly, and help regulate temperature. Some trail runners and ultrarunners also place a premium on hats that fit into running packs when not needed, pair well with our favorite running sunglasses, adjust easily on the fly, and don’t impair visibility.To help you choose the best running hat, our crew of professional, competitive, collegiate, and recreational trail runners and ultrarunners donned a range of the most popular, top-rated running hats for hundreds of miles. We ran from dusk to dawn across the Rocky Mountains and the Western United States on dusty trails, rocky singletrack, mud-packed routes, and sandstone in all types of weather.While this guide isn’t comprehensive of every stellar trail running hat on the market, it’s a solid launchpad to help you find the ideal hat for your needs. Scroll through to see our recommendations for the best trail running hats. You can learn more about our methodology, read our answers to your frequently asked questions, and peruse our suggestions for choosing a running hat at the end of this guide.Hats are critical for sun protection when running in open areas. Photo: iRunFar/Eszter HoranyiPros&lt;:Cons:Why It’s a Top Pick: The Black Diamond Dash Cap is comfortable, light, and durable, with a sweeping brim that protects the face from the sun. One of our favorite features of this hat is the full-coverage bill that is slightly wider and longer than most others we tested. For that detail and more, this cap received the highest score of our product pool.The material — a lightweight polyester dobby weave that feels tactile yet flexible — is airy, breathable, and durable. The synthetic high-tenacity yarn is water-resistant and dries fast. The cap’s external texture feels a bit coarse, but the inside of the hat is soft, with wide, flat seams between the panels and a broad, buttery sweatband that wicks sweat super well. While this hat’s material is robust, the sweatband is smooth without any itchiness or abrasive seams.Our primary critique is that it’s not easy to adjust the plastic clip-in back closure, and we had to take the cap off to tighten or loosen it. This isn’t ideal if a huge gust of wind sneaks up on you, especially since this hat has a wide brim that acts like a sail in exposed terrain. That said, we loved that the adjustment strap slides tidily into a garage in the cap so we can wear the hat backward without a tail slapping our forehead. We just barely feel the two pressure points of the seam ends on the front panel, but they don’t create any lasting pressure and go unnoticed during runs. Ultimately, this silhouette is one of the best hats for runners.Pros:Cons:Why It’s a Top Pick: The Janji Transit Tech Cap provides a secure fit and features a smooth, weather-resistant, breathable, and highly sun-protective fabric.This hat is very comfortable; the buttery softshell fabric is durable, and the smooth pull-through back tab makes dialing in fit easy mid-run. Despite the hat’s streamlined fit, it caused no headaches when pulled tight during a gusty ridgeline run. The robust textile blocked the chilly wind yet felt breathable in the heat, and perspiration dried fast.The cap dries quickly, partly due to the durable water-repellent finish. To screen the sun, the material boasts UPF 50 — the second-highest possible rating in apparel — meaning less than 2% of ultraviolet (UV) radiation makes it through the fabric. The polyester is made of 91% recycled materials. There is a zipper compartment, but our testers didn’t find it useful. Goods like keys can clank against the head, and paper items get wet from perspiration. It might be a good spot for a credit card.Overall, we loved the classic silhouette of this hat.&nbsp;Pros:Cons:Why It’s a Top Pick: The Ciele Athletics ALZCap SC material provides excellent sun protection while being quick-drying, breathable, and packable. Ciele changed their original ALZCap model to bring runners a softer, pre-curved brim with their Softcurve design. They’ve also increased their Coolwick mesh coverage for increased visibility.This low-profile hat is everything you want in a running cap. It is lightweight, breathable, and provides good sun protection with 40-plus UPF. Plus, it has a style that makes you look good doing what you love. The mesh cap is quick-drying and keeps our heads cool during warmer runs. The interior is lined with an absorbent sweatband. The adjustable strap has a hide-away garage, so the strap doesn’t flap around. Also, the soft brim is a bit shorter, ideal for packability, yet it shades most of our face. Compared to the popular Ciele Athletics GoCap, this hat has a shorter brim and weighs less. It’s also slightly smaller.Pros:Cons:Why It’s a Top Pick: The featherlight On Lightweight Cap fits comfortably and securely and features a robust bill, making it one of our favorite workout hats. The cap is pliable and soft, while the rigid, wide brim will withstand abuse and offer consistent form and protection over time.The cap’s sides feature uniform ventilation holes that are laser-cut into polyester fabric. The fairly soft one-inch-wide sweatband snags salty droplets well. The hat also has a garage to secure the adjustment strap’s tail. When the sun is overhead, the bill does an excellent job of blocking light from hitting the face, neck, and the top of the ears if you tuck them into the hat.&nbsp;Pros:Cons:Why It’s a Top PickPatagonia Duckbill Trucker HatProsConsWhy It’s a Top PickProsConsWhy It’s a Top PickHeadsweats Running HatDifferent styles of hats will appeal to different types of people. Photo: iRunFar/Eszter HoranyiProsConsWhy It’s a Top PickOutdoor Research Sun Runner CapProsConsWhy It’s a Top PickBuff Pack Merino Fleece CapOne of our experts testing a hat high in the mountains. Photo: iRunFar/Morgan TiltonProsConsGone For a Run Pocket HatProsConsTerritory Run Co. Long Haul CapTesting the Territory Run Co. Long Haul Cap on a blustery day. Photo by iRunFar/Alli HartzProsConsNathan RunCool Ice Run HatFitA hat with a pull cord may be a better option than a velcro strap for runners with ponytails. Photo: iRunFar/Morgan TiltonBlack Diamond Dash CapSun ProtectionWorn backwards or forwards, hats are important to most runners’ wardrobes. Photo: iRunFar/Eszter HoranyiVentilation, Breathability, and Moisture Wicking&nbsp;Boco Gear Technical Trucker HatReflectivityPrice and DurabilityHeadsweats Running HatA lineup of hats that were tested for this guide. Photo by iRunFar/Morgan TiltonBlack Diamond Dash CapJanji Transit Tech CapCiele Athletics ALZCap SCOn Lightweight CapPatagonia Duckbill Trucker HatBoth road and trail runners will appreciate a well-fitting, comfortable, and functional hat. Photo: iRunFar/Eszter HoranyiWhat is the best running hat?Black Diamond Dash CapWhich is better, a visor or a running hat?Boco Gear Technical Trucker HatTesting running hats on the Loowit Trail around Mt. St. Helens in Washington. Photo by iRunFar/Alli HartzWhy not just run in your ball cap?Boco Gear Technical Trucker Hat Territory Run Co. Long Haul CapWhy do I get headaches when wearing a running hat?Territory Run Co. Long Haul CapWhy is it important to wear a hat when I run?Outdoor Research Sun Runner CapRelated articles:Running Cap Roundup 2017-18 A review of running hats by Oiselle, Headsweats, BOCO Gear, Outdoor Research, and Patagonia....Best Running Gear for Hot Weather of 2023 The iRunFar team has selected the best gear for running in hot weather, in order to keep you comfortable when the temperatures soar and the sun beats down....Best Cold Weather Running Gear of 2023 Here's the best cold weather running gear for staying warm, dry, and happy. ...Tagged: Black Diamond, Boco Gear, Buff, Buyer's Guide, Ciele Athletics, Gone for a Run, Headsweats, Janji, On, Outdoor Research, Patagonia, running hats, Territory Run Co, Top BGPlease enable JavaScript to view thecomments powered by Disqus.Best Trail Running ShoesBest Road Running ShoesBest Running ShoesBest Running SunglassesBest Running HatsBest Running HeadlampsBest Running BeltsBest Hydration Packs for RunningBest GPS Running WatchesBest Running SocksBest Running GaitersBest Cushioned Trail ShoesBest Lightweight Trail Running ShoesBest Trail Running Shoes for MudBest Stability Running ShoesBest Cushioned Running ShoesBest Mountain Running GearBest Hot Weather Running GearBest Trekking PolesBest Running Rain JacketsBest Windbreaker JacketsBest Running Shorts for MenBest Running Shirts for MenBest Running Underwear for MenBest Sports Bras for RunningBest Running Shirts for WomenBest Running Shorts for WomenBest Wool Running ApparelBest Fastpacking PacksBest Ultralight Tents and TarpsBest Ultralight Sleeping BagsBest Ultralight Sleeping PadsBest Water Filters for Trail RunningBest Reflective Running GearBest Winter Running Traction DevicesBest Cold Weather Running GearBest Running GlovesBest Men's Running TightsBest Water Bottles for RunningBest Compression SocksBest Recovery ToolsBest Foam RollersBest Massage GunsBest Foot MassagersBest Running InsolesBest Running HeadphonesBest Heart Rate MonitorsBest Jogging StrollersBest Maternity Workout ClothesBest Trail Running Shoe BrandsBest Running Apparel BrandsBest Websites to Buy Running Gear OnlineBest Trail Running ShoesAdidas Terrex Agravic UltraAdidas Terrex Speed UltraAltra Lone Peak 7Altra Mont Blanc BOAAltra Olympus 5Altra Timp 4Asics Gel-Trabuco 11Brooks Cascadia 17Brooks Catamount 2Brooks Divide 3Dynafit Sky DNAHoka Mafate Speed 4Hoka Speedgoat 5Hoka Tecton X 2Hoka Torrent 3Hoka ZinalIcebug Acceleritas8 RB9XInov-8 X-Talon Ultra 260 V2La Sportiva Akasha IILa Sportiva Blizzard GTXLa Sportiva Bushido IILa Sportiva CyklonLa Sportiva JackalMerrell MTL Skyfire 2Mizuno Wave Mujin 9New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v7Nike React Pegasus Trail 4Nike ZoomX ZegamaOn CloudultraSalomon Sense Ride 4Salomon S/Lab Pulsar 2Salomon S/Lab Ultra 3Salomon Speedcross 6Salomon Ultra GlideSaucony Endorphin EdgeSaucony Peregrine 13Saucony Peregrine 12 STSaucony Ride 15 TRScarpa Golden Gate ATRScarpa Spin InfinityScarpa Spin UltraScott Kinabalu Ultra RCSpeedland SL:PDXTNF Summit Vectiv SkyTopo Mtn Racer 2Topo PursuitTopo Terraventure 3Topo Ultraventure 3Topo Ultraventure ProVJ Ultra 2

Buyer's Guides, Running Apparel ReviewsSupport us! iRunFar may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. Learn more.An excellent running hat will protect your face from the sun, keep your head dry, and keep sweat from dripping into your eyes. Photo: iRunFar/Eszter HoranyiShielding your face, eyes, and lips from the sun saves energy on the trail, increases comfort, and prevents a tough recovery later. Today’s best running hats have evolved from simple and utilitarian tools into nuanced pieces of gear. Hats for runners not only block harmful rays but also wick sweat, dry...

Best Running Hats of 2023

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