The Best Bucket Hats

We can't get enough of this style staple. The floppy, comfy bucket hat came raging back onto the fashion scene with rappers like Schoolboy Q, Jay-Z, and LL Cool J. With its old-fashioned, almost dorky charm, the bucket hat is an improbable trendsetter. It looks like something that your dad would wear out fishing — while also making appearances on New York City streets, album covers, and sold-out concert stadiums. Below, we've compiled a list of our favorite bucket hat styles out there today. With a range of materials and options to fit into every budget, read on to get your hands on this unforgettable style. You'll have all your friends turning green with jealousy when you sport this unique hat during the warm months.

Mission Cooling Bucket Hat with a Wide Brim

This lovely bucket hat will perch on top of your head so lightly that you will almost forget it’s there. It comes with this cutting-edge technology that allows it to act like an air conditioner for your head in hot weather. You have to dip it in water then wave it in the air, and the hat cools down to ice-cold temperatures. It’s made from high-quality, soft polyester, and the compact design makes it perfect for tucking in your backpack for hiking or fishing adventures.

Pros:

Brim sports intricate quilted stitching that keeps the hat from falling into your eyes
Comes with a chin strap for extra security on a windy day
Simple-to-use cooling technology will keep you comfortable while mowing the lawn, spending the day on the boat, etc

Cons:

The chin strap is made from a thinner material than the rest of the hat, so it can appear flimsy

Unisex Bucket Hat for Hiking, Fishing, and Outdoor Activities

This casual hat comes in a range of sizes, colors, and patterns so you can find the right match for you. The wide, floppy brim will keep your nose and entire face out of the sun all day long, and a matching chin strap can be adjusted to keep the hat on your head. The hat is very soft and comfortable, and it’s compact enough to tuck in your purse or pocket. Best of all, the price is affordable, so it’s a great buy on a budget.

Pros:

Snaps on the side of the hat allow you to wear the brim down or flipped up
3-inch brim is wider than most options, so you get more protection from the sun
Chinstrap is made from the same quality material as the hat itself, so it’s resistant to fraying

Cons:

If you keep it bunched up in a bag or closet, it will wrinkle

Adidas Men’s Victory Bucket Hat

This wide-brim Boonie bucket hat delivers the perfect combination of ventilation and protection. The interior is lined with soft mesh that allows air to come in from the outside — no more sweaty build up on the top of your head. Yet the brim of the hat is wide enough to keep the sun off your face. Better yet, the Adidas-built hat is shapely and stylish, so it will look just as great on the street as out by the fishing pond.

Pros:

Hat made from high-quality, breathable fabric that will hold up over time
The Adidas logo and Boonie silhouette create a fashionable look
Comes in two sizes, small/medium, and large/XL

Cons:

This hat cannot be machine washed, so you’ll have to wash it by hand and air dry

Smiley Face Warm Weather Bucket Hat

This unique hat is sure to make a good impression. The cotton cap is incredibly cozy and fits snugly around your head. We love the fact that this is a pull-on hat — there is no chin strap, giving it a different look than most other options. There are small ventilation eyelets on the top of the hat to let air in so your head does not become overheated. Finally, there’s a little smiley face stitched into the side of the hat in black thread. It’s small enough to be subtle but makes us grin every time we see it.

Pros:

The hat comes in 9 different color choices
The soft, luxurious cotton design makes it easy to wear the hat all day long
The stretchy fabric will fit a variety of head sizes
Easy to fold up the hat and put it in your pocket or backpack

Cons:

No adjustable chin strap means this hat is more prone to blow away in windy conditions
The hat is not machine-washable

Mashiaoyi Unisex Reversible Bucket Hat

Get the most value for your purchase with this reversible, unconventional hat. With two unique designs, this hat is perfect for taking on vacation or sporting as a cool accessory. While the hat is technically marked as a women’s product, there are so many different designs that it is easy to find both masculine and feminine styles. Made with a soft cotton-polyester blend, the hat is compact enough to roll up and tuck into a suitcase for an unforgettable vacation.

Pros:

Endless range of cute, unique designs to choose from
Great hat for both men and women
Material is durable and easy to wash by hand

Cons:

Hat tends to run large so it may not fit small children or those with petite heads
Fabric is not machine-washable

Frequently Asked Questions

Are bucket hats in style?

Bucket hats came back to the runway a couple of years ago and they’re here to stay. The cute, floppy design is easy to match to almost any outfit and they make a practical vacation accessory. So besides their practicality as a sun shield, bucket hats are also chic and stylin’.

Why is it called a bucket hat?

The answer to this question most likely lies in the sleek lines of the hat itself. It looks like an upside-down bucket. It may also be called a bucket hat because it was originally used by fishermen. Regardless, the bucket hat has certainly not kicked the bucket.

How long have bucket hats been around?

Most sources state that bucket hats have been around since the early 1900s. They were originally invented by fishermen and farmers in Ireland. The hats were meant to be small enough to carry in a pocket all day long, with a wide brim to protect the face from sunlight and rain. The hats came back on the scene in the 60s and 80s when they were popularized by designers and singers. Bucket hats then had another resurgence in the 21st century.