Bucket Hat – Enough brim to keep the light off your face and neck

Cotton construction with a brim that runs wide all the way round and mesh sections that let heat out of the crown. A rear strap sets it between 55 and 59 cm. It packs down into a bag and recovers its shape.

Why choose this bucket hat?

A cap handles your eyes and leaves the rest exposed. A full brim reaches the ears and the back of the neck, which is where a long afternoon outdoors registers first. Mesh panels stop the crown from turning into a warm cap on a still day.

Full brim: shade across the face, the ears and the nape
Mesh venting: warm air escapes rather than pooling under the crown
Inner sweatband: keeps moisture off the forehead and out of the eyes
Rear adjustment: sets the fit between 55 and 59 cm
Packs flat: rolls into a tote and comes back into shape

It will end up living in the beach bag, which is fine.

Adjust the strap until the hat sits level without gripping the forehead, then check the brim is clear of your sightline. It dries fast, so a short spell in the sun after a dunk is enough. Roll it loosely and vary the crease rather than folding the same line each time.