Sun hats

Bucket hats and packable sunhats for outdoor activities

For crucial protection from UV rays when you’re active outside, a wide-brimmed sunhat effectively shades your face, neck, and ears, which is key to preventing sunburn and heatstroke. Look for hats with a brim of at least 3 inches and materials rated with a high UV protective factor (UPF). UPF of 30 is considered good and blocks about 97% of UV. 50 or 50+ is excellent. Top selling sun caps include Outdoor Research, Patagonia and any Tilley Hat is a Canadian outdoor classic.

Ballcaps offer a little less sun protection but work well for high-intensity sports like road running and trail running. A ballcap with convertible features, such as a removable sun flap or neck shield is great for adapting to conditions and covering exposed skin as needed.

Kids’ sun-protective hats

As children’s skin is thinner and more sensitive than an adult’s, it’s important to protect them from the sun’s harmful rays whenever they’re outside. Comfort is key! Look for adjustable sizing, soft inner material and venting panels that allow cooling airflow. Breakaway buckles that operate fuss-free are essential and improve the odds that kids will keep their hat on when playing outside.

MEC carries hats for babies, toddlers and children and youths. Sizes indicate an age range as well as head circumference measurements, so it’s easy to select the right size for your child. Popular brands include Sunday Afternoons and Tilley.

Elevations gain and UV reflective environments

Skiers, hikers and mountaineers should consider that UV radiation gradually increases with elevation gain – about 10% for every 1000m. Fresh snow also reflects more than 90% of UV rays, so sun-protective clothing and hats are important even on overcast days if you’re crossing snow slopes and glaciers. When you’re out in a kayak, canoe or paddleboard you’re exposed to both direct and reflected UV, so covering up on the water is always a good plan.