I have lots of “trucker” caps and 4 fishing hats. Of the 4 only 1 lets in enough ventilation. The other 3 sweat me something awful. The one that lets air enough air through doesnt have a wide enough brim. What’s out there that offers shade and ventilation?

Boonie hat. I realize that they only have small ventilation holes, but their design is for intensely hot weather. The material (in the quality versions) is lightweight and should fit "loosely" for best cooling. I suggest Propper, 5.11 Tactical, or Tru-Spec as those are the brands I have experience with. I have not found a ballcap-style hat that is cool at all. I reserve the boonie for the hottest of sunny days.

I'm going to rearrange that order; Propper, Tru-Spec, and lastly 5.11. Only because 5.11 Tactical likes to get fancy with materials and designs and sometimes they annoy me by changing stuff that doesn't need to be.

The KAVU chillbilla. It's a modern take on the "rice patty hat". After trying my friends, I was sold. The design of the hat means that almost none of the actual hat touches your head. When the wind blows, it blows under/through the whole hat. The biggest down side are the looks you get from others, but I DGAF what other people think about how I look.

Can't beat this one! Multi-purpose!

Here's mine! (kidding of course!) Just gotta be a great side arm caster.

My favorite is Dorfman Pacific Men's Supplex Big Brim Mesh Side Hat. I bought mine at my local Tractor Supply Company.

I agree with the Boonie hats!

Also to add, I’ll wear a cowboy hat from time to time out on the water and it works for me.

I’m in agreement with boonie hat opinion @Jig Man , however I prefer the Columbia brand. And I’m also wearing a buff.

12 hours ago, J._Bricker said:

I’m in agreement with boonie hat opinion @Jig Man , however I prefer the Columbia brand. And I’m also wearing a buff.

I always wear a Buff.

Sometimes I’ll just use that as a covering and not a hat, as I can also cover my neck and ears with it.

Mike

I sweat too much to wear a buff. Does the boonie hat keep the sun off your neck?

I wear a bucket hat on occasion. but mostly a regular ball cap with a fishing shirt with built in hoodie.

but to answer your question, a hat made for runners is awesome. I have a boonie hat from Patagonia that I wear for jogging and it is all about venting. I feel that it lets in a bit of light thru the top, so I dont wear it fishing.

5 minutes ago, Jig Man said:

I sweat too much to wear a buff. Does the boonie hat keep the sun off your neck?

That would be dependent upon the diameter of the boonie hat taking into account the angle of the sun as well as the length of your neck...I can't do the math. I wear a neck gaiter.