Last Updated on August 9, 2022
Sun protection should always be a high priority when you are venturing in a desert climate. A desert hiking outfit is not complete without a high quality sun hat that can help you shield off some dangerous UV rays, and unfortunately a regular baseball hat or vizor won’t do in this case.
Sun rays are very strong in the desert and get reflected by the sand, pointing in every direction – it is really easy to get sunburnt unless you are covered from head to toe.
Wide-brimmed hats made of cotton or breathable natural fibers are ideal for the desert. So-called “sun hats” are made of lightweight materials that are especially good at keeping UV rays at bay, which makes them the most suitable choice for your upcoming desert hiking adventure.
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Best Sun Hats for Desert Hiking
 Outdoor Research Sombriolet Sun Hat |  Columbia Unisex Adult Bora Bora Booney |  Panama Jack Mesh Crown Safari Sun Hat |
Outdoor Research Sombriolet Sun Hat
Keep your head protected when you’re hiking in the desert or portaging to the next put-in. The UPF 50 fabric of the Sombriolet Sun Hat protects you from intense sun, while strategically placed vents and wicking fabric in the crown keep you cool and dry.
Piping along the brim edge offers greater wind resistance when a summer storm unexpectedly brews.
Columbia Unisex Adult Bora Bora Booney
This Booney-style hat features an adjustable chinstrap to keep the hat in place, whether it’s on your head or against the back of your neck. Either way, UPF 50 protection with Omni-Shade keeps harmful rays at bay.
Panama Jack Mesh Crown Safari Sun Hat
Crafted out of polyester mesh and nylon materials, this Panama Jack Castaway safari sun hat is designed with a crush-able/pack-able mesh crown, chin cord with adjustable toggle, inner sweatband, and a lightweight (floppy) 3″ big brim for ultimate UPF (SPF) 50+ UVA/UVB sun protection.
Keep the sun out of your face and protect your skin from the sun’s harmful UVA/UVB rays under the comfort of this breathable, lightweight canvas material.
Protecting your mouth and face
A hat may not be enough to offer full head protection when the wind blows strong in the desert. Wear a scarf across the bottom half of your face, covering both your nose and mouth, or invest in a stylish balaclava for increased protection under the desert sun.
There’s a reason Shemagh scarves / Keffiyeh make for a popular clothing accessory in the desert, and they are especially useful if you are caught in the middle of a sandstorm or extremely windy weather as they can help you keep sand granules out of your mouth.
Desert Camping Essentials Checklist
- Camping Tent
- Sleeping Bag
- Desert Backpack
- Jacket
- Desert Hiking Boots
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Plenty of water
- Food for desert
- First aid kit
- Travel insurance covering desert activities
Your n°1 source of information on the world of sandsports and desert adventure travel. Our articles are the result of extensive research, personal experience, and knowledge-sharing within the global sandboarding community.
I really love the hiking hat from Columbia. A good hiking hat should really be comfortable and functional at the same time!Aside from that, the hiking hat items we usually get are from https://coalatree.com/collections/headwear recently. We just love supporting eco friendly brands so that’s where we get our stuff most of the time!