6 Best Kids Hats For Thru-Hiking Training That Actually Stay On
Keep young hikers covered. We review 6 top kids’ hats with secure chin straps, adjustable fits, and UPF protection that actually stay on the trail.
You’re ten miles into a training hike, the sun is beating down, and you turn around to see your kid’s hat is gone. It’s probably a mile back, snagged by a low-hanging branch or whipped off by a gust of wind on that last exposed ridge. Now you’re faced with a choice: turn back and lose time, or risk a nasty sunburn that could sour your child on hiking for good. A reliable hat isn’t just an accessory; for young hikers, it’s a critical piece of safety gear that needs to perform without fail.
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Why a Secure Hat is Non-Negotiable on the Trail
Keeping a hat on an active kid is a unique challenge. They’re constantly moving, ducking under logs, and running ahead on the trail. A standard baseball cap or loose-fitting sun hat just won’t cut it when faced with a sudden gust of wind above the treeline or the grabby branches of an overgrown trail section.
The primary job of a hat is sun protection, and this is non-negotiable for children, whose skin is more sensitive to UV radiation. A single bad sunburn can increase future health risks and, more immediately, cause pain and discomfort that will bring any multi-day trek to a screeching halt. A hat that falls off is useless. It becomes just another piece of gear you have to carry, or worse, gear you have to backtrack for.
This is why security features are the most important factor when choosing a hat for thru-hiking training. Look for adjustable chin straps, rear sizing toggles, or cinch cords. These features allow for a customized fit that can be tightened in windy conditions and loosened for comfort, ensuring the hat stays where it belongs: on your child’s head.
Sunday Afternoons Adventure Hat for Peak Sun Safety
When your trail plans involve long days on exposed terrain with little to no shade, the Sunday Afternoons Adventure Hat is the gold standard for comprehensive coverage. Think high-altitude meadows, desert canyons, or coastal paths where the sun reflects off the water. This hat is designed with maximum protection as its top priority.
Its defining feature is a full, foldable neck cape that shields the ears and neck from all angles. Combined with a wide, down-sloping front brim and a UPF 50+ rating, it creates a personal shade bubble for your young hiker. The security is also top-notch, featuring an adjustable chin strap and a rear sizing band to dial in a perfect fit that resists even strong winds. The side vents provide crucial breathability on hot climbs. The only real trade-off is the technical look; it screams "hiker," which might not be every kid’s style, but on a serious trek, function easily trumps fashion.
Patagonia Baggies Brimmer for a Rugged, Secure Fit
If you need a hat that can handle a rugged trail, get soaked in a creek crossing, and still look good for a post-hike ice cream, the Patagonia Baggies Brimmer is a fantastic choice. Built from the same legendary, fast-drying nylon as their iconic shorts, this hat is tough, lightweight, and incredibly practical. It’s the workhorse of kids’ sun hats.
The Baggies Brimmer features a 360-degree brim that offers great all-around shade without being overly cumbersome. Its security comes from a soft, effective, and easily adjustable chin strap that keeps it locked down when the wind picks up. The brim is stiff enough to not flop into your kid’s eyes but flexible enough to be crushed into a backpack and emerge unscathed. While it lacks a dedicated neck cape, its wide brim provides substantial coverage for most conditions, making it a versatile option for everything from forested Appalachian trails to breezy lakeside loops.
The OR Sun Runner Cap for Customizable Protection
Some kids simply refuse to wear anything but a baseball cap. The Outdoor Research Sun Runner Cap is the perfect compromise, offering the familiar comfort of a cap with the modular protection needed for serious hiking. This design brilliance makes it one of the most adaptable hats on the market.
It functions as a high-quality, breathable ball cap for shaded forest trails or cooler mornings. But when you break out above the treeline into direct sun, a lightweight, UPF 50+ sun skirt easily clips on to provide full neck and ear coverage. This modularity is its greatest strength. An adjustable chin cord keeps the whole system in place, which is critical as the cape can act like a small sail in the wind. The trade-off is managing a separate piece of fabric, but for families who hike in varied terrain, the ability to customize protection on the fly is a game-changer.
Tilley’s TKH1 Paddi Hat: Guaranteed to Stay On
For treks in notoriously windy environments—think coastal routes, high mountain passes, or the open plains—the Tilley Paddi Hat is in a class of its own. Tilley has built its reputation on durability and an almost legendary wind-proofing system, making this a premium investment in comfort and security. It’s the hat you buy when you are tired of dealing with any hat that flies off, ever.
The secret is Tilley’s dual wind cord system. One cord goes under the chin, and the other cinches behind the head, creating a triangulated anchor point that keeps the hat firmly planted in gale-force winds. The hat itself is made from a durable, water-repellent nylon and is rated UPF 50+. It even floats, which is a bonus for any trail that follows a river or lake. The major consideration here is cost. Tilley hats are an investment, but they come with a lifetime guarantee, making them a "buy it once" piece of gear for the serious little adventurer.
REI Co-op Sahara Sun Hat for Budget-Minded Treks
You don’t need to spend a fortune to get a secure, protective hat, especially for a child who will likely outgrow it in a season or two. The REI Co-op Sahara Sun Hat delivers the most critical features for trail safety at an accessible price point, making it a smart and practical choice for families just getting into longer hikes.
This hat checks all the essential boxes: a wide brim, a protective neck cape, UPF 50+ fabric, and, most importantly, an adjustable chin strap. It provides coverage and security that rivals much more expensive models. The materials may not have the same premium feel or long-term durability as a Patagonia or Tilley, and the fit might be a bit more basic. However, for weekend training hikes and summer adventures, its value is unbeatable. It proves that safe, effective gear can be affordable.
Coolibar Kaden Hat: Packable and UPF 50+ Rated
For the family that values lightweight gear and ultimate packability, the Coolibar Kaden Hat is an excellent contender. Coolibar specializes in sun-protective clothing, and their expertise shows in this hat’s thoughtful design. It’s incredibly light and can be crushed into a ball and stuffed in a pocket, springing back to shape when needed.
The Kaden hat features a wide, downward-sloping brim that provides fantastic facial shade, and the entire hat is made from their UPF 50+ fabric, which blocks 98% of UVA/UVB rays. Security is handled by an adjustable chin strap and a rear toggle for a snug fit. The lightweight construction makes it exceptionally comfortable for all-day wear, reducing the chance a kid will complain about it. While its softer brim might struggle in the most extreme winds compared to a stiffer model, its combination of top-tier sun protection, comfort, and packability is hard to beat for most trail conditions.
Matching Hat Features to Your Trail Environment
The "best" hat is the one that best matches your specific needs. Don’t just buy the one with the most features; think about where and how you’ll be hiking. A great hat should disappear on your kid’s head, doing its job without being a nuisance.
Use this framework to make your decision:
- High Wind & Full Exposure (Mountain Ridges, Coasts): Prioritize a robust securing system. The double cord of the Tilley Paddi Hat or the snug fit of the Sunday Afternoons Adventure Hat is critical here.
- Mixed Sun & Shade (Forested Trails): Modularity is your friend. The OR Sun Runner Cap allows you to add or remove protection as you move in and out of the trees.
- Hot, Humid Conditions (Summer in the South): Focus on breathability and quick-drying fabrics. The Patagonia Baggies Brimmer and Coolibar Kaden Hat excel here.
- General Purpose & Budget-Conscious: If you need a reliable, do-it-all option that won’t break the bank, the REI Co-op Sahara Sun Hat provides all the essential features for safe hiking.
The key is to match the tool to the job. A hat with a massive neck cape might be overkill and annoying in a dense, shady forest. Conversely, a simple ball cap is inadequate and dangerous on an exposed, sun-drenched ridgeline.
Ultimately, the perfect hat is the one your kid will actually wear without complaint for hours on end. The goal isn’t to accumulate the most expensive gear; it’s to enable safe, comfortable, and positive experiences in the outdoors. A secure hat removes a major point of friction, freeing you and your young hiking partner to focus on the views, the conversation, and the simple joy of putting one foot in front of the other.
