Do Sun Hats Actually Block UV Rays?

You've seen the hats. Wide brims, raffia weaves, floppy straw. 
They look like sun protection. But do they actually block UV rays?

The honest answer: it depends entirely on the fabric — not the brim.

The difference between shade and UV protection

A hat brim creates shade. Shade reduces direct sunlight hitting your 
skin. But shade is not the same as UV protection.

UV rays scatter. They reflect off water, sand, concrete, and even 
clouds. A wide brim blocks direct overhead sun — but scattered and 
reflected UV rays still reach your skin from the sides and below.

This is why dermatologists don't just recommend any hat. They 
recommend UPF certified hats.

What is UPF — and why it matters

UPF stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor. It measures how much 
UV radiation a fabric blocks from reaching your skin — both UVA 
and UVB rays.

Unlike shade, UPF protection is built into the fabric itself. It 
works regardless of the angle of the sun, the reflectivity of your 
environment, or the time of day.

Here is how UPF ratings compare:

UPF 15 — blocks 93% of UV rays
UPF 30 — blocks 97% of UV rays
UPF 50 — blocks 98% of UV rays

A hat rated UPF 50 blocks 98% of UV radiation through the fabric. 
Only 1/50th of UV rays pass through. That is certified, measurable 
protection — not just shade.

Most stylish sun hats are not UPF certified

This is the part most people don't realize.

The majority of wide brim hats sold at fashion retailers — straw 
hats, woven raffia, loosely constructed fabric styles — are not UPF 
certified. They may look protective, but the open weave allows 
significant UV radiation to pass through.

A 2001 study published in the Archives of Dermatology found that 
many straw hats provide less than UPF 10 protection — meaning more 
than 10% of UV radiation passes straight through the fabric.

Looking protective and being protective are two very different things.

What actually makes a hat UV protective

Three things determine whether a hat genuinely blocks UV rays:

Fabric construction — tightly woven or treated fabrics block more 
UV than loose or open weaves. Cotton canvas with a UPF coating 
provides consistent, certified protection.

UPF certification — the hat has been independently tested and 
rated. Look for UPF 50 certification from a recognized 
testing body.

Brim width — a wider brim reduces direct sun exposure to your face, 
neck, and shoulders. Combined with certified UPF fabric, a wide brim 
hat provides layered protection.

Why brim width still matters — even with certified fabric

A certified UPF 50 hat protects the skin it covers. Brim width 
determines how much skin that actually is.

A narrow brim leaves your ears, neck, and the sides of your face 
exposed. A wide brim — typically 3 inches or more — shields your 
face, ears, and neck from direct sun exposure.

The combination of certified UPF fabric and a wide brim gives you 
both UV blocking and physical coverage. That is real sun protection.

Do you still need sunscreen with a UPF hat?

Yes. A UPF 50 hat protects the skin it covers — but your arms, 
chest, and any exposed skin still need sunscreen.

Think of a UPF hat as part of a layered sun protection routine:

Sunscreen on all exposed skin
UPF certified hat for consistent face, head, and neck coverage
Reapply sunscreen every two hours, especially in water or heat

The hat handles the area most people miss with sunscreen. Sunscreen 
handles everything else.

The GoldenOur approach to sun protection

GoldenOur was built around one question: why do you have to choose 
between a hat that looks good and one that actually protects you?

The GoldenOur UPF 50 Sun Hat uses certified UPF 50 fabric made with an organic 80% linen/20% cotton blend that blocks 98% of UV rays — not because of its brim shape, but because of the fabric itself. The wide brim beach sun hat shields your face and neck, and the snap sides let you fold it into a cowboy-inspired silhouette when you want a different look.

It is not a fashion hat with a wide brim. It is a certified sun 
protection hat that happens to look exactly like a fashion hat.

Because the best sun protection is the kind you actually wear.

Shop the GoldenOur UPF 50 Sun Hat here