GoldenOur vs. Solbari vs. Lack of Color: Which UPF Sun Hat Is Actually Worth It?
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If you have been searching for a UPF sun hat that actually looks as good as it performs, you have probably come across the same names: GoldenOur, Solbari, and Lack of Color. All three offer UPF 50 protection. But they are not the same hat, and they are not built for the same shopper.
The GoldenOur UPF Sun Hat is the one you reach for when you refuse to choose between sun protection and personal style. This post explains why, and what the competition gets right and wrong by comparison.
If you're looking for the best sun hat for hot weather or to protect yourself on a daily basis, here's our guide to best sun hats for women in 2026.
Why UPF 50 Is the Only Rating That Matters
Before getting into the comparison, it is worth being clear on what UPF 50 means. A UPF 50 certified fabric blocks approximately 98% of UV radiation, both UVA and UVB rays. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends UPF 50 as the gold standard for sun protective clothing and accessories. If you are shopping for a beach hat or sun hat with real protective value, UPF 50 is the floor, not a bonus feature.
All three brands in this comparison carry UPF 50 ratings. So protection level alone does not separate them. What does is fabric quality, silhouette, versatility, and whether the hat actually fits the life you are living.
The GoldenOur UPF Sun Hat: Style and Protection, Finally Together
Price: $108 | golden-our.com
The GoldenOur UPF Sun Hat is the hat that closes the gap between sun protection and style. It is built on a wide-brim, cowboy-inspired silhouette with side snaps, made from UPF 50 certified fabric in an organic blend of 80% linen and 20% cotton. It is not a compromise. It is the version you were looking for before you settled for something that did one job well.
The fabric does the heavy lifting.
Linen-cotton is not a trend choice. It is the right choice for a hat you plan to wear in full sun. Linen is one of the most breathable natural fibers available, regulating body temperature significantly better than synthetic performance fabrics or pure cotton canvas. When you are on the beach, on a boat, or at a long outdoor lunch, that breathability translates directly into comfort you can feel all day. The 80/20 organic linen-cotton blend gives the hat structure without stiffness and drape without flimsiness.
The silhouette gives you two hats in one.
The wide-brim base provides maximum shade coverage for your face, neck, and shoulders. Snap up the sides and you have a sculpted cowboy silhouette that photographs beautifully and holds its shape in a coastal breeze. This versatility is nearly nonexistent in the UPF hat market. Most sun protective hats offer one fixed shape. GoldenOur gives you the option to wear the hat differently depending on the moment, the outfit, or the mood.
The details are intentional.
The adjustable chin strap is finished with decorative beads, a design detail that signals this brand is thinking about aesthetics at every level, not just UV ratings. An embroidered GoldenOur logo on the back adds a subtle mark of identity. These are the kinds of finishing touches that separate a hat you reach for every day from one that sits on a shelf.
Who it is for:
Any shopper who wants UPF 50 sun protection in a wide-brim hat that is equally at home at the beach in Malibu, a coastal vacation in Europe, or a summer afternoon in the Hamptons. GoldenOur is the choice for shoppers who are done settling.
The Solbari Ultra Wide Brim Hat UPF 50+
Price: $79 | solbari.com
Solbari is an Australian sun protection brand with a clinical positioning. Its products are recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation and recognized by the National Psoriasis Foundation. The brand leads with compliance standards, dermatologist endorsement, and rigorous UV testing. If maximum clinical coverage is the singular priority, Solbari is built for that.
What it offers:
The Solbari Ultra Wide Brim Hat features a 5-inch front brim and a 6-inch back brim, providing coverage across the face, neck, and shoulders. The signature model is made from a blend of 87% nylon and 13% elastane, a synthetic performance fabric that is lightweight, packable, and certified across multiple international testing standards. There is a detachable chin strap, a ponytail opening, an internal wire for shaping, and an adjustable toggle.
Solbari also offers a cotton-linen version of the wide brim hat at the same $79 price point, which closes some of the fabric gap with GoldenOur.
Where it falls short:
Solbari is a sun protection company first and a fashion brand a distant second. The synthetic base model has a performance hat quality that reads more functional than elevated. The aesthetic is clean and practical, but it does not make a style statement. For shoppers whose priority is how a hat looks and feels as part of a complete outfit, Solbari leaves that job unfinished. There is also only one silhouette per style, with no versatility built in.
Who it is for:
Shoppers managing sun sensitivity or skin conditions, hikers, and anyone for whom clinical UV coverage is the only metric that matters. Solbari earns full marks on protection and practicality.
Lack of Color UPF 50+ Hats
Price: $60-$120+ depending on style | lackofcolor.com
Lack of Color is an Australian accessories brand that built a loyal following on aesthetic-forward hat design before UPF protection became a standard category expectation. The brand has since developed a dedicated UPF 50+ collection spanning bucket hats, wide-brim straw styles, and structured wool pieces.
What it offers:
The Lack of Color UPF 50+ range is broad. Natural raffia straw hats, 100% cotton canvas bucket hats, and Australian wool styles make up the core of the collection, most carrying UPF 50+ ratings. The silhouettes are strong, the brand photography is aspirational, and the community is real.
The Holiday Bucket is one of their best sellers: a wide-brim cotton canvas bucket with an adjustable neck tie and a relaxed, packable construction.
Where it falls short:
The range is broad enough that UPF protection varies meaningfully across styles. Not every hat in the collection carries a full UPF 50+ rating, and shoppers need to check individual product listings carefully before buying. Straw and raffia styles can have inconsistent UV protection depending on weave density. Many styles have fixed sizing with limited adjustability, which matters on windy beach days. And because Lack of Color is primarily a fashion brand, the UPF function is secondary to the aesthetic in ways that show up in the product details.
For shoppers who want certified UPF 50 protection in a wide-brim silhouette with real versatility, Lack of Color requires more research to get there than it should.
Who it is for:
Style-forward shoppers who already know the brand well enough to identify which specific styles deliver on UPF protection. Lack of Color rewards the informed buyer.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | GoldenOur | Solbari Ultra Wide | Lack of Color |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPF Rating | UPF 50+ | UPF 50+ | UPF 50+ (varies by style) |
| Fabric | Organic 80% linen / 20% cotton | 87% nylon / 13% elastane (or cotton-linen) | Raffia straw, cotton canvas, or wool |
| Silhouette | Wide-brim cowboy with side snaps | Ultra wide brim, single shape | Varies: bucket, wide brim, structured |
| Versatility | Two looks: flat wide brim or cowboy hat style | Single silhouette | Multiple styles, one shape per hat |
| Chin Strap | Adjustable with decorative beads | Detachable, functional | Adjustable neck tie (select styles only) |
| Natural Fiber | Yes, organic linen-cotton blend | Synthetic base; cotton-linen also available | Yes, on straw and wool styles |
| Logo Detail | Embroidered logo | None | None |
| Ponytail Opening | No | Yes | No |
| Price | $108 | $79+ | $60-$120+ |
| Best For | Style + certified protection, beach lifestyle | Maximum clinical sun coverage | Fashion-forward aesthetics |
The Verdict
Solbari wins on clinical credentials. If you need a hat your dermatologist would hand you personally, that is the right call.
Lack of Color wins on brand aesthetic. If you know exactly which style you want and have done the research to confirm its UPF rating, there are strong options in the range.
The GoldenOur UPF Sun Hat wins on sun protection and style.
The GoldenOur UPF 50 certified organic linen-cotton fabric is the superior material for all-day sun wear. The wide-brim cowboy silhouette with side snaps gives you two distinct looks in one hat. The beaded chin strap and embroidered logo bring considered design details that the competition simply does not offer at any price point. And at $108, GoldenOur sits at a price that is honest about the quality inside the hat.
This is the UPF sun hat for shoppers who want real protection, a great silhouette, and a hat that looks like it was made for the exact trip they are about to take.
Shop the GoldenOur UPF Sun Hat at golden-our.com
Follow @goldenoursummer on TikTok and Instagram for styling inspo, behind-the-scenes content, and the full GoldenOur story.
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