A wide-brimmed hat is the only real choice.

Yes – get one with at least a three-inch brim all the way around. Anything smaller and you’re still squinting, still frying your ears and neck.

UPF ratings on hats are mostly marketing. A tight-weave cotton or straw hat with a wide brim blocks plenty of sun. What matters is coverage: the brim should shade your face and the back of your neck when you’re facing the sun. A cap with a neck flap works too, but looks goofy and traps heat. A floppy wide brim breathes better.

Material matters more than brand. Straw with a tight weave is fine. Cotton or canvas is better if you sweat a lot. Avoid dark colors if you’re in direct sun – they absorb heat. A chin strap helps on windy beaches.

Buy one that fits snug enough to stay on. You don’t need a $80 “fishing hat.” A $20 tilley knockoff or a thrifted Panama will do the same job.