Go for UPF-rated wide brims.

Get a hat with a UPF 50+ rating and a brim that actually shades your face and neck.

Most “beach hats” you see at the boardwalk shop are straw or paper with loose weaves. They look great in photos and let direct sunlight hit your scalp, ears, and nose. That’s not sun protection—that’s a tan line waiting to happen.

Look for hats labeled UPF 50+ (the max rating) with a brim at least 3–4 inches wide. If the brim flops down around your neck, even better. Material matters: tightly woven fabric or specialized sun-fabric works. Straw hats can work if the weave is dense enough, but if you can see daylight through it, so can UV rays.

I’d skip the “cool” styles and get one you don’t mind sweating in. You’ll wear it ten times more than the cute one.

A few bucks extra on a real protection hat is cheaper than a dermatologist visit.