Author
Ashley Mateo, Tanner Bowden
Photographer
Tanner Bowden
Field Mag may receive a minor commission from purchases made via affiliate links.
As a runner, there’s no getting around the fact that you may be exposing yourself to some pretty gnarly elements every time you head out the door. And just like running shoes protect your feet from the sport’s repetitive impact and running gloves to keep your hands warm in wind and rain, the best running hats will shield your head and face from all kinds of weather conditions.
Sure, you could wear an old baseball cap. But running hats are specifically designed with moisture-wicking fabrics to keep sweat from dripping into your eyes, quick-drying materials that can stand up to a downpour, breathable panels that dump heat during your hottest runs, and brims that protect your skin and eyes without obstructing your field of vision.
Round out your running gear getup with a hat designed to go the distance with you—and make you look good while doing so.
Field Mag's Top Picks
- Best Overall: Ciele Athletics GoCap
- Best Beanie for Running: Arc'teryx Rho Lightweight Wool Toque
- Best Hat for Winter: Ciele FLTCap WND
- Best Minimalist Hat: Lululemon Fast and Free Running Hat
- Best Trucker Hat for Running: Path Projects Rainier Cap
- Best Ultralight Running Hat: Janji AFO Hyperlight Cap
- Best Vents: On Lightweight Cap
- Best Mesh Running Hat: KAVU Trail Runner
- Best for Sun Protection: FRACTEL Legionnaire Hat
- Best Short-Brim Running Hat: Hoka Packable Trail Hat
- Best Running Visor: Ciele Athletics FSTVisor
What We Look for in a Running Hat & How We Tested
Nobody's stopping you from running in a regular ole baseball cap or beanie, but if you're going to be rocking headwear on all your runs, it definitely pays to give it some extra consideration. Like good running shorts or running shirts, we like running hats that are lightweight, have good breathability, sweat-wicking, and provide some shade for the eyes. They also have to be comfy.
All these must-haves typically mean that running hats be made of technical materials like polyester or ripstop instead of cotton and canvas, and have some stretch and easy adjustability for fit. UV protection and other specific-use features like mesh panels are nice for certain situations, too.
But it's one thing to check specs and another to actually get out and run some miles in new headgear, so that's exactly what we did. We've collectively run thousands of miles in spring, summer, fall, and winter, in 5Ks and marathons and on roads and trails while wearing the hats below (some admittedly more than others) to make sure that even if a one sounds good on paper it feels good on the move, too.
The 11 Best Running Hats of 2024
Best Overall: Ciele Athletics GoCap
Ciele’s GoCap is a best-seller and one of the most ubiquitous running hats on the scene for good reason: besides the low-profile design, which allows for a comfortable fit, it’s constructed from a fast-drying Coolwick fabric that keeps your head dry on hot days and has built-in UPF 40+ UV protection built into the front and back. Plus, it's available in loads of color options. (For a lower-profile look and a shorter brim, check out Ciele's ALZCap.) This is constantly one of our go-tos and we've run in many iterations of it over hundreds of miles.
Material: CoolWick, Repreve
Fit Adjustment: strap and buckle
UPF Rating: 40+
Price: $45
Best Beanie for Running: Arc'teryx Rho Lightweight Wool Toque
Even when temps drop down into the teens, everyday beanies can often be overkill when it comes to running. Arc'teryx keeps it airy with this lightweight toque, which is designed to sit on top of your head for the ideal balance between some added warmth and airflow to your head, a key zone for dumping excess body heat. The hat is still big enough to cover your ears some, is made of merino wool so it can handle sweat, and is so lightweight at 30 grams that you can stuff it in your pocket should you get too hot mid-run (which we did during testing, occasionally).
Material: merino wool
Fit Adjustment: n/a
UPF Rating: n/a
Price: $45
Best Ultralight Running Hat: Janji AFO Hyperlight Cap
If you’re not a hat person but still want to shield your head and eyes on the run, Janji’s cap might be the solution. At 29 grams, this featherlight cap with its crushable brim is the lightest running hat on this list, and the Hyperlight AFO stretch-woven fabric has a barely-there feel. A bungee strap at the back makes for super easy adjustments on the fly, and the pliable foam brim can be flipped up when the sun’s out of sight. This is a low-profile hat and one size fits most, but bigger heads and folks with lots of hair might be better off in another hat here.
Material: 88% recycled polyester, 12% elastane
Fit Adjustment: bungee
UPF Rating: n/a
Price: $38
Best Hat for Winter: Ciele FLTCap WND
With the FLTCap WND, Ciele took everything great about the GoCap and winterized it. The lightweight soft brim, colorblock panels and athletic fit remain, but here there's also wrap-around earflaps that fold up and down as needed, additional wind protection, and fleece throughout. In the top of the hat, however, the fleece is lighter and only provides partial coverage, allowing for excellent breathability through the top of the head. Even in single-digit temperatures we find that running in full fleece is overkill, but this design proved warm but not too-warm on our test runs in Vermont.
Material: wind-resistant Stormfleece; polyester, Spandex, elastane
Fit Adjustment: bungee
UPF Rating: yes, but not specified
Price: $65
Best Vents: On Lightweight Cap
Ventilation holes laser cut along the front and sides of On’s lightweight hat allow the air to flow right over your scalp, keeping you cool in even the hottest conditions. A soft sweatband keeps it comfy, fast-drying technology means it can handle rain as well as shine, and it’s made from tear-proof fabric that means you can take it trail running without worrying about getting snagged on tree branches.
Material: 100% polyester
Fit Adjustment: strap and buckle
UPF Rating: n/a
Price:
Best Minimalist Hat: Lululemon Fast and Free Running Hat
Say goodbye to a sweat-soaked forehead thanks to the sweat-wicking headband built into Lululemon’s Fast and Free Running Hat. That same technology applies to the rest of the ball cap-style hat, which is constructed from the same lightweight, four-way stretch fabric the brand builds their apparel from, guaranteeing you won’t overheat even as you protect yourself from the sun. This hat is minimalist in design, but it still has an adjustable strap and reflective details if you're running late. It also has more of a classic curved brim if you're someone who doesn't like the flat brim look.
Material: nylon, polyester, elastane
Fit Adjustment: velcro
UPF Rating: n/a
Price: $38
Best Mesh Running Hat: KAVU Trail Runner
Known for its eclectic apparel, KAVU keeps things minimal on all fronts when it comes to the Trail Runner hat. The front and sides panels of this five-panel cap are made entirely out of mesh, which allows for the maximum amount of heat dumping, especially as your body temperature rises. The brim is shrunk down too, providing essential sun protection for your eyes without adding any bulk. These features—alongside fun patterns—make it ideal for trail runners and hot weather.
Material: polyester
Fit Adjustment: strap and buckle
Water Resistant: yes
UPF Rating: n/a
Price: $40
Best Trucker Hat for Running: Path Projects Rainier Cap
If you prefer a more structured hat, this high-performance trucker is made from technical fabrics. Think: a UPF 50+ quick-drying, ripstop fabric that can wick sweat at the front, plus polyester mini mesh at the back. It’s still super flexible, with a large crown and wide brim designed to fit larger heads and lots of adjustability thanks to the adjustable strap and flip buckle. Path Projects is discontinuing the Rainier Cap (they haven't run out as of this writing), but also makes the Big Bend Trucker Hat, which has a similar design.
Material: poly mini rip stop
Fit Adjustment: strap and buckle
UPF Rating: 50+
Price: $15
Best for Sun Protection: FRACTEL Legionnaire Hat
Hats aren't just for looking good on a run, they're for sun protection, and the cult-favorite Legionnaire provides the most you can get with a full-length flap that covers your neck, shielding it from the sun (it has more protection against UV rays with UPF 50+ fabric). The hat adjusts with a bungee cord and has perforated side panels to help provide some extra airflow, and there's even a small slit at the back for wear with a ponytail on some models. There's no back closure; this hat comes in various sizes.
Material: 100% recycled polyester
Fit Adjustment: none (comes in different sizes)
UPF Rating: 50+
Price: $55
Best Short-Brim Running Hat: Hoka Packable Trail Hat
Hoka’s cap combines a number of standout features from caps on this list: laser-cut side perforations for maximal ventilation, a back bungee cord for single-hand adjustments, and a shortened, crushable brim that makes it easy to smush down when you’re headed onto less sun-exposed parts of the backcountry. We found that the downturned brim is also great for biking.
Material: 100% polyester
Fit Adjustment: bungee
UPF Rating: n/a
Price: $24
Best Running Visor: Ciele Athletics FSTVisor
Visor style isn't known to be cool, but wearing one is a great way to shade your eyes and manage a sweaty brow while dumping heat off the top of your head. Ciele brought all these features to its FSTVisor, and managed to bring good-looking prints to a design that doesn't scream "country club."
Material: COOLmatic, Repreve
Fit Adjustment: strap and buckle
UPF Rating: 40+
Price: $40
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of a running hat?
Running hats have lots of purposes. Primarily, they provide extra protection from the sun and elements, with a brim that shades the eyes. Running hats can also be ideal for people with long hair, and they can provide extra warmth in colder conditions.
What are the benefits of wearing a running hat?
A running hat can provide extra protection for the eyes, preventing fatigue, especially over long periods of time. They can also act as a light layer on the head and provide some protection from rain and, again, sun protection for the top of the head. Good running hats also act as a sweatband, diverting perspiration away from the eyes. We also think running hats are stylish, and there's something to be said for that.
What is the best running hat for winter?
The best running hat for winter will depend on where you live and run and what the conditions are typically like. If you're in a very cold, snowy place, you might opt to run in a beanie. If winter conditions are milder where you run, you can get away with a hat that has some extra ear coverage, or a headband.
Published 06-28-2023
Updated 02-26-2024
