When the temperature climbs, when people want to go to the beach to relax and enjoy the sun, they would naturally search for a good straw hat to protect them from the heat and the sunlight.
But do straw hats protect you from sunburn? Since the material is so light and airy, it seems like it would do little to prevent harmful UV rays from reaching your skin.
So can straw hats provide full protection? Does the fabric matter? Are some straw hats better than others when it comes to sun protection?
Never fear, hat lovers! We’ve got the answers to all of your burning questions about straw hats. So sit back, relax, and enjoy learning everything there is to know about these popular summertime accessories.
If You Want Full Protection, Look for Straw Hats with Liners
Most straw hats do not provide full protection from the sun on their own.
Though most high-quality straw hats use X’s to show how tight the weave is, no matter how many X’s there are, the gaps between the pieces of straw will always let some UV rays through.
To get full protection from the sun, you’ll need to look for a straw hat that comes with a built-in liner. The liner will provide an extra layer of protection between your head and the sun’s harmful rays.
And the UPF certification is always a good sign that the hat will do a good job of protecting you from the sun.
Does The Straw Type Matter?
In fact, it matters a bit! The type of straw used to make your hat can have some impact on how well it protects you from the sun.
The better the quality of the straw, then the smaller the gap between the woven straw hats will be. This is because higher-quality straws are more pliable, so they can be woven more tightly together.
But these effects are not as pivotal as one might think. The design of straw hats plays a decisive part.
Designers always choose to sacrifice a bit of UV protection in favor of style and breathability. But you cannot deny the beauty of venting holes in a sun hat!
So, even if you do find a tightly-woven hat made with high-quality straw, it’s still not going to provide full sun protection.
Are Straw Hats Cooler Than Normal Sun Hats?
Straw hats are more relaxed than regular sun hats because they allow air to circulate your head more easily.
And as a kind of natural fabric, straw is also more breathable than other materials like cotton or polyester.
This means that your head will stay cooler in a straw hat than it would in a sun hat made from synthetic fabric.
So people love wearing straw hats in hot weather and during summertime activities like gardening, or just hanging out at the beach.
Will Waterproof Straw Hats Give More Sunproof?
There is a common misconception that waterproof straw hats will better protect you from the sun.
But why not? Doesn’t waterproof mean that no water can get in? Well, actually, no. Waterproof means that the fabric has been treated so that water cannot penetrate it.
But UV rays are not water, they’re tiny little particles that can pass through any material, regardless of whether or not it’s waterproof.
So don’t be fooled into thinking that a waterproof straw hat will better protect you from the sun.
In fact, it could actually make your head hotter because waterproof coatings can trap heat inside the hat.
Conclusion
As you can see, there’s a lot to know about straw hats! But we hope this article has helped clear up any confusion and provided some helpful tips for choosing the right straw hat for your needs.
So whether you’re looking for full sun protection or just something to keep you cool on hot days, remember that Straw Hats 101 has got you covered. Thanks for reading!
