Here at the Strategist, we like to think of ourselves as crazy (in the good way) about the stuff we buy, but as much as we’d like to, we can’t try everything. Which is why we have People’s Choice, in which we find the best-reviewed products and single out the most convincing ones. (You can learn more about our rating system and how we pick each item here.)
And while we’ve written about ways to stay dry in the rain — including the best umbrellas, rain jackets, and rain boots — here we’ve rounded up the best rain hats, as praised by the most enthusiastic reviewers on Amazon.
Best-rated rain hat
Outdoor Research Seattle Sombrero
With 747 reviews — 79 percent of which give this hat 5 stars, at the time of posting — the Outdoor Research Seattle Sombrero is the best-rated pick available by a large margin. It’s more expensive than some of the other options, but reviewers say it’s the best rain hat out there and worth paying the little extra up-front. “This is my second” Seattle Sombrero, writes one reviewer. “The first finally gave up after 15 years of serious use camping, hunting, and fishing in the wilds of Oregon.” Comments highlight a few things: the overall high-quality construction, breathable Gore-Tex fabric, excellent waterproofing, and easy packability. As one reviewer recalls: “Last year, my husband and I traveled to Russia on vacation. One cold, rainy day, when all of our fellow travelers were huddled under umbrellas, I unpacked this hat and enjoyed the freedom of being able to walk anywhere, hands free to snap some gorgeous pics, snug as a bug.”
Best-rated (less expensive) rain hat
Frogg Toggs Waterproof Breathable Boonie Hat
Best stylish rain hat
Outback Trading Australian Oilskin Hat
This classic-looking rain hat might not look waterproof, but it’s made from Australian oilskin fabric, which is heavy cotton that’s been treated with oil to repel water. Reviewers appreciate the old-school waterproofing technology, and say it works really well. “In a downpour my head stays bone-dry,” one writes. “Water beads up and rolls right off,” says another reviewer. People appreciate this hat for being both functional and stylish. “It is not a hat to hide in your pocket,” writes one reviewer, “but it is a hat to keep you comfortable no matter what Mother Nature sends. I was prepared for the weather, but I also knew that I looked very cool!” Reviewers say this hat is really well-made, and a “fantastic quality for the price.” According to one enthusiastic reviewer, “the durability of this hat cannot be overemphasized!” In summary: “It is very handsome, the fit is spot-on, and it should develop a nice patina over time.”