The Best Running Hats in 2024

Aside from giving extra protection from tempestuous rain showers and intense sunlight, another reason why athletes or runners use running hats is that it keeps them cool and make them look cool! A good running hat prevents overheating, promotes sweat evaporation, and should be fashionable!

Having a running hat matters to fitness enthusiasts like you. There are many running hats out there in the market. But, the chance of picking a good running hat is quite low, especially if it’s your first time shopping for one. Why is this the case? Beginner mistakes and lack of knowledge—these are the answers.

Sure, it’s just a running hat! How hard can it be to buy one and wear one? Yes, it’s indeed easy. You just need to open your laptop, visit an online marketplace, add a product of your liking, and proceed to checkout. After a week or so, your order will arrive and you can use your new hat in your next run.

However, you may be wearing something more suitable for truckers. Just like a baseball cap, your newly bought hat may just become a soggy mess on your head after an hour of running. You’ll experience that if you don’t consider the features preferred by avid runners. It’s worth checking out some top-of-the-line products first and reading a buyer’s guide before you choose your next running hat. There is no more need to peruse the web looking at biased product reviews when you have a reliable product review right at your fingertips. Just check out the products that we’ve tested and rounded up so that you can finally truly enjoy this sport.

Running Hats Buyer’s Guide

Running caps should be designed to keep fitness enthusiasts, like you, comfortable in various weather conditions. From the coldest days of winter to the dryest summer months, the hat of your choosing must be able to protect your head, your eyes, and your face in any weather condition. 

Some runners own headwear for each season of the year. However, their spring caps can’t protect them from tempests and intense moisture. Likewise, winter running caps don’t have UV protection–a feature that you need during hot summer days.

What you need is an all-around running cap that is perfect for any season and any weather. You could opt for something stylistic or something low profile, but comfortable to use. The classic Belgian style, for example, showcases an iconic design, but its features don’t hinder its function—to bolster the runner’s optimum performance, even in sub-zero conditions.  So, what’s the best style and type for you? What are the features that you must add to your checklist? Running hats come in all shapes and sizes.

Running Hats Styles and Fits

What’s the most important factor to consider when shopping for this product? The answer to that is “flexibility.” People have different head sizes and some products aren’t fit for both genders. 

When you run or jog, you may often go against the wind. An ill-fitted hat will impede your performance. 

It could even cause an accident, where you could injure yourself. If it’s too loose, it may obstruct your vision. If it’s too tight, you’ll get a headache and could even develop migraines, especially during hot summer days. 

How a running cap fits your head should be your number one concern, and this must be at the top of your checklist. There are several types of fits for consideration. You should select one that makes you feel comfortable. Or else, choose a one-size-fits-all running cap. 

To give you a clearer picture, here’s a guide for finding the right fit and style for you.  

• Strapback or snapback

A strapback cap allows you to resize the diameter of the hat for best writing. It usually comes with an adjustable band or strap. This could be made from a poly band, plastic, fasteners, leather, or hook and loop. 

• Beanie

Beanies are considered one-size-fits-all hats, as they can be stretched to fit any head size. But, some products are quite loose or too tight. They could slide off your head or just give you a migraine. The one that you’ll choose should be a perfect fit! 

• Flexfit

Although flex-fit running hats come in different sizes (small, medium, large, and extra-large), their elastic underlining enables users to stretch the hat. Flexfits, as the name implies, are flexible and are unisex hats, in most cases. 

• Visor

Unlike other types, visors don’t have material that covers your head. If you like wearing a high ponytail, a visor is a good option. Sweat and hair strands won’t get into your eyes, hampering your performance. With this type of running hat, you can let your tied-up hair dance with the breeze. 

• Fitted

If you want a perfect-fitting running hat, you may opt for a fitted type. Such products are meant to be worn by people with the same head circumference as you. Essentially, they’re very comfortable to wear. You may try to fit sizes that are above or below your size. You can also wear a fitted cap forward or backward.

The Top 5 Best Running Hats Review

1. Headsweats Running Hat

Headsweats Performance Race/Running/Outdoor Sports Hat

• 100% Eventure Polyester Fabric
• Made in the USA or Imported
• Buckle closure
• Machine Wash
• Lightweight and breathable performance race baseball cap
• Eventure knit shell and Eventure terry sweatband
• Black undervisor to help reduce glare
• Adjustable rear buckle with ponytail opening
• One size fits most women and men (adjustable from approx. 57cm – 63cm)
• Sport type: hiking

Elegant in design and superior in performance, the Headsweats Running Hat provides extreme comfort in your every run. Featuring the Eventure Terry headband and Eventure knit shell, a combination for maximum airflow, the Headsweats running hat offers breathability. Its moisture transfer is exceptional! It dries faster than cotton and is extremely lightweight.

Headsweats Running Hat gives extraordinary protection during hot weather conditions but also shines in your everyday use. The unique Flat front panel gives it a very stylish yet quite simple look. At the same time, it is perfect to wear as your outfit for the day (OOTD). This boosts your look as it keeps you comfortable and cool.

The Eventure fabric shell and Eventure Terry headband make the hat breathable and moisture-absorbent. Nevertheless, it dries 3 to 4 times faster than cotton. This unique combination provides extreme protection, prevents sweat from dripping into your eyes, and enables faster moisture evaporation and faster cooling.

The Headsweats running hat is super lightweight. While wearing it, you may even forget you’re wearing a hat. It weighs just less than two ounces, but its durability and flexibility are impeccable.

For a much better view of this product, click here.

2. Reebok Lightweight Adjustable Performance Running Cap for Men and Women

Before discussing this running hat’s awesomeness, let’s examine the brand Reebok. Reebok is an American multinational corporation that has adorned the bodies of multiple world athletes.

Reebok or “Two Times You” symbolizes the multiplication of human performance. It is a brand that manufactures sporting products and equipment that could bring out the best in athletes.

Reebok is the brand of choice for many of the world’s best sports teams and athletes.

Now, let’s talk about the product.

The Reebok running cap Cap is designed to keep you cool under pressure and in extreme physical activities during hot summer days. It has an adjustable strap at the back and a rounded rim in front. This cap has served me well. I have truly enjoyed its impeccable features. This running hat was developed with the aid of intense scientific research. It is engineered to provide superior fit and comfort for any head size. With adjustable rear-end straps, it won’t fly away even when running at high speed.

This running hat is generally designed for intense outdoor activities. In addition to running, you can also use it for cycling, fishing, or mountain climbing. With its multiple features, which you can’t find in other brands, it will truly serve runners of all sorts.

A running hat is commonly made from a thick fabric reinforced with stiff plastic or paper for shape retention. The 2XU running cap, on the other hand, is made from thin layers of nylon. This implies that it can facilitate airflow more than other brands. The material also has moisture-wicking properties that are very effective against moisture and sweat.

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3. Nike Unisex Featherlight Cap

The Nike unisex featherlight running cap is designed to provide outstanding comfort, keeping your head dry and cool. It is made of mesh side panels that provide extreme breathability and sweat-wicking fabric that ensures lasting dryness. The Dry-Fit Polyester of this running cap eliminates moisture. Hence, you can say goodbye to using soggy baseball caps when you choose this product.

Like the other two products, the Nike unisex featherlight cap is incorporated with UV protection. This implies that it protects the wearer from harmful ultraviolet rays and deflects sunlight. On top of all that, it absorbs moisture quite well, promoting and allowing for instantaneous sweat absorption.

In addition to all of those amazing features, the cap’s Dark underbill minimizes glare. This seems like a negligible thing to mention, but in truth, the underbill helps a lot in reducing heat and deflecting sunlight, as mentioned above. What’s more, its quick-adjust closure feature enables you to adjust the fitting of the running cap.

To experience an outside workout without hassle, try Nike’s latest addition to their collection of flexible and durable running hats.

4. Adidas Men’s Superlite 2 Cap

This Adidas Men’s Superlite Cap has been strategically constructed to keep athletes cool and dry with unparalleled comfort. The hat comprises 87% Polyester and 13% Spandex, providing ultimate airflow and dryness.

I also enjoyed the outdoor experience it has given me. With its UPF 50 sun protection that blocks most of the sun’s harmful rays, I felt safe running under the summer sun.

Like the aforementioned running hats, the Adidas Men’s Superlite Cap has a Hook and Loop closure that is very easy to adjust. As an ultra-lightweight 6-panel hat, the Adidas AdiZero minimizes stiffness, moisture, and irritation. Here are some of its amazing pros and features.

The Climacool mesh provides ultimate air flow and very good ventilation that will make you feel the cool breeze of fall. At the same time, its moisture-wicking features ensure dryness and sweat evaporation. Stay away from your eyes and brows. With the Climacool, any form of moisture evaporates quickly and its ventilation system cools down your head swiftly.

Another cool feature of this cap is its non-glare undervisor. This advanced feature enables you to enjoy the best vision while running or performing physical activities. The materials are all imported, which makes their durability very promising. In conclusion, this Running hat gives exactly what we are looking for in a running hat.

5. Under Armour Men’s Iso-chill ArmourVent Stretch Fit Hat

With its 84% Polyester and 16% Elastane, this running hat provides maximum comfort in any weather. The materials used to manufacture this top-of-the-line running cap are all imported and durable. Its durability, in particular, is exceptional, and its comfort is long-lasting.

Do you have a large head size? You don’t have to worry anymore because the Under Armour Cap has a hook-and-loop closure, which is quick and easy to adjust for any head size. This feature provides a low-profile fit and will keep you cool while running, even after your first 4 to 5 miles.

Its Under Armour is stylish; its sophisticated front panels will conform to your head, promoting a sleek look.

Thanks to the ArmourVent technologies incorporated in the cap, you will experience less sweating while running. The product delivers reliable breathability in light, durable, and fast-drying fabric. 

Its emblems and trims make it cooler than the other products on this list. The UA ArmourVent cap has reflective tapings and logos, providing visibility in low-lighted places. This running hat combines coolness, durability, and comfort, making it a highly recommended product for athletes and physical activity enthusiasts.

The Takeaway

Ultimately, you need a running hat that can keep your head warm, dry, and ventilated. It must also keep rain and mist off your eyes. The extension at the back and sides should provide extra warmth and protect your ears from icy breezes during winter.

Plus, it should have diffusing sweatbands in the interior and a breathable mesh rear for the summer months. The under visor, a common feature in top-of-the-line running caps, cuts glare and delivers a snug fit to its wearer. 

With high-quality composite materials, such as soft nylon mesh, a refreshing summer breeze can perform its magic, whereas the internal sweatband wards off stray sweat and droplets. The product that best fits that description is the Adidas AdiZero. The cap includes rear clips so that you can affix them to your hair and be a perfect fit at all times. An elegant style should be your least priority, but a top-of-the-line hat, whether budget-friendly or high-priced, must be fashionable for all occasions, as it is functional for any season.