If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, we may receive an affiliate commission. Learn more about our policies and reviews.
If you are looking for a fun alternative to the beachy straw hat, a bucket-style one is another great option. Bucket hats are the epitome of casual cute, are lightweight, and easy to wear for many occasions.
Below we are featuring some great bucket hat options. These hats are versatile, crushable, and packable, making them easy to take in a pinch to any last-minute vacation or a fun day at the beach. They are made from mostly lightweight materials and come in varying shapes with wider and smaller brim sizes.
These hats are also great for providing the most important thing of all – sun protection for the face. And, some of our picks even include large and extra-large brim options to ensure all-day protection of your head and face.
Premier Bucket Hats For Women in Detail
Anycosy Hat — Best Overall
This packable beige bucket sun hat is a great go-to for a variety of occasions. First off, this is the perfect beach and pool hat as it has UPF 50+ with a generous-sized brim to block most sun rays and provide coverage to the face and neck. This hat is also lightweight and breathable and will help keep the sun out of your face while keeping you looking stylish.
Pros
- This hat is foldable and crushable for easy packing
- There is adjustable ribbon inside to get the perfect fit
Cons
- The hat is not waterproof
Satinor Hat — Runner Up
This set of four classic-style buckets hats has a super-cute smiling face pattern embroidered on the front of each hat. This hat can be worn in a ton of ways for a variety of occasions and will ensure your face is shielded from the sun for a day at the beach to conceal any bad hair days.
Pros
- This hat will provide some UV protection
- The hats fold up and pack away easily
Cons
- There are no size options
Boderier Hat — Honorable Mention
The distressed edges on this classic-style cotton bucket hat take it up a notch and not only keep it stylish but fun to wear as well. This hat is compact, has a foldable design, can easily be packed away or rolled up for a short or long vacation, and has built-in UPF 50+ to shield you from harmful sun rays.
Pros
- The edges on this hat are slightly bigger for more face coverage
- It has a unique distressed edge for enhanced style
Cons
- This hat is not sizeable
Satinior Hat — Best Material
Another great set of multiple hats is this option that comes with four different bucket-style options. Unlike our other picks, these hats are made from quality denim material, are comfortable for all-day wear, and are breathable to ensure comfort at any outdoor events or activities.
Pros
- These hats come in different size options
- They are lightweight and breathable
Cons
- It is important to measure your head to ensure correct sizing
Furtalk Hat — Best Adjustable Fit
Another great classic bucket hat is this option made from high-quality washed cotton giving it some cool vintage vibes. The washed material also helps the hat maintain its shape with metal grommets to help keep it breathable, comfortable, and lightweight. Perfect for any outdoor activity, this hat also has a cotton sweatband with built-in velcro so you can adjust the fit.
Pros
- This hat comes in two different size options
- Comes with a chin strap to secure it on windy days
Cons
- There are minimal color options
Huyadapi Hat — Cutest Design
A bucket hat list wouldn’t be complete without the inclusion of an on-trend tie-dyed option. Made from 100% cotton, this comfortable hat will not only keep you looking cute while protecting you from the sun but is reversible so you essentially get two hats in one. This hat is also packable, crushable, and foldable and will easily get back into shape once unfolded.
Pros
- This hat is reversible
- Comes in over 25 colors and patterns
Cons
- There is only one size option
Caistre Hat — Also Consider
When it comes to premium sun protection, this wide brim bucket-style hat has got you covered so-to-speak. Made from durable polyester material, this hat is breathable and with its larger-than-life-wide brim, provides the ultimate in sun protection. As with our other buckets hat options, this one is also foldable, easy to pack, and comes with a string to help it stay put.
Pros
- This hat is reversible
- There are many colors to choose from
Cons
- There is only one size option
Buying Guide: Bucket Hats For Women
Providing ample shade while still showing off that beautiful face of yours, bucket hats are a great mix of practicality and style. This is all you need to know about the leading bucket hats for women in 2024.
What Are Bucket Hats for Women?
Bucket hats are hats with a downward-shaped brim. The term “bucket hat” comes from the shape of the brim, as when turned upside-down, the hat resembles the shape of a bucket to a certain degree. When it was first introduced, bucket hats were considered high fashion, and these days, they are commonly used by fishermen and by those heading out to warm places such as the beach.
Bucket hats for women, in particular, are usually a little smaller than that of their male counterparts. This is due to the natural size of a woman’s head being smaller by average than that of a man’s, and also due to aesthetic differences. The hat being small enough results in it not looking too comical while also preserving the practical and pragmatic nature of the downward-sloping brim.
Why Do You Need a Bucket Hat for Women?
It provides plenty of shade
Bucket hats may look weird when compared to other forms of hats, but they’re actually pretty useful. The hat’s downward-sloping brim, in particular, is what makes this type of hat so useful in keeping your head in the shade. You see, with an upward-sloped brim, or a flat brim, the sun may be blocked when it’s near noon, but during the mornings or afternoons, there reaches a certain point where the sun ends up being lower than your brim’s height over your eyes.
With a bucket hat, you’re able to reduce the amount of time in a day where your brim is beaten by the sun’s angle. It’s still not foolproof, and you’ll still end up with some parts of your face unshaded, but it’s better at providing that shade overall for most parts of the day.
In fact, this is one reason why many fishers favor bucket hats. Because they’re so good at providing shade, they can be worn with no issue throughout the day. If you’re lake or ocean fishing on a boat with no shade, having a hat that’ll give you at least some semblance of shade makes all the difference.
They’re light on the head
Another reason to love bucket hats is the fact that many bucket hats are light on the head. Bucket hats are generally made out of thinner and lighter materials compared to other types of hats, making them very easy on the head. If you’re the type of person who can’t handle a lot of weight on their head, then having something light like a bucket head may be something you’re looking for.
The lightness of the bucket hat also makes it ideal for long-term, prolonged use. You can wear it throughout the day without even knowing it’s there simply due to how light the hat is.
It’s breathable
Yet another reason to love bucket hats is for their breathability. The materials used in bucket hats, typically something like canvas, are relatively more breathable than other types of hats. You won’t feel as hot and bothered underneath that hat while you wear it underneath the heat of the midday sun.
They’re cute to wear
And finally, they’re just cute to wear. Bucket hats give off this air of youth and gentleness that not a lot of hats give off. They’re simple, when you see someone wearing one, you get the vibe that they’re nice and friendly. It’s hard to explain, but certain pieces of clothing do have that sort of nature to them, and bucket hats are definitely up there in that list.
Things to Consider When Buying Bucket Hats for Women
Size
There are two different sizes in a bucket hat that you’ll want to consider - hat size and brim size or length. Hat size is pretty straightforward - you’ll want a hat that can fit over your head. Most adults are able to wear the same hat, though you can find a few different sizes to find something that fits you perfectly if you prefer that.
Brim size and length, on the other hand, are slightly more nuanced. The longer the brim, the more shade you get, but it also makes the hat look bigger. If you don’t want to make that hat look too big on your head, you may want to get a smaller brim size.
Color
Bucket hats are available in all sorts of colors, and while you can pick any color you prefer, there is one thing you should know. Darker colors can feel hotter to wear, whereas lighter colors aren’t. Why? Because darker colors absorb more light, and in turn, heat, which can make your hat feel a lot more cramped and hot. This may be important if you’re the type of person who sweats easily, so keep that in mind.
