Weekly Obsession: This Heat-Beating Hat is Ideal For Sun-Drenched Adventures

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As a frequent outdoor adventurer, my biology is working against me in two ways: I’m going bald, and I sweat a lot. That means that when I spend time in the sun, whether I’m hiking, trail running, or paddling, I end up with a lot of sweat running into my eyes. A visor won’t cut it, because, well, the whole balding thing. So that’s why my current go-to headwear is the new TruckAir hat from Headsweats. The name is apt: Despite looking like a traditional five- or six-panel trucker hat (I’m rocking the six-panel mountain version), the TruckAir doesn’t have any of the uncomfortable, minimally-functional plastic mesh on the sides and back. Rather, it is a woven polyester fabric with dozens of perforations that let air pass through. Just as breathable, but much more comfortable and protective.

I’ve worn the TruckAir in 90°F heat and sun while trail running in Colorado, while splashing around at the beach in Wisconsin, and paddling in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Northern Minnesota. Every time, thanks to the venting and breathability, my head has stayed cool (or at least as cool as it would be without a hat), and has helped keep the sweat out of my eyes (and the sun off my scalp). The TruckAir’s low profile sits snugly on my head, and its snap closure has a nice-sized opening to accommodate ponytails. Plus, it washes easily in the sink without losing its shape, and dries (hanging in the hot Colorado sun) in about an hour. While it will pop back into shape if you cram it in the bottom of your pack, the front panel does get a bit crinkled.

$26; Buy Now