Straw hats for men are functional and stylish accessories that have been around since 3200 BC. However, they became more fashionable in the nineteenth century as summertime or tropical attire.
Straw hats continue to be a fashion staple for showing personal style while keeping out of the sun. In this article, we’ll cover the five best straw hats for men.
American Hat Maker’s Barcelona Men’s Wide Brim Straw Sun Hat
Best Overall Straw Hat
American Hat Maker’s Barcelona Men’s Wide Brim Straw Sun Hat is the best straw hat for men for comfort, style, and price. This sun hat is one of their top sellers and is the perfect hat for working or relaxing outside. The hat comes in three neutral colors and every size from XS to 3X.
Made with a stiff, rigid construction, the Barcelona marries function and style so that you look good while staying shaded. The sun hat offers max sun protection and 360-degree ventilation, keeping you cool and protected. The Barcelona has a 3.5-inch extra wide brim and an interior sweat liner to prevent stains and odor.
Pros
- Fits true to size
- Very affordable
- High-quality materials
- Lifetime warranty
- Stiff construction holds its shape well
- 360-degree sun protection
Cons
- The hat is very rigid, which some men find uncomfortable
- Headband is elastic
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Stetson Stratoliner Milan Fedora
Best Fedora Straw Hat
If you want a straw hat but love the style of a fedora, you’ll want to consider the Stetson Stratoliner Milan Fedora. First introduced by Stetson in the mid-twentieth century as a lightweight, travel-friendly gentleman’s hat, the Stratoliner straw fedora has a wider brim and shorter crown.
Stetson is a well-respected hat maker, and the Stratoliner is one of their signature iconic hats. It has a firm construction, a grosgrain hat band, a special edition Stratoliner airplane hat pin, and a cowhide sweatband. The straw hat for men comes in four neutral colors and a variety of sizes. The hat runs large.
Pros
- Iconic, trusted designer
- High-quality materials
- Affordably priced
Cons
- Runs very large
- Can be too stiff for some
Want to know what hats are in style for men right now? Read our latest articles on hat trends.
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Yellow 108 Stevie Palm Straw Special Edition
Most Sustainable Straw Hat
Yellow 108 is on a mission to provide sustainable, eco-friendly hats for the environmentally conscious consumer. Their Stevie Palm Straw Special Edition is an exceptionally high-quality, lightweight straw hat made from 100% palm straw and salvaged twill tape.
Made in the USA, the Stevie straw hat for men comes in a natural color and sizes small to extra-large. The hat has a 3-inch brim and twill band. The hat fits true to size for round head shapes. If your head has a different shape or runs on the higher end, you’ll want to size up.
Pros
- Breathable and lightweight
- Made in the USA
- Made from sustainable materials
Cons
- May not fit well or true to size depending on head shapes
- Some sizes can be sold out and back ordered
- Comes in only one color
REI Sunday Afternoons Havana Hat
Most Affordable Straw Hat
If you want a great-looking straw hat without a lot of fuss, you’ll want to check out the REI Sunday Afternoons Havana Hat. While maybe not as prestigious as these other hat brands, REI still delivers a stylish and functional shade hat for a very affordable price.
The Sunday Afternoons Havana Hat earned a 50 UPF rating, the highest sun protection rating, and has a 2.75-inch brim. Unfortunately, this hat is limited in size and color. It only comes in tan and has two sizes, medium and large. It does allow you to adjust the internal band to fine-tune the fit and has a wicking sweatband.
While the Havana hat has a fantastic price tag and attractive straw hat style, we need to mention that it’s not technically made of straw. It is 90% paper and 10% polyester. The paper material makes it very breathable but doesn’t make it waterproof. This hat should not be worn if there is any chance of rain.
Pros
- Best priced sun hat
- High sun protection
- Well rated
- Breathable and lightweight
- Adjustable interior band
Cons
- Will damage in rain or any water exposure
- Two sizes and only one color
Optimo Montocristi Panama Hat
Most Luxurious Straw Hat for Men
If you want a high-quality luxury brand straw hat, you will want to check out Optimo’s Montocristi Panama Hat. Optimo is a Chicago-based hat designer that custom fits and handmakes each hat. The sun hat can be customized by rim size, ribbon, dome shape, lining, color, and weave. No two hats are exactly the same.
Using old-world hat-making techniques from Ecuador, Optimo requires that you come into the store for a fitting. So while not the most accessible, they do make up for it in customer care and lifetime maintenance and repair. Optimo is the ultimate in luxury and sophistication, but you will have to travel and then spend a pretty penny to enjoy one of their custom Montocristi Panama hats.
Pros
- Highest quality and customizable weave
- Tailored to fit
- All features are customizable to your taste
- Lifetime maintenance and care
- Handmade by artisans
Cons
- Expensive
- Must travel to Chicago to be fitted
Not sure what hat to wear to an event or outing? Read our best guides about when to wear hats.
Straw Hats are Always a Smart Choice
Straw Hats are an excellent way to show personal style while out in the sun. Whether you customize a handmade straw hat or choose a sleek all-around straw hat with a wider brim, owning a straw hat for sunny days is a smart choice.
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