Best Looking: Tracksmith Off-Road Hat
Why We Love It: Tracksmith knows a few things about crafting really smart running gear, which is why they teamed up with Ciele to leverage their GoCap construction to make the best running hat around. Fire engine red with Tracksmith’s OffRoads branding, it’ll certainly stand out amongst the sea of other exercise caps. The woven hat has just the right amount of bend to the brim, and the mesh side panels do an excellent job of wicking away sweat to keep you calm, cool, and collected no matter the activity.
Best for Running: Bandit OG Mesh Run Hat
Why We Love It: Mesh for days! Seriously, for those diehard runners looking for a super breathable cap, look no further than Brooklyn-based Bandit Running’s OG Mesh Run Hat, which is basically like driving down the 405 with the roof off, but for running. The brand recently revamped the cap with better fabric and a little bit more oompf to the brim, so it’ll keep its shape while maintaining what works: that sweet, sweet breathability.
Best Workout Hats for Outdoor: REI Co-op Trail Hat
Why We Love It: If you’re looking for the cap equivalent of a Swiss army knife, this Trail Hat from REI fits the bill quite well. With a bungee closure and side vents, this cap is a great option for when you’re moving and want some relief but don’t need something as heavy-duty as other options on this list. Offered in a variety of different colorways, there’s an option that will help you stand out on the beach, trail, or even on a hot day running errands around town.
Best Stealth Cap: Adidas M-Gameday 4 Stretch Hat
Why We Love It: This Adidas hat has a subtle touch of branding to it that makes it well-suited to wearing in a variety of situations, whether it’s at the airport or by the squat rack. And we mean super subtle; at first glance, we didn’t immediately notice the classic three-stripe branding that doubles as mesh holes for better ventilation. The fitted nature of the hat is a little different from most of the other adjustable options on this list, but it has a little give to it if you’re overdue for a haircut and are looking a little shaggier than normal.
Best Performance Workout Hat: Reigning Champ Sports Cap
Why We Love It: While Reigning Champ’s Sports Cap is designed with running in mind, it’s heavy-duty and durable enough for any physical activity. The low-profile design keeps the sun away, while the generous side mesh allows for strong breathability, and the moisture-wicking sweatband inside the cap moves all that sweat away from your brow with ease to keep things nice and cool. The snap-band closure is generous enough to adjust for any head size, and the branding gives the cap a retro sports-club-like feel that’ll add the right amount of character to any workout you do while wearing it.
Best Workout Hat for Travel: Under Armour StealthForm Uncrushable Hat
Why We Love It: Those gym rats who never skip leg day, or any other day for that matter, will find a lot to love with Under Armoru’s Uncrushable hat, which lives up to its name by bouncing back faster than Big Sean. The seamless construction is made with UA’s Iso-Chill material, which is just a fancy way of saying that it does a great job of keeping your dome cool when it’s hot by wicking away moisture from your head. But really, what stands out here is how easy it is to pack, thanks to that foldable material that’s easy to stuff in a bag, forget about it, and then toss it on when it’s time to get in a pump.
How We Tested
The only way to test a workout hat is by working out, which is exactly what we did. We made sure the hats fit well on our head (and stayed put), as well as ensuring they didn’t make us look like absolute dweebs. We also evaluated the hats based on their special features, like sun protection or packability, ultimately finding the 11 best workout hats for practically every sweaty situation.
