Hemp Sun Hat Guide: How to Choose the Right One for Summer
neepun·October 13, 2026
A hemp sun hat is one of the simplest ways to stay cool and shaded through a long summer day. Hemp is a strong, breathable plant fibre, and it has been made into clothing in Nepal for generations. However, not every style gives the same shade or airflow. A wide brim hemp hat covers the face and neck, while a crochet hemp hat lets more air through on hot, still days. This guide explains how to choose between them, how sizing works, and how to care for handmade hemp hats so they last for years. Every hat mentioned here is handmade in Nepal from natural hemp.
Why a Hemp Sun Hat Works So Well in Summer
Hemp suits hot weather for three reasons. First, the fibre is breathable, so heat escapes from the top of your head instead of building up under the crown. Second, hemp absorbs moisture and dries quickly, which helps on humid days.
In addition, hemp is one of the toughest natural fibres used for clothing. A straw hat can crack when it is bent, and a cheap cotton hat loses its shape after a few washes. Hemp does neither. As a result, a well-made hat can be worn hard for many summers.
Finally, hemp becomes softer with use. A new hat can feel slightly crisp at first. However, after a few weeks of wear it relaxes and starts to shape itself to your head.
Wide Brim, Crochet or Woven: Which Style Suits You?
The right style depends on where you will wear it. For long days outdoors, a wide brim hemp hat is the most practical choice, because the brim shades your face, ears, and the back of your neck. Our Handmade Hemp Wide Brim Sun Hat also has a soft cotton lining, and its brim can be shaped to the angle you prefer.
For the hottest days, a crochet hemp hat is the coolest option. The open stitch lets air move freely through the crown. However, the same open stitch lets some sunlight through, so it gives a little less cover than a closed weave.
A woven hat sits between the two. The cloth is denser, so it blocks more light, and it comes in calm, solid colors such as beige, brown, black, and dark green. Also, if you want something bolder, a patchwork hat stitches several hemp fabrics into one colorful piece.
How Much Sun Protection Does a Hemp Sun Hat Give?
Two things decide how much shade a hat gives: the width of the brim and the density of the fabric. A wider brim shades more of your face and neck. A tighter weave lets less light pass through the hat itself.
Therefore, a wide brim in a closed weave gives the most cover, and an open crochet style gives the least. For example, skin cancer organisations generally recommend a broad brim of about 7.5cm or more for adults who spend long hours outside.
It is important to be honest about the limits. Our hats are handmade and have not been lab tested for a UPF rating, so we do not claim a specific number. A hat also cannot protect you from light reflected off water or sand. For this reason, wear sunscreen as well, especially on the beach or on a boat.
Getting the Right Fit
Most of our hats are made in one size that fits most adults, at roughly 21 to 23 inches, or 53 to 58cm, around the head. To check your own size, wrap a soft tape measure around your head just above the ears and across the middle of the forehead.
Because each hat is made by hand, small differences in size are normal. Also, hemp gives a little as it softens, so a hat that feels slightly firm on the first day usually settles within a few wears.
If you are between sizes, think about how you will use the hat. A snug fit is better on windy coasts and on a bike. However, a looser fit is more comfortable for long, slow days in the garden.
Travelling With a Hemp Sun Hat
Hemp is a good travel companion because it bends without breaking. Unlike stiff straw, a soft hemp hat can be folded or rolled into a bag. Therefore, it is an easy choice for carry-on luggage.
First, fill the crown with soft items such as socks or a T-shirt. Then lay the hat flat near the top of the bag, so nothing heavy presses on the brim. This keeps the shape through a long journey.
If the hat comes out creased, do not worry. Mist it lightly with water, smooth it with your hands, and let it dry on a rounded surface such as an upturned bowl. As a result, most creases disappear within an hour.
How to Care for Handmade Hemp Hats
Handmade hats need very little care, but a few habits make a real difference. First, brush off dust and sand after a day outside. Sand left in the weave slowly wears the fibres.
When the hat needs washing, use cool water and a small amount of mild soap. Wash it gently by hand, and do not wring or twist it. Then press out the water with a towel, reshape the crown and brim, and let it dry in the shade.
Finally, avoid the tumble dryer and strong direct heat, because both can shrink or distort natural fibres. Store the hat on a shelf or a hook instead of under heavy items. With this simple routine, a hemp hat keeps its shape and its color for many seasons.
Ready to find your hemp sun hat? Browse our Handmade Hemp Hats collection, which includes wide brim, crochet, woven, and patchwork styles. Each one is made by hand in Nepal from natural hemp, and no two are exactly alike.
