Best Running Hats for Men: The 3 I Actually Wear (and Why)

I wear a running hat on just about every run. Hot days, rainy days, early mornings, races. For the past 3 years or so, a hat has been as much a part of my running gear as my shoes and watch.

Most running hat reviews you'll find are written by women, for women. That's great, but guys have different problems. Bigger heads, more sweat, thinning hair that burns in the sun. So here's a guy's take on the 3 running hats I actually own and use, what I like about each, and which one I'd buy if I could only have one.

Why Wear a Running Hat?

If you've never run in a hat, here's what you're missing.

The biggest one for me is sweat. I'm a heavy sweater, and without a hat, sweat runs straight into my eyes. A good running hat soaks up and moves that sweat away from your face before it gets there. If you finish long runs with salt crusted on your face and ears, you know exactly what I'm talking about. (If that's you, our guide to electrolytes for long runs is worth a read too.)

Sun is the other big one. A brim keeps the sun out of your eyes and off your face, and if your hair is thinning or you keep it short, a hat keeps your scalp from getting fried. A sunburned scalp is no joke, and nobody talks about it. On hot days, a light, breathable hat also helps you stay cooler than direct sun on your head. Our guide to running in the heat covers more ways to handle summer miles.

A hat also keeps rain out of your eyes, which is underrated if you've ever tried to run in a downpour without one.

What to Look For in a Men's Running Hat

Fit. I'm 6'5", and I don't have a small head. A lot of running hats are one-size-fits-all and run small. Look for an adjustable strap or a hat that comes in multiple sizes. My Lululemon hat comes in sizes, and I wear the L/XL.

Sweat handling. Some hats move sweat away and dry fast. Others soak it up like a sponge and stay heavy and wet. That difference really shows up on hot runs.

Breathability. Mesh panels and vents let heat escape. They don't always look great, but your head will thank you in July.

Brim. You want a brim big enough to block the sun, but not so big it looks goofy. A brim that works with your sunglasses is a nice bonus.

Durability and smell. Cheap hats get stinky fast. I've thrown away cheaper hats in the past because I couldn't get the smell out. None of the 3 below have that problem. If you're fighting stinky running gear, check out our guide on how to stop running clothes from smelling.

The 3 Running Hats I Actually Wear

1. Lululemon Mesh Panelled Running Hat: Best Overall

This is the best of the 3 overall, and it's the one I'm wearing for the Des Moines Marathon this weekend. When you trust a hat for 26.2 miles, that says a lot.

It does the best job of any hat I own at moving sweat away. It doesn't get saturated, even on long, sweaty runs, and the mesh vent on top keeps my head cool. The fit is great too. It comes in sizes instead of one-size-fits-all, and the L/XL fits my head perfectly, which isn't always easy to find.

The downside is the look. It has a flatter bill and that mesh vent on top looks a little funky. It's not a hat you'd wear to dinner. But for running, it's the best one I've got.

It's $48 on Lululemon's website.

Pros: Best sweat handling, doesn't get saturated, great fit with real sizes, keeps your head cool Cons: Flat bill and mesh top look a little funky

2. Brooks Propel Mesh Hat 2.0: Best for Hot Runs and Best Value

The Propel is the hat I grab most often for regular training runs. It does a really good job keeping sweat out of my eyes, and it's very breathable, so it's my go-to on hot days.

The bill is a good size. It's big enough to block the sun, but not so big that it looks weird. That said, it's still a running hat. It looks a little funky, and it's not something you'd want to wear when you're not running.

The price is solid for a hat from a quality running brand. It lists at $40 and is often on sale for less. Check the current price on Amazon.

Pros: Keeps sweat out of your eyes, very breathable, good-sized bill, fair price Cons: Looks like a running hat, not something you'd wear off the run

3. Brooks Base Hat: Best Looking (You Can Wear It Anywhere)

If you want one hat that works for running and still looks normal everywhere else, this is it. I have mine in black, and it looks like a regular ball cap. The bill has a bend to it like a normal hat, so you can wear it to grab coffee after a run and nobody would know.

I've run in mine for a couple of years, and it's held up great. It doesn't stink, either.

The trade-off is sweat. It gets more saturated than the other two, so on really hot runs, I'd grab the Propel instead. The other downside is price. I paid about $45 at a running store, but it's often listed much higher on Amazon, so shop around. Check the current price on Amazon.

Pros: Looks like a normal ball cap, durable, doesn't stink after years of use Cons: Gets more saturated with sweat, can be pricey depending on where you buy

Quick Comparison

Which One Should You Buy?

If you want the best running hat, period, get the Lululemon Mesh Panelled Running Hat. It handles sweat the best and fits great, especially if you need a bigger size.

If you want the best value or run a lot in the heat, get the Brooks Propel Mesh Hat 2.0.

If you want a hat that doubles as your everyday ball cap, get the Brooks Base Hat, and save it for cooler runs.

What About Winter?

All 3 of these are built for warm and mild weather. When it gets cold, you'll want something warmer, like a thermal hat, a beanie, or a headband over your ears. Our guide to running in cold weather covers what to wear when the temperature drops.

FAQ

What is the best running hat for men? Of the 3 I own, the Lululemon Mesh Panelled Running Hat is the best overall. It handles sweat the best, keeps your head cool, and comes in real sizes, including L/XL for bigger heads.

What's the best running hat for hot weather? The Brooks Propel Mesh Hat 2.0 and the Lululemon Mesh Panelled Running Hat are both great for hot runs. Both are breathable and don't get as saturated with sweat as a regular cap-style running hat.

Is there a running hat that looks like a normal hat? Yes. The Brooks Base Hat looks like a regular ball cap, with a curved bill, so you can wear it on and off the run.

What running hat is best for big heads? Look for a hat that comes in sizes instead of one-size-fits-all. The Lululemon Mesh Panelled Running Hat comes in L/XL, which fits my head well at 6'5".

How do you keep a running hat from smelling? Wash it regularly and let it air dry completely between runs. Quality running hats made from technical fabrics also hold up much better than cheap ones, which tend to get permanently stinky.

Need a gift for the runner in your life? A good running hat is an easy win. Check out our 2026 gift guide for runners for more ideas.

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