Gardening Hats - The Scoop on Lids

Ribbon Hat
Photo © Kerry Michaels

Sometimes life looks better from under the brim of a beautiful hat. Like most people who garden, I spend lots of time out in the sun, so I wear hats. I’m trying to avoid skin cancer and though I love and respect a good set of hard-won wrinkles, I don’t really want to cultivate them.

So here’s the scoop on lids to prevent sun damage. Get a big brim. The brim should be at least two or three inches wide all the way around the hat. Go for a lightweight, tightly woven material. Though I love the look of a straw hat, most are too loosely woven to protect you from damaging rays. If you're not sure if the hat is tightly woven enough, hold it up to the light. If you can see through it, resist temptation and go for something with a denser weave.

One of my favorites is Quaker Marine's, "Ribbon Hat." Read the review to find out why.