Sun Hats for Men
The sun is an ever present aspect of life, so owning a few sun hats should be just as common. The sun is an excellent source of Vitamin D, a nutrient that is necessary for the human body to absorb calcium effectively. However, repeated and lengthy exposure to the sun can be quite dangerous: the sun's rays can cause a variety of problems for you, including eye damage, skin damage, skin cancer, and immune system suppression. Wearing protective clothing, including a sun hat, is the best way to ensure that you don't receive any damage from the sun's ultraviolet rays.
Skin Cancer
According to the American Cancer Society, there are over two million cases of skin cancer (non-melanoma) in the United States annually. Most of these cases are found on commonly sun-exposed areas of the body, including the face, ears, lips, and neck. While non-melanoma skin cancer is easily cured when it's detected and treated early, it should by no means be ignored. Cancer, no matter how small or curable, is not something to disregard.
Protective Clothing
When you're outside, you can don clothing that can help protect you from harmful UV rays. Your shirt and pants should be made from a tightly woven fabric (that is, a fabric you wouldn't be able to see through if you held it up to the light). You can, also, purchase clothing that is marketed has having its own ultraviolet protection factor, or UPF. And to protect your head, get a good sun hat.
What Makes a Good Sun Hat?
A good sun hat is one that has a wrap-around brim (as opposed to a baseball cap, which has a protective brim only in the front). The 360-degree brim will protect not only your face, but your neck, as well. Some sun hats even have lengthened back areas that extend down to protect your whole neck.
Orvis Sun Hats
If you're looking for a stylish and masculine sun hat, your options are many. Orvis, an outdoor experience company, has a variety of hats that would provide sun protection and style. The Orvis Piedmont Panama Hat, for example, is made from natural straw, which will help your head feel cool even on a hot day, and has a wide brim will shield your ears, neck, and face from the sun. This hat is great if you're outside for just a little while, such as at a picnic.
The Orvis Adventure Flats Hat, on the other hand, is not as stylish but it will provide a great deal of protection from the sun. It has a UPF of more than 50, which means its material will block 98 percent of UV rays from the sun. It has a full brim as well as a rear veil that will protect the entirety of your neck. This hat is best if you're going to be outside for extended periods of time, such as when you're hiking or rafting.
REI Outdoor Research Sun Runner Cap
If you have especial reason to be worried, you could wear something like the REI Outdoor Research Sun Runner Cap. Its fabric, nylon, has a rated UPF of more than 30, which means it provides protection from the sun's UV rays, and it dries quickly. The hat has a removable cape that offers direct protection to 3/4 of your neck. When you remove the cape, which is easy to do, you still have a baseball-style cap to receive some protection.
Baseball Hats
Baseball hats are, indeed, a good idea if you have no other hat option. The front bill will shield your face, but your neck will suffer. If your hat doesn't provide any protection for your neck, ensure that you cover your neck with plenty of sunscreen.
