Sun protection for water sports: Caps, hats and scarves for surfing put to the test

When you’re out on the water – whether kitesurfing, stand-up paddleboarding or windsurfing – the sun beats down hard on your head. Lightweight sprays are often the only way to protect your sensitive scalp, especially if you have thinning hair – unless you opt for full fabric protection in the form of a cap, hat or pirate bandana. We’ve thoroughly tested a few sun protection options on the water: under the Caribbean sun of Tobago, hours-long test sessions reveal not only whether harmful UV rays are completely blocked, but also how comfortable the products are to wear during long, fast runs.

Style shouldn’t be the main focus when it comes to sun protection, but there are caps out there that certainly look the part. For Nico Meisner, founder of Buster Surfboards, having a cap and high SPF are as much a part of water sports as a leash and surf wax – a lesson he learnt the hard way after his own skin problems. He also developed a surf cap for his own use, which is not only designed to offer particularly good protection on the water, but is also something you’d be happy to wear on the beach.

“After three weeks of wearing a cap, being ‘topless’ in the sunshine feels as naked as being without a trapeze.”

Surf hats, headscarves or caps: the pros and cons of the various options

Anyone looking for headwear for surfing will find various types:

• Headscarves, beanies and, above all, bandanas are popular with motorcyclists and cyclists – as protection from the sun and sweat, either on their own or worn under a helmet – and are often available on budget retail platforms featuring skulls or other amusing designs. We ordered a model there too for just under ten euros – and it basically does the job. Compared to the IQ-UV hoods presented here, however, at least our randomly selected test sample seemed a bit baggier and less secure on the head, even on larger heads – the main drawback therefore appears to be the often limited choice of sizes. General advantages of the close-fitting ‘swimming caps’ include the airy feel when worn and the absence of additional wind noise or flapping. However, they do not provide any additional shade for the ears, face or neck
• Surf hats They probably originate from the surfing and longboard scene and might not be to everyone’s taste. But if almost all kitesurfing instructors in Porto Pollo, Italy, wear them, you can’t be completely off the mark when it comes to style. The brim not only protects your scalp but also casts a shadow over your face, ears and neck. However, it often flips up at higher speeds. As with all caps, the chin straps and ear flaps can be tucked away inside the hat so they’re out of sight when you’re on land. The Olaian hat features an integrated elasticated band to adjust the fit, whilst ION offers two sizes.
• Surf caps are also often designed for surfers and therefore feature a particularly soft visor that can flip up even under moderate pressure. This is intended to prevent the cap from being pulled backwards during a duck dive or when caught in a wave. The Buster cap nevertheless remained stable in the wind, and the ION cap is also stiff. With the FCS cap, the soft peak folds up at an angle whilst gliding – which isn’t noticeably bothersome, but does cast less shade over the face and eyes. Anyone who often carries boards or sails on their head will find that the decorative button in the centre of the Buster and ION caps presses quite noticeably against the head. In contrast, the hats and the FCS cap provide comparatively comfortable padding.

By the way: A helmet also offers protection from the sun, just like a beanie, whilst at the same time protecting you from external injuries. However, you should tape up the ventilation holes, otherwise you’ll still get sunburnt!

The testers’ perceptions of the additional wind noise caused by hats and caps varied widely – ranging from annoying to negligible.”

Surf hats, caps and headscarves put to the test

ION Beach Hat

The ION hat is available in two sizes and can be fitted with an optional neck guard. The ears remain exposed, which may mean you need to apply a bit more sun cream, although the all-round brim already provides some shade. Unwanted wind noise is reduced, and full hearing is guaranteed. The visor remains fairly stable in the wind, though not quite as sturdy as the ION or Buster cap. Price: 29.99 euros >> available here.

Quite sturdy, comfortable, wide brim
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Available in two sizes

OLAIAN Surf Hat 500

This one-size-fits-all Decathlon hat still fits a large head circumference of 60 – snug and straight without feeling tight. The all-round brim is reinforced at the front and remains stable in the wind, even under considerable pressure from a 7.8 sail. The soft chin strap is slightly elasticated and comfortable, and offers perfect all-round sun protection. The strap can be folded into the hat itself when on land, with plenty of ‘storage space’. Price: €11.99 >> available here.

Sturdy umbrella, very good value for money, elasticated band all the way round for adjusting the width
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Available in two sizes

ION Surf Cap

Compared to the FCS cap, the ION feels very stiff at the front. The peak extends particularly far forward, yet does not flip up even in strong winds. The one-size-fits-all cap is comfortable to wear even with a head circumference of over 60 cm, though the metal button in the centre of the cap may press against your head when carrying the sail. The strap is slightly elasticated and soft, with mesh over the ear. Price: 29.99 euros >> available here.

Stiff umbrella, secure grip
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Umbrella quite long, button on the top

FCS Essential Surf Cap

The FCS cap is available in three sizes and can also be adjusted to the desired width, whilst an optional ‘Legionnaire’ neck guard can be buttoned onto it. It fits snugly against the head, is barely noticeable, and is particularly comfortable and soft. However, in good gliding winds, the soft peak tilts slightly upwards, which reduces the shade over the face and eyes somewhat. Includes a lanyard. Price: 35.00 euros

Very comfortable, no see-through mesh fabric
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The canopy tilts upwards at an angle in a crosswind

BUSTER Convertible Surf Cap

One-size-fits-all design based on a classic trucker cap, with enough room to tuck away the folded-up chin strap without causing any pressure marks. The mesh section is particularly tightly woven. The peak holds up very well even in strong winds when the cap is adjusted to a snug fit. Still suitable for head circumferences of up to 61 cm when adjusted to its widest setting. The chin strap is slightly elastic and soft. Price: 29.90 euros >> available here.

Looks good on land, like a trucker cap; windproof; floats

Button on the top

IQ-UV Aqua Bandana

The classic ‘pirate scarf’ is available in a range of plain colours and in three sizes. The knot allows for a good fit – you can also attach a (homemade) safety cord here. The ears remain partially uncovered, and there’s no sun protection from a visor, but it’s barely noticeable when worn and covers most of the forehead. The material feels stretchy, yet very sturdy and dense. Price: 21.95 euros >> available here.

Very comfortable, good value for money, compact to store, three standard sizes
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No umbrella

IQ-UV Skull Beanie

The beanie is available in two sizes (S/M and L/XL); it is noticeably larger, more stretchy and slightly thinner than the bandana pictured above, and can be pulled right over the ears and up to the eyebrows. (Photo: size L/XL). Excellent UV protection for the whole head, including the ears. A safety cord is not included as standard, but can be threaded through the small label on the side. Price: 19.95 euros >> available here.

Very comfortable, good value, compact when stowed, fully waterproof.
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No umbrella