Coolibar UPF 50+ Women's Packable Wide Brim Sun Hat (Black) Review (2026)

Who it fits

This hat suits travelers who spend long stretches outdoors in strong sun, whether that means walking tours, beach days, gardening trips or hours on a boat, and who want a wide brim shading the face, ears and neck rather than a cap that only covers the scalp. Coolibar built its business around sun protective clothing rather than treating UV protection as an afterthought, which gives the UPF 50+ rating on this hat more credibility than a generic accessory brand slapping the same number on a tag. Because the hat is packable, it fits into a day bag or the outer pocket of a carry-on without holding a fixed shape, which matters for one-bag travelers who cannot spare a rigid box just for a hat.

Sun protection and materials

Coolibar's UPF 50+ fabric is designed to block the large majority of UVA and UVB rays reaching the wearer, and on the brand's other packable wide brim styles that protection is woven into the fabric itself so it does not wash out over time the way some spray-on treatments do. Coolibar's packable hats typically use a poly straw style material that mimics the look of natural straw while resisting crushing, folding and rolling far better than real straw would. That construction is what allows the hat to be rolled or folded flat for packing and then shaken back into shape, rather than crushed permanently like a stiffer sun hat.

Fit, comfort and everyday use

Coolibar's packable wide brim hats generally include an inner comfort sweatband and a lining aimed at keeping the head cooler during long days outside, along with an adjustable inner drawcord so the fit can be tightened for a range of head sizes rather than relying on a single fixed size. The wide brim is meant for shading the face and neck during walking, sightseeing or casual outdoor time rather than for swimming or high-intensity activity, where a strapped or more athletic hat style would hold up better. Black fabric absorbs more heat than lighter colors in direct tropical sun, which is worth factoring in for hot, humid destinations even though it pairs easily with more outfits.

How it compares

Within the same packable travel hat roundup, the Wallaroo Casual Traveler and the Comhats waterproof bucket hat both edge this Coolibar hat out slightly on score, with the Wallaroo offering a similar wide brim silhouette and the Comhats adding a chin strap and water resistance the Coolibar does not have. Against lower-scoring options like the Wallaroo Sydney at UPF 30+ or the Home Prefer mesh fishing bucket hat, this hat's UPF 50+ rating and Coolibar's sun protection specialization are the clearer advantages. The main reason this hat sits mid-pack in its roundup rather than at the top is price relative to rivals offering similar UPF ratings for less money.

Bottom line

Buy this hat if you want a wide brim, packable sun hat from a company whose entire catalog is built around UPF protection, and you are comfortable paying more for that brand focus than a generic packable hat would cost. It works well for one-bag travelers heading to sunny climates who need reliable shade for walking tours, beach days or long outdoor stretches, and who value a hat that rolls down small rather than one that needs its own protective case. Skip it if budget is the deciding factor, if you need a chin strap or water resistance for wind or rain, or if black fabric feels too warm for your destination's climate.

Frequently asked questions