Being bald has its virtues. Fewer grooming rituals. No bad hair days. A cleaner silhouette. But in summer, the game changes. With no hair to buffer the heat, your scalp takes the brunt of the sun, sweat, and glare.
Stay Cool, Look Sharp, and Outsmart the Sun. For a bald man, a good summer hat is more than a style choice. Here is how to choose well.
Avoid anything heavy or synthetic that traps heat. Cotton and linen are reliable choices. So are modern technical blends designed for breathability.
These fabrics allow airflow, absorb sweat, and dry quickly. The result is a head that feels cooler and looks composed, even in the heat.
Not all hats protect equally. Look for a UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) rating of 50 or higher. That blocks up to 98 percent of harmful rays. It is especially important if you shave or are thinning. Think of it as sunscreen you do not need to reapply.
Your hat should feel secure, not constricting. Too loose and it lifts off in the wind. Too tight and you are left with a pressure ring across your forehead.
Look for adjustable closures or elasticised bands. The goal is a tailored feel, not a compromise.
Open-back styles like snapbacks and Velcro straps offer flexibility, but they leave parts of your scalp exposed. That strip of skin at the back is exactly where sunburn happens.
Closed-panel caps provide better protection and tend to look more refined.
Mesh panels and laser-cut perforations increase airflow. But they also let sunlight through. A sunburn through your hat is as undignified as it sounds.
Here is how to get it right:
Stuck for options? Take a look at our breakdown of the best summer caps specifically for bald men.