Best running hats 2023: caps, visors, buffs, headbands and beanies

The best running hats, visors, headbands, buffs and beanies perform different roles for different kinds of runners. Different running styles require different kinds of protection from the elements. Set out for a run along the California coast and you’ll probably want a cap, whereas someone heading out into the Scottish Highlands in winter might prefer a beanie.

So, there’s no single piece of running headwear that does it all. The best running hat for you will depend on where and when you hit the trails. Perhaps you need to keep your head and ears warm in colder seasons, or sweat from your eyes in warmer weather. Other people like to have their forehead or neck covered to avoid the glare of the sun’s rays. Another reason to use one of the best running hats is to keep your hair off of your face.

Many of the products featured here work well as hiking hats or accessories too, so you should get plenty of use out of whatever you opt for. The choice of what you wear on your head will depend on personal choice, how much hair you do or don’t have, and how much of your head you like to be covered.

In this guide, we feature a smorgasbord of running headwear, all tried and tested on the trails. We start with our favorite cap, the Salomon XA, which is delightfully lightweight and breathable.

The best running caps for summer

The Salomon XA cap is aimed at runners facing hot and sunny conditions. We found it comfortable on the trails and its long and stiff peak kept the sun’s rays out of our eyes. As well as the three sizes to choose from, the unisex cap has an adjustable buckle closure at the rear and elastic give, which all combine to keep the cap firmly in place while running. The main material is Salomon’s AdvancedSkin Shield, which protects the head against wind but also offers good breathability. Mesh inserts on the top of the cap aid more air ventilation, while an integrated inner sweatband helps to absorb sweat to stop it dripping into your eyes. There is a wide color choice, and the cap can usually be found for a good price.

Read our full Salomon XA cap review

We really loved this cap, which is for those occasions when you are out on the trail and you really need to keep the beating sun off your head, face and neck. It also has a EULAN treatment to see off mosquitoes and other biting monsters. The treatment is certified OEKO-TEX100, tested dermatologically, odorless and harmless to humans. The treatment is claimed to be 80% as efficient after 30 washings at 30°C, though we are yet to have put it through quite so many spins in the machine. Made with a lightweight, solid and reinforced ripstop fabric, the sun cap has a stiff cap and roll-away fabric for protecting the back of the neck when required. There is a removable chinstrap, which can be shortened with a toggle.

Read our full CimAlp Sun Cap review

Made for summer running in bright conditions, the React visor headband is a simple and lightweight product that has a flexible mesh brim, which offers protection and shelter from the direct rays of the sun. Meanwhile, the lack of a ‘top’ to the hat – a half-cap design – meant we could feel the wind in our hair. Usefully, the band also effectively wicked moisture away from our tester's head and prevented sweat dropping into her eyes. The visor stays in place well during runs. It's made with Dynadry Light Grid 90 silver fabric, which is 100% polyester and has some recycled content.

Read our full Dynafit React Visor Band review

The best running bandanas / buffs

A bandana, also commonly called a buff, is a versatile tubular product favored by many trail runners because of its multifunctionality. We found the CimAlp version particularly lovely to wear, being lightweight, soft and breathable, as well as super soft and very stretchy. Raw edges aim to maximise the stretch, and it can be twisted and folded to be worn as headwear, a neck-warmer, a wristband or a balaclava. It is seamless, which adds to the comfort. The thin nature of the microfibre polyester fabric means it can be folded as many times as you wish, to provide more or less protection from the wind or sun. The CimAlp bandana is sold in a range of different colors and designs, all with the large CimAlp logo printed on the outside.

Read our full CimAlp bandana review

The best running headbands

The inov-8 Race Elite headband is extremely lightweight, but it also boasts double thickness and offers protection for the ears and forehead when running on colder days. Equally, we found that if we were out on a warm day, the fabric effectively caught sweat and prevented it from entering our eyes. Whether it is hot or cold, the fabric has outstanding wicking and cooling properties. Although there are male and female versions available, the headband is the same size for both men and women, and the design is one width all the way around the circumference, which won’t suit everyone. It is a stretchy piece of apparel, constructed using Meryl Hydrogen yarns (with 6% Elastane). The yarn is justifiably described as a luxury performance yarn, and we liked how soft it was to the touch.

Read our full inov-8 Race Elite Headband review

The Proviz Reflect360 running headband is made with a microfleece inner lining, which we found made it super soft and comfortable. The design is shaped to cover the ears, which means that it can be worn in early spring and well into fall, when the temperatures drop and extremities like ears can get cold, as well as in mid summer, when you need a sweatband. The headband utilises the Proviz signature REFLECT360, which is highly reflective and shines super brightly when a beam – such as vehicle lights or the light from a headlamp – hits it at night, again making it an invaluable safety belt when the evenings and mornings are darker. The REFLECT360 is used in the logos at the back and front. The fabric is ‘sweat wicking’, however, so it is useful in the warmer months, when things get hot and sticky. There is only one size, but it is highly stretchy to fit all head sizes. The Reflect360 is only available in black, but the Proviz Classic headband ($20/£13) is available in blue, pink and yellow.

Read our full Proviz Reflect360 Running Headband review

The best running headwear for cold weather

This lightweight beanie – designed for use in the colder months, or chilly morning running escapades in less temperate areas – is constructed from Montane’s Bluesign-approved Technostretch material, which they enthusiastically report as their answer to the market request for ‘fabrics with a technical outer surface, high elasticity and high thermal insulation’. The jersey fabric has four-way stretch and a smooth outer side, which means it is less likely to pile and should be more resistant to abrasion. The wide hem is double thickness and gives more protection over the ears. The aim of the jersey fabric is to be light and soft, but at the same time offer a high thermal insulation, which we found during our winter runs.

Read our full Montane Iridium Beanie Hat review

Comparison table

What to look for when buying the best running hat for you

Choosing the best running hat, like choosing a pair of the best trail running shoes,  is always a very subjective matter. Many runners like to don some form of headwear year round, but of course they will be looking for different features depending on the season and the prevailing conditions. Personal factors – such as style preferences, taste and how much hair you do or don’t have (and how long it is) – will also play into your decision-making process for these trail running essentials. Following are some pointers to help you choose the best running hat for you.

Protection from the elements and dangers

If you are someone who likes to use headwear while exercising, you will probably have a best running hat for hot weather and a best running hat for cold weather. If it’s cold and windy, you will most likely be looking for thermal protection for your ears, and to stop heat escaping from your head. When it’s hot and sunny, you’ll want running headwear that keeps the sun off your face and the sweat from your eyes, as well as protecting your ears, scalp, face and neck from sunburn (see: hiking injuries and ailments, which apply equally to runners!). If you’re running in areas where there is no shade, consider a cap with extended neck protection (French Foreign Legion style). Some hats will also have reflective elements, to help keep you visible to vehicles when running on roads and lanes in the dusk and darkness.

Design and Functionality

Running headwear usually comes in two types: band or full cap, although there are lots of variations on these themes, such as bands with visors. Most runners have a preference between the two basic styles. The advantages of a band, buff or bandana is multifunctional versatility and greater ventilation, while a full cap is a good choice for days when you need more protection from the sun or rain.

Fabric

Look for lightweight and breathable fabrics. Whether it’s cold or warm weather, you are likely to sweat when running so the fabric choice will determine comfort levels. Fabric that allows sweat to evaporate or ‘wick away’ is vital in the best running headwear. Cotton should be avoided because it soaks up moisture but stays damp and cold.

Good fit

Check sizes for new running headwear because you want the item to fit neatly; not too tight, nor too big. A stretch fabric or adjustors and elastic straps will help with fit, especially if it’s a one-size-fits-all product, or a unisex hat. If you know you have a small or large head, pay particular attention to the sizing of the headwear.

Extra details

Look for air vents or mesh fabrics for extra ventilation on hot days. A sweatband is also a great idea if you often find the perspiration dripping down your forehead. Some headwear brands add anti-bacterial treatments and/or DWR (What is DWR?). Another attractive detail might be mosquito repellency if you are running in areas where these biting insects live. The small details can make a big difference when it comes to comfort during trail runs.