The hat is the most under-bought piece of ultra gear. Most runners spend $250 on shoes and $32 on a hat. Then they get sun-fried at mile 60 of a hot 100. Five hats that solve every variation of this problem.
The picks
Sunday Afternoons
Sunday Afternoons Adventure Hat
The default desert/hot-ultra hat for the past decade. Wide brim plus full neck cape, breathable mesh side panels, chin strap. The hat that lets you run the Marathon des Sables and finish with a clean neck.
- UPF 50+
- Removable neck cape
- Breathable mesh side panels
- Adjustable chin strap
Outdoor Research
Outdoor Research Sun Runner Cap
A running cap with a removable, snap-on cape that turns it from a normal trucker into a desert hat in 15 seconds. The hat that lives in your gear bag year-round.
- Removable cape (snap-on)
- Mesh-back trucker cut
- UPF 50+ on cape
- Lightweight (44g)
Salomon
Salomon XA Cap
Slightly oversized brim for sun protection without the full cape. Sweat-wicking band, adjustable rear strap, packable into a vest pocket. The cap to wear when the sun is high but the cape is overkill.
- Slightly larger brim than competitors
- Sweat-wicking forehead band
- Packable
- Adjustable size
Patagonia
Patagonia Duckbill Cap
Patagonia's running-cap classic. Recycled nylon, mesh side panels, structured brim that doesn't crush in a vest pocket. The cap that's quiet about being a great cap.
- Recycled nylon shell
- Mesh side panels
- Reflective taping
- Structured brim
Tilley
Tilley Airflo Hat
The Tilley Airflo is overkill for normal training but unmatched for multi-day stage races and desert ultras. Wide soft brim, mesh ventilation crown, lifetime guarantee. Will outlive your knees.
- UPF 50+ wide brim
- Mesh crown for ventilation
- Floats if dropped in water
- Lifetime warranty
How to choose by race
- Sub-50K trail race: Patagonia Duckbill or Salomon XA. A standard running cap is enough.
- Mountain 100 (Western States, Hardrock): Salomon XA or OR Sun Runner. Run-fit cap with a slightly larger brim and the option of a cape.
- Desert 100 (Cocodona, Javelina): Sunday Afternoons Adventure or OR Sun Runner with the cape attached. The neck cape is non-optional.
- Stage race (MDS, Big Dog Backyard summer): Sunday Afternoons Adventure or Tilley Airflo. Maximum coverage, lifetime durability, no compromise.
- Daily training: Patagonia Duckbill. The cap that wears well from 5K to 50K.
Cape vs no cape
A neck cape adds about 30g and zero feel-cost when running. It blocks neck and ear sun, which is where most runners burn first (we forget about the ears). At 95°F+ in direct sun, a cape lowers perceived temperature noticeably because the back of the neck is shaded. For runs under 60 minutes or in lower sun, skip the cape — for ultra distances in real heat, attach it.
Brim shape matters
- Structured trucker brim: Holds shape, fits in vest pockets, doesn't flop in wind. Default running cap.
- Soft floppy brim: Maximum sun coverage, but flaps in wind and crushes in packs. Best for desert / stage races.
- Wide structured brim (Sunday Afternoons style): Best of both. Slightly bulkier in vest pocket but still packable.
- Visor-only: Useful for very specific cases (heavy sweat-runners who hate hot crowns), but you lose top-of-head sun coverage. Usually not worth it for ultras.
The honest summary
Buy the Sunday Afternoons Adventure for desert and stage races. Buy the Salomon XA for race day at mountain ultras where you want lighter weight + the option of dunking in a creek. Buy the Patagonia Duckbill for everyday training. Three hats covers every situation.