Short answer: the best gardening hat for Australian conditions has a wide brim (around 7.5cm or more) that shades your face, ears and neck, a UPF 50+ rating, mesh panels for airflow, a chin strap for windy days and, if you garden anywhere the flies get bad, a fly net that drops down when you need it and tucks away when you don't.
A few hours on your knees in the veggie patch under the Aussie sun is when you find out whether your hat is up to the job. Here's what actually matters.
What to look for in a gardening hat
A properly wide brim
When you're bent over a garden bed, your neck and the tops of your ears cop the sun. Cancer Council guidance favours broad-brimmed, legionnaire or bucket-style hats that shade the face, neck and ears over caps. A brim of around 7.5cm or wider is a good benchmark for adults.
UPF 50+ fabric
UPF 50+ is the top rating for sun-protective fabric. It's worth checking the label, because a loose-weave straw hat can look shady and still let plenty of UV through.
Airflow
Gardening is hot, sweaty work. Mesh side panels let heat escape so you're not cooking under the brim by mid-morning.
A chin strap
Nothing worse than chasing your hat across the lawn with secateurs in one hand. An adjustable chin strap keeps it on while you're bending, lifting and dealing with the arvo wind.
A fly net (if you garden where the flies are)
Country gardens, farm gardens and anywhere near stock can be fly central from spring through summer. A net sewn into the brim means you can weed, plant and prune without stopping every 30 seconds to swat. Choose one that tucks away cleanly, so it works as a normal sun hat when the flies ease off.
Somewhere to stash things
A small inside pocket is handy for a seed packet, plant tags or your car keys.
Straw hat, bucket hat or wide brim with a fly net?
- Straw hats look the part and breathe well, but many aren't UPF rated and they don't like getting wet or squashed.
- Bucket hats pack easily but the brim is often too narrow to protect your neck.
- Wide brim sun hats with a fly net cover the sun, the flies and the mozzies at dusk in one hat. That's what we make.
Our pick: the Dreamtimez Fly Net Hat
The Dreamtimez Fly Net Hat ticks every box above: a wide UPF 50+ brim, mesh side panels, an adjustable fit that suits most adults, a chin strap, a pigtail opening and a hidden Velcro pocket. The fine fly and mosquito net is sewn in, so it drops down in seconds and tucks away when you're done.
Each hat features licensed artwork by a named Aboriginal artist, who earns a royalty on every hat sold, and part of every purchase goes to the Royal Flying Doctor Service. It comes with a story card about the artist, which makes it a lovely gift for the gardener in your life. Prefer a bit of colour around the brim? Try the hat with an interchangeable scarf.
See all designs in our wide brim hats range.
Gardening sun-safety tips
- Garden early in the morning or later in the afternoon when the UV is lower. Check the daily UV index on the Bureau of Meteorology or the SunSmart app.
- Pair your hat with sunscreen, sunglasses and a long-sleeved shirt.
- Keep water handy and take breaks in the shade.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best hat for gardening in Australia?
A broad-brimmed hat rated UPF 50+ with airflow panels and a chin strap. If flies are a problem where you garden, choose one with a built-in fly net.
How wide should a gardening hat brim be?
Aim for a brim of about 7.5cm or more, so it shades your face, ears and the back of your neck when you bend over.
Can I garden in a fly net hat without the net down?
Yes. The net on the Dreamtimez hat tucks up into the brim, so it works as a regular sun hat until the flies show up.
Is a gardening hat a good gift?
A good one is. A UPF 50+ fly net hat with Aboriginal artwork and an artist story card is practical, meaningful and a bit different from the usual garden centre gift.