If you've ever stood in the shed trying to jam a flimsy net over a structured brim, you already know the problem: most fly nets are designed for caps, not for the wide-brimmed hats Australians actually wear outdoors. Here's what to actually look for.
1. Check the fit against your brim, not just your head
A fly net that's sized for a cap will ride up and gap around a wide-brimmed hat or Akubra, leaving exactly the openings flies are looking for. Before you buy, measure the circumference of your hat at the brim, not around your head — that's the number that determines whether a net will sit properly.
2. Look at the netting, not just the price
Cheap fly nets are often stiff, clingy nylon that sticks to your face the moment you sweat. A well-made net uses a softer tulle or mesh that drapes rather than clings, with enough visibility that you're not staring through a haze all day. If you're out on the land for hours at a time, that difference matters more than it sounds like it should.
3. Consider what the net is actually protecting
A genuine outback fly net should sit clear of your mouth, nose and eyes without needing constant adjustment. Sun exposure is part of the same equation — a wide-brimmed hat paired with a properly fitted net covers both problems at once, which is worth keeping in mind if you're weighing up sun safety alongside fly protection.
4. Decide if you want fashion, function, or both
Some fly nets are built purely for practicality — plain, effective, forgettable. Others are designed to actually look good, using artwork or colour that means you're not hiding your hat under something that looks like an afterthought. If you're wearing a hat you're proud of, it's fair to want a net that doesn't ruin it.
5. Think about where the hat and net come from
There's a growing number of options on the market, and it's worth asking who benefits from your purchase. Dreamtimez's fly net hats feature licensed Indigenous Australian artwork, with ongoing royalties paid directly to the artists, and a portion of proceeds going to the Royal Flying Doctor Service — so the choice isn't just about the net, it's about what your money supports.
Sun safety, while you're at it
The SunSmart Australia guidelines recommend broad-brimmed hats as a core part of sun protection outdoors — another reason a proper wide-brim-and-net combination beats a cap-and-net setup for anyone spending real time outside.
Ready to find the right fit? Browse the full Dreamtimez fly net hat range — hats that keep the flies off and put real artwork, and real royalties, on your head.