I find myself in the rather unenviable position of exploring the use of exercise hats. The hot weather of summertime is upon us, and I am, of necessity, needing to wear hats more frequently. This presents a problem, on a few different levels.
Why Wear Exercise Hats?
I’ll say right off the bat that I don’t like hats much at all. Never have. Maybe its because, as I’ve been told, I have a big head. Maybe its because they make me feel hot. I don’t know for certain, but I just don’t like to wear them.
Unfortunately, as so often happens with we guys, I’m getting thin up top. I don’t like it, but that doesn’t really matter. With summer here, the possibility of having a sunburn on the top of my head just doesn’t sound appealing. So I’m starting to wear hats more when I’m out and about. I’m basically following the advice of the “experts,” which suggests that hats cut down drastically on UV exposure by shading exposed areas. Helps reduce the risk of both sunburns, and the inevitable skin cancer that follows. While it helps reduce the problem of UV exposure, hats also trap and build up heat. So instead of getting a sunburn, I’ve found myself getting too hot, so I wind up with a headache.
Herein lies my problem, and question for the readers. Is there a design for exercise hats that provides UV protection that doesn’t trap heat? Right now I find myself favoring hats that are darker in color, to help provide UV protection. I’ve picked hats with a brim that shades the front of the face, and are vented on the sides. I understand that going with a full brim is much better for UV protection, as it fully shades the tops of the ears and neck, but those are impractical for exercise. I understand that a white hat may reduce heat buildup, but it may also not provide as much UV protection.
I see scores of people wearing hats outside while running in hot weather, so I can’t believe I’m the only person to face this problem. I know there must be a good solution, and I know that some of the readers must have found good solutions. Any suggestions?
