Buff Booney Hat Review

Overview

The Buff Booney, sold as the Explore Booney Hat, is a wide-brimmed nylon sun hat that weighs 72 g and stuffs into its own pocket. It targets hikers and trekkers who want full 360° shade from a hat that rides in a hip-belt pocket. The trade-off is familiar for the category. It uses synthetic fabric and has no structured brim. It is a sun tool first and a rain or insulation layer not at all.

Key Specs

Spec	Detail
Weight	72 g
Sun protection	UPF 50+
Shell	100% nylon (crown, brim, underbrim)
Lining	100% polyester inner mesh
Fit	Adjustable drawstring with chin strap
Ventilation	Lateral vents
Storage	Self-storage pocket
Sizing	S/M and L/XL, covering head circumferences of roughly 54–62 cm
Use	Hiking, trekking, warm-weather days

Performance

Sun coverage. The brim runs all the way around, which is the main reason to choose a booney over a ball cap. The rim shades the ears, the cheeks and the back of the neck, the spots a visor leaves exposed on a long ridge walk. The crown, brim and underbrim are all nylon with a UPF 50+ rating, so the protection comes from the fabric rather than a coating on one panel. Buff pitches it for deserts, open fields and exposed trail, and that is where it works best.

Ventilation. Lateral vents let heat escape from the sides of the crown. A polyester mesh lining sits against the head and moves sweat away from the skin. Buyers across European and US retailers call the hat cool and lightweight, and one parent reported that a teenager wears it happily. Nylon does not breathe like open-weave straw, so the vents carry most of the cooling.

Fit and wind. A drawstring tightens the hat around the head, and a chin strap keeps it on when a gust hits a saddle or a boat deck. That setup matters more than any spec on a windy day. The brim has no stiff wire, so it flexes in a crosswind and the strap does the work. Fit gets mixed comments. One buyer found the hat slightly large, which fits the sizing spread, since the two sizes cover a wide range. Another buyer singled out the small tightening piece on the strap as the one weak point in an otherwise well-regarded hat.

Packability. At 72 g it is only a little heavier than a good ball cap, and the integrated stuff pocket lets it fold into a small bundle. Buff says the hat packs down without losing its shape once released. That claim fits the soft, unstructured build. It also means the brim has no rigidity, so it will not hold a crisp stiff edge like a waxed-cotton bush hat.

Reception. Buyers rate it highly. A European retailer lists 17 reviews averaging 4.88 out of 5, with 88 percent at five stars and the remainder at four. REI’s two reviews are both five stars. These are small samples, but none of them includes a complaint about sun protection or durability.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 72 g with a stuff pocket, so it adds little to a pack
• Full 360° brim and UPF 50+ fabric throughout
• Lateral vents and a mesh lining for hot climbs
• Drawstring and chin strap hold it on in wind
• Two sizes cover a wide range of head circumferences

Cons

• Soft brim flops in a heavy crosswind and has no stiffness
• Nylon is less breathable than open-weave straw or mesh-panel hats
• A few buyers report a roomy fit or fiddly strap hardware
• Offers no rain or cold protection

Who Should Buy This

This hat suits hikers in desert, alpine or open-forest terrain who want real shade in a package that disappears into a pack. It also works for paddlers and anglers, since the chin strap keeps it from blowing off. It is a good choice for anyone replacing a baseball cap who wants ear and neck coverage as well. Hikers who need a stiff brim to shed rain, or who want a very breathable hat for humid climates, should look elsewhere. So should anyone with a head circumference at the edge of the size ranges and a strong preference for a snug fit.

Verdict

The Buff Booney is a light, simple sun hat that covers every angle for 72 g. It is a solid pick for warm-weather trail days and a sensible upgrade over a ball cap. It does not shed rain, and the soft brim and strap hardware are the only compromises worth weighing.