You need sun protection whenever it’s sunny, regardless of the time of year! If not, you run the risk of getting too much sun and developing other heat-related problems. So what is a suitable piece of clothing to wear on a hot, sunny day? The Boonie hat is the solution! This adaptable wide-brimmed hat is ideal for you if you enjoy being outside. Read on to discover more about the benefits, types, and styles of a Boonie hat.

What is a Boonie Hat?

Wide-brimmed hats, such as boonies, are frequently worn by military personnel. It’s also referred to as a giggle hat occasionally. Its shape is similar to a bucket hat, but its brim is stiffer. The crown of a Boonie hat frequently has a branch-looped fabric tape band stitched around it. It is intended to conceal it with additional vegetation. Additionally, a Boonie hat has a strap for support. People who go hiking, trekking, and mountain climbing use it today in addition to the military.

Benefits of a Boonie Hat

There are many advantages to wearing Boonie hats. They are also explanations for why people who enjoy participating in outdoor activities like kayaking, hiking, camping, and more prefer to wear them. The following are the benefits of wearing a Boonie hat outside.

1. UV Protection in the Summer

One of the most frequent causes of skin conditions like skin cancer is exposure to the sun’s harmful rays. The skin on the back of our necks and our faces are the areas of our bodies that are most exposed to the sun when we engage in outdoor activities. Wearing a hat is one of the best ways to avoid getting sunburned. Because they protect your face and the back of your neck from the sun, Boonie hats are very useful.

2. Protection from the Cold

Some people enjoy going on cold-weather hikes. Additionally useful for keeping your head warm are Boonie hats. The comfort and warmth of the body are significantly influenced by having a warm, comfortable head. Because you won’t lose too much heat when wearing a hat, it can help you avoid the flu.

3. Protection for Your Hair

Wearing a Boonie hat can be a great way to protect your hair from the damaging effects of the sun, snow, wind, and cold.

4. It’s Stylish

Boonie hats can provide you with protection, but they also make you look good. When you wear a hat, it is fashionable and most outfits look good. Boonie hats are available in a variety of designs and hues. When participating in outdoor activities, wearing one is a great way to look good and protect yourself.

5. It Can Save You Money

Boonie hats will also enable you to save money because they can prevent skin conditions as well as the common cold and flu. You don’t need to buy medications or see a doctor. Additionally, it will speed up your recovery from illness.

Types and Styles of Boonie Hats

1. Woodland Camo Boonie Hat

Given that Boonies were first worn by members of the military, camouflage Boonies are the most prevalent. However, the name of a Boonie depends on the type of camouflage pattern it has. In the US, the Woodland pattern was first used in 1981 and remained in use until the mid-2000s. Sand, green, brown, and black were the four colors used in this pattern, which also featured erratic markings.

2. Flecktarn Boonie Hat

The German Armed Forces have their camouflage pattern, just like the US. Like the Woodland pattern, it also has a disruptive pattern, but the pattern’s color palette varies. The Flecktarn pattern can have three to six colors, but the most typical pattern has five. Dark green, light green, black, and red-brown are the only four that never change, though one color can differ from one manufacturer to the next. It can be tan, brown, or green.

The German Armed Forces are still using the design, which was introduced in 1990. Other nations have likewise adopted and modified it. For better blending with the surroundings, the different colors are used in flecktarn patterns on different terrains.

3. MultiCam Boonie Hat

The US army employs the MultiCam pattern, which dates back to 2002, in a variety of situations and settings. The patterns were created by Crye Precision and used seven different colors. It is one of the patterns that took the place of the 3-Color Desert pattern as well as the Woodland pattern.

About nine nations, including the US, are using different versions of MultiCam. Some of these variations might even be illegal and usable by civilians. In the US, MultiCam is currently in use; it has been in use on and off since 2019 when it replaced the UCP pattern.

4. Tigerstripe Boonie Hat

Tigerstripe camouflage is designed for close-quarters jungle combat. Initially used by the South Vietnamese Armed Forces, it was later adopted by the US during the Vietnam War in the 1960s. However, no one is certain of the originator of this pattern. Many other Asian nations later adopted the pattern.

Khaki or light green serves as the pattern’s foundation color. Its name comes from its broad black brushstrokes, which resemble tiger stripes. The number of variations of this pattern is thought to be around 19, but some argue that these may not all be distinct and may also include color variations of the same pattern.

5. MARPAT Boonie Hat

The US Marine Corps uses a pattern called MARPAT. Its name is “Marine Pattern,” and it has been in use since 2002 when it was introduced to replace the camouflage utility uniform. The distinctive feature of this pattern is the even distribution of tiny rectangular boxes or pixels across the uniform. Compared to non-digital patterns like the Woodland pattern, it is thought to blend in better.

The US government has granted a patent to MARPAT, which can only be produced by licensed producers. It is not intended for use in commerce or by the general public, but its imitations can be worn casually.

6. Olive Drab Boonie Hat

Drab is a brownish gray, while olive is a dark yellowish-green. These two hues were combined to produce a shade of olive drab. The United States used various iterations of Olive Drab as camouflage during World War II. It was utilized in equipment, clothing, and vehicles. But in 1952, Olive Green, also referred to as OG 107, was formally replaced. The military has stopped using it, so it is now commercially available for civilian use.

7. Breathable Boonie Hat

Breathable Boonie Hats have a mesh or net component instead of a cloth lining. This function, which allows air to pass through, is perfect for wearing the hat for long periods. Almost always, a thin strip of the mesh component is applied around the crown. There may be isolated patches of the same, though, to keep the cap stable.

Another method of making a Boonie breathable is by using the side vents that are distributed around the crown. These promote airflow and lessen perspiration.

Conclusion

Boonies are particular hats that can be used for several purposes. From everyday casual wear to fishing and hunting, you can wear them for everything. Additional safety is also provided, in addition to the many benefits they offer.