It is a well-researched fact that mosquitos bites are harmful to humans. They can spread a variety of deadly diseases like malaria, dengue fever, Zika fever and West Nile disease. Consequently, when embarking on outdoor fun, it is imperative to guard yourself against mosquitos and other bugs.
There is a wide range of products designed especially for that including protective clothing like net hats. According to the World Health Organization, protective clothing can offer significant protection against bug bites.
In this article, we will be discussing net hats, their benefits, what to look for when buying one and some good choices currently on the market. We have tried to make this list as exhaustive as possible by including several different versions of this product as well as a good price range. We hope this article helps you with your purchase.
Table of Contents
What is a mosquito net hat ?
A mosquito net hat basically consists of a bucket hat with a 360-degree brim and a net that falls down the brim up till the neck and shoulders. In the market, net hats come in a variety of colors and sometimes in different styles too.
Net hats are especially great for activities like gardening and fishing where you would likely be around flying insects, especially near sunset which is a time mosquito swarms are most actively searching for prey. They are also great additions to your hiking and camping gear.
When used, it can:
Protect You From Bugs
If one doesn’t use repellents, then fully covered loose fitted clothing can normally provide a good barrier against mosquitos. However, your face still remains uncovered and an enticing target for them. A net hat ensures that your face and the front and back of your head and neck remain safe without impeding your breathing or your vision.
Protect You From Sun Damage
The UV rays of the sun are known to cause skin damage and aging. The brim of a mosquito net hat keeps sunlight from falling directly onto your face.
They also come in protective fabrics that block UV rays so not only are you safe from bug bites, you can enjoy your activities in the sun without worrying about harming your facial skin.
Buying Guide
When it comes to picking a mosquito net hat, there are a few things to consider:
Visibility
A darker colored mesh is going to provide more visibility through it. This is because darker colors absorb light, so extra light won’t bounce off the mesh to enter your eyes. As opposed to this, lighter colors reflect light and can reduce visibility. This is why, if you are going to be wearing the net hat outside in bright sunlight, a black or dark mesh is a better option. For night time, a lighter mesh will work too.
Size
The size of the net should be such that when the net falls around the hat, it is at least a few inches away from your face. If a mesh falls too close to your face, mosquitos can still bite through it. Sizing of hat also matters. An ill-fitting hat can hamper sight if it droops over your head and can be altogether uncomfortable to wear for extended periods of time. Same goes for a hat that is too tight. Most adult net hats come in free, one size fits all configurations so sizing is usually not an issue though.
Ventilation
Hats with ventilation points are always a better choice. They keep your head cool even in the sun. The mesh should also allow enough air to freely circulate around your face to avoid suffocation. Both hat and mesh should be made from light materials like nylon or polyester.
Let us now get into some of the mosquito net hats on the market that are great in both quality and functionality:
1. Lenikis Outdoor Sun Protection Hats
Lenikis specializes in sun protection hats, outdoor activity gear as well as winter gear. The Lenikis outdoor sun protection hat is made from a fabric that blocks 98% of UV rays, protecting your face, ears and the front and back of your head and neck from sun damage.
Its mesh is fine enough to keep even small insects out but big enough to keep the inside well ventilated. It is also easy to see through so your vision isn’t compromised. There is an elasticized drawstring at the bottom that you can fasten to fit the net snugly to your neck.
This ensures that no openings are left for insects to creep in. The material of the net is lightweight polyester that dries quickly and is resistant to water and stains. For those particularly hot days when you sweat a lot, sweat tends to get into eyes and with a net hat, it can get difficult to wipe it off.
Lenikis sun protection hat comes with a sweatband to absorb moisture and prevent it from getting into your eyes. This makes it perfect for all outdoor activities like camping, hiking, gardening and fishing, even when the temperature outside is high.
It comes in one free size that fits all: approximately 60cm or 23 inches wide with a chin strap to secure the hat on your head and prevent it from getting blown off in the wind. The netting isn’t detachable but when not needed, it can easily be rolled up around the crown.
This hat comes in a variety of different colors mainly Blue, Dark Blue, Khaki, Red and Grey, so you can even get one that matches your outfit. As mentioned before, while choosing the color, it is also important to consider which one would be easiest to see through.
Remember that in general, lighter colored mesh is harder to see through whereas dark colored mesh has more transparency.
2. UShake Mosquito Head Net Hat
“Ushake” is a company established by a young team and focuses mainly on designing gear for outdoor activities like swimming, running, cycling or snow skiing, to make them more convenient for people.
The best thing about their Mosquito Head Net Hat is that it has dual functionality i.e. the hat comes with a hidden compartment for the net mesh. When you don’t require the mesh, you can tuck it away in this compartment and transform the gear into a great looking sun hat together with a chin strap.
When the bugs start swarming around you, simply free the net from its compartment and protect your head and neck area completely from pesky bites. The wide brim makes sure that even without the mesh, your face is protected from the sun’s rays.
With the mesh, you get added sun protection. The bottom comes equipped with a draw string to fasten the mesh against your neck leaving no gaps for insects.
This hat is one size fits all. Its wide enough to also fit over headwear, in case this needs to be worn over a head wrap/head scarf. Made from a combination of 100% polyester and 100% nylon, it has the following measurements:
- Head Circumference: 22.8″-23.2″
- Crown depth: 4″
- Veil: 13.4″ long
- Brim: 2.95″ wide
The mesh’s fabric is breathable and has great visibility. Although it isn’t waterproof, it does dry easily and is not damaged by water exposure. Ushake makes this hat in Khaki and Dark Grey.
3. Palmyth Mosquito Head Net Hat
Palmyth specializes in fishing gear as well as sun protection gear for outdoor activities like kayaking, cycling and hiking. The Palmyth Mosquito Head Net Hat has multiple functionalities.
In the most basic form, it is like a regular bucket hat with a brim wide enough (3.2 inches) to protect the face from the sun’s rays and an adjustable chin straps to keep the hat in place.
On each side of the hat are four holes that ensure good ventilation. It also comes integrated with a sweat band to absorb any sweat and keep it from trickling down your face.
Transform the simple bucket hat into a hat with a protective net by freeing the net from its hidden compartment. You can easily secure the mesh against your neck because of the drawstring at the base, keeping mosquitoes, flies, insects, bee, gnats and bug away from your face and neck.
When not needed, the mesh can be hidden right back in the hat with snap fasteners. The size of this hat is approximately 22-24 inches which will fit most adult heads. With the mesh down, it ensures easy visibility as well as breathability.
Moreover, certified UPF 50+ protection is woven into the fabric and no artificial spray-on chemicals are added to it. The nylon of the mesh is also water repellent so water rolls of it instead of getting absorbed. This makes it suitable to be worn in light rains although it might not fare that well in heavy rain.
The third functionality of the Palmyth Mosquito Head Net Hat is its cape. Fastened by buttons to the side of the hat, the cape can be buttoned back up when not in use. When down, it provides complete protection for the back of the neck. This hat is great for activities like hunting, camping and gardening.
4. SUNPRO Mosquito Head Net Hat Sun Hats 2pcks
Mosquito Head Net Hat Sun Hats gives you great protection against insects and related diseases. This is a detachable humanized mesh net with zipper. No bug spray like DEET on your face and neck. The fabric serves as a natural mosquito protection. Made of 100% Nylon 100% Polyester. It comes having the zippered opening for eating and drinking.
The size of the product is made to fit all sizes of adult head. Head Circumference: 22.0″-23.6″; Crown depth: 4.7″; Veil: 15.4″ long; Brim: 3.5″ wide. This safari hat fits comfortable for over most head wear. The shape are the best in terms of protection, comfort and ease of use. 360-degree mesh net brim, provide the optimal protection against harmful sunlight, annoying mosquitoes, gnats and some pesky bugs.
It has an actual draw string at the bottom (not just elastic) and a quality toggle (grabber thingy to hold drawstring closed). That can keep hat stay on the head well. It comes in a cute little storage bag with its own drawstring and toggle.These hats are made of a medium weight cotton material and look well made. the netting is very lightweight and hangs just right.
It is remarkably easy to see through and keeps the bugs away. Worth every penny to be able to be outside. Fits over your hat just right and is slightly weighted at the bottom so it hangs down. Provides proper air circulation. Also a great help while traveling, to keep you safe.
Handwash only. Advisable not to bleach and machine wash, For longer life of the item. It comes with color Khaki, Cream and Camouflage.
5. Flammi Mosquito Head Net Hat
Flammi mainly produces winter gear as well as outdoor activities gear and this net hat is one of the most popular products by them. Made from 100% nylon and 100% polyester together with a mesh lining and vents, this finely stitched hat offers comfortable breathability.
It also comes with a sweat band all around the inside of the brim to absorb moisture on the forehead. Its fabric offers UPF50+ UV protection against the sun and a wide brim keeps the sun’s rays away from the face. The mesh net offers a full head bug guard against mosquitoes, flies and other insects during outdoor activities.
At the base of the mesh is a drawstring for secure fastening around neck and shoulders and the hat has an adjustable chin strap as well. It does not come with a compartment to hide away the net, however. When not needed it would have to be folded up to be tucked under the hat.
The Flammi Mosquito Head Net hat is unisex and can fit most adult head sizes (sizes 22.4”-23.2”). It comes in black, blue, navy blue, dark grey, light grey, pink and khaki. Detailed measurements are as follows:
- Hat circumference: 22.8″ or 58cm
- Crown depth: 3.9″ or 10cm
- Net: 18.5″ or 47cm long
- Brim: 3″ wide
6. Ayamaya Mosquito Net Sun Hat
Ayamaya mosquito head net mesh made your life being outside completely tolerable. You will be well protected against mosquitoes, gnats and to some pesky insects. It can gives you great protection against mosquito and related diseases. The fabric serves as a mosquito protection.
Breathable mesh on the hat, well-ventilated. This hat is great for outdoor activity . Those enthusiasts like fishermen, hunters, hikers and campers. It wick away sweat so your head stays cool while working or playing outdoors.
It is a nice lightweight fabric 100% Polyester. Soft and breathable netting sewed on the hat brim. Hat and netting both has adjustable drawstring, keep hat stay on, while it keep bugs out. You can see through it easily.
The product has another benefit. Can use for sun protection on face when in the pool or at beach. Serves as great facemask, a faceshield. Level up mosquito head net and hat. Advantage during this time of pandemic. virus attack will not get through easy.
Hat circumference: 20.8″/53cm; Crown depth: 3.9″/10cm; Netting: 16.92″/43 long; Brim: about 3″/7.6cm wide. Fits most heads of adult person. The chin strap can also do the trick to make it looks fit.
7. Sea to Summit Mosquito Head Net
The Sea to Summit net is great for wide all-around brim hats but is customizable to other hat shapes too. It is even wide enough to be worn without a hat but that can put you at risk of getting bitten through the fabric. It is also long enough in length so that excess fabric can be tucked away into your collar.
The black color of the net affords better visibility. At 500 holes per square inch, the multifilament, polyester mesh isn’t too fine to block air flow but fine enough to keep bugs away from your face. As an added layer of protection, it is treated with Insect Shield i.e., premethrin which repels insects like mosquitoes and flies.
It can, however, leave a trace of a repellent-like smell. If you have reservations against using a chemically treated net, you do have the option of buying a standard version which is untreated.
This head net can be fastened at the neck with a drawstring and cord lock. It also comes packaged with a free bag that is small and compact in size, making it ideal for carrying around on camping and hiking trips
8. Coleman Mosquito Head Net
Another great affordable pick to enjoy a bite free outdoor excursion. The fine mesh is 1 mm maximum netting grade, which ensures good ventilation as well as protection and together with the black color, it also keeps your visibility to the maximum.
While it is especially designed for all-around wide brim hats, it can be used in conjunction with other types of headgear too. Just keep in mind that whatever you use it over should aid in keeping the fabric away from the face.
It is almost 4” in diameter and 6” in length so it would fall well below the neck. The stretch band at the base gives you a good fit around the neck. The Coleman head net can easily be folded up to fit into a small space. Unfortunately though, a free bag is not provided with it.