Maybe not as stylish as a baseball cap, but who cares about style when your health is on the line ? These hats offer excellent protection from the sun. They are comfortable, light weight, vented, and the strap has saved them more then once from being blown off my head. When we are young we often think we are invincible, and frequently neglect to protect against sun damage. It shows up later on. If I could pass some advice on to myself when I was 16 years old, I would tell myself to get one of these hats and use it religiously. It might have prevented the Clarks level 2 Melanoma I had cut off my cheek 18 years later.

I had a Coolibar hat which I have worn for many years. It blocked the sun and covered me well. It was a bit tight on my so called big head, however, because of that it did not fly anywhere even in the strongest of winds. You might be thinking this guy is reviewing the wrong hat, however, that is not true my friends. To be outright honest, I have had melanoma and wanted as much protection as I could muster from a sun hat.

I bring up the Coolibar hat to say I saw this sun hat and it looked like it would cover me much better. I could tell the brim on this Booney hat was not as stiff as the Coolibar so I wondered how it would hold up in strong winds. I figured for the price what could I lose.

I took the Booney hat for a test drive at Ocean City, NJ. The first day was extremely hot, sunny and very windy. I had read the reviews about using the chin strap in windy conditions and I did just that. The hat offered superb protection from the sun and I will say even better than the Coolibar hat. I had to use the chin strap during the day otherwise the Booney hat would have flow off my head. No problem with the chin strap at all. The strap kept the hat secure and tight on my head.

The next day was not as sunny or hot, however, still very windy. The chin strap made the day. I figured I would not like using the chin strap as with the Coolibar I did not have to use one as it was tight on my head. The chin strap is very easy to use with a push of the little tab. It tightens very easily and also loosens the same way. The day after .... still windy .... and I was glad to have the Booney and the chin strap. The hat has vents on both sides and my head never felt hot.

I have used it many times since and it is the perfect sun protection hat as the dimensions are the same all the way around the entire hat. It protects you in the front as well as the sides and back. Honestly, for the meager price the company charges versus what other sun hat companies charge, this is the hat to get.

P.S. I saw a few other people wearing the same hat so now I know there is a "band of brothers" out there. LOL
It might not be the most fashionable hat, however, if you desire sun protection 100 SPF, UPF 50+ according to the company, then this is the Booney hat for you. I bought this hat without endorsement so take my word on what I say in the review.

Added comments:
It is now July 2017 and I have worn this hat all over especially at the shore or beach however you want to say it. The temps were in the 90's and the sun was very hot. The wind was blowing like crazy on the boardwalk. I pulled the chin strap up and made sure the hat did not fly away. Great, great job of protection. Not nary a sunburned face or side of the face when you wear just a baseball cap or one that does not have enough protection on the sides.

Love this hat. I have several because when one is dirty I can wear another until I have time to wash it. I do put it in the washing machine on delicate but I do not put it in the dryer, it air dries. Specifically, I like the wide brim to protect my face and neck from the sun and I like that it is made of a light weight fabric with air vents at the top so my head doesn't feel like it's baking. I have the light colored one to reflect the heat. I live in Florida and volunteer at an outdoor museum garden so it can get hot and I really appreciate the protection and comfort this hat provides. I would definitely recommend it.

I bought this hat after going through surgery and reconstruction plastic surgery for the skin cancer on my nose. I used to use a floppy straw hat for gardening, but the brim flipped up with the slightest breeze and it had plenty of holes in it (it's old and abused). The booney hat feels light on my head and the brim stays down. And it also fits my big head, 23 inch circumference with room to spare. I can wear a bandana with it and it still fits! Yeah!

Just what I needed and wanted. Shades my head, nose, ears, eyes, face, and neck (front and back). Extra-wide rigid brim all around -- no flimsy, floppy back flap. Just fits my XL head (7 â… - 7 ¾) with drawstring at full length. Adjustable security cord can be worn under the chin, behind the head, or stuffed into the crown. Despite the photo, the rest of the cord can go behind or in front of the crown, not just over the top of it. Very light weight. Washable (by hand). Can be flattened or rolled for packing (in fact, it arrived folded flat in a flat mailer). Great sun protection!