Patagonia Block-the-Sun Hat Review

Quincy (5, family friend) wore this hat first, then passed it to Oren (almost 2), who wore it at Meeks Bay campground at Lake Tahoe — beach days, campfire evenings, short trail walks, the full trip. The Patagonia Block-the-Sun Hat is made from NetPlus® recycled fishing nets in a Fair Trade Certified factory, and it performs exactly how you’d expect a Patagonia hat to perform: well, durably, and with a supply chain story worth reading. The one thing to know before you buy: at $39, it’s a dollar more than the Sunday Afternoons Play Hat, and the Play Hat has a better retention system. Buy the Patagonia for the ethos. Buy the Play Hat for the specs.

3.8/5.0

Best sun hat for the conscious buyer

Patagonia Block-the-Sun Hat

Recycled fabric, Fair Trade Certified sewing and a repair programme behind it. A good hat with a better supply chain.

Shop at REI$39$27

Sizes: XS–L (fits approx. ages 6 months–5 years) | UPF: 40 | Material: NetPlus® Recycled Fishing Nets, PFAS-free DWR | Chin strap: Velcro breakaway

Is the Patagonia Block-the-Sun Hat UPF 40?

Yes, UPF 40 — which blocks 97.5% of UV radiation, compared to 98% for UPF 50+. The practical difference is small. We’d apply sunscreen on exposed areas regardless of which hat is on the kid’s head, so the 0.5% gap is not what drives the decision. What matters more is whether the hat stays on the head, which depends on fit and retention — see the section on what doesn’t work.

Where we tested the Patagonia Block-the-Sun Hat

Quincy (5) wore this first at Lake Tahoe’s Meeks Bay campground across multiple days — beach days on the lake, campfire evenings, and short hikes. After Quincy’s family was done with it, the hat came to us and Oren (almost 2) wore it on Colorado park days and around camp. Two kids, two seasons, two different head sizes. The hat arrived to us in good shape — the construction held through Quincy’s use, the DWR was still performing, and the coverage profile was intact.

Patagonia Block-the-Sun Hat features — what actually stood out

The supply chain story is real and worth stating plainly: NetPlus® fabric is made from reclaimed fishing nets — a specific waste stream that Patagonia has built a supply chain around. The factory is Fair Trade Certified, which means workers receive a premium on top of their wages. The DWR finish is PFAS-free. For a family that makes purchasing decisions with supply chain in mind, this hat sits at the intersection of all those preferences.

On performance: the coverage is good. Wide brim, neck cape, moisture-wicking headband inside, solid face and ear coverage. It performs similarly to the Sunday Afternoons Play Hat in that coverage profile — the brims are comparable widths, the neck capes cover the same territory. The NetPlus® fabric has a slightly different hand than nylon — more textured, slightly stiffer — but it’s comfortable on a kid’s head and dried at a moderate pace after water exposure.

Patagonia’s build quality is what you’d expect: the seams are well finished, the brim holds its shape, and after two kids and multiple seasons the hat has shown no structural failure. For a hat intended to pass from sibling to sibling or friend to friend, that longevity matters.

What doesn’t work on the Patagonia Block-the-Sun Hat

The fit system is the gap between this hat and the Sunday Afternoons Play Hat, and it’s worth being direct about it. The back of the hat uses elastic rather than a cordlock — which means the fit is size-dependent rather than precisely adjustable. You need to get the size right at purchase, and then the elastic provides a general snugness rather than a dialed fit. Oren wore it and it held in calm to moderate conditions. In sustained wind, there was more movement than we’d see with a cordlock hat.

The chin strap is Velcro rather than a breakaway tie or a SmartStrap clip. It holds, but it requires more active adjustment to get snug, and it doesn’t release under pressure the way a breakaway system does. In practical terms: it’s fine, just slower to apply and adjust. For a parent putting a hat on a moving toddler, slower matters.

How to care for the Patagonia Block-the-Sun Hat

Machine wash cold with like colors. Tumble dry low. Do not iron. Standard Patagonia care for synthetic garments — the NetPlus® recycled fishing net fabric handles machine washing without issue. For best DWR performance longevity, line dry when possible. Patagonia’s Worn Wear program also accepts this hat for repair if anything does fail — worth keeping in mind.

Does the Patagonia Block-the-Sun Hat pack down?

It folds reasonably flat — the brim has some structure to it but not so much that it fights the fold. Similar packability to the JAN & JUL: fits in a beach bag or daypack without complaint, not as crushable as the Flap Happy. No stuff sack included.

Patagonia Block-the-Sun Hat sizing guide

Available in XS through L: XS fits approximately 6–12 months, S fits 12–24 months, M fits 2T–3T, and L fits 4T–5T. These sizes are snugger than the Sunday Afternoons or Reima hats, which have more adjustment range built in. Get the sizing right at purchase — the elastic back doesn’t give you much room to compensate for a wrong size. When between sizes, go up: a slightly large hat can be worn with the brim adjusted; a too-small hat just doesn’t fit. Check Patagonia’s Worn Wear before buying new — secondhand versions of this hat are often available and the build quality means they wear well.

Who is the Patagonia Block-the-Sun Hat best for?

The Patagonia household. If your family is already buying Patagonia gear for its supply chain story — the recycled materials, the Fair Trade certification, the repairability — this hat fits naturally into that ecosystem. If you’re comparing it to the Sunday Afternoons Play Hat on specs and retention, buy the Play Hat. The Patagonia earns its place for families buying with intention, planning to pass it through multiple kids, and possibly running it through Worn Wear when they’re done.

Pro tip: Check Worn Wear (wornwear.patagonia.com) before buying new. This hat exists secondhand in good condition regularly, and the build quality means a used one is a real option.

How the Patagonia Block-the-Sun Hat compares to other kids’ sun hats