Reima Rantsu Sun Hat Review

We ordered the Reima Rantsu in a 3–4 year size. Nahla, our nine-year-old niece, wore it for five days at Gulf Shores — on the beach, in the Gulf, and in the hot tub — without complaint and without being reminded to put it back on. Oren, who is almost two, also wore it. That’s a seven-year age range on one hat in one size, which is the kind of sizing flexibility that makes trip packing considerably easier. At $26.95, the Rantsu is the strongest value in our sun hat roundup for full-coverage, full-quality protection.

Sizes: By age, adjustable via chin tie (fits approx. ages 2–9+ in one size) | UPF: 50+ | Material: 100% Recycled Polyester, Teflon EcoElite® DWR | Chin strap: Adjustable tie + clasp

Is the Reima Rantsu Sun Hat UPF 50+?

Yes, rated UPF 50+ on the recycled polyester fabric with Teflon EcoElite® DWR treatment. We tested it in full Gulf Coast sun across five days and in the hot tub (unplanned, but useful). The hat came out of both without issues — the DWR treatment handled the chlorine and salt water, and the coverage held up. Worth noting from the Reima packaging: the protection may decrease when the fabric is wet or stretched. This applies to every hat in this roundup. Apply sunscreen on exposed areas regardless.

Where we tested the Reima Rantsu Sun Hat

Gulf Shores, Alabama: Nahla (9, our niece) wore this hat as her primary sun hat for the full five-day trip. She wore it on the beach, in the Gulf, and in the hot tub — the hot tub session was unplanned but effectively stress-tested both the DWR finish and the hat’s structure, and it passed both. Oren (almost 2) wore it on the days we rotated hats for comparison testing. Both kids wore it in the Gulf wind without the hat becoming a problem.

The size situation bears repeating: we ordered a 3–4 year size from Reima’s age-based sizing chart. Nahla is nine and wears a normal-sized head for her age. It fit her. Oren wore it on the smallest adjustment. We’re not sure what Reima’s size chart is optimizing for, but the practical result is that one hat covered our two-year-old and our nine-year-old on the same trip.

Reima Rantsu Sun Hat features — what actually stood out

The sizing is the headline, but the build quality is what surprised us. Reima is a Finnish brand that has been making kids’ outdoor clothing since 1944, and the Rantsu reflects that. The 100% recycled polyester is lightweight — the hat doesn’t weigh anything on a kid’s head — and the Teflon EcoElite® DWR treatment is a PFAS-free finish that sheds water actively rather than just tolerating it. When Nahla wore it in the hot tub, we watched water bead up on the surface. That’s not nothing.

The ventilation holes in the crown keep it from trapping heat, which matters for a hat that’s going to be on a kid’s head for a full beach day. The brim has a slight extension at the back compared to standard sun hats, which gives extra neck coverage behind the ears — a spot that often gets missed.

Here’s a surprise: the chin tie-and-clasp system, which sounds less convenient than a cordlock, works well once calibrated. You set the length of the chin tie for your kid’s chin depth, clip it, and it holds. It doesn’t adjust as instantly as the Sunday Afternoons cordlock — this takes 10 seconds of setup rather than 2 — but once it’s set, it stays. Real parent move: if your kid won’t tolerate anything under their chin, loop the tie out to the side and clip it by the ear. They forget it’s there. The hat stays on.

What doesn’t work on the Reima Rantsu Sun Hat

Direct-buy only. No Amazon, no REI. You buy from Reima’s website, which means if you need to return or exchange, you’re doing it through their process, which may or may not be as smooth as your REI experience. For a hat at this price and quality level, that’s a manageable inconvenience. It’s worth flagging before you buy.

The chin tie setup takes longer than a cordlock. For a parent putting a hat on a toddler who won’t hold still, those extra 8 seconds matter. The Sunday Afternoons hats are faster to apply in a moving-target situation.

How to care for the Reima Rantsu Sun Hat

Machine wash, gentle cycle at 30°C (86°F), low spin speed. No bleach. No fabric softener. Dry at room temperature — don’t put it in the dryer. Reima also notes that minor stains can be removed with a damp cloth, which handles most kid-related incidents before they need a full wash. The recycled polyester holds up well through multiple washes without losing its DWR performance.

Does the Reima Rantsu Sun Hat pack down?

It folds flat and stays there — the recycled polyester is light and pliable enough that it doesn’t fight the fold. Not as crushable as the Flap Happy, but significantly more packable than a structured wide-brim hat. Fits easily in a beach bag, a daypack, or a carry-on without taking meaningful space.

Reima Rantsu Sun Hat sizing guide

Reima sizes by age range, but the practical size range is wider than the label suggests — we confirmed that a 3–4 year size fits ages 2 through 9. The chin tie-and-clasp adjustment handles head circumference variation within a size, so when in doubt, size for where your kid is now and let the adjustment do the rest. If your child is between ages 2 and 9, one size will likely cover them for the full span. Buy the 3–4 year size and verify fit on arrival; if it’s too small, Reima’s return process is the path.

Who is the Reima Rantsu Sun Hat best for?

The family that wants full coverage and quality build at under $30, and is buying for multiple kids or a wide age range. Nahla wore it at nine; Oren wore it at almost two. If you’re looking for a hat that will outlast one kid and move to the next without a new purchase, this is it. The Finnish build quality, recycled polyester, and PFAS-free DWR make it a hat worth keeping in the rotation long-term.

Pro tip: Loop the chin tie to the side of the face and clip it by the ear for toddlers who won’t tolerate anything under their chin. The hat stays on and the kid forgets it’s there. Nahla wore it straight under her chin. Pick your configuration based on your kid.

How the Reima Rantsu Sun Hat compares to other kids’ sun hats