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Fit is worth checking before choosing by the patch. Some park buckets come in measured sizes, others use a pull-tie, and the Junior Ranger sizes are for children. The $24.99 Smokies Life bucket is the least expensive adult pick, with a mesh flap you can detach.
Our picks
UPF 50+ and chin cord$35
T.R. McTaggart · sold by Grand Canyon Conservancy
A nylon bucket with mesh vents and separate head and chin adjustments.
Measured sizes$35
American Needle · sold by GCC
A cotton Grand Canyon bucket in 57 cm or 59.5 cm.
Under $25$24.99
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Bucket Hat
Smokies Life
A nylon Smokies hat with a detachable mesh neck flap.
Kids' bucket$19.99
Smith Western · sold by Zion Forever
A green Junior Ranger hat from Zion Forever.
Compare sizes and sun ratings
| Hat | Made of | Sizes | Sun rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hike Smart Bucket HatT.R. McTaggart | 100% nylon | M, XL | UPF 50+ | $35 |
| Bucket Hat with EmbroideryAmerican Needle | 100% cotton soft-wash canvas | S/M, L/XL | None claimed | $35 |
 Zion Wide Brim Bucket HatAmerican Needle | Washed canvas | One size | None claimed | $34.99 |
 Rocky Mountain National Park Bucket HatRocky Mountain Conservancy | 100% polyester | L/XL | UPF 50+ | $32.99 |
| Great Smoky Mountains National Park Bucket HatSmokies Life | 100% nylon | One size | None claimed | $24.99 |
| Jr Ranger Zion Bucket HatSmith Western | Not stated | S/M, L/XL | None claimed | $19.99 |
Nylon and polyester buckets
Best for a brim, chin cord and published UPF rating
Hike Smart Bucket Hat
T.R. McTaggart, sold by Grand Canyon Conservancy
- Style
- Nylon bucket hat with mesh vents; brim width not stated
- Design
- Round Grand Canyon Hike Smart patch on the front
- Made of
- 100% nylon, water repellent, with mesh vents and a wicking sweatband
- Fit
- Chin cord and rear draw cord; sizes M and XL only
- Sun
- UPF 50+ (seller's claim); the listing doesn't say whether that covers the mesh
- Giving
- Sold by Grand Canyon Conservancy, the park's nonprofit partner, which says purchases help protect the park
The separate head and chin adjustments are a useful detail: you can tighten the fit without relying on the chin cord. Grand Canyon Conservancy lists the grey nylon Hike Smart as UPF 50+ and water repellent, with mesh vents and a moisture-wicking sweatband.
Downsides
M and XL are the only sizes, with no circumference measurements. There is no neck flap.
Best for a UPF 50+ bucket in adult L/XL
Rocky Mountain National Park Bucket Hat
Rocky Mountain Conservancy
- Style
- Bucket hat
- Design
- Compass graphic with a park image and name
- Made of
- 100% polyester
- Fit
- Adjustable; adult L/XL
- Sun
- UPF 50+ (store's claim)
- Giving
- Sold by Rocky Mountain Conservancy, the park's nonprofit partner
The khaki polyester bucket has a compass graphic with a Rocky Mountain picture and the park’s name. The Conservancy lists an adjustable fit and a UPF 50+ rating for $32.99. The Rocky Mountain guide also includes its cotton caps and beanies.
Downsides
It comes only in adult L/XL, without a circumference measurement or brim width.
Best for a detachable mesh neck flap under $25
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Bucket Hat
Smokies Life
- Style
- Nylon bucket hat with a detachable mesh flap over the neck; brim width not stated
- Design
- Small diamond patch with a bear
- Made of
- 100% nylon; polyester mesh flap (store listing)
- Fit
- Adjustable strap; no sizes listed
- Sun
- None claimed for the hat or the flap
- Giving
- Sold by Smokies Life, the park's nonprofit partner, which says merchandise proceeds fund park education and science programs
The removable flap is the main reason to choose the Smokies bucket. You can leave it attached for more neck coverage or take it off for a simpler bucket shape. A small bear patch sits on the nylon front.
Downsides
The seller gives no UPF rating. The mesh flap isn’t a solid fabric neck cover.
Canvas buckets
Best for a cotton bucket with circumference measurements
Bucket Hat with Embroidery
American Needle, sold by GCC
- Style
- Unstructured wide-brim bucket hat
- Design
- Embroidered patch
- Made of
- 100% cotton soft-wash canvas
- Fit
- Adjustable locking cord; S/M (57 cm) or L/XL (59.5 cm)
- Sun
- None claimed
- Giving
- Sold by Grand Canyon Conservancy, the park's nonprofit partner
American Needle’s desert-orange Grand Canyon bucket uses soft-washed cotton canvas and an embroidered patch. The locking cord adjusts the fit. The seller gives S/M as 57 cm and L/XL as 59.5 cm, so you can compare those measurements with your head.
Downsides
The listing gives no UPF rating or brim width.
Best for a Zion bucket with an embroidered logo
Zion Wide Brim Bucket Hat
American Needle, sold by Zion Forever
- Style
- Wide-brim bucket hat
- Design
- Raised embroidered logo
- Made of
- Washed canvas
- Fit
- Pull-tie size adjuster
- Sun
- No UPF rating listed
- Giving
- Sold by Zion Forever Project, the park's nonprofit partner
- Reviews
- 5.0 from 13 reviews on Zion Forever's site
Zion Forever sells this soft-washed canvas bucket with a lofted embroidered logo and a pull-tie adjuster. It costs $34.99. Compare it with the patch caps and other shapes in Zion National Park hats.
Downsides
The store doesn’t give head-size measurements or a UPF rating.
A Junior Ranger bucket
Best for a child's Zion souvenir
Jr Ranger Zion Bucket Hat
Smith Western, sold by Zion Forever
- Style
- Kids' bucket hat in green, with a chin cord as pictured
- Design
- Embroidered 'Zion National Park' lettering, as pictured
- Fit
- S/M or L/XL
- Sun
- No UPF rating listed; the store calls it sun protection without a number
- Giving
- Sold by Zion Forever Project, the park's nonprofit partner
- Reviews
- 5.0 from 4 reviews on Zion Forever's site
Zion Forever’s $19.99 green Junior Ranger bucket is the children’s option, with the park name embroidered on the front and a chin cord. Its S/M and L/XL labels refer to children’s sizes, so the adult Grand Canyon measurements won’t help with the fit.
Downsides
There are no head measurements to help choose between the two children’s sizes, and the seller doesn’t provide a UPF rating.
Choosing for a park trip
For trail-specific advice, read hats for hiking the Grand Canyon or hiking Zion. The Smokies guide compares the neck-flap bucket with other local hats, and the gift guide covers returns.