How to Choose the Best Hunting Hat: Comfort, Performance & Camouflage

September marks the start of hunting season, and every piece of gear has a purpose—including your hat. From all-day comfort and practical performance to added camouflage, the right hat can make a difference in the field. Check out the features that make Notch Hats a great addition to your hunting gear.

Comfort

Spending long hours hiking and glassing means you need gear that keeps you comfortable. A lightweight, breathable hat provides essential sun protection while an adjustable fit keeps your hat secure from morning to evening. 

Sunglasses are another hunting essential, but constantly adjusting them can be a distraction when you need to stay focused. Notch Hats are designed to work with your eyewear, helping keep your sunglasses comfortably in place and reducing interference between your frames and hat.

Performance

A hat provides practical coverage in the field. The hat brim provides shade to reduce glares while scanning your surroundings. Since hats help keep hair contained, they also help limit the spread of natural human scent caused by sweat. When moving through brush or beneath trees, a hat creates a barrier between your head and unwanted outdoor elements like ticks, spiders, and debris.

 Camouflage

Your head is one of the most visible parts of your body, making your hat an important part of your overall camouflage setup. Choosing colors and patterns that complement your hunting environment can help your gear blend more naturally into the surrounding terrain. 

When hunting in woodlands and heavy vegetation areas, look for darker greens, browns, and woodlands patterns. For dry and open terrains, focus on tan, coyote, and arid patterns to blend into dry brush. If hunting in a mixed terrain area, Multicam patterns are a great option for a mix of brown, green, and tan colors. 

Which Notch is Right for My Eyewear?

Your eyewear should also be considered when choosing your hunting hat. The right Notch placement depends on the shape and position of the frames you typically wear.

Standard Notch: Designed to pair well with wraparound, sport, safety, and shooting-style eyewear.

Terra Notch: Better suited for many aviator, fashion, and prescription-style frames.

Choosing the Right Hunting Hat

Climate and terrain play a major role in choosing the right hat for your hunt. From breathable materials for warmer temperatures to camouflage patterns that complement your surroundings, here are a few things to consider:

• Warm-Weather Hunts:  Look for lightweight, breathable, moisture-wicking materials that help keep you comfortable during long days in warmer conditions. Our Performance styles are a great option for warmer weather and feature a number of muted colors that can help blend in to your environment.

• Wooded Terrain: Patterns like Realtree, M81 Woodland, and MultiCam Tropic feature natural greens and browns that pair well with wooded and heavily vegetated environments.

• Dry & Desert Terrain: Coyote and MultiCam Arid feature lighter, earth-toned colors that complement dry, open landscapes.

• Eyewear: Consider the sunglasses, shooting glasses, or protective eyewear you’ll be wearing. Choosing the right Notch placement can help create a more comfortable fit between your hat and frames. Check out our Perfect Fit Guide to find your ideal hat size and learn more about which Notch works best with different eyewear styles.

• Fit: Choose between an adjustable or Flexfit style depending on your preferred fit and feel.

Our Top Picks

Here are a few Notch Hats to consider based on your hunting environment and preferences:

• For Wooded Hunts: Realtree Trucker or M81 Woodland Operator
• For Warmer Weather: Athlete Operator/OD Black
• For Dry Terrain: MultiCam Arid Operator
• For Versatility: MultiCam Tropic Operator 
• For a Fitted Feel: Flexfit MultiCam Operator
  

Whether you're heading into thick woods, dry terrain, or spending long days in warmer weather, choosing a hat that matches your environment, eyewear, and preferred fit can make your hunting setup more comfortable and functional. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Do your hats accommodate hearing protection? 

Yes, our Operator style hats are a great option if you're using ear protection. This style is ear-pro friendly, meaning it doesn't have a traditional top button that digs into your skull when ear protection is placed over it.

Do you have any hat options for snowy conditions?

We have a hat for you! The MultiCam Alpine Trucker Blank  is a great option for wintery conditions. 

How do I keep my hunting hat from holding onto odors?

Notch hats can be cleaned with mild dish soap or white vinegar. Hand-wash with warm or cool water and gently scrub with a toothbrush. Air dry in the sun to help eliminate any deep odors. Please avoid putting your hat in the washing machine to reduce the risk of damage.