Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

The 10 Best Bucket Hats for When You’re Tired of Your Plain Old Ballcap

We say there’s no time like the present to embrace some scorching fun in the sun. Printed shirts, “short shorts,” colorful sunglasses … it’s all fair game. And how best to top it all off? With a bucket hat for a true dose of ’90s fashion nostalgia. The bucket hats of today aren’t anything like the one you wore to camp years ago. Think of it like an alternative when you want to switch things up from your well-worn ballcap, but inject a bit of hard-won fashion sensibility into the equation.

And think of the style move as yet another way to throw caution to the wind and try something new. Or rather, something old. Throwback trends are back in a major way, and the name of the game is personal expression. Luckily, the coolest bucket hats offer both eye-catching style and even a bit of utility.

Related Guides

Recommended Videos

After all, what are you most likely to be doing while wearing a bucket hat? Fishing, swimming or, best of all, sipping on a cool drink while catching some rays, of course. If you want a well-suited hat for all your easygoing pursuits, the bucket hat is the one you need now.

These are our favorites to shop and wear in style all season long.

Best Overall Bucket Hat: Polo Ralph Lauren Logo-Embroidered Bucket Hat

Polo Ralph Lauren Bucket Hat
Polo Ralph Lauren

Perhaps it’s because Ralph Lauren is once again outfitting Team USA at the Olympics, but we’re all about the classic navy bucket hat, with a touch of red, from the longtime American designer. It’s everything you want in a bucket, from the soft twill fabric to the blend of retro and current style.

Best Bucket Hat for the Outdoor Explorer: National Geographic x Parks Project Bucket Hat

Parks Project x National Geographic Bucket Hat
Parks Project

This fun-as-can-be bucket hat has plenty going for it, from the retro tie dye print to the fact that purchasing it gives back to the great outdoors. A percentage of each purchase goes to the National Geographic Society, which funds outdoor research and education worldwide. Plus, it acts as a handy barrier against the sun on day hikes or poolside hangs.

Best Bucket Hat for Sports Fans: FOCO Logo Bucket Hat

The best bucket hat for sports fans.
FOCO

Show off your team spirit any time of year at all with a wide array of options covering tons of schools and teams across the country. These bucket hats are subtly stylish and perfect for keeping the sun off your noggin while at the beach or in the stands this fall.

Best American-Made Bucket Hat: American Trench Corduroy Bucket Hat

American Trench Corduroy Bucket Hat
American Trench

Finding great menswear made in the U.S.A. requires a bit more legwork, but it’s totally worth it when one considers the results. Take this corduroy bucket hat, made in New York from a cooling fine-wale cotton corduroy. We also love the teal color for 2021 style that calls to mind ocean breezes.

Best Fashion-Forward Bucket Hat: ASOS Design Wide-Brim Bucket Hat

Image used with permission by copyright holder

It’s the brim and the minimal black color that makes this a bucket hat most likely to be seen on the runways alongside equally minimal menswear. That shouldn’t scare you away, because the price is more than agreeable, and the functionality you get from a wider brim is a nice bonus, too.

Best Utilitarian Bucket Hat: Orlebar Brown Foracker Bucket Hat

Orlebar Brown Foracker Bucket Hat
Orlebar Brown

Remember what we said about bucket hats offering up some much-needed functionality, too? Orlebar Brown’s option is as handy and useful as it gets if you want to shield your face from the sun in a lightweight manner (the cotton hat features ventilation points for breathability).

Other Bucket Hats We Love

Jordan Twill Bucket Hat

Jordan Twill Bucket Hat
Nordstrom

MJ himself would surely approve of this logo bucket hat offered in an array of versatile colors. The iconic “Jumpman” logo is sporty and instantly recognizable, and the use of washed twill makes this a comfortable option for your noggin.

Carhartt WIP Script Bucket Hat

Carhartt WIP Bucket Hat
END Clothing

Carhartt WIP is the high-fashion offshoot of Carhartt, and it’s always a reliable choice if you want durable performance workwear with a fashionable edge. This script bucket hat is classic and yet streetwear-inspired, making it a fine topper on hot days.

Filson Tin Cloth Packer Hat

FIlson Tin Cloth Packer Hat
Filson

For those who value their time on and off the trail, Filson has just the bucket hat for you. It’s a style that the Pacific Northwest heritage retailer has been making for years, and there’s no question you’ll have your own Tin Cloth Packer Hat for plenty of seasonal adventures, too.

Gramicci Shell Reversible Bucket Hat

Gramicci Shell Reversible Bucket Hat
Nordstrom

Gramicci blends form and function quite nicely with a two-in-one bucket hat made with water-repellent fabric. It’s perfect to wear for a day on the water or when you want some extra coverage through rain showers.

Beau Hayhoe
Beau Hayhoe is a freelance men's style writer, consultant and PR pro based in Brooklyn. Beau's menswear and gear writing has…
Urban Jürgensen revival captures watch world attention with modern approach
Danish legacy reborn: Urban jürgensen's 250-year heritage meets contemporary luxury under new ownership
Urban Jürgensen revival

Urban Jürgensen became 2025’s most discussed watch revival. A 250-year-old Danish horological legacy was transformed into a contemporary luxury brand through family ownership and the technical leadership of renowned independent watchmaker Kari Voutilainen. The brand’s Los Angeles launch event was the year’s most talked-about watch presentation.
Founded in Copenhagen in 1773, Urban Jürgensen produced over 700 timepieces in the early 1800s and developed technical innovations such as ultra-precise marine chronometers. Despite several ownership changes and near disappearance over two centuries, passionate collectors preserved the brand’s reputation among watch experts.
“The biggest, most respected collectors own Urban Jürgensen watches—this brand, this name, is simply the highest level,” said watch writer Thomas Brechtel, highlighting the devoted following among serious enthusiasts, even though the brand remains little known to the general public.
The Rosenfield family acquired Urban Jürgensen in 2021, bringing a collector’s passion to the brand’s stewardship. Co-CEO Alex Rosenfield’s father had collected Urban Jürgensen pieces since the 1990s, which led to an unexpected opportunity to acquire the company when it needed investment to restart.
Kari Voutilainen, widely regarded as one of the most acclaimed independent watchmakers, leads technical development, while his 25-year-old daughter Venla serves as COO. This partnership brings authentic watchmaking credibility while modernizing the brand’s communication to appeal to younger audiences.
The launch collection includes three models showcasing Voutilainen’s craftsmanship: the UJ-1 250th Anniversary Tourbillon limited to 75 pieces (CHF 368,000), the UJ-2 three-hand watch (CHF 105,000), and the UJ-3 perpetual calendar with moonphase (CHF 168,000). Each features clean Scandinavian dial aesthetics, fine guilloché, and hand-applied numerals.
“The image contrasts modern, playful marketing with serious, traditional watchmaking—but it works because it is grounded in artisanal quality,” observed JX Su, founder of SJX Watches.
Rosenfield’s approach emphasizes accessibility rather than exclusivity, targeting a diverse audience including women and younger collectors, not just established enthusiasts. Ellen von Unwerth’s “Time Well-Spent” campaign, featuring people aged 19 to 82, reflects this inclusive vision.
This revival shows how historic watch brands can succeed today by combining genuine craftsmanship with contemporary communication strategies.

Read more
TAG Heuer returns to Goodwood Festival of Speed as official timing partner
Motorsport homecoming: TAG Heuer's goodwood festival partnership honors racing legacy
Tag Heuer at goodwood

TAG Heuer comes back to the Goodwood Festival of Speed as its official timing partner. This marks a major return for the Swiss brand, which has a deep connection to motorsport. The partnership aligns with the festival’s 2025 theme, “The Winning Formula – Champions in addition to Challengers,” recognizing Formula 1’s 75th anniversary. TAG Heuer has also recently resumed its role as Formula 1’s official timekeeper.
The Duke of Richmond started the festival in 1993. It centers around a 1.86-kilometer hillclimb course, where Max Chilton set the current record of 39.08 seconds in the McMurtry Spéirling. The event attracts hundreds of thousands of attendees, with millions more following through live streams, making it a central stage for car culture.
TAG Heuer’s motorsport history spans over a century, beginning with the first dashboard-mounted chronograph in 1911. The brand later introduced the first 1/100th second chronograph in 1916 and the first automatic chronograph for sale in 1969. Its partnerships include Formula 1, Porsche, Oracle Red Bull Racing, the Indianapolis 500, and the Automobile Club de Monaco.
“Motorsport is not just about competition, it is a cultural force, like TAG Heuer,” said Antoine Pin, TAG Heuer CEO. “We are honored to return as Timing Partner at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.”
To mark the occasion, TAG Heuer created the limited edition Carrera Chronograph x Festival of Speed. This watch features a British racing green dial inspired by Goodwood Green, a subtle hobnail pattern, and red accents. The 42mm case houses the in-house TH20-00 movement and comes with a brown leather rally strap reminiscent of 1970s motor racing.
Only 100 pieces of this special edition exist. Goodwood Road Racing Club members will have the first opportunity to purchase it before it becomes available to the general public. The design celebrates British car culture and showcases TAG Heuer’s expertise in chronographs.
The Duke of Richmond highlighted TAG Heuer’s significance in motorsport, noting its honored history and collaborations with some of the sport’s greatest drivers and teams.
This timing partnership reinforces TAG Heuer’s leadership in motorsport and offers a new platform to celebrate car culture through precise timekeeping and commemorative watchmaking.

Read more
Longines introduces bright white dial to Legend Diver collection
Classic evolution: Longines legend diver's white dial honors 66-year diving heritage
Longines legend diver white dial

Longines introduces a striking matte white dial to its popular Legend Diver collection, marking a notable departure from the traditional black face while retaining the design that has defined the model for sixty-six years. This new variant joins a lineup of dial colors in the well-liked 39mm case size.
The Legend Diver’s history dates back to Longines’ first dive watch from 1959, which featured a super compressor case. This design used gaskets that became more watertight as depth increased, allowing the original to reach about 400 feet. The watch also included a unique 60-minute internal rotating bezel, operated by a second crown to prevent accidental adjustments during dives.
This heritage remains strong in today’s models. The new white dial version preserves the vintage-inspired look and function, while offering a fresh, eye-catching appearance.
The 39mm stainless steel case remains compact, measuring just 12.7mm thick—smaller than most modern dive watches, making it comfortable for a variety of wrist sizes and occasions. Water resistance has been upgraded from the original’s 400 feet to 1,000 feet, meeting contemporary professional diving standards and reinforcing its status as a true tool watch.
The dial is monochromatic, with raised hour markers and hands filled with green luminescent material and outlined in black for excellent readability in all lighting conditions—an essential feature for underwater timekeeping.
Inside, the watch is powered by the ETA-based Longines L888.6 automatic movement, which provides reliable three-hand timekeeping, a silicon balance spring, and a 72-hour power reserve. This modern movement delivers current performance while maintaining the simplicity that defines the Legend Diver.
The bracelet features polished “beads of rice” links down the center for both visual appeal and comfort. Additional strap options include new blue or black rubber bands, allowing for versatility from professional diving to everyday wear.
With the addition of the white dial, the Legend Diver collection now offers blue, black, brown, grey, and green dials—all in the popular 39mm size. This expanded range demonstrates how classic designs can remain relevant and desirable through thoughtful updates rather than drastic changes.

Read more