To protect your head from the sun is essential to avoid sunburn, sunstroke and other inconveniences. Indeed, the head is the part of our body that is first exposed to the sun’s rays. However, it is sometimes insufficiently or incompletely protected.
Depending on the activity practiced, sun protection needs can vary. Let’s explore the best options for different activities such as hiking, wildlife photography, fishing, walking in the desert and attending an outdoor show. In conclusion, we will discover a recent innovation: Overcap, an all-season technical hood.
Hiking
For hiking enthusiasts, choosing a headgear is crucial. Long walks outdoors, often at high altitudes, expose hikers to changing weather conditions and more intense UV rays.
Wide-brimmed hat
A wide-brimmed hat, such as the “safari” or “adventurer” type hat, is widely used. It offers broad solution to protect your head from the sun, covering not only the head but also the face and ears. It partially covers the neck and nape of the neck. Made of breathable materials such as cotton or polyester with vents, it provides good ventilation to prevent overheating. However, it limits the effectiveness of our perspiration because it prevents sweat from evaporating. The fabric absorbs sweat and little by little, it becomes completely wet. Then the sweat runs down our face and neck. This is a common inconvenience in high heat.
Cap with neck protector
Caps with a protective veil for the neck are also very popular. They combine a classic cap with extended protection for the neck, an area that is often neglected but very exposed. Unfortunately, this lightweight textile extension flies away at the slightest breath of air, which removes the sun protection from the back of the neck. It protects the ears well, but its particular aesthetic does not please everyone! Like the hat, it partially blocks our perspiration and the beads of sweat soon start to drip.
The bandana or “Buff©”
This multifunctional accessory can be worn in various ways. It protects the head and/or ears and/or neck. Some people soak it in water for a cooling effect. Their less practical aspect is their “stretch” type fabric, the elasticity of which allows it to be adjusted as close as possible to the skin. This can be annoying in high heat and can cause a slightly oppressive sensation for sensitive people. Like the hat and the cap, it blocks part of our perspiration and the sweat ends up running down our face.
To discover an innovative alternative to these accessories, go directly to the chapter entitled “Innovation: Overcap”!
Wildlife photography
Wildlife photographers spend long hours outdoors, often in varied environments, from the African savannah to tropical forests. Discretion and sun protection are essential.
The wide-brimmed camouflage hat
A hat made of lightweight materials with camouflage patterns allows you to blend into the environment while providing fairly good surface to protect your head from the sun. The wide brims protect the face and ears from the sun’s rays, as well as the back of the neck. This is only true if the brim of the hat is really very wide, otherwise watch out for sunburn! In high heat, the sweat absorbed by the fabric ends up dripping down your face.
The cap with sun protection and anti-insect veil
In addition to the fabric extension at the back, a cap with an integrated veil protects against insects. This is particularly useful in humid or tropical areas. However, it often happens that the veil touches the face, the nape of the neck or the ears. Protection against biting insects is then non-existent!
The camouflage hood
This accessory specific to wildlife photography allows for complete camouflage. The “tulle” type fabric of this hood ensures good breathability. On the other hand, this accessory moves with the slightest movement of the head. For discretion with regard to the surrounding wildlife, this is not ideal!
The disadvantages of these accessories are the same as for hiking with regard to sweat running down the face and neck. In addition, the feeling of being confined does not please everyone.
To discover an innovative alternative to these accessories, go directly to the chapter entitled “Innovation: Overcap”!
Fishing
Fishermen are often exposed to the sun for long periods of time, with reflections from the water increasing the intensity of UV rays.
The wide-brimmed fisherman’s hat
There are models designed specifically for fishing activities. This type of hat is often made of waterproof or water-resistant and anti-UV materials. However, they do not provide optimal protection against the sun that is reflected on the surface of the water, except for those that have a removable extension for the face. When this fabric extension is positioned with the sunglasses, you look like the “invisible man”!
The cap with neck and face protection
Some fishing caps integrate additional protections for the neck and face, which can be raised or lowered as needed, offering good flexibility. However, the face protection is not very breathable, even with a fabric that is supposed to be.
The visor
For those who prefer a lighter solution, a visor can be an option. It protects the face while allowing maximum ventilation, ideal on hot days. However, this accessory is not suitable for people whose hair is not thick enough – or non-existent – to be well protected from the sun.
For this outdoor activity, the inconveniences of these accessories are also very present in terms of sweat running down the face and neck.
To discover an innovative alternative to these accessories, go directly to the chapter entitled “Innovation: Overcap”!
Desert Walking
The desert is one of the most extreme environments, with intense sun exposure and high temperatures.
The « Cheche »
Traditionally used in desert regions, this long piece of cloth can be wrapped around the head and neck for complete protection from the sun and sand. It is versatile and can be adjusted in multiple ways. However, its breathability is not optimal.
The Desert Hat and Cap with Drape
These accessories, often made of lightweight cotton, include an additional drape that covers the neck and shoulders. They protect your head from the sun with excellent efficiency and are designed to be breathable. Their downside is that they lift or fly away at the slightest breath of air.
The Desert Helmet
This one is for the look! Some adventurers opted for a desert helmet, or “pith” helmet, which combines a wide-brimmed hat with a protective cape covering the neck and shoulders. Heavy and non-breathable, it is only used in historical films!
Despite the breathability of their fabric, these accessories suffer from the inconvenience of sweat running down the face and neck when the temperature is high under a blazing sun.
To discover an innovative alternative to these accessories, go directly to the chapter entitled “Innovation: Overcap”!
An outdoor show
Attending an outdoor show, such as a concert or a sporting event, often means prolonged exposure to the sun without the possibility of finding shade.
The baseball cap
Simple and effective, the baseball cap is a very common solution. This accessory is almost more of a fashion accessory than real protection against the sun. Indeed, its part above the head is a net, which does not protect it at all from the sun! In reality, it is mainly used to display the colors of your favorite musical group or sports team! It must be combined with a scarf or bandana to protect the head, ears and neck. Thus equipped, the look is a little less “cool”…
The straw hat
A wide-brimmed straw hat has a rather relaxed and rustic look. It is also light and effective for outdoor events. It offers fairly good ventilation and extensively protect your head from the sun.
However, it can be quite fragile and its look is not compatible with all clothing styles.
The visor with sweatband
For those who want to avoid the heat under a hat, a visor with an absorbent headband can be a good alternative. It protects the face and keeps the hair ventilated.
Once again, the problem of dripping sweat does not spare this sun protection accessory.
A book or magazine
This is the accessory for those who forgot that the sun was going to be strong. It is indeed a solution to protect your head from the sun, if the book or magazine is big enough.
The major drawback is that you have to have enough strength in your arms to hold it for the entire duration of the show!
To discover an innovative alternative to these accessories, go directly to the chapter entitled “Innovation: Overcap”!
Usual accessories protect your head from the sun but make you sweat
The cap, the hat, the bob and the visor share the same disadvantage: all these accessories touch the user’s head. Thus, the sweat does not evaporate in the parts in contact with the head, because the fabric blocks the evaporation of sweat. This has a double negative effect:
1- It’s a shame because it is precisely the evaporation of our sweat – perspiration – that causes a cooling effect! This is a known physical (thermodynamic) principle.
2- The fabric absorbs and accumulates all our sweat. In the long run, it becomes so humid that it wets your hair and sweat runs down your face!
To discover an innovative alternative that eliminates the inconvenience of sweat drippings and wet hair, read the next chapter!
Innovation: Overcap, the all-season technical hood
To conclude, let’s talk about Overcap, a recent innovation in the field of sun protection for your head. This technical hood is designed to be used in all seasons. Like a small tent for your head, it combines several advantages:
- Practical: removable, it attaches to the straps of any type of backpack or harness, and deploys/folds in a single, simple and quick movement
- Comfortable: thanks to its light and unbreakable hoops integrated into the fabric, it does not touch your head, which remains well ventilated and free to move
- Panoramic vision: the side view is preserved, unlike an ordinary hood
- Silent: you can hear the surrounding sounds perfectly, unlike an ordinary hood
- All weather: it offers good protection against the sun, shelters from the rain, cuts the wind, and insulates from the snow
- Resistant: it resists winds of 80 km/h including head-on, without a “sail” effect,
- Compact: folded, it can be stored in a small cover
Several removable accessories have been developed for Overcap:
- A neck protection to cut off the cold wind in winter and – if removed – to increase the natural ventilation of Overcap
- A rain cape to completely protect the backpack
- A mosquito net to protect against biting insects
- A harness to carry Overcap without a backpack
- A customizable over-hood in the colors, patterns and logos of your choice
To discover the qualities of the Overcap hood in the rain, wind and cold, read our articles on hiking, fishing, outdoor shows or even wildlife photography!
Conclusion on how to protect your head from the sun
The sun is a source of life and energy, but it can also be a formidable enemy for our skin, especially during prolonged outdoor activities.
Investing in good headwear is essential to fully enjoy outdoor activities while preserving your health and well-being. Choosing the right sun protection accessory for the head depends largely on the activity practiced and the environmental conditions. Whether it’s for a mountain hike, a wildlife photoshoot, a day of fishing, a desert walk or an outdoor show, there are a variety of suitable options.
The revolutionary Overcap hood offers a versatile and effective solution, suitable for many situations, combining protection, comfort and practicality.
We wish you great outdoor outings!
