Tactical hats are excellent at protecting you from the elements and can play a vital role in keeping you mission ready.
A tactical hat is not just a hat. It is a tool that can help you accomplish your mission and keep you safe.
If you enjoy hunting, a tactical hat could help keep you concealed from your game.
In an urban environment, they can help keep a low profile.
What To Look For In A Tactical Hat?
Tactical hats are designed to be more durable and comfortable than your standard hat.
The heavy-duty fabric helps keep you comfortable in harsh environments and protects you against the sun, rain, and other elements.
Fabric
Tactical hats need to be able to handle extreme weather and situations.
To provide extra durability, tactical hats are constructed out of high-grade materials to help prevent damage during operations and everyday wear.
Based on the function and style of the tactical hat, it may be designed with materials to help regulate your body temperature in harsh environments.
Comfort
Tactical hats help protect your head and face from the sun, which helps control your body temperature while you are on the go.
To help regulate your body temperature, tactical hats are created to beat the heat by providing extra breathability.
Some hats include other features to help provide a comfortable fit for all day wear.
Protection
With a tactical hat, you can protect yourself against hazardous ultraviolet rays.
Excessive exposure to UV rays can result in sunburn, and continual exposure could lead to serious conditions such as skin cancer.
Your tactical hat can help improve your vision by shielding you against bright lights and glare.
In a tactical sense, a tactical hat will help keep your sight free of distractions and help prevent your eyes from getting strained.
A great thing about tactical hats is that they are in the same price range as a normal ball cap.
We will now go over the 10 best tactical hats on the market.
#1. Notch Classic Adjustable Athlete Operator OD/Black
- Materials: 98% Polyester, 2% Spandex
- Sizes: Men’s, Women’s, Youth
- Colors: Operator OD/Black
- Price: $26.00
The Notch Classic Adjustable Athlete Operator OD/Black is a performance tactical baseball cap that offers a unique feature not found on other tactical hats.
This tactical hat comes with a built-in notch to help provide a comfortable fit for your sunglasses.
The notch enables you to wear either standard wrap-around or aviator style sunglasses without the bill getting in the way.
Constructed out of lightweight, breathable fabric, it will help regulate your body temperature during hot weather.
There is no button on the top of the hat, which helps provide a comfortable fit while wearing over the head hearing protection at the range.
With a classic low-profile style, you can easily blend into a crowd.
The 2” x 3” patch panel on the front of the hat allows you to customize the look of your hat with whatever patch you want.
It has an unstructured fit and a hook and loop closure strap to give you a comfortable fit.
If you have experienced the annoyance of your hat getting in the way of your sunglasses, the Notch Classic Adjustable Athlete Operator OD/Black is an excellent choice.
It is available from Notch Gear. Here’s where to buy it: www.NotchGear.com
#2. First Tactical Mission Adjustable Cap
- Materials: 2 oz 65% Polyester, 35% Cotton Double Ripstop Fabric
- Sizes: One Size
- Colors: Coyote Brown
- Price: $17.99
First Tactical’s Mission Adjustable Cap provides a classic ballcap look while providing the features of a tactical hat.
The hat is constructed out of a double ripstop polyester/cotton blend with a Teflon Shield+ coating that provides resistance against dirt, stains, and moisture.
To help regulate heat, the tactical hat comes equipped with 6 sewn eyelets to provide breathability.
With a Velcro panel up front, you can change the style of your hat to match your professional logo or other designs.
If you already own First Tactical apparel, you will like that the hat uses the same fabric to allow you to match your clothes with the hat.
If you are interested in a classic fit and style but want tactical features, First Tactical’s Mission Adjustable Cap may be right for you.
It is available from First Tactical. Here’s where to buy it: www.FirstTactical.com
#3. Flag Bearer Cap
- Materials: 100% Cotton Canvas
- Sizes: One Size
- Colors: Turbulence
- Price: $16.99
5.11 Tactical’s Flag Bearer Cap is a tactical alternative to an everyday ballcap.
The tactical cap offers a high curve brim that has 8 rows of stitching on the bill.
For extra comfort and breathability, the Flag Bearer Cap is constructed out of 100% cotton canvas and has embroidered eyelets.
With comfort in mind, the tactical hat has a 6-panel soft-crown design with a moisture-wicking sweatband.
This tactical hat also includes a Velcro front patch that allows you to customize the style of the hat where you can add a company logo or other design such as a USA flag.
You can easily secure the tactical hat with a one size fits most Velcro strap.
It is available from 5.11 Tactical. Here’s where to buy it: www.511Tactical.com
#4. Arc’Teryx B.A.C. Cap Gen 2
- Materials: 95% Nylon, 5% Elastane
- Sizes: One Size
- Colors: Black, Pilot/Black
- Price: $35.00
The Arc’teryx B.A.C. Cap Gen 2 is designed to provide you a comfortable wear during hot summer days.
The tactical hat is constructed out of 95% nylon and 5% elastane to provide solid durability.
The tactical hat features a nylon mesh in the back to provide maximum breathability to help keep you cool with a trucker style.
The flex-fit construction also helps provide a firm, comfortable fit for an all day wear.
Like the other tactical hats on this list, the BAC Gen 2 comes with a loop patch to allow you to customize your hat.
Unlike the other hats on this list, it includes a classic snapback design.
The major draw to the Arc’teryx B.A.C. Cap Gen 2 is the trucker style with the breathable nylon mesh.
It may be the most expensive tactical hat on the list, but it is also unique.
It is available from Optics Planet. Here’s where to buy it: www.OpticsPlanet.com
#5. Fast-Tac Uniform Hat
- Materials: 6 oz 100% Polyester, Ripstop
- Sizes: One Size
- Colors: Black, TDU Green, Dark Navy
- Price: $9.99
5.11 Tactical’s Fast-Tac Uniform Hat brings you a tactical hat that will get the job done at the lowest price on this list.
At $9.99, you are getting the quality of 5.11 Tactical at an unmatched price.
Just because the tactical hat is affordable does not make it any less durable.
The Fast-Tac Uniform Hat is constructed out of 100% ripstop polyester with crosshatched threads that provide extra tear resistance.
This 6-panel hat is also water resistant and lightweight.
With embroidered eyelets at the top of the hat, it provides extra breathability to help keep you cool in the sun.
With an adjustable back strap, you can easily customize the fit for better comfort.
It includes a loop patch at the top of the hat instead of a standard button, which makes it great for wearing over the head hearing protection while at the range.
If you are looking for a high-quality hat at a bargain, 5.11 Tactical’s Fast-Tac Uniform Hat is an excellent choice for you.
It is available from 5.11 Tactical. Here’s where to buy it: www.511Tactical.com
#6. Geo7 Uniform Hat
- Materials: 6 oz 100% Polyester, Ripstop
- Sizes: One Size
- Colors: Night, Terrain
- Price: $14.99
The Geo7 Uniform Hat by 5.11 Tactical is like their Fast-Tac Uniform Hat, but it comes in two camo color patterns to provide maximum concealment while in the woods.
It is constructed out of the same fabric as the Fast-Tac, which is lightweight, durable, and has crosshatched threading for tear resistance.
The Geo7 will also keep you dry during inclement weather with its water-resistant design.
With a one size fits all sizing, you can easily adjust the back strap to provide a comfortable wear.
This tactical hat also includes embroidery at the top of the hat to provide better breathability to keep you cool during a hot day.
You can also wear this hat to shooting competitions or the range since you can easily wear over the head hearing protection since it has a loop patch instead of a button up top.
If you want a standard tactical color pattern, go with the Fast-Tac Uniform Hat since it is less expensive, but if you want a camouflage design go with the Geo7.
It is available from 5.11 Tactical. Here’s where to buy it: www.511Tactical.com
#7. Flex Fit Hat
- Materials: 7 oz 52% Polyester/ 48% Cotton, Ripstop
- Sizes: S/M, L/XL
- Colors: OD Green, Black
- Price: $24.99
The Flex Fit Hat by First Tactical is designed to provide the features you expect of a tactical hat while providing their patented FlexFit technology.
With FlexFit technology, the tactical hat easily conforms to the shape of your head with the stretchable panels and sweatband.
It will ensure that the hat stays secure to your head while on the go without sacrificing comfort.
Constructed out of a polyester/ cotton ripstop blend, the Flex Fit Hat offers excellent breathability and durability.
The fabric is tear resistant and comes with a Teflon Shield+ that helps repel stains, dirt, and water.
The Flex Fit Hat will help regulate your body temperature when it is hot outside with embroidered eyelets.
It comes in the same color scheme as the apparel sold by First Tactical to allow you to have a professional look.
The Flex Fit Hat is an excellent choice for those who want the protection of a tactical hat but with a classic stretchable sweatband look.
It is available from First Tactical. Here’s where to buy it: www.FirstTactical.com
#8. Viktos Tiltup Hat
- Materials: Polyester, Spandex
- Sizes: S-M, L-XL
- Colors: Multicam, Multicam Black, Multicam Tropic
- Price: $30.00
The Viktos Tiltup Hat offers the most camouflage pattern options compared to the other tactical hats on this list.
It includes 3 different camo styles to include: Multicam, Multicam Black, and Multicam Tropic.
Constructed with a flex fit polyester/ spandex chassis, it provides a comfortable fit while keeping your hat secure to your head while on the move.
The Viktos Tiltup Hat was designed by U.S. veterans and comes with a 1-year warranty.
It is available from LA Police Gear. Here’s where to buy it: www.LAPoliceGear.com
#9. Operator 2.0 A-Flex Cap
- Materials: Buckram
- Sizes: M/L
- Colors: Marina
- Price: $16.49
5.11 Tactical’s Operator 2.0 A-Flex Cap is constructed with a lightweight design that is made to last.
With 8 rows of bill stitching and a buckram lining, you get extra durability.
The Operator 2.0 A-Flex Cap has a unique design and offers a patriotic American flag on the upfront patch panel.
This hat also offers a comfortable fit with the flex fit design, which allows the tactical hat to stay firm on your head while on the go without being too tight.
The embroidered eyelets help keeps you cool in the summer heat.
You can easily wear hearing protection with comfort since the hat does not come with a button up top.
It is available from 5.11 Tactical. Here’s where to buy it: www.511Tactical.com
#10. Patriot Shield Patch Cap
- Materials: 100% Cotton
- Sizes: One Size
- Colors: Navy
- Price: $19.99
5.11 Tactical’s Patriot Shield Patch Cap is constructed out of 100% cotton and is designed for comfort.
The Adjustable strap on the back allows you to personalize your fit for a comfortable wear.
A moisture wicking sweatband with foam inserts ensures that your head stays dry and that the tactical hat stays firmly on your head.
To help keep you cool during a hot day, the tactical hat features embroidered eyelets for better ventilation and breathability.
This tactical hat may be right for you if you are looking for a tactical hat that features a standard look and an embroidered 5.11 patch.
It is available from 5.11 Tactical. Here’s where to buy it: www.511Tactical.com
See Also
References / Resources
How To Determine Your Hat Size
Born and raised in Woodbridge, NJ, he graduated from the New Jersey Institute Of Technology with an MBA in eCommerce.His hobbies include beach volleyball, target shooting, and lifting.
Rob is also a Commercially rated pilot and Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), with over 1,500 hours of flight time.
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I love it! Great hat, quality materials and stitching, very comfortable. Condor looks great even without a patch! That’s exactly what I wanted. It is great.