Cricket caps and sun hats keep the sun out of your eyes and off your skin during long days in the field. You have three real options: a cricket-branded cap, a wide-brim sun hat for the hottest days, or a plain performance cap.
This guide explains what to look for, then splits the picks into caps and sun hats so you can go straight to the style you want. There is no single best answer, since the right choice depends on how much sun you face and your budget.
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Do You Need a Cricket-Specific Cap?
Not really. Cricket has no rule requiring a branded cap, and plenty of players wear a plain cap or sun hat in the field.
What matters is function: sun protection, breathability, and a fit that stays put when you run. A cricket-branded cap gives you the traditional look and a design built for the game, while a good sports cap does the same job for less.
So the choice comes down to style and budget. Below are the features that matter, then the picks split into caps, sun hats, and plain options.
What to Look For
A few things separate a good field cap from a poor one, whatever the brand.
Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
UV or UPF protection | Shields your face and eyes over long hours in the sun |
Breathable fabric | Mesh or cotton twill keeps your head cool and dry |
Adjustable fit | A strap or loops keep the cap steady when you sprint |
Brim size | A wide brim shades more; a peak suits fast movement |
Cricket Caps
Genuine cricket caps for the traditional look. Both are newer listings with only a handful of reviews so far, so weigh their ratings with that in mind.
Shrey Performance Cricket Hat - (Cricket Cap, Best Overall)
The Shrey Performance Cricket Hat is the pick for a traditional cricket cap look, made by a real cricket brand. It is a 100% cotton twill round cap with air vent holes and an elastic binding for fit. It costs $26.99 and holds 4.0 stars from 9 reviews.
Skyhi Cricket Cap - (Cricket Cap, Best Value):
The Skyhi Cricket Cap is a budget cricket cap with a six-panel design, a sweatband, a Velcro strap, and UV-resistant fabric, in navy or white. At $11 it is a fraction of the Shrey's price, though its 5.0-star rating comes from just one review.
Sun Hats:
For the hottest days, a wide brim shades your neck and ears far more than a peaked cap. Here are one cricket-branded option and a cheaper plain one.
Skyhi Cricket Hat - (Cricket Sun Hat, Best for Hot Days):
The Skyhi Cricket Hat is a cricket sun hat with an extended visor, UV-resistant cotton twill, and crown loops for fit. Its wide brim shades your neck and ears through a long afternoon in the field. At $11 it is good value, with 5.0 stars from 3 reviews, a small sample to keep in mind.
Wide-Brim Boonie Sun Hat - (Plain Sun Hat, Best Budget):
This wide-brim boonie is the budget sun-hat option. It is not cricket-branded, but its UPF 50+ cotton build and adjustable chin strap shade your whole face and stay on in wind. At $8.99 it holds 4.4 stars from over 1,000 reviews, far more feedback than the cricket hats.
Plain Caps That Work for Cricket
No cricket branding, but these peaked caps do the same job with thousands of reviews behind them.
GADIEMKENSD Sports Cap - (Sports Cap, Best Budget):
The GADIEMKENSD Sports Cap is not cricket-branded, but it does the same job with thousands of reviews behind it. It offers UPF 50+ protection, a breathable mesh build, and a foldable brim. At $12.99 it carries 4.5 stars from nearly 9,000 reviews, far more feedback than any cricket cap here.
NPQQUAN Low Profile Cap - (Plain Cap, Best Cheap Pick):
The NPQQUAN Low Profile Cap is a classic cotton cap, adjustable and cheap at $8.95, with 4.4 stars from over 3,000 reviews. It lacks a cricket look but keeps the sun off just fine, and it is the most affordable cap here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Do cricketers have to wear a cap?
A: No. A cap is optional and worn for sun protection, not by rule. Many fielders wear one, while bowlers and batters often go without, or hand it to the umpire while they bowl.
Q2: Why do cricketers give their cap to the umpire?
A: A bowler passes their cap and sunglasses to the umpire before an over so they are not carrying them while bowling. The umpire holds them and returns them once the over is done.
Q3: What is a baggy cap in cricket?
A: It is the traditional soft, peaked cricket cap, most famously Australia's "baggy green." It carries a lot of pride and is usually awarded when a player makes their national debut.
Q4: Cap or sun hat for fielding?
A: A peaked cap suits quick movement and cutting glare, while a wide-brim sun hat shades your neck and ears on very hot days. Many players own both and switch based on the weather.
Q5: How do I keep a cricket cap from flying off?
A: Choose one with an adjustable strap or crown loops for a snug fit. On windy days, a sun hat with a chin drawstring stays on far better than a loose peaked cap.
