This one-size-fits-all hat is comfortable, has good ventilation, but stretches easily, and the brim gets floppy quickly
61
OVERALL
SCORE
RANKED
#20 of 21
Protection - 30%6.0
Comfort - 25%7.0
Breathability - 15%7.0
Durability - 15%6.0
Style - 15%4.0
RELATED: Best Sun Hats
Our Verdict
The Columbia Bora Bora Booney II is a lightweight, comfortable, well-ventilated, all-purpose sun hat. This jack of all trades, master of none, came out near the bottom of our scoring because of a few key drawbacks. It is not particularly protective or stylish, but does provide good ventilation and is relatively comfortable. Our main complaint is that the one-size-fits-all sizing is on the larger end and the fact that the brim is very floppy and stretches. Overall, this hat would be best for those with larger heads who are looking for something lightweight and affordable.
REASONS TO BUY
Inexpensive
Breathable
REASONS TO AVOID
Floppy brim
Fits very large
Not so stylish
Compare to Similar Products
(change comparison)
This Product |
Sunday Afternoons Kids' Play Hat |
Outdoor Research Sun Runner Cap |
Billabong Classic Printed Straw Lifeguard |
The North Face Horizon Breeze Brimmer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  |  | | | |
| Price | $30 USD List Check price at Amazon UK | $32 USD List Check price at Amazon UK | $40 USD List Check price at Amazon UK | $30 USD List Check price at Amazon UK | $45 USD List Check price at Amazon UK |
| Overall Score | 61 | 79 | 78 | 74 | 74 |
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| Bottom Line | The Bora Bora is one-size-fits-all and will stretch out after light use, though it does offer decent ventilation and is comfortable | This hat is comfortable enough that kids won't take it off and comes in tons of colors | What it lacks in the style department, it makes up for in protection, versatility, and excellent value | Great for wearing at the beach or on the water, this hat is stylish and protective | One of the most comfortable, breathable, and affordable hats that we tested |
| Rating Categories | Columbia Bora Bora... | Sunday Afternoons K... | Outdoor Research Ru... | Billabong Classic P... | The North Face Hori... |
| Protection (30%) | 6.0 | 8.0 | 10.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 |
| Comfort (25%) | 7.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 9.0 |
| Breathability (15%) | 7.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 9.0 | 9.0 |
| Durability (15%) | 6.0 | 9.0 | 7.0 | 5.0 | 7.0 |
| Style (15%) | 4.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 |
| Specs | Columbia Bora Bora... | Sunday Afternoons K... | Outdoor Research Ru... | Billabong Classic P... | The North Face Hori... |
| Weight | 73.7 g | 2.6 oz | 62.4 g | 2.2 oz | 79.4 g | 2.8 oz | 136 g | 4.8 oz | 82.2 g | 2.9 oz |
| UPF rating | 50 | 50+ | 50+ | Not Specified | 40+ |
| Brim Size | 7.62 cm | 3" | 2.75", with 5.5" neck cape | 2.75 brim, 7.25" neck cape | 10.8 cm | 4.25" | 7.37 cm | 2.9" |
| Material | Nylon, polyester mesh | 100% Polyester | 100% Supplex nylon | 100% Seagrass straw | Nylon Ripstop, 97% recycled polyester mesh lined |
| Cinch Cord | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Packable/Compressible | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Size Tested | O/S (6 1/2 - 7 1/2) | Medium | L | One Size | L/XL |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
The Columbia Bora Bora Booney provides decent protection from the sun but will only fit you if you have a larger head. This hat receives high marks for ventilation and scores decently in protection and comfort. It loses points for durability and style. This inexpensive hat is a good choice for hiking and fishing on hot days for those with larger heads.
Performance Comparison
Protection
The Bora Bora Booney has a 3-inch full circumference brim, which gives it slightly more coverage than some other hats. It also has 50+ UPF fabric for protection from the sun. The mesh vents are non-UPF rated, so if you're lacking in the hair department, note that it is possible to still get sunburned through the mesh panel. We recommend that you apply sunscreen accordingly.
Comfort
This hat is quite comfortable, mostly because it was very loose on our testers. The Bora Bora Booney comes in one size, which measures up to 24.5 inches in circumference. If your head measures much smaller than that, you will be swimming in this hat. Our testers noticed that the Bora Bora Booney also seems to stretch after it had gotten wet. You can tighten the drawcord for a snugger fit, but this makes the hat look and feel a little awkward.
Breathability
The Bora Bora Booney does well in this category. It has some of the largest mesh panels in the crown, allowing for ample ventilation. The Booney also has a nice sweatband around the crown for wicking away moisture.
Durability
Thanks to its flexible material, the Bora Bora Booney II faired well in our crush tests. There were no noticeable creases in the brim. However, we have noticed that the brim is very floppy, especially after getting wet, and will flop over your eyes annoyingly. It also stretches after wearing. For these reasons, we scored the Bora Bora Booney lower in this category.
Style
We personally think the Bora Bora Booney lacks style. It is very generic looking and comes in fairly dull colors. We especially don't like the way it looks once the brim begins to get floppy. There are definitely more stylish hats out there if that is your goal.
Value
The Bora Bora Booney is one of the most inexpensive sun hats in this review. We would rather spend a few more bucks and pick up something else, but if the price is your number one concern, then this is a reasonable option.
Conclusion
This hat is large and floppy brimmed. It has a decent amount of sun protection and will protect your ears and face from the sun while providing good ventilation through the mesh panels. We think it lacks style and seems to stretch out even bigger than its already large size. If you have a large head and want a hat to wear on sunny excursions, the Columbia Bora Bora Booney could be it. Full brim hats are best worn without large packs, as the back of them annoyingly hits your pack. This could be a good option for slower-paced activities like fishing, hiking, or boating.
— Jessica Haist
