A genuine boonie hat still does the job it was designed for: wide brim for shade, mesh vents for airflow, and a chin strap so it doesn't blow off the boat or the ridge line. This guide covers what to look for and which styles from MilitaryMart's surplus hat range actually suit fishing trips and hot weather hiking in 2026.
- The Multi Terrain BTP Short Rimmed Bush Hat is the best all-round boonie hat for fishing and hiking in 2026 at £6.50 - buy it.
- A true boonie hat needs mesh vents and a brim wide enough to shade your neck, not just a peaked cap.
- Genuine British Army DPM summer hats at £6.99 beat fashion boonies on breathability and grading transparency.
- Skip cold weather MVP GORE-TEX caps for summer use - they're built to trap heat, not shed it.
Why this matters
A bad hat ruins a hot day faster than bad boots. Sunburn on the back of the neck, sweat pooling under a non-breathable brim, or a cap that flips into the river on a windy bank all come down to picking the wrong shape for the job.
Boonie hats got adopted by militaries in hot theatres for exactly this reason - wide brim, mesh sides, quick-dry cotton or poly-cotton. That heritage is why they still turn up in MilitaryMart's guide to hats and caps for sun protection as a recurring recommendation for anglers and hikers, not just collectors.
Who this is for
This is for anglers spending long sessions on open banks or boats, hikers covering exposed ground in summer 2026, and anyone doing DofE-style expeditions or bushcraft trips where a brim doubles as rain runoff and sun cover. If you're after a winter hat, look elsewhere - the criteria below are built around heat, not cold.
What to look for in a boonie hat for fishing and hot weather hiking
Brim width and mesh venting
A proper boonie hat has a brim wide enough to shade your ears and the back of your neck, usually 7-8cm all round. Mesh eyelets or side panels matter just as much - without airflow, a wide brim just traps heat under the crown.
Fabric weight
Ripstop cotton or poly-cotton dries fast after a splash from the net or a shower on the trail. Heavier canvas boonies hold water and get noticeably heavier once wet - fine for static use, poor for anyone wading or moving all day.
Chin strap and stiffener
A hat with no chin strap comes off in the first gust off open water. Look for an adjustable cord, ideally one that tucks away when not needed rather than flapping under your chin all day.
Colour and camo pattern
DPM and MTP patterns keep your profile low against bankside cover, which matters if you're fishing near wildlife or want to stay unnoticed on a stalk. Olive or khaki solids work fine for general hiking and don't need matching to a camo top.
Packability
A boonie hat should crush down and spring back. If the brim holds a crease permanently after being folded into a rucksack side pocket, the fabric is too stiff for regular travel.
Grade and condition
Genuine surplus grading matters here - Grade A used kit has had one owner and light wear, while lower grades may have stitching wear round the brim that shortens its working life. Always check the grade listed against the price before buying.
Top picks
The all-rounder - the Multi Terrain BTP Short Rimmed Bush Hat has a small tailored brim, an adjustable chin retaining strap, and folds pocket-size at £6.50. It's polycotton, so it dries quick after a wet net or a downpour on the trail. Buy - it's the closest thing in the current range to a true multi-terrain boonie for both fishing and hiking.
The shade specialist - the genuine British Army DPM summer hat runs £6.99 and carries its own NSN (8415-99-132-1869), which tells you it's real issue kit, not a reproduction. The wider brim shades more of the neck than the bush hat, at the cost of slightly less packability. Buy for open, exposed ground where sun exposure beats wind as the main problem.
The packable backup - the British Army Cap Combat MTP, known on the shop floor as the "crap hat," costs £3.99 and is Grade A used surplus with cold-weather NSN provenance. It has no real brim to speak of, so it won't shade your neck on a long session. Consider it as a spare or layering cap, not your main hot-weather hat.
What to avoid
- Cold weather MVP GORE-TEX hats. These are built to trap heat and block rain for winter patrols, the opposite of what you want on a hot riverbank in 2026.
- Fashion boonies with no mesh vents. They look right in a photo but hold heat under the crown after an hour in direct sun.
- Any hat with no chin strap for boat or exposed-ridge use. The first gust off open water takes it straight into the drink.
Verdict comparison
| Hat | Brim | Breathability | Chin strap | Best for | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Multi Terrain BTP Bush Hat | Short, tailored | Polycotton, dries fast | Yes, adjustable | Fishing and hiking, both | Buy |
| DPM summer hat | Wide, full coverage | Genuine issue cotton | Yes | Long exposed sessions | Buy |
| MTP Cap Combat (crap hat) | Minimal | Good | No | Backup/layering | Consider |
| MVP GORE-TEX cold weather hat | Wide | Poor for heat | Yes | Winter only | Skip for summer |
FAQ
What's the best boonie hat for fishing in 2026?
The Multi Terrain BTP Short Rimmed Bush Hat is the best all-round boonie hat for fishing in 2026, with an adjustable chin strap and quick-dry polycotton fabric. It packs pocket-size, which matters more on a boat than a rigid-brim alternative.
Is a boonie hat better than a baseball cap for hot weather hiking?
Yes, a boonie hat beats a baseball cap for hot weather hiking because the full brim shades your ears and neck, not just your face. A cap leaves the back of the neck exposed on long exposed stretches.
How much does a genuine army surplus boonie hat cost?
Genuine army surplus boonie and bush-style hats run from around £3.99 to £9.99 depending on grade and pattern in 2026. Cold weather GORE-TEX versions cost more but aren't suited to summer use.
What's the difference between a boonie hat and a bush hat?
A boonie hat typically has a floppier, wider brim all round, while a bush hat like the Multi Terrain BTP version has a shorter, tailored brim. Both use mesh venting and a chin strap, and either works for fishing or hiking.
Can you wash a genuine surplus boonie hat?
Most genuine surplus polycotton and cotton boonie hats can be hand washed in cool water and air dried. Avoid a hot machine wash, which can shrink the brim stiffener and warp the shape.
Do boonie hats work in the rain?
A boonie hat sheds light rain off the brim reasonably well, but it isn't waterproof like a dedicated GORE-TEX cap. For sustained rain, pair it with separate waterproof outerwear rather than relying on the hat alone.
Is DPM or MTP too obvious for fishing near wildlife?
No, DPM and MTP patterns actually help keep your profile low against bankside cover compared to bright solid colours. That's part of why anglers use surplus camo hats rather than branded fishing brands.
What size boonie hat should I buy?
Check the head circumference in centimetres against the size listed on the product page rather than guessing from a UK hat size. Genuine surplus hats often run true to military sizing charts, which can differ from high street sizing.
One last thing
The NSN code stamped on genuine issue hats like the DPM summer hat (8415-99-132-1869) isn't decoration - it's the actual NATO stock number the item was procured under, and it's the fastest way to confirm you're buying real issue kit rather than a lookalike reproduction. Check for it before you check the price.
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