Quick answer

Choose the Rains Boonie Hat when wind, trail exposure or all-day rain coverage matters most, because its wide rim and color-matched chin cord keep it secure. Choose the Rains Bucket Hat for everyday commuting and city rain, where a lower, more vertical rim and a closer fit look neater and feel lighter.

Rim shape decides how much rain reaches your face

Rim geometry is the biggest functional difference between these two waterproof hats. The Boonie Hat uses a wide rim, which throws water further from your face and neck. The Bucket Hat uses a lower, more vertical rim, finished with stitch details, so it sheds rain close to the head and keeps a tidier silhouette.

Fit security separates calm rain from windy rain

The Boonie Hat includes a color-matched cord to tie under the chin for a secure fit. That single detail is what makes it the safer pick in gusts, on exposed ridgelines or on a bike. The Bucket Hat has no supplied chin cord, so it relies on a correct size and a snug fit to stay put. If you often walk in strong wind, treat the cord as the deciding feature rather than the rim size.

Both share the same waterproof build and lining

Both hats are cut from Rains' signature PU fabric, with a lightweight finish and a smooth feel. Both are also lined with a soft breathable fabric for improved comfort and fit. Because the materials match, your choice comes down to shape and security, not to differences in waterproofing. Neither hat is supplied with a packable or foldable claim, so plan to wear it or carry it flat rather than stuffing it into a pocket.

What the catalog does not tell you

The supplied records do not list brim measurements, weight, UPF rating or temperature range, so do not choose between these hats on those numbers. Use the stated rim descriptions and the chin cord as your decision criteria, and check the color and size options available for each style before ordering.

Trade-offs to weigh before you buy

  • Coverage vs. bulk: The Boonie Hat's wide rim covers more of the face and neck but is the bulkier shape of the two. The Bucket Hat's lower, more vertical rim is more compact and looks closer to a standard everyday hat.
  • Wind security vs. clean lines: The Boonie Hat's chin cord keeps it on in gusts. The Bucket Hat has no supplied cord, so it depends on a good size match and a snug fit. If you ride a bike or walk exposed routes, the cord is worth more than the neater look.
  • Same fabric, different job: Both hats use Rains' signature PU fabric with a lightweight, smooth finish and a soft breathable lining. The material does not separate them, so let the rim shape and cord decide.
  • Price and color: The Bucket Hat is listed at USD 24.00 and the Boonie Hat at USD 32.00 in the catalog. Both come in multiple colors and sizes, so check current options before deciding. Set a budget first, then confirm the rim shape you want is available in your size.

Product facts at a glance

  • Bucket Hat: Bucket Hat has a lower, more vertical rim with stitch details and is lined with a soft breathable fabric. The closer rim suits daily city rain and a neater look, while the lining keeps it comfortable for longer wear.

    Bucket Hat

    Bucket Hat

  • Boonie Hat: Boonie Hat has a wide rim and a color-matched cord to tie under the chin for a secure fit. The cord and wider rim make it the better choice when wind or extended rain exposure is part of the plan.

    Boonie Hat

    Boonie Hat

Which hat fits your wet-weather routine?

Best for

  • Hikers, cyclists and anyone facing wind or all-day rain, who should pick the Boonie Hat
  • Commuters and city walkers who want a lower-profile waterproof hat, who should pick the Bucket Hat

Not for

  • Anyone expecting a foldable or packable hat, since neither record lists that feature
  • Shoppers who need brim measurements or a UPF rating before buying, as those specs are not supplied