i used to not wear a hat when i was saltwater fishing. Now the skin on my face is very black and leather in some places. I like my cowboy hat for rifle hunting but i wear the Boonie for just about anything else cause , it's light, let the heat off my head off with out letting the sun in and when it's rains it's keep my rain jacket hood up and open so i can see were i am going. If you live somewere like FL or were you have sun most times of the year, you have to be CRAZY not to were a hat.