Review: 5 Panel hats

The hot summer sun calls for a hat that blocks out rays without overheating your head. Find solace in the unstructured fit of the five-panel cap—by design this style favors lightweight fabrics and a slimmer silhouette, making it an ideal option for warmer climes. From party prints to subdued denim, the following are five casual caps to replace your sticker-clad fitted this summer.

HUF

Nothing signals good times ahead quite like a Hawaiian print. In that spirit, HUF, San Francisco's finest purveyor of skate and street stylings, released the perfect hat for the season, the tropical Parrot Volley. The lightweight woven fabric and metal grommet air holes allow the head to breathe, while the nylon strap keeps it firmly in place. With a worldwide following akin to that of Supreme, HUF sold out of the Parrot Volley online immediately after last week's launch but word has it DQM has an exclusive stash dropping this Wednesday, 27 June at their NYC location.

FairEnds

FairEnds' Hickory Camp Cap lends the five-panel look an understated, Americana vibe with its vintage train conductor aesthetic—one that handsomely accents a simple Levi's and white tee ensemble. The unstructured cotton body forms to your head from the first wear for a supremely comfortable fit. The Montana-based FairEnds hat sells from Unis for $39.

DQM

As a notable pioneer of NYC street style, DQM has been a leader in the hat game for years. Since the Vans DQM General opened last September, the skate-centric boutique has ramped up their in-house line to include a tightly edited assortment of fashion wares—case in point, the North South Camp Cap. This Supplex nylon hat is super lightweight and comes in multiple colorways so you won't have any problems matching your new favorite summer kit. Find the North South Camp Cap at DQM online for $42.

Coal

A blue oxford cloth shirt is a basic staple every man should have hanging in his closet. If you're not the button-down type of guy—or you simply want to carry over the look into your accessories—check Coal's oxford cloth Richmond hat instead. Sharing the same soft cotton fabric, this refined cap features a lightweight mesh lining and taped seams to ensure it lasts a lifetime. The Richmond—also available in green oxford—is available for $30 directly from Coal.

ONLY

Harlem's ONLY has been vital in the ongoing evolution of sophisticated menswear and street style. To appeal to both scenes, the American-made Tombs five-panel features subtle Native American-inspired detailing on the label and is available in a muted-red cotton twill and a more subdued blue denim. Find it online for $32 or so.

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