When you think of a visor or a hat, the comparison typically involves a ball cap in a comparison of these two headwear options.
Visors and hats come in several different styles and colors. People from every walk of life wear them today, especially when they want to travel in privacy.
Hats have always been part of modern human society. In 1849, a New York baseball team became the first one to have a team cap, donning some made from straw to help with the sun. Over the years, several materials were tried, including wool.
The visor became a natural evolution of the ball cap. Instead of retaining heat, the design allows it to escape.
Visor Versus a Hat
A visor is a headwear option that delivers a stiff brim to provide sunlight shielding for the eyes. It uses a strap that wraps around the wearer’s head to secure the fit. Hats deliver the same brim to protect the eyes, but the material covers the entire head instead of leaving it exposed like a visor does.
The traditional hat uses a brim to provide shading for the face. It’s often referred to as a “cap” with this style because baseball caps introduced this option for players.
This design has transitioned away from athletics for fashion and style options. You can wear a cap backwards or sideways, but the top of the hat always covers the head.
Visors are like a baseball cap that had the crown part removed. It leaves the wearer’s head exposed, which could cause sun exposure problems for those who are bald. From a fashion or style sense, it can also be worn sideways or backwards.
It is fairly common to wear a cap backwards or sideways. It is relatively rare to see people doing that with a visor.
The one unique style option that a visor provides is the option to wear it upside down. That means the brim would offer a reverse curve that wouldn’t provide as much protection from the sun. Most people wear it sideways if they reverse the wearing option.
What Are the Benefits of Wearing a Visor?
If you’re wondering whether to wear a visor or a hat, the first choice in that equation is to select a cap for comparison.
Today’s hats come in several different styles. You can wear something fitted, a snapback option, or even a mesh trucker’s hat that delivers more ventilation.
Most of the benefits you’ll receive from wearing a visor are the same as having a trucker cap on your head. The primary difference between those two items is that the mesh can trap some extra heat, but the visor would not.
| Benefits of Wearing a Visor | Benefits of Wearing a Hat |
| ▪️ Visors allow for more hairstyle options when exercising. It’s much easier to put your hair up into a ponytail or bun while having the brim available to provide sun. ▪️ The open design makes a visor cooler to wear than a hat because of the extra breathability it offers. ▪️ You receive sun protection for the face in the same way a hat provides. ▪️ The absorbent nature of the materials used for most visors allow it to keep sweat from dripping down your head or into your eyes in the middle of a run. | ▪️ Hats deliver more coverage than a visor, preventing sunburns or sun damage to the hair that it protects. ▪️ Short hairstyles are easier to manage within a ball can because it is less likely to move around. ▪️ You can put ice water into a hat, have the liquid soak into the material, and use it as a cooling option during a long exercise session. ▪️ You receive sun protection for your face with a cap, along with some sweat absorbing options. |
If you don’t like the idea of wearing a trucker cap while running, brands like Solomon, Nike, and Lululemon have created some unique designs that keep the sweat away while letting you enjoy the breathability benefits of an open design.
How to Clean a Visor Correctly
When you wear a visor for a few days, your sweat can start to stain the materials. The odor starts picking up after a little while. That means it is time to get your headwear clean.
The steps to follow when cleaning a visor are similar to what you need to do when caring for a hat.
- Use handwashing techniques to get the odor and sweat stains out of the visor. You can use a mixture of mild laundry detergent and warm water. Don’t soak it in plain water because this action can cause additional problems.
- Allow the visor to soak for about 15 minutes to ensure the soap can penetrate the material.
- After the headwear soaks, the primary odor and sweat issues will be gone. If you have soiled areas to clean, a soft brush can take care of this problem.
- Give the visor a rinse. If you have stubborn stains, you’ll need to apply a fabric-friendly treatment product that can work its way into the area.
- Some visors can pick up skin oils, lotions, moisturizers, and beauty products. If these items are on the material, you’ll want to sprinkle the affected spot with talcum powder or cornstarch. Allow it to sit for several hours before brushing it away with a soft brush. You might need to repeat the previous steps to have issue treated.
- Allow the visor to air dry. It should be kept out of the sun to prevent having its color fade.
Once you’ve cleaned your visor (or hat), you’ll want to apply a natural stain repellent to prevent future issues.
I like to use Apple Brand Rain and Stain Repellent to take care of this need for my visors. It shouldn’t be confused with the tech company with a similar name.
This spray forms an invisible protective layer that works with most materials. It prevents salt stains, skin oil, and grease from becoming a permanent part of your appearance. Although the solution doesn’t alter the fabric’s color, you’ll want to test a small patch of it first before completing the cleaning effort.
If you have one of those unfortunate accidents like I do sometimes and coffee or wine gets on the visor, this repellent delivers enough protection to stop permanent damage from happening.
- Protector Spray
- For Handbags, Purses, Shoes, Boots, Accessories, Furniture
- Won't Alter Color -
- Great For Vachetta
What About Visors with Wide Brims?
You can choose a sports visor that resembles a ball cap, but women also have the option to select a beach-style choice.
The beach-style visor offers a wider brim that delivers more shade for the face. You’ll have fewer sunburns to manage, especially along the nose and forehead that receive the most exposure in the summer.
These oversized visors are made with several different materials, but it is better to use cotton if you want sweat-absorbing benefits. Look for a product like the CAMOLAND large brim summer UV protection beach visor to maximize your investment with an SPF 50 safeguard.
You can also use these visors for everything from a day on the links to a short weekend trip with the family. It’s a fast way to change up your look, feel great, and stop the sun from being problematic.
It all depends on what your style is and what you like to wear. If you plan to do lots of exercising, something with an open top and minimal weight is your best option, especially when comparing a visor to a hat.