The Advantages of a Bucket Hat

This might sound like a small thing to write a blog about, but I’m a firm believer in wearing a bucket hat during outdoor pickleball in the summer. I’m someone who constantly forgets to put on sunscreen, and the bucket hat has truly been a game-changer. The turning point came during a singles tournament the Friday before my brother’s wedding—I ended up with a brutal sunburn on my face that stuck around for the big day. That was my wake-up call. No matter how many reminders I gave myself, I just couldn’t consistently remember sunscreen. Enter the bucket hat. It’s practical, effective, and ever since I became a big Ryler DeHeart fan, I’ve found even more inspiration to wear one with pride.

The bucket hat turned out to be the perfect solution. At first, I was skeptical—it seemed like it might be too heavy or cumbersome for athletic competition. But I quickly realized that wasn’t the case at all. I bought my first bucket hat while on vacation at Dinosaur National Monument and ended up using it for pickleball shortly after. It worked surprisingly well. Later, I upgraded to the CRBN wide-brim bucket hat, which features a breathable mesh panel in the back. That little detail made a big difference—it was even more comfortable and game-ready.

Since switching to a bucket hat, my issues with sunburns on my face and neck have pretty much disappeared. An added bonus is how effectively it keeps the sun out of my eyes—so I rarely need sunglasses on the court anymore. Funny enough, the bucket hat has become part of my signature look on the court—people actually recognize me for it. It’s even inspired a few others to start wearing them too.

My current bucket hat of choice, CRBN Quick Dry Boonie Hat: Use Code CTAYLOR for 10% off on CRBNPickleball.com.

Want to Try One for Free?
Drop a comment below sharing your favorite piece of pickleball gear or your best sun-protection tip for a chance to win a FREE CRBN bucket hat! I’ll randomly select a winner at the end of the week. Let’s keep our game (and our skin) sharp this summer! Ends 05/14/2025. 



Comments

  1. Matthew AbesMay 12, 2025 at 1:51 PM

    By far the best sun protection tip is wearing spf shirts and and a large hat. Obviously sun block too, living in Florida I have more sun block in my apartment that I care to admit.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ColinMay 14, 2025 at 9:30 AM

      Congrats again on winning the giveaway! 🎉 I’m excited to send you your bucket hat. When you get a chance, could you please send me your full name and shipping address to pickleballplaymaker@gmail.com so I can get it in the mail?

      Thanks again for being part of the community! 🙌
      –Colin

      Delete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Best Small Pickleball Paddle Brands 2025

Image
In this blog, I’ll be ranking the top five small paddle companies in pickleball. These up-and-coming Brands have grown in popularity thanks to their impressive balance of affordability and performance. I’ll admit—I have strong opinions when it comes to small paddle companies, so this list might spark some disagreement. But I stand by my picks and won’t shy away from sharing my honest perspective. #5: Reload  Kicking off the list at number five is one of the most innovative brands in pickleball—Reload. Unlike traditional paddle companies, Reload markets itself as a paddle system rather than just a paddle. They’re the only brand currently offering replaceable top sheets, allowing players to restore spin performance without buying an entirely new paddle. While Reload earns points for creativity and value, it lands at number five because of its limited offerings—there's currently only one paddle shape and no Gen 3 core technology. If spin is your top priority, Reload is worth a seri...
Read more

Top 5 Paddle's the Pros Play With

Image
The debate over which paddle is best will never end. Some players love experimenting with new gear, while others are fiercely loyal to their chosen brand. In this blog, we're narrowing the paddle space from the hundreds of models on the market to the five most common brands used by professionals. This isn’t a list of the best paddles for recreational players—nor is it necessarily a ranking of which brands offer the best performance for pros. When players decide to pursue a professional career, it's common for them to seek out paddle sponsorships. On the flip side, there are brands that don’t sponsor pros—either due to limited resources or lack of interest—which naturally shrinks the field of options for aspiring professionals. I know not everyone is going pro, but if you’re a pickleball nerd like me and watch a lot of PPA and MLP events, you probably find this stuff just as interesting as I do. This list highlights the five paddle brands you’ll see most often on the PPA and ...
Read more

Why the Fourth Shot Matters More Than You Think

Image
Pickleball players and coaches often put a huge emphasis on the third shot—serve, return, and then the all-important drop or drive. It's a popular topic, and for good reason. But what rarely gets talked about is the fourth shot —the ball played immediately after the third shot. Whether it's a counter to a drive or a response to a drop, the fourth shot can actually be one of the most important weapons in your arsenal. When you are about to hit a fourth shot, you and your partner should be established at the kitchen line. If you aren't, refer to my previous blog .  There are several smart options for how to handle the fourth shot , and your choice depends entirely on the type of third shot you receive: 1. If you receive a third shot drop into the kitchen: Dink it cross-court. This is often the safest and smartest response, especially if your opponent hits a solid drop and you’re unsure of a better option. It keeps you on point and resets the rally. Or Attack a hig...
Read more