UF Pro Striker Gen.2 Boonie Hat (2024)

FAQs

Why do Navy Seals wear boonie hats? ›

The military boonie hat is often worn by members of special forces. The reason is that this hat supports many of the mission types undertaken by special forces operators. For example, when the mission calls for optimal silence while advancing on a target, the boonie hat is a much better choice than a helmet.

Headgear. Sailors shall only wear the patrol cap or sun (Boonie) hat as authorized headgear when not wearing the Kevlar helmet. Sewn-on or pin-on rank insignia are authorized on the patrol cap, sun hat, and Kevlar camouflage cover. b.

Boonie covers provide an effective means to break up the wearer's head shape in foliage—beneficial for snipers and recon missions. These hats have a fabric tape band called “branch loops” encircling the crown. They enable wearers to attach additional vegetation for camouflage, creating a “foliage ring” effect.

Often a fabric tape band of "branch loops" is sewn around the crown of the hat. This "foliage ring" is meant to hold additional vegetation as camouflage. A strap provides stability. The crown may be vented with eyelets or small mesh panels.

But how do you wear one? Step 1: Wear your boonie hat with the brim down. Step 2: Tighten the chin strap on your boonie hat until it is snug, but not so tight that it feels uncomfortable or restrictive.

"THE BOONIE HAT IS AUTHORIZED AS ORGANIZATIONAL CLOTHING FOR THE OPERATIONAL ENVIRONMENT ONLY, NOT TO BE WORN OFF BASE, WHEN INTERACTING WITH THE PUBLIC, OR BY LAW ENFORCEMENT OR BOARDING TEAM MEMBERS. ONLY SEW ON RANK INSIGNIA ARE AUTHORIZED PLACED IN THE CENTER OF THE FRONT SECTION."

Why let rain, sleet, or snow interfere with your plans? The 100% waterproof and UPF 50+ sun protective Ultra Storm Boonie makes inclement weather easy to navigate. A classic boonie silhouette made with breathable, fully-seam-taped fabric and featuring an integrated mesh liner and reflective details.

For example, Air Force regulations allow Airmen to wear boonie hats while deployed but not at home station unless authorized by their major command, despite many home stations being just as hot as bases across the Middle East.

General officers and chief warrant officers wearing army uniform can wear either a beret or a peaked cap with service dress.

Snipers wear hats for two reasons - the first and more important one is, human hair or even the scalp does not camouflage well against most environments. A hat, especially a boonie hat, breaks your head's outline and usually has a camo pattern.

What are the benefits of a boonie hat? ›

Wearing a boonie hat can prevent serious and painful sunburns. The hat's brim also cuts back on glare and helps keep your head cool, which keeps you comfortable. Lastly, the hat is great for keeping rain off your face, which happens often in tropical climates.

Boonie hats kept the sun off the faces and necks of soldiers and also kept their temperatures cooler than the traditional field cap. Initially, it was U.S. Army Special Forces personnel who were the first to wear boonie hats.

When the patrol cap, cover, or boonie hat is worn, no blocking, forming, rolling or upturning of brims or top is authorized. The strap on the boonie hat will be worn under the hat, fastened tightly to the back of the head, or under the chin. Name tapes are not authorized on the boonie hat.

The strings on a bucket hat with string can be used to secure the hat in place. Simply tie the strings around the back of the head and neck to ensure that the hat stays in place.

Soldiers deployed overseas in tropical or humid environments often wear boonie hats as a standardized part of their uniform. There are several reasons for this, but the main reason is to help regulate body temperature.

Boonie hats kept the sun off the faces and necks of soldiers and also kept their temperatures cooler than the traditional field cap. Initially, it was U.S. Army Special Forces personnel who were the first to wear boonie hats.

The current drill sergeant hat evolved from the 1883 campaign hat. That headgear was a modified (flat brim versus upturned brim) Montana Peak, which was adopted for wear by the army in 1911, and abandoned in 1942. In 1964, the hat was reintroduced to become a proud symbol of the drill sergeant.

By reshaping the white hat or "dixie cup" to suit their personal style, enlisted sailors have been able, for more than 100 years, to express some measure of individuality in a uniform world. Uniform regulations may technically forbid such stylistic reshaping, but few sailors can resist.