This post will tackle this year’s 10 top picks for the warmest winter hat you can get in the market today.
It takes so much effort to keep your head warm in sub-zero conditions. Wearing a wool hat may make all the difference, even in a slight wind.
I am glad to share that you can have a winter cap for every occasion, whether for skiing, short-run, walking through the woods and soaking in the changing foliage, or playing in the snow with your kids.
In this article, I’ve compiled some crowd favorites for various winter sports here, which could help you decide which one to get in your next shopping run.
First thing’s first: try to think about the aspects of cold weather that upset you the most. Do you dislike the sensation of having too much wind in your ears? For the best covering, consider a trapper hat or anything with ears.
Is it necessary for your hat to fit beneath a ski helmet? Do you need anything to keep you in place throughout your interval training? Each situation has its headgear.
Fit, pricing, material quality, and temperature management? I got it all covered in this list.
Let’s dive in and get to it! Shall we?
- Factors to Consider
- 1. Columbia's Thermarator Hat
- 2. KUHL Alf Hat
- 3. Smartwool Merino 250 Beanie
- 4. Tough Headwear Skull Cap Helmet Beanie
- 5. Helly Hansen Ridgeline Beanie
- 6. Carhartt Kids Acrylic Watch Hat
- 7. Maine Guide Wool Cap with PrimaLoft
- 8. Minus33 Merino Wool Ridge Cuff Wool Beanie
- 9. Sunday Afternoons Alpine Quilted Trapper Hat
- 10. North Face Recycled Ridge Fleece Trapper
- Last Words
Factors to Consider
Fabrics
Consider the conditions where you’ll be wearing the hat the most while selecting a winter hat. Wool is good at insulating and wicking moisture, but it isn’t waterproof.
If you want to keep dry or anticipate heavy rain while wearing it, look for sports-oriented hats with water-resistant coatings. The wool comes in a variety of varieties.
If you’re bothered by the scratchiness of the cloth, seek merino wool, which is more delicate and less scratchy while still trapping heat.
Cost
Aside from the material, you should know that winter hats might be pricey, but you’re spending for the branding, unnecessary features, or fabrics at a certain point.
You may find winter hats made of merino wool and other luxurious materials for around $30 if you aren’t concerned with picking a specific brand.
Style and Size
The material and price won’t matter if your hat doesn’t fit you and your style. Wool hats, particularly beanie-style caps, will expand a little. Size and fit are essential considerations for trapper-style hats, which feature ear flaps and less elasticity.
Some hats contain chin straps that you may adjust to keep the hat in place on very windy days. Polyester and nylon textiles have less stretch than cotton.
Now that we have all necessary factors covered. Let’s go ahead and look at these top 10 best winter hats. Find out which one that’s best for you!
1. Columbia's Thermarator Hat
The top pick and the best overall would be the Columbia Thermarator Hat. Despite its modest size, it is warm and affordable. Columbia made this hat from polyester. It fits tight to small/medium and large/extra-large sizes.
Because of its simple form and ultra-insulating structure, Columbia’s Thermarator Hat has been a favorite for many years. This unisex option is very soft to the touch, and that’s one of the many reasons it’s the top 1.
The fleece fabric is warm, but the hat’s design is simple, so you can wear it beneath a ski helmet, throw it on for a fast run, or put it in your backpack for a midday stroll.
Thermarator hats come in four colors and include Omni-Heat thermal reflectivity. Thus, the design will keep the heat and cold out.
2. KUHL Alf Hat
Next on this list is the best for anyone’s budget without compromising quality. KUHL Alf hat not only provides warmth, but it also has ear flaps and wind and water resistance. However, it’s not for the fashionistas out there as it lacks color options.
KUHL used a polyester microfleece material for this hat. And aside from the lack of color variety, it also only has one size. It comes with some stretch so that it can be one-size-fits-all.
While cheaper winter hats are on the market, the KUHL unisex Alf Hat boasts many added features at a lower price than comparable designs.
Unlike a traditional wool beanie, its earflaps give additional warmth, which is a feature that many similarly priced hats lack, and a chinstrap is proper on windy days.
Lastly, this hat not only repels water but also dries rapidly. Thus, making KUHL Alf hat ideal for dealing with sudden weather changes.
3. Smartwool Merino 250 Beanie
If you need a hat that you can use to keep your head warm while running, then Smartwool Merino 250 beanie is yours.
Its warmth is undeniable, and it also comes with a thin design and soft material. A beanie with merino wool material is similar to a KUHL Alf hat; it also comes in a single stretchable size. However, some don’t like that the logo dominates its simple look and design.
Wool fabric is a superb insulator, and this Smartwool beanie will give you warmth in the most brutal of winds and the most frigid of chills while you’re out on the trail or street.
Since the unisex hat is moisture-wicking, you won’t have to worry about perspiration spilling into your eyes. It may seem slim at first, but don’t be fooled by the simple design.
It’s effortless to put in your running pack as it has a basic structure. It’s also tiny enough to fit under a bike or ski helmet, making it an excellent choice for winter sports enthusiasts.
4. Tough Headwear Skull Cap Helmet Beanie
This beanie is the best skiing hat for all the skiers out there. It has a modern silhouette feature, goes in a wide variety of colors, and is affordable.
But even the best ones have their downside. After much wear, this one-size beanie might get overly stretched out. This stretchy glitch is because it has polyester and spandex as a material.
This winter hat’s lightweight structure and sleek form from Tough Headwear make it part liner, half beanie. This unisex alternative is one of the people’s favorites since it looks just as well with or without a ski helmet.
Also, the hat includes a luminous patch on the front and is an excellent addition for runners—and the cap is stretchy enough to slip over your ears for more protection.
Finally, the flat-seam structure and additional liner make it a comfortable choice for layering under a helmet without causing painful places.
5. Helly Hansen Ridgeline Beanie
It’s warm with a retro design; with this combined feature, anyone will keep the heat and look cute while wearing this Helly Hansen Ridgeline Beanie.
Helly Hansen made it with jersey knit, acrylic and spandex material. It only comes in one size as most of the items on this list.
Pom-pommed winter hats are just more enjoyable. You can look up Helly Hansen’s Ridgeline beanie to add some whimsy to your winter look.
When it comes to clothing, people usually avoid overt logo use. Still, the classic Helly Hansen typeface has become a winter sports standard and something to cherish during snowstorms and below-freezing conditions.
This hat is available in six various colors and designs, and it has a nostalgic vibe to it. It won’t fit under a ski helmet, but it’ll look fantastic for a noon warm-up in the lodge.
6. Carhartt Kids Acrylic Watch Hat
It’s hard making a list of the best hats without putting one for the kids. Thus, Carhartt Kids Acrylic Watch Hat has made it to this list as the best for kids.
It’s machine washable and has various color options, but it’s not water-resistant. And Carhartt made it with acrylic and in a single stretchable size.
Also, Carhartt created a smaller version of their renowned Watch hat for tiny humans, and it’s adorable. This beanie comes in eight colors and will keep your young one warm.
You can also put it in the washing machine and preferably in cold water to avoid shrinking and low tumble dry, which is necessary for anything that youngsters will wear while exploring the outdoors.
The acrylic material has a considerable elasticity, so your youngster won’t outgrow this winter essential right away.
7. Maine Guide Wool Cap with PrimaLoft
Among all the hats on this list, Maine Guide Wool Cap with PrimaLoft is best for its warmth. LL Bean made it with wool, nylon, and polyester and provided small to large sizes.
However, it isn’t as stretchable as the others and does not include a chin strap or tie.
This unisex wool cap from LL Bean comes in two colors, with ear flaps that you can pin up or down depending on how much protection you need.
Because the Maine Guide Wool Cap with PrimaLoft is large, you may wear it with a thin beanie or liner beneath. Sun, snow, and rain are all protected by a short brim.
8. Minus33 Merino Wool Ridge Cuff Wool Beanie
Minus33 Merino Wool Ridge Cuff Wool Beanie can be your go-to beanie for a hat with the best wool. Minus33 made it with merino wool, lots of color variations, and is machine washable.
However, it isn’t water repellant and only comes in one size with many stretches.
Minus33’s double-layered wool hat is affordable. You are free to stock up on a few to go with all of your winter ensembles that won’t break the budget.
Merino wool is naturally moisture-wicking and insulates when wet, so it can absorb a significant amount of moisture without feeling damp or clammy to the touch.
This hat also includes UV protection, which can assist you in avoiding getting sunburned.
9. Sunday Afternoons Alpine Quilted Trapper Hat
If you have cold-sensitive ears, then the Sunday Afternoons Alpine Quilted Trapper Hat is the best hat for you. A polyester-made hat is easy to pack and super warm. It only comes in one size with a tiny stretch, though.
This trapper-style cap will keep your head in a good warm place if you intend on spending a lot of time in sub-zero weather. It includes a water-repellent surface, PrimaLoft insulation, and reflective design components, making it excellent for night strolls.
The ear flaps may be worn up or down, with the fabric providing covering around the jawline for more protection from the elements when worn down. The hat may also be crushed and balled up. Ideal for packing or throwing into your hiking backpack!
10. North Face Recycled Ridge Fleece Trapper
A hat with a sherpa texture that provides warmth, made with polyester and fleece, is the hat with the best style.
North Face came short of providing water-resistant and various sizes and stretched with a Recycled Ridge Fleece Trapper hat.
Still, you will never go wrong with a simple beanie, but choose a classic silhouette in a vibrant material if you want to make a statement this winter.
The North Face’s unisex fleece trapper has four neutral hues in black, white, brown, and a less-neutral camo pattern. It would be perfect over a monochrome winter suit. Plus, it’s pretty hot.
The sherpa fleece inner keeps heat in, and you may pull the ear flaps down with a chin tie for added wind protection.
Last Words
Overall, the Columbia Thermarator Hat is the finest winter hat for you. You can wear it for a run, a ski helmet, or for a leisurely walk.
But, you can still consider the North Face Recycled Ridge Fleece Trapper or the Minus33 Merino Wool Ridge Cuff Wool Beanie, which comes in a fantastic range of colors.
Here are some other posts you may find as interesting and informative as this one:
- 15 Warmest Winter Hats for the Outdoors for 2022
- 9 Heat Sources You Should Prepare for the Winter
- 10 Best Survival Sleeping Bags in 2022
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these hats are good for cold winters
I’ve been making my kids wear Carhartt for the past ten years. At the same time, this piece is both classic and fashionable. Have 7-8 vibrant hues in each. They are unrivaled. Soft. It keeps them warm while not irritating their skin. Super recommend!