The 20 Best Winter Hats for Men, From Loro Piana to L.L.Bean
Winter is coming—and in some areas, it’s already here. With the halcyon days of summer a thing of the past, it’s now time to bust open our wardrobes and make sure we have all the gear we need to comfortably, cozily get through the cold months. And having the best winter hats in our rotation is key.
Finding the right winter hat for men can be tricky. Options abound, from woolen baseball caps reminiscent of their cotton cousins we might wear in the summer to shearling-lined trapper hats for the coldest climates. It largely comes down to personal preference, as well as an understanding of just how cold you tend to run in the winter months—and what your environment is going to be like. Do you necessarily need a full-on balaclava? Or will a lightweight hat to go from outdoors to indoors be sufficient?
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To help you find the best hats, we’ve curated twenty of our favorites, all of which will help keep your head and ears nice and toasty this winter.
Best Stylish Hat for Winter
Loro Piana Logo-Appliquéd Storm System Cashmere Beanie
Invest in quality with this water-repellent beanie from Loro Piana that has a look all its own, made from the highest quality cashmere.
Best Baseball Cap for Winter
Brunello Cucinelli Logo-Embroidered Cashmere and Silk-Blend Baseball Cap
Paging Kendall Roy. If Brunello makes it, you know it’s good. This luxurious hat has the unassuming look of a baseball cap, but is expertly crafted from the highest-quality cashmere and silk blend, featuring an adjustable leather black tab, making it perfect for catching a helicopter in the cooler months.
Best Headband for Winter
Smartwool Intraknit Merino Tech Headband
This piece combines the performance of merino wool—it’s lightweight, temperature-regulating, antimicrobial, so it doesn’t stink—with 3D knitting technology. Targeted mesh ventilation gives this style a great amount of breathability, along with a snug performance fit, making it a versatile piece if you’re going on any outdoor adventures this winter.
Best Fair Isle Knit Hat for Winter
Dale of Norway Merino Wool Hat
When in doubt, go with a classic. Dale of Norway has been the authority on Norwegian-style fair isle knits for decades, and this substantial merino hat combines that heritage look with a high degree of comfort and warmth.
Best Watch Cap for Winter
Norse Projects Watch Cap
The term “watch cap” refers to a snug-fitting beanie that historically has been favored by sailors and farmers for its no-nonsense, never-budges fit. This Norse Projects iteration is made from a soft, yet warm blend of cotton and wool, perfect for those who prefer an authentic look with a much gentler touch.
Best Workwear Beanie for Winter
Carhartt WIP Logo-Appliquéd Knitted Beanie
Normcore, cottagecore: Call it what you want. Carhartt has those trends, grounded in workwear, cornered. And this knitted, cuffed beanie is no exception. It’s made from a sturdy acrylic yarn that can be thrown in the washing machine to remove whatever grime you throw at it, andit comes in a range of colors. At $50 a pop, you can’t afford to not have a few of these in rotation.
Best Retro-Inspired Hat for Winter
Filson Double Mackinaw Wool Cap
This hat is a perfect indication of what Filson does best—taking something heritage and making it feel current and cool. This naturally water-repellent Mackinaw wool cap features a perfectly proportioned 3-inch bill, which protects your face from rain and snow without sacrificing visibility. The insulated crown features tie-back shearling-lined ears and neck flaps to keep your head and neck warm and dry when the going gets tough.
Best Western-Style Hat for Winter
Nick Fouquet Disfarmer Hat
If you’re heading out west this winter and looking for the best hat, look no further. MillinerNick Fouquet is known for his gorgeous hand-finished toppers, and this one comes in a substantial suede material with a plaid lining under the brim. Whether you’re kicking back at the Yellowstone Club in Big Sky or jockeying for a table at Cloud Nine in Aspen, this is the hat to do it in.
Buy Now on The Webster: $1,680
Best Cashmere Beanie for Winter
The Row Dibbo Hat in Cashmere
How are those Olsen twins so damn good at everything? You’ve never felt true luxury cashmere until you’ve held this Dibbo Hat in your hands—it’s chunky, impossibly thick and substantial and it’s cool enough to wear in the city or on a mountainside, without being showy. It’s a beanie that feels like a million bucks.
Best Everyday Beanie for Winter
Patagonia Everyday Beanie
Not too snug, not too slouchy, not too warm, not too ventilated: Patagonia’s Everyday beanie gets it just right. Plus, it’s made from partially recycled materials and it’s Fair Trade Certified.
Most Durable Hat for Winter
Stio Fremont Beanie
Stio—a brand based in Jackson, Wyoming, and a favorite amongst hardcore skiers everywhere—is the perfect companion for all your outdoor pursuits. It’s made out of the brand’s popular Karuishi stretch fleece that provides warmth and breathability for biking, ski touring and all your high-intensity pursuits. This hat, which is machine washable, will continue to look crisp and cool after many wears and many rounds through the washer.
Best Trapper Hat for Winter
Barbour Morar Wax Trapper
If high-tech-looking hats are less your speed, consider this trapper hat from Barbour, which has been making reliable pieces for inclement weather conditions for nearly 130 years. Crafted from the brand’s signature waxed cotton, this rugged, weather-resistant piece is great for climates where you need serious warmth in the dampest, snowiest conditions.
Best Sherpa-Lined Hat for Winter
L.L. Bean Sherpa Five-Panel Hat
Take a turn on the retro side of winter hats with this sherpa-lined baseball cap from all-American favorite L.L. Bean. If your head gets sweaty and you prefer a little ventilation over the ears, this is the style for you.
Best Pom-Pom Hat for Winter
Thom Browne Merino Aran Cable Stripe Pom Pom Hat
Every man needs a pom-pom hat in his winter arsenal. They’re playful and fun. The way to pull it off without looking like a child is to purchase one that’s high-quality, with just enough street cred. This Thom Browne option hits the mark, made in Italy from 100 percent virgin wool, and emblazoned with Browne’s signature stripe detail over the crown.
Buy Now on Matches Fashion: $350
Best Logo Beanie for Winter
Balenciaga Allover Logo Beanie
Logomania is reaching its peak, and if you’re going to dip your toe into this trend, there’s no cooler brand with which to do so than Balenciaga. Not only does this hat streamlined and feels of-the-moment, it’s also made in Italy from a thick wool knit that delivers serious warmth.
Warmest Hat for Winter
Canada Goose Thermal Toque
Introducing the expedition-grade toque that doesn’t look like an expedition-grade toque. Made from three thick, strategically knit layers that lock in heat and are treated with a water-resistant finish, this hat works as well in the Arctic Circle as it does for the chilliest commutes in the city.
Best Balaclava for Winter
Outdoor Research Gorilla Gore-Tex Infinium Balaclava
Don’t mess around when it comes to winter cold and precipitation. Balaclavas have been trending on the runways for several seasons now, and this high-performing option from Outdoor Research provides all the functionality and warmth you’ll need to stay warm and dry on your next venture outdoors. It features a soft fleece interior and a weather-resistant shell, as well as a removable breathing port so you can tailor your protection to the day’s conditions as needed. We would, however, suggest not wearing this one to the bank.
Buy Now on Outdoor Research: $60
Best Bucket Hat for Winter
Aimé Leon Dore Heritage Wool Bucket Hat
Bucket hats are having a moment, and this option from Aimé Leon Dore combines the fashion-favorite silhouette with a classic heritage wool design. Best of all? It’s machine washable—so you can rock the trend and then easily wash it at the end of the season.
Buy Now on Aimé Leon Dore: $60
Best Wool Hat for Winter
J.Press Shaggy Dog Cuffed Hat
You know and love J.Press for, among many other things, their iconic Shaggy Dog sweaters—and this hat version is just as lovable. It’s made from a just-fuzzy-enough, 100 percent brushed Shetland wool, made in Scotland. Pro tip: Buy a coordinating Shaggy Dog sweater so you can match.
Best Winter Hat for Outdoor Exercise
Velocio Zero Cycling Cap
Winter hats for outdoor activities are a conundrum—it’s difficult to find one that provides warmth and weather resistance, because the ones that are overly insulated tend to retain too much heat and sweat, which can instantly turn your head cold in the midst of even the most intense activities. This cycling cap manages to do it all while maintaining excellent breathability. It can be easily layered under a helmet for cycling pursuits or worn on its own as a winter running or cross-country skiing accessory.
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