The global outerwear, apparel, and gear brand that is today Columbia Sportswear started off as a hat company back in the middle of the 20th century. Today the company makes all manner of gear and clothing designed for use in extreme conditions, and it's no surprise that its winter hats are some of the best on the market. I've personally worn Columbia hats in driving snow, on 15,000-foot mountains, and in bitterly cold windstorms, and I've yet to be let down.
When choosing a hat for extreme winter conditions, you need to consider the actual temperatures and precipitation you'll face as well as the activities in which you'll be participating. The biggest, thickest hat might be the warmest option yet a poor choice for skiing or snowboarding when a more form-fitting cap will better fit under a helmet or hood and will provide more wicking and breathability, for example. And for a winter jog, an even thinner cap still might be a good choice, as you will quickly warm up and don't want to overheat.
Columbia makes a number of beanies that are relatively thin but quite warm thanks to their Omni-Heat thermal reflective lining, and these highly breathable hats are perfect for higher intensity activities. On the other hand, a more traditional knit beanie is better for staying warm in winter when you're out for a walk, commuting to work, or just taking out the garbage. As that reflective thermal lining only becomes effective as your body heat rises and you radiate more warmth out, a thick knit cap helps you retain heat better when you're not exerting yourself. Good news: They make lots of those, too.
Columbia's Train Summit Beanie II is a great choice for winter trail runners, skiers, or mountaineers. It's slim enough to fit under a helmet, it reflects radiated heat back to the wearer, and it's highly breathable thanks to its thin jersey construction.
For everyday warmth in very cold places, consider Columbia's Lost Lager Beanie, a 100% acrylic knit cap that's warm, soft, and even stylish, though that's secondary here.
Pros: Reliable warmth, sweat-wicking materials, decent pricing
Cons: Not as stylish as some other options
Baby winter hats with little bear ears or colorful beanies sporting puffy pompoms are great, provided the charming cap will actually keep your kid warm, too. When you get a hat from The North Face, you can trust that with the style comes the insulation and durability you'd expect from a company that also caters to mountaineers.
Say for example you select The North Face Baby Bear Beanie, and with its adorable little bear ears and fuzzy fleece fabric, how could you not? While most shoppers report having chosen this kids' winter hat for its looks, they are uniformly thrilled with how warm and soft it is. The hat has a five-star overall rating among buyers.
For kids who spend a lot of time outside in the winter weather whether they are walking to school, playing with friends, or waiting for the bus, consider the Fuzzy Earflap Beanie, which offers excellent coverage thanks to its large ear flaps and that can stay in place thanks to cords that can be tied under the chin.
Finally, if you have a little ski bum in the family, consider the Youth Bones Beanie. It has added insulation and a secure fit thanks to an interior fleece band that wraps around the youngster's ears and forehead, trapping in heat and holding the cap in place.
Pros: Many styles available, options for kids of all ages, durable construction
Cons: Some options overpriced
You probably shouldn't wear your J.Crew Ribbed Cashmere Beanie out on the ski slopes, but not because it wouldn't keep you warm. Rather I'd recommend against that because it would be a shame to lose a pricey hat when you wiped out trying to catch some sweet air off a jump.
But when style counts, such as during drinks after work, going to the club or the theater on a cold winter night, or when you're dressing to impress, a regular old beanie could ruin an otherwise fine outfit.
J.Crew offers a range of different styles of warm winter cap, from the aforementioned upscale beanie to a trapper cap with extra thick fabric and insulation around the head. You will pay more for a winter hat from J.Crew than you would from any of the other retailers on our list, but you will be getting a piece of clothing that can keep you warm and in style at the same time.
The company also offers many other stylish cold-weather accessories for both men and women, from scarves and gloves to earmuffs and cozy socks. And if you want a stylish winter hat for your kids, the brand offers those, too. Just for more cash than you'll shell out over at The North Face.
Pros: High-quality materials and fabrication, multiple styles available, options for men, women, and kids
Cons: Pricey
The diehard sports fan doesn't let the dead of winter stop their support. Whether you're huddling around the BBQ during a winter pregame tailgating session, cheering the squad along from the stands, trudging through snow to the local bar to watch the game with the gang, or simply showing home team pride while out and about, a warm winter hat emblazoned with the name, logo, and colors of your favorite sports team is a must-have.
And when you shop for a winter hat from New Era, you'll be hard-pressed to find any major professional sports team in America not represented. From the Eagles to the Red Socks, the Packers to the Rockets, they have colorful winter beanies for every team from the major sports leagues (the MLB, NBA, and NFL, e.g.) as well as multiple winter hats with the colors, name, and/or logo of your favorite college teams, too.
While you buy a New Era sports beanie for the team pride, the fact that these hats are comfortable and warm will be welcome news as well, especially for football fans braving outdoor games late in the season. You'll also appreciate reasonable price-point.
Just know that you are buying a cap that, while decently warm, is not all that well made. Many of these beanies will begin to fray and tear after a season of heavy use.
Pros: Every major sports team represented, soft and comfortable, good price point
Cons: Not very well made
When you put the word "winter hat" into Amazon's search bar, you get a lot of hits — more than 60,000, in fact. Try getting more specific, like "winter hat for men," and you'll still get more than 20,000 results. And in case you were wondering, switch that to women for 30,000-plus hits.
It's a bit overwhelming if you don't head in with a few specific brands in mind. That is, unless your main priority is shopping for best low-cost winter hat, not so much for a specific look or style. In that case, Amazon makes things easy for you.
When you sort your search results by price, low to high, you will be met with hundreds of winter hats that sell for less than ten dollars. The strange thing is that many of them actually look pretty good, like the Beechfield Fair Isle Snowstar Winter Beanie. There are even many winter hats for sale on Amazon that sell for less than five bucks; for those with free shipping thanks to Amazon Prime, that's almost impossible to beat, really.
Now, of course, a rock bottom price hat isn't going to be top-shelf quality. Most of the least expensive winter hats for sale on Amazon come along with comments like "the colors are off" or "the fit is too small," to highlight a few of the issues buyers of the NYFASHION101 Oversized Baggy Slouch Winter Beanie reported. But if budget is your number one priority, it may be worth it to make the compromise.
Will a cheap winter hat from Amazon last a lifetime? Probably not, but it will keep you warm while it lasts, and it will be easy to replace when the time comes.
Pros: Tons of options
Cons: Overwhelmed by choice, not always of good quality
A good winter coat will keep you warm and dry even when the snow is falling and the wind is howling. A great winter coat will keep you warm, dry, and looking good, too. Here are the best winter coats you can buy.
The best winter coats for womenA good winter coat should keep you warm in cold weather without weighing you down. Bonus points if it looks good, too. If you're searching for a winter coat that will keep you warm, these are the best winter for women.
The best thermal glovesA good pair of thermal gloves can make all the difference on a cold winter day. We did the research to find the best thermal gloves you can buy to keep your hands nice and toasty for the rest of this winter and for many more winters to come. Here are our picks for the best thermal gloves.
The best beaniesThe word "beanie" is a catch-all that encompasses a ton of different styles, from slouchy cuts to ultra-fitted ones with a variety of embellishments and fabric variations. The sheer number of options is overwhelming, so we did the work of narrowing it down. Here are the best beanies you can buy.
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