The Best Men’s Beanies to Stay Warm & Stylish All Year Long

From American-made pieces composed of immaculately durable Merino wool to overseas brands delivering their A-game through buttery smooth cashmere, there’s virtually no brand that hasn’t had its hand at crafting beanies. And seeing as there is no shortage of them to stumble upon from everyone, be it in shopping malls or at online retailers, we figured it’d only be right to narrow down our cold-weather hat selection to the cream-of-the-crop. We’ve scoured the web for all the best beanies to add to your wardrobe this year, and we’re sure they’ll treat you well going into next year’s cold season, too.

why should you wear a beanie?

While other options may appear every so often, few hats manage to tackle the cold as well as a good old-fashioned beanie. Versatile, plush, and abundantly warm, it manages to check each necessary box while maintaining the classic silhouette that’s been keeping people cozy for the last century or so. And since the style is a whole lot more popular among men today than it was in the middle of the 20th century (those were still peak fedora years), now is the perfect time to grab a beanie, especially with fall officially here.

why is it called a beanie?

Although there’s no official stance on the history of the term, many believe it’s derived from the early 20th-century term for our noggins, or our “beans”. Up north in Canada, it goes by a different name, “toque”, but the style is ultimately the same, derived from the skullcap (a round hat worn on top of the head traditionally worn by Catholic students at university).

what to look for

Material: Wool (especially Merino wool) will be the best choice for warmth, with the added benefit of moisture-wicking. Cashmere is great, too, as it’s both soft and warm, but it tends to cost more. Cotton is breathable, lightweight, and generally a bit cheaper, but it won’t be as warm as wool or cashmere. If you’re eyeing an affordable pick, acrylic is a good choice as it mimics the feeling of wool and is pretty durable.

Fit: Sure, beanies are a great accessory for customizing your style, but they’re meant to keep you warm first and foremost. You want a beanie that covers your forehead and ears without feeling too tight, but still snug enough to stay put while you’re on the move.

Style: These days, beanies come in all shapes and sizes, with pom poms, cuffs, and a variety of other styles. As long as you’re getting good coverage, it really comes down to personal preference.

Thickness: For winter, you’ll want a thicker beanie, especially if you live in a snowy environment. For those in milder climates, a thinner beanie is fine, but make sure you’re still getting enough warmth.

Huckberry Beanie

Best Starter Beanie: While Huckberry offers garments from a plethora of brands, the retailer’s own beanie serves as an excellent option that’s available in a wide array of colors. The piece of Japanese-made headgear that garners the retailer’s namesake evokes the emblematic fisherman beanie design and is composed of wool, nylon, acrylic, and a touch of spandex, making it incredibly plush and equally stretchy.

Outdoor Research Coldfront Down Beanie

Best Down Beanie: This unique beanie from Outdoor Research takes the classic design and reimagines it with a down construction with 650-fill power. The down is encased in a 53% recycled Pertex Quantum ripstop shell to keep warmth inside and the cold/wind outside. This weather-resistant offering is a great choice for those in cold and snowy climates, with a lightweight design making it easy to take anywhere.

Patagonia Brodeo Beanie

Best Color Options: Like the majority of Patagonia’s portfolio, its Brodeo Beanie is composed of sustainable materials that don’t result in a lesser product. It is sewn from a blend of recycled wool and recycled nylon, the latter of which is made from post-industrial waste fiber and discards of old fishing nets — how’s that for repurposing? Then, it’s finished off with a sturdy 2.5″ rib-knit cuff that traps warmth. Above all else, the Brodeo is Fair Trade Certified, ensuring that this trail-appropriate hat is one you’ll be proud to wear on your head.

Filson Watch Cap Beanie

Best Wool Beanie: It’s hard to go wrong with anything from Filson, and this beanie falls right in line. The Watch Cap Beanie is made from nothing but wool and is rounded out with a water-repellent finish, making it naturally breathable, incredibly cozy, and conveniently weatherized. As we said, this is merely more of what we expect from the Seattle-based heritage outfitter.

Buck Mason Herdsman Beanie

Best Simple Beanie: The aptly-named beanie from Buck Mason is a tribute to those who initially donned them, merely functioning as yet another example of the brand’s adherence to classic pieces. Its Herdsman Beanie is composed of 95% Merino wool to provide the utmost durability, warmth, and itch resistance, then is finished off with 5% extra-soft cashmere — after all, everyone deserves to feel a little luxe.

Carhartt WIP Gabe Beanie

Best Stretchable Beanie: While the workwear staple’s standard beanie has grown ubiquitous beyond belief, it’s about time someone sheds light on the fact that Carhartt offers different beanies — more specifically, this one from Carhartt WIP. The Michigan brand’s streetwear sector offers a handful of beanies, but the Gabe Beanie’s five-gauge wool and cashmere blend is unprecedentedly cozy. Plus, as an added subtlety, it’s finished off with Carhartt’s iconic logo in a much more low-key fashion than the one you see everywhere you roam.

Industry of All Nation Alpaca Beanie

Best Alpaca Beanie: Industry of All Nations is dedicated to reviving historic craftsmanship while using responsibly sourced materials. This beanie is certainly no exception, as it’s made from 100% Alpaca wool sourced from a Bolivian co-op of farmers. The fibers are kept in their natural state and undyed to keep pollution and carbon emissions at a minimum, resulting in a truly natural end product.

Corridor NYC Pom Pom Beanie

Best Pom Pom Beanie: Corridor NYC creates apparel by artists, for artists, and this dedication to creativity always shines through in whatever they release. Just like this pom pom beanie, made with a warm blend of Alpaca wool featuring a bit of elastane to give you some added stretch. It’s made in Nepal with care, and comes in a single-size option.

Drake’s Light Grey Donegal Ribbed Merino Knit Cap

Best Ribbed Beanie: Since the ’70s, the British-based clothing label Drake’s has been perfecting its “relaxed elegance” look with apparel that’s just as stylish as it is comfortable. This Scottish-made beanie is the perfect example of the brand’s philosophy, featuring a warm Merino wool construction and a ribbed design for that old-school look. The versatile style also lends itself to a variety of style choices, whether you’re going for a formal look or just need some protection from the cold.

Outerknown Reimagine Cashmere Beanie

Best Cashmere Beanie: Outerknown knows just how coveted cashmere-crafted pieces are, and they’ve embellished it here wholeheartedly. Taking its consistently eco-cognizant approach, the Southern California-bred brand makes incredible use of Italian recycled cashmere along with a 5% dash of extra-fine Merino wool. As a result, this beanie is incredibly soft with just the perfect amount of stretch. What makes Outerknown’s offering so special is the lack of energy, water, and carbon emissions that stem from utilizing recycled materials in its construction.

Loro Piana Beanie in Cashmere

Best Premium Beanie: Loro Piana is one of the more voguish names in the fashion world, as the name alone exudes a sense of prowess that few others can genuinely match. The Italian-bred luxury label’s beanie is crafted from a buttery smooth cashmere, with a warm cotton lining, and comes available in a trio of stylish colors. Having said that, the Dark Military Green stands out among the rest with its deep yet subtle hue.

There’s no shortage of hats to wear this fall, and the bucket hat is ideal for areas that are more likely to see rain in the cooler months than snow. With that in mind, we’ve tackled the challenge and put forth a guide to the best bucket hats to pick up this year.