Tested: The 9 Best Men’s Beanies to Stay Warm in Style

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 dove deep into some of our favorite picks in this hands-on guide, and we’re sure they’ll treat you well going into next year’s cold season, too.

How We Tested

We’re well into winter, which means it’s the perfect time to put our favorite beanies to the test. Before we got to work, we did research on the best beanies out there, poring over countless reviews and threads, and consulted with coworkers to see what they rock. After narrowing down the best of the best, we started getting hands-on with beanies from brands that we trust and wear here at HICONSUMPTION. 

Beanies are a cold-weather staple, so we made sure to test them out in the winter weather, and testing out the insulation and wind resistance. Beanies also come in many shapes and sizes, so we made sure to wear them cuffed, uncuffed, and anyway they’re built to handle to see all the options available. Style is also important, so you’ll see each beanie pulled down below the ears to keep everything on an even playing field (I’ll comment on how each pick looks and feels in other styles as well).

Measurements: I’m 6’2″, and my head is definitely on the bigger side, so beanies will sometimes be a little tight on me, which means that certain picks may be tight for me (especially the one-size-fits-all picks) but not for others.

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.

Carhartt A18 Knit Cuffed Beanie

Best Starter Beanie: Carhartt’s workwear has become an industry darling and the talk of the fashion world over the last decade, dominating the streetwear scene and translating its durability into stylish pieces. First introduced all the way back in 1987, the A18 beanie here is perhaps one of the most recognizable beanies of the 21st century, and continues to be a favorite among streetwear aficionados, blue-collar workers, and casual fans. 

You’ve seen this beanie everywhere, and if you don’t already have one, you’re definitely missing out. For the price here, I really don’t think there’s a better pick when it comes to both style and durability. It’s made with a thick, 100% acrylic rib knit that’s incredibly warm and durable, and does a really good job of blocking the wind (especially when pulled all the way down as you get solid ear coverage. The A18 also comes in 22 colors, so there’s no shortage of choices here (although I personally recommend the classic Carhartt Brown or black). Also, if you have an especially big head like myself, this is a great option, as it doesn’t feel constricting at all. The logo patch here is definitely front and center, which may not be for everyone, but I think it’s a big part of what makes this beanie so iconic/recognizable.

The only downside here is that the bulky look this beanie has may not be for everyone. Luckily, this beanie is easily folded, not exposing any tags or seams, and gives you that watch cap look that’s very much in style right now (especially in the streetwear scene).

Verdict: This is such an iconic beanie, and sits in a unique intersection between streetwear, workwear, and classic beanie style. You’re getting Carhartt build quality and a wide variety of colors to choose from.

Huckberry Beanie

Best Ribbed 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.

Besides the Carhartt beanie, this is one of the best beanies for your buck, and has such a classic design that really goes with anything (with eleven color options to choose from as well). It has that old-school fisherman design and a warm blend of acrylic, wool, nylon, and spandex. Huckberry has also joined forces with a Japanese manufacturer that specializes in wool and nylon beanies, which is super impressive for this price point. Warmth-wise, the thick knit here was more than enough to keep my head warm at 56°F, and the addition of wool here goes a long way to make it super soft. It’s finished with a small Huckberry patch on the cuff, which is lowkey enough to complement that minimal style.

This is definitely a winter beanie, and while I really loved the warmth, I could see it getting hot during transitional seasons. Also, as someone with a bigger head, I can put my fellow big-head havers’ worries to rest, as the one size available fits perfectly on my noggin.

Verdict: If you’re looking for a tried and true, no-nonsense beanie, Huckberry has you covered with this Japanese-made pick. It’s thick enough to handle winter, but breathable enough for year-round wearing.

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.

This is one of the most unique-looking (and feeling) hoodies I’ve ever worn and offers something very different compared to your average beanie. You get a 30D double polyester rip-stop shell filled with 650 fill power down that’s very (very) warm, making this the perfect winter pick. Fit-wise, this was definitely on the tighter side (you’re seeing the L/XL here), but I have a bigger head, so this will probably vary for each person. This is also a sustainable pick, using bluesign approved and recycled materials, along with responsibly sourced down insulation. Also, considering the lightweight down construction here, it’s super easy to pack away and takes up noticeably less space than a traditional beanie in a bag. 

The only downside here is that the top of the beanie sticks up if you’re not wearing it past your forehead, and when you’re wearing it all the way down, it kind of feels like a swim cap (and looks like one, too). Also, it’s not really designed to be folded up, and felt considerably tighter when I tried. 

Verdict: This is such a unique beanie, and down is honestly the perfect material to use for a beanie. While the fit and look may not be for everyone, this was one of my favorites and offers something truly different.

Patagonia Brodeo Beanie

Best Sustainable Beanie: 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.

Patagonia’s beanies are very much an underrated piece from the outdoor juggernaut, and we’re here to shed some light on them. Specifically, the Brodeo Beanie here, which is sustainably made in a Fair Trade facility with recycled wool and recycled nylon. You’re getting a thick and warm beanie here that’s well-equipped to handle winter weather (it was around 53°F on the coldest testing day here). On the product page for this beanie, Patagonia says, “This beanie has a shallow fit that skims the ears. Due to the nature of the yarn and construction, the beanie looks smaller but will stretch with wear.” and I can definitely confirm this. With the beanie pulled all the way down, I didn’t have full ear coverage, but with enough stretching and pulling on the back, I was able to get it.

The only thing going against this pick is that you can really adjust the cuff (by folding or unfolding it), as unfolding it reveals a large seam and hides the patch, and the cuff is too big to fold up effectively. Also, the wool was a bit itchy for me, but my head isn’t that used to wearing wool, and others may not have the same experience.

Verdict: This beanie is begging to be worn on your next outdoor adventure, boasting a warm wool construction that’s more than capable of handling low temps. This colorway specifically is finished with a fun trout patch as well.

Arc’Teryx Bird Head Toque

Best Graphic Beanie: Arc’teryx is a techwear juggernaut that continues to innovate with impressive apparel that’s both technologically impressive and always stylish. The brand still remains true to its outdoor roots, though, and this beanie is the perfect example of this. It’s equipped with the label’s dino skeleton front and center, and made with a lightweight blend of wool and polyester.

Much like Carhartt’s Knit Cuffed Beanie, this pick from Arc’teryx has been making waves in the streetwear/techwear scene, and sports the iconic Arcy skeleton graphic. It’s made with a 50/50 blend of Merino wool and recycled polyester, and features a brushed polyester band on the lower half of the inside for added insulation and softness. This beanie is super lightweight but warm enough to handle winter and gives you enough room to fully cover your ears. It also isn’t too baggy at the top, either, which is nice if you want to wear it above your ears. The lightweight construction here also makes it easy to pack away, so if you’re looking for a reliable travel beanie, I highly recommend this pick.

The downside with this pick is that you can’t fold it up to customize the fit, as you’ll expose the black polyester band/lining on the inside (which isn’t the greatest look), and cut off the skeleton graphic, which is arguably the most important part of the beanie (besides the warmth). It also ran a bit small and felt a bit too constricting for me, especially because I have a bigger head.  

Verdict: Even if you aren’t the biggest techwear/streetwear fan, this is still a great lightweight beanie that’s built to take on the winter. It’s a personal favorite for me, and bursting with gorp-friendly style.

Filson Watch Cap Beanie

Best USA-made 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.

Taking inspiration from one of the most classic beanie silhouettes, Filson’s Watch Cap keeps things simple with a 100% wool construction that’s very thick and has no problem keeping you warm. It’s made right here in the States, and you can really feel just how durable it is with super strong knitting and not a single loose thread. The wool here is very warm, and you’re getting the natural breathability and moisture-wicking capabilities of the material. The style is absolutely classic, too, and lends itself to a variety of outfits. Also, given the thick wool construction here, this is definitely a winter beanie (keeping me more than warm in 53°F weather). 

You can very easily extend this beanie by unfolding the cap, but the coverage you get in default mode is already really good (easily covering the ears). I do have to say that you can’t really fold it up as the beanie starts to pop off, and if you wear it above your ears, you don’t get that traditional watch cap look as it’s a little baggy on the top. But by using the rolling technique, you can get that more classic watch cap look. Unfortunately, the wool felt a little itchy on my head, but this shouldn’t be the case for everyone (especially if you’re used to wearing wool).

Verdict: If you want a classic wool beanie that’s equipped for winter, Filson has you covered with this thick pick. Whether you’re using it for work or pleasure, you’d be hard-pressed to find something as high-quality from a brand with this much history for a similar price.

Buck Mason Herdsman Beanie

Best Wool 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.

Much like Filson’s Watch Cap, Buck Mason’s Herdsman Beanie is drawing inspiration from the watch cap popularized by the U.S. Navy. You’re getting a fine 5 gauge wool and cashmere blend that’s very soft and kept my head insulated in around 50°F weather with no problem. The low gauge knit here results in a heavier feel and a more textured look as well, and I really like the lack of branding (no shade to other labels) as it results in a cleaner look. It’s double-layered, as well, adding to the warmth and (already impressive) durability. 

Also, like Filson’s Watch Cap, this beanie leaves a bit of space above the head if you’re wearing it above the ears, which doesn’t give you that classic watch cap look. Although you can’t fold it up (it reveals the tag and feels a little too tight), I found that rolling the cuff gave me a more classic watch cap look. 

Verdict: Buck Mason has perfected their signature blend of classic and modern, and this beanie is the perfect minimalist wool pick – free from any branding and boasting a timeless design.

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

Outerknown’s apparel is always sustainably made with extreme attention to detail and radical transparency, making them a favorite for us over here at HICONSUMPTION. The label’s Reimagine Cashmere Beanie is constructed with a cashmere/wool blend of 95% recycled cashmere (resulting in 96% CO2 savings, 92% H2O savings, and 82% energy savings). Outerknown is taking pre-consumer cashmere textile waste here and spinning it into something new, and it’s one of the softest wool beanies I’ve ever felt. The warmth was also quite impressive, keeping my head warm in the California cold with ease (around 50°F on the coldest testing day). I really like the low-key look here, too, and I recommend this pick for anyone who likes their beanies to have minimal (or no) branding.

As for the fit, I felt that I had to stretch it quite a bit with the cuff folded to get full ear coverage, but you can just unfold it for more coverage. Other than that, you’re getting a slightly fitted beanie without any branding, resulting in the perfect all-arounder.

Verdict: Outerknown always knocks it out of the park with its sustainable offerings, and this beanie is made entirely with recycled materials. It’s also one of the softest wool beanies in the guide.

C.P. Company Extra Fine Merino Wool Goggle Beanie

Best Unique Beanie: Based in Italy and founded all the way back in 1971, C.P. Company is an undeniable pioneer in the outdoor space, and way ahead of the game when it comes to futuristic techwear. This unique beanie is the perfect representation of the brand’s style, boasting an eye-catching pair of goggles on the cuff and an incredibly soft Merino wool construction.

C.P. Company is a true OG in the techwear scene, and the label’s goggle beanie is one of the coolest beanies I’ve seen (and a personal favorite). Before we get into the futuristic goggles, the extra fine Merino wool here is exceptionally soft and breathable and has a nice midweight feel. The real star of the show here is the goggles, though, which is a big design motif for C.P. Company, and gives the beanie a more futuristic look. While I felt it was warm enough to tackle the California winter (around 50°F while I was testing), the midweight construction and breathability mean it’s a great year-round pick as well. You also get full ear coverage with it pulled all the way down, though, so warmth wasn’t a worry for me. 

The only big downside with this beanie is that the goggles can’t really be used to see out of, and folding them down exposes the inside, which isn’t really meant to be exposed. The goggles also mean you can’t double fold or unfold the beanie, which was fine for me, but I get that others like more options. Another minor gripe I had was the amount of tags on the inside; definitely not a deal breaker as you can just cut them, but it’s worth mentioning.

Verdict: As the most unique pick in the guide from an absolute techwear legend, this beanie is a personal favorite and quite the statement. You’re getting a warm and reliable beanie made with care in Italy, and a pair of futuristic goggles (albeit non-working) tying it all together.

Beanie Comparison Chart

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).

How Much Should a Beanie Cover Your Ears?

Generally speaking, getting at least half of your ears covered is important if you want enough protection from the cold (while cuffed). Full coverage is definitely ideal, but quite a few beanies come with an adjustable cuff to achieve this. If you’re just rocking a beanie for fashion reasons (especially the swim cap-esque way that a lot of watch caps wear), then ear coverage isn’t as important.

Honorable Mentions

Made in Scotland with Merino wool, Drake’s Light Grey Donegal Ribbed Merino Knit Cap is elegantly minimal. This makes it a super versatile winter pick, bolstered by the classic ribbed look.

Pom pom beanies are a bit divisive, but if that’s your speed, then you should check out Corridor’s Pom Pom Beanie. Using a majority alpaca wool blend, you’re getting a super warm beanie with a bit of pom pom flare.

Industry of All Nations’ Alpaca Beanie strays a bit from the traditional wool beanie construction and opts for 100% alpaca fibers. This results in an incredibly soft beanie that’s still heavy and warm enough to take on the winter.

If you’re looking to splurge a bit, then Loro Piana’s Beanie in Cashmere is the perfect premium pick. It’s made with luxurious cashmere and features a heat-stamped deerskin tag.

Tested: The Best Crewneck Sweatshirts for Men

You may want something equally comfy to match your new beanie, so head on over to our hands-on guide to the best crewneck sweatshirts.