The 18 Best Winter Hats of 2024

Best Overall

SmartWool Isto Retro Beanie

View On Zappos $40 View On Smartwool.com View On Moosejaw.com

Out of all the factors to consider when choosing a winter hat, warmth is number one. The SmartWool Isto Retro Beanie more than delivers in that department, thanks to the merino wool fabric and cable-knit construction. And if you typically avoid merino wool due to itchiness, rest assured the recycled nylon balances it out with its soft texture. The SmartWool style is also breathable enough to wear for extended periods of time. Finally, the pom-pom adds a touch of festive fun, perfectly complementing the thick colorful stripes, and the ribbed cuff ensures a proper fit for most head sizes.  

The Details: Beanie | One size | Merino wool, recycled nylon, recycled polyester

Best Pom-pom

Mountain Hardwear Gas Station Beanie

View On Backcountry.com $25 View On Mountainhardwear.com

Winter hats are the type of accessories you can have a little fun with, especially if you’ll be participating in après-ski activities this season. Case in point: the Gas Station Beanie from Mountain Hardwear. This particular hat is topped with the perfect-sized pom-pom — not too big, not too small — and it comes in three interesting yet versatile colorways. Outside of its physical looks, the wind-resistant hat is made from recycled polyester, which makes for a sustainable, soft, breathable, and quick-drying style. The fold-over cuff also means the fit can be adjusted, ensuring any wearer’s ears will be protected from the elements. 

The Details: Beanie | One size | Recycled polyester

Best Beanie

Carhartt Knitted Cuff Beanie

View On Backcountry.com View On Dick's $20 View On Tractor Supply Co.

Carhartt is a brand known for its durability and functionality — and its unisex Knit Beanie follows suit. Available in 10 colors, including the classic Carhartt Brown, this beanie is the type of hat that will dutifully serve you all season long, holding its shape and going with basically anything in your wardrobe. The brand also notes that it’s lightweight enough to be worn under a hoodie, hard hat, or ear protection. At the same time, though, the acrylic rib knit provides plenty of warmth without causing any itch (a common occurrence with wool hats). It only comes in one size, so depending on your particular head shape, you may need to cuff it slightly. 

The Details: Beanie | One size | Acrylic rib knit

Best Trapper Hat

Overland B-3 Sheepskin Aviator Hat

View On Overland.com

If you’re traveling to a destination that regularly sees below-freezing temperatures, the Overland B-3 Sheepskin Aviator Hat will be your best friend. The silhouette itself was historically worn by hunters and designed to provide ultimate warmth, so you can guarantee your head won’t get cold. This important characteristic partially stems from the hat’s material. In this case, it’s a double-faced sheepskin — a leather texture on the exterior paired with shearling insulation. Additionally, the hat’s ear flaps grant even more protection; they can be tied beneath the chin (covering the ears) or flipped up and secured on top of the head. Shoppers can also choose from four different colorways, although the Burnt Cognac style is the most classic. 

The Details: Trapper hat | XS to XXL | Double-faced sheepskin (leather and shearling)

Best Wool

Mackage JUDE-WZ Hand-knit Toque with Ribbed Cuff

View On Mackage.com

You can trust a Canadian brand like Mackage to prepare you for cold weather. While the price tag on the JUDE-WZ Hand-knit Toque with Ribbed Cuff is higher than most beanies, the quality and versatility ensure it’s the only hat you’ll need this winter. The style is simplistic in its looks, with a tonal logo patch on the front, but it’s engineered with a fleece-lined band and double-layered merino wool to keep the wearer warm. If you plan to wear this beanie on a regular basis, opt for black, camel, or carbon style. Otherwise, feel free to lean toward the lighter colors, like cream, air, or light gray. 

The Details: Beanie | One size | Recycled wool, recycled nylon, acrylic

Best Water-repellent

lululemon Wunder Puff Trapper Hat

View On Lululemon

When snow begins to fall, you’ll want a hat that keeps you warm and dry — especially if you're packing for a trip to Antarctica. The Wunder Puff Trapper Hat from Lululemon performs both functions wonderfully. The Glyde™ fabric repels water and protects from wind, while the goose-down insulation provides an additional layer of defense against freezing temperatures. You can even secure the ear flaps beneath your chin for more protection — or snap them out of the way when the elements aren’t too harsh. The back closure also adds another level of customization. If you fall between the three hat sizes, you can adjust the closure’s position to fit your head snuggly. 

The Details: Trapper hat | XS/S, M/L, L/XL | Polyester, recycled polyester, goose down, goose feathers

Most Stylish

Stetson Expedition Crushable Wool Hat

View On L.L.Bean $120

If your travels take you out west this winter, you’ll need a wide-brim hat to complete your look. When packing this type of hat, though, you often run into a common conundrum: do I wear it on the plane or risk damaging its shape in my suitcase? Luckily, the Stetson Expedition Crushable Wool Hat is made with a fine wool felt material that pops back into place, even after a full day in transit. The hat is also lightweight and weather-resistant, and the interior Dri-Lex® sweatband aids in removing any moisture that builds up. As a bonus, the feather-impressed hat band gives it an extra boost of style and flair.  

The Details: Wide brim | S to XL | Wool felt

Best Budget

FURTALK Winter Beanie

View On Amazon $15

Coming in at under $20, the Furtalk Winter Beanie Hat is one of the most affordable options on the market. Not only does it come in 23 colors, but the pom-pom (which is rather sizable) is removable for added versatility. Simply snap it on when you want a bit of winter festiveness, and remove it when you want to wear the hat as just a beanie. The hat itself is made of a thick acrylic and cotton material to keep you comfortable (and stylish) everywhere from a casual winter walk around your neighborhood to sightseeing in the city. If you don’t want to worry about hand washing it regularly, choose one of the darker colors — like black or wine red — that won’t show as much dirt and discoloration. 

The Details: Beanie | One size | Acrylic, cotton, spandex

Best Designer

Moncler Faux Fur Pom Pom Beanie

View On Saks Fifth Avenue $500 View On Moncler.com

If you’re going to spend several hundred dollars on a winter hat, make sure it’s one you can wear on repeat. Whether you choose the black or white style, the Moncler Faux Fur Pom Pom Beanie can be worn with every outfit combination imaginable. It’s also made of wool and cashmere — two of the warmest winter materials out there. The pom-pom, which gives the beanie another detailed touch, is faux fur, which many shoppers prefer to real fur. Those who want to visibly represent the brands they care about will appreciate the subtle but clear Moncler logo on the front of the hat.

The Details: Beanie | One size | Wool, cashmere, faux fur

Best Sustainable

Everlane Organic Cotton Chunky Beanie

View On Everlane.com $45

Everlane is one of the best brands for basics made with sustainability in mind. The Organic Cotton Chunky Beanie, available in five neutral colors, is particularly notable as it’s certified organic at every step of production. The cotton material is thick without being overly substantial, and the added cuff gives the unisex hat a bit more personality than a plain beanie. We love that it’s soft, comfortable, and doesn’t stretch out after wear. The only downside of the Everlane beanie is that it cannot be thrown in the wash; the care instructions state to hand wash cold and lay flat to dry.

The Details: Beanie | One size | Organic cotton, elastane

Best Driving Cap

Barbour Cheviot Check Driving Cap

View On Nordstrom $42 View On Lyst.com View On Barbour.com

A driving cap may not be the best hat for the depths of winter, but it’s a solid choice for mild temperatures. It’s also a good option if you want to pack lightly; the flexible hat hardly takes up any room in a suitcase or carry-on. The Barbour Cheviot Check Driving Cap, specifically, earns a spot on this list for a few reasons. 

For starters, the fold-down ear-warmer flaps are an amazing addition. When the wind chill begins to nip at your ears, pop them down for added coverage. Together with the fleece lining, they create a hat that’s both a statement piece as well as one that wards off the cold. Not to mention, the check pattern is subtle and neutral, giving the wearer freedom with how they choose to style the cap.

The Details: Driving cap | S to XL | Polyester, wool, viscose, acrylic, polyamide, cotton

Best Bucket Hat

lululemon Textured Fleece Bucket Hat

View On Lululemon

Bucket hats are usually more casual and often associated with streetwear. If this fits with your style and aesthetic, you’ll want a warm winter version to don on colder days — specifically, Lululemon’s Textured Fleece Bucket Hat. The fleece exterior is the definition of cozy, and the liner is made with sweat-wicking and quick-drying fabric for all-day comfort. We love that it also includes a silky lining, which will be kinder on your hair. The bucket hat comes in three colors — ivory, black, and all-spice — and three sizes, although there is a strap on the back to adjust the fit as necessary. 

The Details: Bucket hat | XS/S, M/L, L/XL | Polyester, recycled polyester, nylon, recycled nylon, Lycra® elastane

Best for Running

Patagonia Winter Duckbill Running Cap

View On REI $24 View On Patagonia.com

Runners may be strong-willed and tough, but they still need protection against the winter elements. The Patagonia Winter Duckbill Running Cap gets our vote as the best winter hat for running as it takes warmth and functionality into consideration, providing the wearer with both coverage and breathability. This is done through several features, including a water-resistant top, breathable fleece sides, a ponytail passthrough, and ear flaps that can be flipped up and down as necessary. One of the most exciting details, though, is the crushable brim, which the brand notes can be “easily stuffed into a pocket” when not in use.

The Details: Duckbill cap | One size | Recycled polyester plain weave, recycled polyester double knit, recycled polyester fleece, recycled fishing nets

Best Fleece

REI Co-op Polartec Fleece Beanie

View On REI $20

Along with its brushed fleece interior — which is warm and breathable — the REI Co-op Polartec Power Stretch Fleece Beanie has a durable water-repellent treatment to wick away light moisture. What really sold us on this beanie, though, was the fit. It’s constructed with flat-sewn seams as well as wind-resistant polyester and spandex to give it some stretch. We’ve found few other beanies that fit so well, and the material stretches snugly, but not too tightly over the forehead and ears. Wear it under a helmet when biking or by itself for hiking or commuting to the office — either way, you can toss it into the washing machine when it needs a refresh. 

The Details: Beanie | One size | Polyester, nylon, spandex

Best Cable-knit

C.C Thick Cable Knit Beanie

View On Amazon $26

If you want a cozy winter hat, the unisex C.C. Thick Cable Knit Beanie will serve you beautifully. The best-selling hat is known for both its style and performance. We appreciate its ability to keep your head warm with its fleece interior, and might even recommend purchasing it in multiple colors at such an affordable price point. The cable-knit stitches have plenty of give, too, so the beanie can be stretched as needed. 

The Details: Beanie | One size | Acrylic, faux fur

Best Baseball Cap

Arc’teryx Calidum 5 Panel Wool Cap

View On Arcteryx.com

Baseball hats aren’t known to be warm, but the Arc’teryx Calidum 5 Panel Wool Cap isn’t your regular baseball hat. Instead of a cotton or cotton blend (the typical material used for this kind of hat), it’s made of a wool and polyester blend. The fabric is densely woven into a soft, almost flannel-like texture to provide warmth during cross-country skiing, hiking, or walks to and from the office. Outside of the material, the hat was thoughtfully designed with a modern, elevated look. The three colorways — dark green, lighter gray, and a deep maroon — are extra luxurious, and the understated clasp allows for a custom fit. 

The Details: Baseball hat | One size | Wool, polyester, viscose

Best Versatile

Alo Yoga Everyday Beanie

View On Aloyoga.com $68

If you only have room in your closet for one hat this season, it should be a wear-everywhere style, like the Alo Everyday Beanie. Made out of a heavy wool blend, this hat is a bit more oversized than other beanies, giving you versatility in how you position it on your head. No matter how you choose to wear it — slightly raised or pulled below your ears — the thicker material will help keep it in place. Each of the three color options (black, gravel, and heather gray) complements most wardrobes, but the Alo logo patch is less noticeable on the black and gravel. 

The Details: Beanie | One size | Wool blend