Best Winter Hats for Hiking: Keeping Your Head Warm and Your Health Safe

As the winter season approaches, do you start thinking about what you’re going to do, either go hiking, skiing or how to dress? A beanie normally comes in mind, as having your head protected against the cold is key. But how to know which to buy?

For quite a long time, makers of technical hiking gears have been focusing on the best winter hats for hiking, and with this current season’s offerings, they are finally close. A noteworthy objective in head coverage is to keep out rain, sun, and wind. Luckily, today, most hats achieve this, but we know which are the other features and secrets you need to look for, and we will explain them to you.

In this article, we are going to discuss the major benefits of wearing hats when hiking, some essential features to consider when planning on getting your winter hat and we will give you a rundown of some of the best winter hats available on the market today.

Our Top Picks

Features to Consider Before Buying

When you take off on the mountain for skiing or hiking, bear in mind that warmth and safety are critical factors in having a successful outdoor adventure. Though helmets fill in as an awesome safety gear, some more fashion-forward and daring hikers wear hats as an option. This segment of the article gives you information about some various factors to consider when picking out the perfect winter hat for your next hiking.

Materials

A winter hat for hiking should be built with material that is moisture-wicking, quick-drying and breathable. In addition, the material should give incredible insulation so as to forestall warm heat loss. The hiking hats of nowadays are made of elite synthetic materials, for example, polyester downy or common materials like Merino wool, Merino fleece, wool and so on. We are going to talk about these materials one after the other.

Micro fleece

This is likewise known as polar fleece or simply fleece, is a napped, soft, synthetic material often produced using polyester. Fleece hats are usually warm just like wool, however, it is significantly softer and simpler to wash. There are various weights for fleeces, which are the heavier sorts being the warmest kind. Fleece likewise has great water repellent propensities, so hiking hats made of fleece will keep your head dry and warm even when it is snowing.

At the point when fully drenched, fleece retains just a single percent of its weight capacity in water and stays breathable, making this material extraordinary for wicking off sweat. This is an incredible feature for when you begin to warm up on the hike and begin to perspire.

Merino wool

This is not quite the same as the common wool as Merino wool is one of the softest wool type available. This kind of wool is made with better fibers and gives a high-level warmth-to-weight proportion. Merino wool is a fabulous fabric for controlling body temperature. This kind of fabric provides enough warmth to the extent that you will not overheat nor will you encounter awkward chills. Merino wool has awesome wicking capacities as it draws off moisture from the skin.

Wool

Hiking hats made with the regular wool can be found as woven or knitted and is greatly durable, able to extend up to 30% when dry and 50% when wet. Moreover, wool has great natural moisture wicking features, drawing moisture into the center of the fiber in order for it not to feel soggy or wet when worn. This implies that your head will remain dry and warm even amid very wet climate conditions.

Acrylic

Acrylic hat kind can be an incredible substitute for wool and certain blends are greatly soft. Acrylic is likewise lightweight, so making it a common texture. For the individuals who cherish wool, however sadly may encounter some unfavorably susceptible responses to the fabric, acrylic can fill in as a phenomenal substitute.

Hiking hats produced with acrylic fiber, retain their shape and are greatly elastic. They are soft, warm, hold color admirably and are both wrinkle and stain resistant.

Fur or faux fur

Hiking hats produced with fur or faux fur can truly emphasize a ski look. Some producers are utilizing fur accents to add refinement to typical ski hats. This specific detail is extremely well-known among the luxurious ski lovers since it gives a good fashion-forward look. Also, fur and faux fur might be found inside the hat as an extra liner of warmth.

Hats with blended fibers

Wool and acrylic, each have properties perfect for a warm winter hiking hat. Joining the two materials can make fiber stability and improve insulation. Contingent upon the proportion of fibers, a hiking hat with mixed materials can hold the wicking abilities and extra warmth of wool while remaining lightweight and versatile as acrylic.

Hats produced with higher acrylic material are less inclined to shrinkage. Hats, built with the wool content, help to keep the head dry in both warm and cool atmospheres.

Face Shape

If you don’t know what winter hiking hat is suitable for you, you need to consider your face shape first. Like haircuts, not all hats will suit each face shape. If you are not sure about your face shape, here are the most popular: oval: Longer face with a curled jawline.

Oblong: Long, narrow face. Heart shaped: Defined cheekbones and long pointed jawline. Round: A wide as well as long face. Rectangular: A long as well as a wide face with a strong jawline.

Styles

There is a wide range of styles of hiking hats, and every one of them will furnish you with warmth in various ways. Some hiking hats have the added garish touches. A standout amongst the most widely recognized hat styles is called the beanie. A beanie is a perfectly sized hat, that is cozy, and will hold warm exceptionally well. Hats that have ear flaps, are additionally a common option when obtaining a hiking hat.

This hat style takes into consideration additional ear warmth and protection. There are, likewise, some hats styles that feature small brims or even the ever-common ball on top for an adorable wrap-up. Some of them are even fleece lined or fur lined for extra comfort and warmth.

Activity

Choose a hat that fits the task. Hats come in numerous styles, each in view of a specific function. The hat you pick for an outdoor wedding isn’t the one to choose for hiking. You would not put on a pith helmet on your kid’s outdoor volleyball game. Possibly you would, however, that would definitely be a strong choice. Here are some of the activities and recommendations:

Travel

Pick a hat that is crushable and can be easily washed and perhaps has a small pocket for vital items.

Wind

Activities that are windy require a chin strap to hold firm your hat. Moreover, a chin strap helps when twisting around, as when you are pool cleaning or gardening.

Sports

Fringe vision is essential for both security and intensity.

This influences your drape and brim choice.

Water

If you are planning on going to a marine domain, get a waterproof cap that buoys.

Outdoorsy

If you will be hiking, camping or fishing, get a hat that shields against creepy crawlies.

Heat

For exercises that produce body warmth, put on sun visor for aggregate head aeration or pick a hat with mesh on the crown side. One vital tip for cooling your head in a dry, hot atmosphere, is to moisturize the hat for evaporative cooling.

Insect Protection

While not many people purchase-hiking hats for creepy crawly protection, you should likewise look at this feature during the winter. Putting on clothes is one of the ideal ways to shield us from insects, for example, mosquitoes, flies, ticks, honey bees and so forth. During summer, there many mosquitoes that really want to suck all your blood.

These mosquitoes are not, in any case, frightened of moving toward you during summer. They sensed blood and they buzz around attempting to drink from you. One of the ideal ways to deflect these irritating bugs is with a good hiking hat. A hat can surely make a difference. You should get a good hiking hat with an insect protecting feature.

UV Protection

This is definitely one of the essential factors to consider when choosing a good winter hiking hat. Hiking hat UV protection may be a major reason for getting it in the first place. The rays of the sun can harm the skin after some time.

It can result into skin infections, spots, and other undesirable skin defects. One of the ideal ways to safeguard your skin is with UV protective clothes like a hiking hat. There are likewise various UPF levels in a clothing. They tend to range from 30 to 65. The higher the hat UV protection the better.

Durability

We all require our hiking hats to be extremely durable. We can effortlessly test the durability of a hat by squashing them with our hands. A hiking hat that is extremely durable will fold again into its right state after undergoing the crushing process. A hiking hat that isn’t pretty much durable will get annihilated or will have torn up spots or holes.

We spend a great amount of cash on items, so it is better to get something durable that will keep going for quite a while. We additionally need to recall that these hats will be utilized outdoors. They will experience a great deal tests from the weather and environment. So It is good that they are extremely durable or built with durable materials.

Comfortability

A standout amongst the most essential features that we search for in a hiking hat is the level of its comfortability. There are many of head gear that isn’t comfortable enough. You need to bear in mind, you will wear a hat for the entire hiking trip which is somehow around 8 miles. Some people hike around 3-7 days, or multiple days.

A hiking hat that isn’t comfy is only a pointless thing that gives us irrelevant weight. Also that we paid cash for the thing that we won’t utilize if it is awkward.

Breathability

There is no doubt that most of us will sweat while backpacking or hiking. The exercise and heat should be sufficient to make our body create a great deal of sweat to chill us. However, if the hat that you purchased isn’t breathable, the sweat will collate inside the hat. It will have a bad smell and make your hair look bad.

We have to allow sweat to vanish or be discharged instead of being caught inside the hat. The breathability of a clothing piece is essential in hiking. We, as a whole, need sweat to have the capacity to get discharged so that our garments or ourselves don’t smell.

Antimictobial

On multi-day outdoor trips, a hat is regularly worn for a few days without washing it and accordingly it is an extraordinary advantage if it gives great antimicrobial protection. There are some fabrics that are naturally antimicrobial like for instance Merino wool, while some others are dealt with to give antimicrobial protection – like for example synthetic fabrics. Fabrics that are antimicrobial, forestall odor-causing bacteria and stay fresh for longer periods.

Top Winter Hats Reviews

Make your outdoor activities easier and more fun with some of the warmest winter hats. In this segment, we have listed some of the best hiking hats available on the market today. They should shield your head and also make you look great. They are very fashionable, stylish and they all have awesome designs.

Under Armour Storm 

Price: $29 – $40

Dimension: 18 x 12 x 1 inches

Weight: 1.6 ounce

Specific features: 100% polyester, UA storm outfit utilizes a DWR finish to repulse the water without yielding breathability, cold-gear infrared technology utilizes a soft and thermo-conductive internal coating, ultra-soft downy for comfort throughout the day

Best use: Hiking, trekking, running, mountaineering, backpacking, everyday use

Description: The Under Armor Storm Beanie does offer extraordinary performance and is extremely stylish and hence ideal for the individuals who would prefer not to compromise style for usefulness. It utilizes the ColdGear Infrared technology, which is well-known for an extraordinary weight to warmth proportion, as the fabric has a thermo-conductive covering that ingests and holds the body warmth.

In addition, the fabric is subjected to DWR (durable water repellant) treatment and so offers some basic shield against rain, a feature that very few beanies have. The fabric is, likewise, exceptional moisture-wicking and durable, yet it doesn’t give as great anti-smell protection as Merino wool.

The texture of the beanie is incredibly soft, to the point that reviewers consider it one of the softest and most comfortable beanies they have used. Although, it has also been reviewed as too tight and a bit small, not fitting everyone well. This hiking beanie is an incredible hat for winter trips and it comes in a wide range of colors.

Related: The Under Armour Extreme Gloves are very good gloves for any winter activity. They are commonly bought with this beanie, and  are considered extremely reliable.

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Lethmik Slocuhy 

Price: $10 – $15

Dimension: 10.6 x 8 x 0.8 inches

Weight: 0.6 ounces

Specific features: 100% soft and comfy acrylic material, super warm fleece lined, 8″ wide and 0.8″ high, one size fits most, cozy and slouchy fit, stylish design, high quality and comfortable material, provides warmth and great elasticity, stretches enough to fit most sizes, superior craftsmanship, thick, suitable for the winter and fall

Best use: Skiing, sledding, snowshoeing, snowboarding, skating, hiking, camping or any other sports and activities.

Description: The Lethmik Slouchy Beanie is the hottest timeless and simple Styles for men, women, and Teens. This hiking hat is sufficiently vast to wear over the ears. It provides great comfortable fit and is able to keep you warm and perfect for your outside exercises. This beanie is just looking classy and is perfect for winter and fall. It gives a great match with your most loved Outfit. You can wear the hat as a short beanie or slide on, pull back and down to get the slouchy look.

The Lethmik Beanie hat is not the least expensive, but rather it is the best. This beanie hat is built with one layer. It features a thick knitting wool, additionally, there is the extremely warm and soft Fleece lined, therefore making it a good fit for your winter hiking adventures. This beanie hat furnishes you with great warmth and comfort. It is an astounding choice for gifts or your own personal dressing. Purchase more for your loved ones.

Related: The Vital Salveo 9355010223 Gloves are normally purchased with this beanie. They are simple but useful gloves, ideal for the everyday life as well as for other winter sports activities.

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Icebreaker Chase 

Price: $20 – $30

Dimension: 9 x 9 x 1 inches

Weight: 0.3 ounces

Specific features: 100% merino wool, natural odor-resistant, moisture wicking and breathable, insulation, non-tingle merino, a touch of lycra for included stretch, 200 g/m2 fabric density, double layer cuff, light and stretchy minimalist hat, super-soft and no-itch warmth

Best use: Winter trail runs, cold-weather hikes

Description: The Icebreaker Chase Hat has the ability to keep you comfortable and warm in moderate winter conditions. This beanie hat combines Lycra fabric and Merino wool. The Merino wool offers moisture-wicking, insulation and anti-odor features while the Lycra fabric adds stretch.

The thickness of the fabric is 200 g/m2, which is somewhat less than the thickness of the SmartWool Beanie’s fabric and also, the warmth provided isn’t good enough. Notwithstanding, the thinner fabric layer makes the this hiking hat perfect for icy days in the fall and spring, and also for moderate winter climates – when the temperatures are more than 0 C.

The beanie hat is likewise furnished with a twofold layer cuff that gives extra warmth. In summary, the icebreaker beanie is an extraordinary hat for trekkers, hikers, mountaineers and even runners. It arrives in five distinct hues i.e. dark, shocking, chartreuse, alpine, and grapefruit.

Related: The Icebreaker Flexi Chute is a good item to buy with the beanie. If you plan to ski, run or hike, matching these together will keep you warm at the same time as they protect your neck, face and head.

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Smartwool NTS Mid 250 

Price: $35 – $45

Dimension: 8.3 x 4.8 x 1.4 inches

Weight: 0.3 ounces

Specific features: Twofold layer interlock weave construction, reversible design for assortment, neat finish seams for mass-free fit, 100% merino wool, 250g/m2 fabric density, adjustable ear band, comes in 4 different colors i.e. olive, charcoal, black and orange

Best use: Hiking, backpacking, running, trekking, mountaineering, everyday use

Description: The SmartWool NTS 250 Beanie is an extraordinary head wear piece which is able to shield your head against the cold conditions in the most intense winter climate. It is built with 100% Merino fleece and therefore offers great moisture-wicking features and anti-odor.

As the fabric density of this beanie hat is 250 g/m2, the hiking hat likewise gives extraordinary insulation. The hat is furnished with a roll cuff ear band which does not only permits you to change the ideal fit, but also helps to keep your ears strikingly warm. The seams are built and don’t bring about any chafing or rubbing.

This hiking hat is an awesome choice for almost all outdoor devotees. It comes in 4 various colors I.e. olive, charcoal, black, and orange. This beanie hat is a do-anything gear, throughout the entire season. Ski in it, keep running in it, construct your child a snow dugout in it. Furthermore, the reversible example implies that you can wear it twice to such an extent. With a customizable ear band for pretty much warmth and neat seams for a no-mass fit.

Related: The Smartwool Liner Gloves are the same brand as the beanie, and as good in quality. They are the ideal match for the beanie, allowing you to stay warm and comfortable during your outdoor winter activities.

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Siggi CM68184 

Price: $9 – $16

Dimension: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.2 inches

Weight: 0.3 ounce

Specific features: Fabric: 50% polyester and 50% wool, lining: 100% polyester, fur: 20% polyester and 80% acrylic, fitted size: medium size from 57-59cm, large from 59-61cm, thick knitted wool hat

Best use: Winter, hiking, hunting

Description: The Siggi CM68184 Cap an eight-year-old brand in the field of hats, has been greatly known for its special design and premium quality in the market today. If you usually stroll around outdoors with snowy winds that is about to rip off the ears, you may likely want to get cable cap that can be drawn down to warm and cover the neck and ears.

Then at that point, you need to try out this thick sewed wool hat. Also, in the event that despite everything you require a hat with strong bill to keep the daylight, snow, rain and wind out of the glasses and eyes, we will suggest that you get this amazing cap with visor. It is greatly warm and pragmatic for icy and frigid winter.

The ear flap cap gives more protection to your ears and face compared to those common, ivy driving hats. The Siggi cap can flip the ear flaps as far as possible up when it is not all that cool, or it can flip the ear flaps of the cap down to cover and give warmth to the ears. It fits perfectly with most casual clothing and also matches well with sweater, jeans, jacket and so forth.

Related: The Timberland Magic Gloves technology are commonly bought alongside this and other hats. They are ideal to be worn in wintertime and can be also take on hikes or outdoors activities.

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Connectyle Thick Knit 

Price: $8 – $20

Dimension: 8 x 8 x 1 inches

Weight: 3.8 ounces

Specific features: 100% polyester lining and 100% acrylic, great fit for 21.5 – 23.5 inch head girth, warm and stylish, warm thick winter beanie for men, practical and super soft, perfect fit the head circumference from 21.65 – 23.62 inches, worn folded up or slouchy style furnishing ears with four warmth layers

Best use: Hiking, skiing, snowboarding and other winter activities

Description: The Connectyle Thick Knit Beanie is made of polyester lining and acrylic. This hiking hat is warm and stylish and great for all forms of winter exercises. This is a thick beanie skull cap for men, which is practical and super soft.

The cap features a twofold layered warm, plush lining, with four-layer ear flap when cuffed. Get the smart, in vogue, slouchy look or cuff brim with this must-have beanie hat. Connectyle beanie cap conveniently and easily fits any of your winter attire. This amazing beanie is awesome for outdoor exercises like snowboarding, skiing or simple strolls all through the cold climate.

Its main advantage is the very good fit for head, circumferences between 66 and 60 cm. Although it stretches so if fits bigger circumferences. One of the biggest praises the beanie receives, is the fact that it is a very food and comfortable fit, hence why it can be used during sporty activities.

Related: The Mansy Classic Scarf is an ideal product to buy alongside this beanie. Scars are not meant to be used during sports activities, but they can come useful for everyday use or even hikes, just like the beanie.

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Longboard Outdoors 

Price: $5 – $10

Dimension: 8.5 x 1.5 x 9 inches

Weight: 0.8 ounces

Specific features: Bright white LEDs, lightweight, warm – 100% acrylic, two CR2032 sort coin cell batteries included, 24 hours of consistent usage out of the LEDs, simple to use – the On and Off switch is situated under the cap’s brim.

Best use: Running, hiking, skiing

Description: The Longboard Outdoors B0197R Beanie illuminates the night with the help of white LEDs. This lightweight beanie hat with incorporated LEDs is ideal for outdoor exercises. The five LEDs are extremely bright and illuminate your way up to 40-feet away without requiring a flashlight.

This amazing product was designed with the possibility that people may need a lightweight beanie and additionally need to see what they are doing. You don’t need any external, massive, heavyweight headlamp with this hat. This beanie is lightweight and simple to use. A single on and off switch is effortlessly found and operated, even in the cold climate and with gloves on.

The LEDs are fueled by two CR2032 coin cell sort batteries. These are already built in the beanie so it is prepared to be used. Not only does this beanie have the lights, but it is also a very warm beanie, getting it’s primary job done of keeping your head warm enough on cold days or nights.

Related: The Sony Lithium Batteries are a great add-on for this hat. Buy them in order to be ready for whenever the original batteries run out, that way you can change them and still use the light.

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Home Prefer B01N5E 

Price: $8 – $30

Dimension: 9.3 x 8.7 x 1.9 inches

Weight: 1.6 ounces

Specific features: Soft polar fleece, quite lightweight and warm, one size fits most with stretchy band behind the skull cap, ear flap can be flipped down, soft sweatband soaks in and prevent sweat, good winter cap for shielding you from outdoor exercises in cold climate

Best use: Running, camping, hunting, hiking, skiing and so on

Description: The Home Prefer B01N5E Earflap is produced with warmth polar fleece. The earflap configuration can shield you from outdoor activities in a chilly climate. This hiking hat is good for any outdoor activities like running, cycling, hiking, et cetera.

This hiking hat is a must-have item, which you need to get when planning on your next winter adventure. All you need to do is to flip the earflaps down to warm and cover the ears or flip it up when not all that cold.

This winter cap features a soft sweatband, which retains and prevents sweat so as to make you feel comfortable and cool, ideal for those days in which you are wearing it for a long time. This is indeed a great winter cap for shielding you from outdoor exercises in a chilly climate. It is a unisex design, which makes it perfect to be worn by both men and women.

 Related: The Ozero Winter Gloves are an ideal match with this hat. They will also keep you warm and comfortable during winter, and they can be used in many activities, from hiking to skiing, just like the hat.

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Wrapping It Up

That’s all folks. Know that the winter season is almost approaching; it is the ideal time that we held our hiking hats in preparation for it. For all of you who lost yours, or wish to get more in your closet, listed above are some of the best ones available today. At least two hats are highly recommended for winter day outdoors: a synthetic hat, or lightweight wool, for high intensity exercises, and a warmer, heavyweight hat for the period when the temperatures drop.

The rays of the sun can do a great deal of harm to our skin. We strongly advise you to put on a hiking hat because this will shield your skin from the destructive beams of the sun. You have a wide range of hiking hats to pick from and the style depends on your choice. It is likewise essential to put on a hat when the weather is cold. A simple hat can keep our head and body warm.

Did you like what we had to offer? Comment below and let us know, what you think, as well as if you have further inquiries, thought or suggestions.