Beanies & Caps

What to look for when buying headgear?

The same with any gear, when choosing a hat, think about what makes sense for where you’re headed and what activity you’re doing. Will you need sun protection? What about wind and rain? In the mountains especially, hats are also an important way of retaining body heat to stop you getting chilled. And they can serve as an effective extra layer that’s really compact.

What kind of hat is best for hiking?

This kind of depends on the weather. Rain forecasted? Get a waterproof hat or look for something with a brim or peak to keep the rain out of your eyes. Sunny day? Think lightweight sun cap with a visor and plenty of ventilation. Make sure you get a good fit, so that it won’t get blown off when you hit the ridgeline.

What kind of hat is best for alpinism?

Technical beanies made of functional fabrics are ideal as they are often windproof and water-repellent and yet still breathable to a certain extent. Balaclavas: If the wind is really picking up or the temperature plummets, a balaclava under your helmet will give you greater coverage and keep your neck and face warm – including in snowstorms.

Whatever hat you choose, make sure it fits under your climbing/ biking helmet – no bobble hats! Save those for casual wear.

What kind of hat is best for ski mountaineering?

Similar to alpinism, technical headgear is a good choice. Think about keeping your ears warm too, for example by choosing a hat with ear flaps.

When skinning uphill or on cold, windy approaches, headbands are also a good option to cover your ears, while still letting heat escape from the top of your head. And they work well under helmets too – including on cold bike rides.

What is the best material for summer hats?

Baseball caps or brimmed hats shield your eyes from the sun, but they’re often a bit too hot. Look for trekking hats and caps made of lightweight, breathable fabrics that dry fast or have plenty of perforations. Some sun hats come with built-in UV protection too.

What is the best material for winter hats?

Synthetic functional fabrics are great in foul weather, but wool and merino wool fibres also make great functional fabrics, plus they’re natural and sustainable.

What is the warmest type of hat?

Some insulated beanies have an additional warm inner lining, which acts almost like a headband. This makes them an excellent choice on colder days. And for the best insulation performance, follow mother nature’s recipe and opt for sheep’s wool or merino wool blends.

Anything else to consider?

While not strictly headgear as such, neck tubes aka neck gaiters or buffs can be worn in multiple ways which makes them especially versatile for mountaineering – wear ‘em as a hat, headband, or face mask. They are also small enough to stash in your pocket when not in use. Thicker neck tubes made of merino wool can make a surprising difference to help you stay warm, especially for dawn starts or routes still in the shade, and they don’t weigh much.