Before you say anything, donโt worry: we too know that the idea of an entire list dedicated to beanies for men seems a little ridiculous. The good news is that this cold-weather staple is the kind of accessory you buy once or twice in a decade โ and then wear the ever-loving hell out of.
Occasionally also referred to as a skullcap, watch cap, toque, or chapeau, the characteristics of any truly excellent beanie are virtually immutable from season to season.
First and foremost, they must be warm. Better still, comfortable and hypoallergenic. The cherry on top? If they pull together whatever wintery ensemble you happen to be wearing. Here are half a dozen of our favourites right now.
RELATED: The 10 Best Menโs Jumpers You Can Buy
Jump To:
The 6 Best Beanies For Men Right Now
Patagonia Brodeo Beanie
Part of Patagoniaโs suitably robust โBrodeoโ range, this beanie is knit with a two-ply fabric that is blended together using nylon and recycled wool.
Like almost everything else in the American outdoor brandโs universe, the product itself is only half of the equation โ 1% of what you end up paying goes to environmental conservation.
The โBrodeoโ is available in a range of equally versatile, trend-proof colourways but this variationโs combination of dusty berry red and illustrated armadillo logo makes for the best option alongside the widest possible range of outfits.
Details:
- 2โณ rib-knit cuff
- Recycled wool/nylon blend
- Fair Trade Certifiedโข
- Made in Vietnam
MUJI Wool Blend Ribbed Beanie
Famed for its exhaustive selection of clothing, stationery and homewares, it wonโt come as a shock that MUJI, the gargantuan Japanese retailer, makes a really well-sorted beanie.
Fabricated in a stretchy pure wool that morphs to suit various head shapes, this inclusion on our shortlist is as satisfyingly straightforward as menโs beanies come.
Still, MUJI being MUJI, the product manages to incorporate certain helpful hidden details, such as the strip of natural, organic cotton that lines the inside forehead, helping to prevent itchiness.
Details:
- 100% wool body
- 50% Cotton, 50% Polyester inside forehead
- Available in multiple colourways
HW Dog & Co Rib Smart Watch
Based in Tokyo, Japan, HW Dog & Co is a premium brand that makes some seriously good hats, and as youโd expect in a country that has world-class snow seasons, the brandโs beanies are top quality too.
Crafted from 100% cotton, itโs not designed for freezing conditions, making it an ideal option for Aussies, while the ribs of the yarn open up when worn to reveal the colour of the textile beneath.
Itโs stretchy, itโs comfortable, and if youโre after a high-quality beanie, this could be the only one you ever need.
Details:
- 100% cotton
- Woven from two different kinds of yarn
- Made in Japan
Snow Peak Pe/Co Knit Cap
If youโve spent any time in that weird and wonderful corner of social media populated by camping content creators, chances are you probably know Snow Peak.
The Japanese equipment manufacturer has been delighting elite campers since 1964 with a range of clever products like aluminium mess tins or titanium mugs equipped with foldable handles.
Unsurprisingly, Snow Peak fanboys arenโt content to stop there, and this โPe/Coโ beanie (named for its poly-cotton composition) is a useful means of encouraging brand loyalty.
Knitted with a ribbed cuff that can be worn label out, or folded over itself, the brand has developed it with the skilled outdoorsmen in mind: hence the reinforced stitching and fabric that quick-dries.
Details:
- Roll-style construction
- 65% polyester/35% cotton
- Quick-drying
- Made in Vietnam
Norse Projects Cashmere Rib Beanie
This Cashmere Rib Beanie from Norse Projects is another premium option that uses 97% cashmere (55% of which is GRS recycled cashmere) and 3% wool.
Super soft and extraordinarily comfortable when worn, itโs crafted from Italian recycled cashmere yarn and knitted in a one-by-one rib pattern.
There are far, far more affordable beanies out there, but if price is no object and you want quality, this is a great choice.
Details:
- 97% Italian cashmere yarn (55% GRS recycled cashmere), 3% wool
- Regular fit
- Made in Italy
Drakeโs Ribbed Merino Donegal Knit Cap
Letโs not sugarcoat it: for a lot of people, even a hundred bones seems like a lot to spend on a knitted covering for your head. But, in the realm of quality winter accessories โ the kind you buy once and then enjoy for a decade โ youโll be hard-pressed to do better than this knit cap from Drakes.
The beloved British haberdasher has leveraged its relationship with some of the finest textile factories in Scotland to bring buyers these Donegal-style tweeds, typified by a thick knit gauge and lightly speckled weave.
In the navy colourway, the effect is subtle enough that it goes unnoticed at a distance. That said, if you want the flecked quality to be more readily apparent, the grey and light green colourways are both good options.
Details:
- 100% Merino wool
- Speckled โDonegalโ yarn
- Available in multiple (8) colourways
- Made in Scotland
If youโve enjoyed this shortlist of our favourite menโs beanies and winter caps, here are a couple more of our favourite style stories to keep you reading:
