Before you say anything, don’t 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 — 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.
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The 6 Best Beanies For Men Right Now
Patagonia ‘Brodeo’ Beanie
DETAILS
- ‘Fun hogs’ armadillo patch
- Recycled wool/nylon blend
- Fair Trade Certified™
- Made in Vietnam
Part of Patagonia’s suitably robust ‘Brodeo’ 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 brand’s universe, the product itself is only half of the equation — 1% of what you end up paying goes to environmental conservation.
The ‘Brodeo’ is available in a range of equally versatile, trend-proof colourways but this variation’s combination of dusty berry red and illustrated armadillo logo makes for the best option alongside the widest possible range of outfits.
MUJI Non-Itchy Wool Ribbed Beanie
DETAILS
- 100% wool
- Inside forehead cotton-lined
- Available in multiple (7) colourways
Famed for its exhaustive selection of clothing, stationary and homewares, it won’t 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 men’s 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.
Brut ‘Commando’ Watch Cap
DETAILS
- Small-to-size
- Inspired by 1940s fishermen caps
- Available in multiple (10) colourways
- Made in France
Parisian “utility clothing” specialist Brut’s main bag has always been reworked and upcycled outerwear with stellar provenance, but — luckily for us — they also know a thing or two about high-quality accessories. The ‘Commando’ is a really fabulous example.
Modelled closely after a style favoured by Provencal fishermen in the 1940s, the short pattern of this beanie means that they will feel small-to-size when you initially put them on. That, in typical Brut fashion, is no accident.
After a few days of wear, the fibres will stretch and soften resulting in a very comfortable fit that hugs the crown of your head. This jade green colourway we’ve settled on delivers a jolt of colour during the autumnal months, though the orange or baby blue are equally enticing.
Snow Peak Pe/Co Knit Cap
DETAILS
- Roll-style construction
- 65% polyester/35% cotton
- Quick-drying
- Made in Vietnam
If you’ve 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 aren’t content to stop there, and this ‘Pe/Co’ 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.
Auralee Brushed Super Kid Mohair Beanie
DETAILS
- 60% kid mohair, 40% wool
- Shaggy yarn throughout
- Ribbed brim
- Made in Japan
A little loosey-goosey option that is even better if you’re looking for a beanie with unisex appeal, this brushed cap (from cult label Auralee) is knit with South African super-kid mohair — an ultra-soft variety that retains the fabric’s trademark warmth and visibly fuzzy texture.
The natural colour, here described as “beige”, makes for a neat finishing touch to sartorial ensembles.
Unlike the caps we chose to showcase from camper favourites including Patagonia and Snow Peak, this particular beanie would work well with the blazer & button-down crowd. Indeed, maybe even a polo coat.
Drakes Ribbed Merino Donegal Knit Cap
DETAILS
- 100% Merino wool
- Speckled ‘Donegal’ yarn
- Available in multiple (8) colourways
- Made in Scotland
Let’s 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 — the kind you buy once and then enjoy for a decade — you’ll 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 navy, 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.
If you’ve enjoyed this shortlist of our favourite men’s beanies and winter caps, here are a couple more of our favourite style stories to keep you reading:
