As soon as the temperature starts to drop, the EG crew reaches for their cold-weather staples: Jackets, overcoats, and layers.
But to really stay warm while looking good, we always keep a range of beanies close at hand, too.
In this guide to the best beanies for men, we’re going to give you an insider’s look at the whole spectrum of beanies — from the extremely affordable and utilitarian to the pricey and luxurious, and everything in between.
Our Picks: The 16 Best Beanies for Men
So without further ado, here’s the best darned beanies on the planet.
- Patagonia Everyday Beanie
- Huckberry Beanie
- Carhartt Knit Cuffed Beanie
- United By Blue Reversible Beanie
- Topo Designs Watch Cap
- Fjallraven Byron Hat
- Nobis Elain Knit Toque
- United By Blue Chevron Birdseye Pom Beanie
- Wills Hand Knit Cashmere Wool Beanie
- Holden Cashmere Cuff Beanie
- Wills Cashmere Ribbed Beanie
- J.Crew Cashmere Beanie
- Everlane Cashmere Rib Beanie
- Todd Snyder Drake’s Beanie
- Patagonia Powder Town Beanie
- Filson Watch Cap Beanie
Patagonia is one of our go-to brands for functional yet fashionable clothing. Their Everyday Beanie is a perfect example — it’s textured knit construction holds its shape really well, and the cuff can be worn up in warmer weather or down to cover your ears in the cold.
Plus it’s Fair Trade certified and made from recycled materials, so you can feel great about where your money’s going.
The classic fisherman style for Huckberry’s beanie means it’s always going to be in style, and a deep range of 10 colors to choose from lets you customize it to suit your outfits. Acrylic, wool, nylon, and spandex in the fabric give it a high-performance look and feel, all while keeping your noggin’ super warm through the winter.
Looking for an affordable and utilitarian beanie for everyday wear? Carhartt is the way to go.
Their Knit Cuffed Beanie is available in a huge range of colors, and the rib knit acrylic fabric will stay snug on your head. It’s our go-to pick for a hard-wearing beanie under $20.
With every item you buy from United By Blue, you’re contributing to the maintenance and revitalization of our oceans and waterways. That’s awesome in and of itself, but the design of their reversible beanie makes it an even better choice. The recycled polyester construction and contrasting tones combine to make it both cozy and good looking.
With a classic and simple design and super soft acrylic knit, Topo Designs’ Watch Cap is a strong competitor for the best utilitarian beanie. Even though it’s made in the USA, it comes in at just over $20 — and it’s thick enough to keep your head warm all winter long.
Though better known for their tiny backpacks, Fjallraven has a pretty cool selection of outerwear and accessories, too. Their Byron hat is made entirely from wool, and given a heavy-duty double knit construction that helps it to keep its shape wear after wear.
The outerwear designers over at Nobis know a thing or two about dressing for the cold — they are from Canada, after all. And their Elain Knit Toque does a great job of keeping a slim style while remaining warm because of its tight knitting. And it has a lifetime guarantee, too.
Another great option from United By Blue, their Chevron Birdseye Pom Beanie has that classic ski lodge look and feel. It’s fun and stylish, and the ribbed-knit cuff can fold over for extra protection when your ears get cold.
With cashmere beanies, we get into the territory of soft, luxurious, and higher-dollar stuff. Wills is a fully hand-knit cashmere wool beanie, making it one of the softest and warmest accessories you can put on your head.
A classic look is merged with a softer and more modern feel in Holden’s Cashmere Cuff Beanie. Its wool and cashmere blend is made in a rib-knit pattern, and the heavy cuffed hem gives you plenty of room to customize its fit.
Want a fabric that will keep you really warm? Look towards what they wear in the coldest places on Earth — like Mongolia.
Wills’s Cashmere Ribbed Beanie is made from Mongolian cashmere and a touch of wool for structure, giving it excellent temperature regulating properties and long-lasting durability.
All eight vibrant colors for the J.Crew Cashmere Beanie are soft as heck, with a relaxed fit and feel that keeps its shape well over time. Barron has been wearing this one for years, and it’s definitely EG approved.
Made from top-grade cashmere with a judicious addition of elastane and nylon, Everlane’s Cashmere Rib Beanie is an accessory that looks as great as it performs. And since it’s made from Mongolian cashmere, it’ll just keep getting softer the more you wear it.
Available in merino wool or classic lambswool, the Drake’s Beanies from Todd Snyder are some of the warmest on this list. The full wool construction is put together by hand in Scotland, and it’s remarkably efficient at regulating your temperature — never too hot, never too cold.
One look at the pom will clue you in that Patagonia’s Powder Town Beanie is full-on retro ski lodge style. It’s Fair Trade Certified and woven from 100% recycled polyester, with a heavy-duty knit cuff that’s guaranteed to keep you warm.
The US-made Filson Watch Cap Beanie is woven from entirely US-sourced virgin wool, making it exceptionally breathable and moisture-wicking.
It’s a fine blend of fashion, durability, and function, and we’ll always be happy to wear one.
Answering your FAQs About Men’s Beanies
And to wrap things up, let’s take a look at some of the questions we hear from guys when they’re picking out beanies.
Are beanies in style for 2021?
At this point, beanies have been around for long enough that they’ve transcended the usual fashion cycles.
How you can fashionably wear a beanie might change from year to year, but if you stick with wearing it like a standard beanie, you’re good to go.
What kind of beanie is the warmest?
The thicker the fabric used for a beanie, the warmer it will be. So on the affordable end, a thick and heavy-duty cotton beanie will be the warmest.
But if you’re willing to spend a little bit more, a heavy wool or cashmere beanie will be both warmer and more breathable than cotton.
How do you pick a beanie?
Here at EG, we like our beanies to keep their shape — both when we’re wearing them, and when we store them away after the winter.
The knit should be thick enough to hold a nice roundness when you’re wearing them; we recommend avoiding thin, flimsy, and limp beanies.
Should a beanie cover your ears?
It depends on how cold you are! If it’s really freezing outside, you’ll definitely want your beanie to cover your ears.
But you can also wear it higher up on your head or double-cuffed to show off a different style.
Which brand has the best beanies?
If you’re looking for a rough and ready, utilitarian beanie, Carhartt is a great choice. So is Topo Design.
For something on the nicer end, consider J.Crew, Drake’s, or Wills cashmere beanies.
Do you have a favorite beanie on this list?
A beanie can amplify your winter look, all while keeping your head nice and warm. Whether you’re looking for utilitarian or cashmere, there’s a beanie for you.
Do you have a favorite beanie from our list? Let us know by hitting us up on Facebook or Instagram!