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The best winter hats for 2025, tried and tested – CNN
May
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Best winter hat: Carhartt Knit Cuffed Beanie
Best warm winter hat: Fjällräven Heavy Beanie
Once there is even the slightest crispness in the air, you can guarantee that I’m wearing my warmest winter gloves and putting on the best winter hat to keep me cozy. Maybe the hat’s lined, perhaps it’s got a brim, but no matter the features, I’ll have something on my head whenever the weather is colder and the snow is falling.
To help you find the best winter hat for you, I tested 15 different options this winter as I adventured around Boulder, Colorado, doing all sorts of activities — my daily work as an outside forest school teacher, slow walks with my sniffing puppy, sweaty runs on the local trails and early mornings skiing on the slopes. I analyzed each hat’s warmth and comfort, but also how well they fit, their general build and quality, and how they look from the trails to the town. After many hours outside in various winter temperatures and weather elements, two hats stood out.
The classic Knit Cuffed Beanie by Carhartt is double layered, so it is warmer than other beanies. It’s held up after years of wearing, but it definitely has a workwear aesthetic
The Fjällräven Heavy Beanie is a double-layered, knit wool beanie that fully covers your ears and keeps your head warm from chilly temperatures. It’s naturally moisture-wicking and odor resistant and comes in a classic, cuffed style that you can sport on the trails or out on the town.
I’ve had this classic Carhartt Knit Cuffed Beanie for about four years now, and I immediately knew it needed to be included in testing as it has been a go-to of mine for many different outdoor situations. Overall, it tested better than the other hats in almost all areas, standing out in its warmth, style and affordability.
The Carhartt Knit Cuffed Beanie is only $20 in 17 colors and $12 for discontinued colors. The beanie comes in bright colors like orange and lime green; neutrals like black, tan, gray and blue; and other options that include a soft pink, sandstone, sage and bright lavender. It is a one-size-fits-all hat but offers good stretch to fit various head sizes. It’s a longer length too, so folks with larger heads can have hats that fits close to the head like a regular beanie, while those with smaller heads will have some extra material on top.
The ribbed knit hat is made from a thick acrylic material, so it’s stretchy but also holds its shape. Even after many years of wearing this winter hat and many washes in the machine, this hat has never lost its shape. It’s a durable hat that I’ve worn on fall and winter hikes and to work, where I’ve snagged it on tree branches or gotten it caught on some Velcro. The only change I’ve noticed over the years is a bit of pilling, but it’s nothing that is particularly obvious. The shape and fit have stayed the same, so I can still wear it for hours without any aches or pressure points to my ears or hair.
Unlike some of the other beanies I tested, this winter cap offers full coverage to protect against the elements, as the long cuff covered my entire ears. Because of the double-knitted layer, it was also more protective against wind and cold temperatures than some of the single-layer hats.
I’ve paired this hat with jeans and cute sweaters for a night out, as it complements an outfit with a more rugged, workwear vibe. I’ve also worn it with my ski gear or hiking puffy, and the reliable hat offers both style and functionality.
Carhartt has consistently been known for its tough and versatile gear, and this hat isn’t any different. It’s affordable, comes in many different colors and keeps you extremely warm with two layers of knitting and a thick, longer cuff.
Working outside in Colorado all year round, it is often sunny and warm, but we get our fair share of colder temperatures, heavy snowfalls and wicked winds. A warm and comfortable winter hat that I can wear for hours at a time, and in different scenarios, is a must. In all my testing, the Fjällräven Heavy Beanie came out toward the top, but it stood out the most for its warmth and overall style.
The Heavy Beanie is called just that because of its double layer of knitting with a wide folded cuff. Other knit beanies we tested were warm, but with only one layer of knitting, wind crept through. With this one, almost all wind stayed out while also allowing for some breathability, unlike the down and puffy hats, which were fully windproof but not very breathable. It’s made from wool, so it naturally wicks away moisture and insulates, even when wet. I wore this on a few easy-to-medium hikes (not too sweaty but I did have some perspiration), in light snow, in 20-degree-Fahrenheit temperatures with light breezes and on sunny 30-degree days; I was comfortable in all scenarios.
I was nervous about the wool being itchy but didn’t experience that at all. Rather, the durable and odor-resistant wool is soft without being too plush, which would make me sweat more. The wool is also sourced from traceable wool, which means that Fjällräven knows where it came from and how the animals were treated. Because of the wool knitting, you do have to hand-wash this hat, though.
The simple and clean construction of the hat is also solid. Although pompoms or buckles can add some flair, that also means more features that can break. With the Heavy Beanie, you get a classic-style hat with a large cuff and no frills. It sits close to the head and is simple enough for anyone to match with an outfit but sturdy enough to throw on during an easy hike. Color options include gray, off-white, black and dark green.
This hat comes in just one size but fits my head and others well. It was not too big or too small and stayed on as I bent down to lace up boots or pick up my dog’s ball. Plus, as the whole hat has two layers, the large cuff over the ears has four layers, so my ears had full coverage for really cold days. I didn’t experience any pressure points on my ears or near the back of my head.
Overall, the versatility of this winter hat is what made it a winner. It’s a unisex option that comes in four neutral colors, is great for colder temperatures because of its two-layer construction and fits my head well despite only one size being available. The only factor I’d change is the price, as it’s one of the more expensive options in our testing pool.
To determine the most comfortable and protective winter hat, I compared various metrics, including warmth, breathability and the ability to block wind, as well as the overall fit, style and quality of build. I also considered unique features, like brims, linings or ear flaps.
The main differentiating factor when it comes to winter hats is versatility. Sure, each winter hat should keep your head warm, but the style and features vary from hat to hat. Below are a few categories of winter hats that we tested.
Beyond the specific type of winter hat you opt for, it’s important to consider where and in what elements you’ll be using it. If you live in a climate that will be very cold with little to no sun, a classic beanie is a good option. Some beanies are lined for extra warmth and wind protection, while others are double layered or made from a heavier knitted stitch. These won’t protect you entirely from extreme wind, but they will offer a solid layer of warmth, and you can style them to complement a casual winter outfit.
If you plan on wearing your winter hat on really windy days or in extremely frigid temps, a down hat or a trapper-style hat will offer the most protection. Down or puffy hats, especially lined ones, will be more wind-resistant than knitted ones, but they offer the least breathability. With a trapper hat, you also get the added feature of securing the hat below your chin for the utmost ear protection. A puffy hat will look athletic and adventurous compared to a beanie, while a trapper hat will have some interesting style points and uniqueness.
For winter running, you’ll want a lightweight, breathable hat. Winter running hats should be made from a moisture-wicking material like merino wool or a synthetic material. You should avoid cotton so that if you get sweaty, you won’t get cold from a damp head.
When it comes to comfort and fit, notice how covered your ears are. We found that with some hats, the bottoms of our ears peeked out or the ear flaps weren’t tight enough to block out the cold air. Some hats are also sold as one size fits all, while a few have a small/medium or medium/large sizes, which is nice for people who don’t necessarily have an average-sized head.
Before buying a hat, also consider the build quality and overall durability. Could the pompom fall off easily? What about the knitting and material — is it catching all your dog hair or snagging on Velcro? With my winter hats, I tend to shove them into my backpack and roughly pull them out daily, so I need to know that the material won’t snag on a zipper or anything else in my pack. Similarly, I use my winter hats for various activities, from sweaty hikes or runs to complementing a sweater, so the hats also need to stay clean or odor-free after a few wears. Of the hats we tested, six were machine-washable, while the rest had to be washed by hand.
The last factor to consider is price. The winter hats we tested ranged from $20 to $80, the latter of which does feel relatively high for a smaller gear item. On average, most winter hats are priced between $30 and $40. A few have extra features, such as cinches in the back for security, holes for your ponytail or a liner for additional warmth.
If you need a winter running hat, this has sun protection, reflective details and plenty of warmth.
If you need a winter running hat, look no further. The Trailheads Trailblazer Ponytail Hat is made from an extremely soft, slightly stretchy fleece with a double layer on the dropdown ear flap. Between the ear flap and the brim with reflective details, this hat is perfect for cold weather runs when sunlight is short. The hat is machine-washable, has a hole in the back for your ponytail and comes in seven colors. I wore this on many runs, a few hikes and on sunny days when I needed warmth and sun protection. A men’s version is available as well.
If you love a classic trapper hat, the Cragmont Fleece Trapper from The North Face is warm, soft and offers a specific look.
The North Face Cragmont Fleece Trapper hat was one of the most fun hats we tested. It’s a classic — if not slightly goofy — trapper-style hat, complete with ear flaps that can be secured below your chin or above the hat. It has a full brim for sun protection, and when I snapped the Thermoball-insulated ear flaps below my chin, my ears were almost completely protected from wind. The top and inner ear flaps are made of a textured fleece, while the inner lining is a very smooth and soft regular fleece. This was too warm for moderate hikes, but I gained funky style points whenever wearing it.
This hat wins points for style, but the ear coverage wasn’t enough to keep my entire ears warm.
The machine-washable, unisex Hicamp Fleece hat from Mountain Hardware is made of a soft fleece and has a lot of top features, but it falls short in terms of warmth. I liked the brim for sun protection and the cinch in the back to keep it tight, but the flip-down ear flaps didn’t cover my ears entirely and weren’t tight enough to block out cold air. Because of that, this is a good choice for temps that aren’t frigid (think 35 degrees Fahrenheit and up) or for activities during which you’ll be working up a bit of a sweat.
The Buff Polar Prints Beanie is made from a very soft fleece, but the overall look wasn’t standout.
The Buff Polar Prints Beanie is a very soft and minimal hat, but it didn’t stand out in any of our testing categories. It is made of a very soft fleece, but wind and cold air did come through. It also comes in a few funky-colored designs and a solid black; it felt neither stylish nor athletic. The larger, full-coverage cuff did cover the entirety of my ears. This is one of the more affordable caps we tested, which is ideal for a basic winter hat.
The women’s Gretzki Beanie from Wild Rye offers a minimal, no-frills look and offers decent warmth and breathability during moderately cold days.
This women’s cuffed Wild Rye Gretzki Beanie was a close contender for our top pick. It has a minimalist, sleek look with no extra pompoms or buckles, and it comes in three colors and one size. The hat is stretchy enough to fit most heads but doesn’t have any gaps on a smaller head. It is hand-wash only, but I’d still use this hat for more hikes or other sweat-inducing activities, as it’s slimmer and more breathable than others we tested. It is only one layer, though, so don’t use it in temperatures that are too much below freezing or if your day calls for wind.
The Salty Bae beanie from The North Face is warm and cute, but I would only wear this as a style pick, not for hiking or other activities.
This women-specific, cuffed beanie is exceptionally soft, inside and outside. The outside has a textured, fuzzy appearance, while the inside is lined with a soft knit design. This construction was helpful to keep my hair from getting frizzy or staticky, so I could easily wear it out to dinner and either keep the cute hat on or pop it off and be good to go. It’s a perfect, everyday beanie when you aren’t working up a sweat.
The Snowfall Beanie is one of the cutest hats I tested and is warm too, thanks to its inner lining.
The Snowfall Beanie from Helly Hansen has a slightly different look than other classic beanies we tested, as it has a faux-fur pompom and is not cuffed. Overall, the warmth of this hat was solid, even during colder or windy days, as it has a knitted outside and a soft inner lining. The hat covered my ears past my earlobes, which I prefer for more extreme temperatures. Because of the faux-fur pompom, this hat must be hand-washed. Also, given the inner lining, this was too hot for hikes and a sweaty outing seemed like it could wear out fabric quicker than some other hats tested.
The mixed styles of this hat — puffy, faux fur and cuffed — make it very cute, but the pompom fell off within a few uses.
The women’s Puffer Pom Hat is a top seller every year for L.L.Bean. It is a one-size-fits-all hat that comes in four colors. The look is fun, combining basic winter hat elements, like a faux-fur pompom, a knitted cuff and puffy PrimaLoft-insulated baffles. With the insulated outer and soft, plush lining, this hat was warm and protected me against the wind, but I would have preferred the knitted cuff to come down more over my earlobes for full coverage. Although the hat is stylish and warm, it is not breathable, and the pompom fell off after just a few in-and-outs of my backpack.
We found the classic cuffed and pompom sporting beanie to be too itchy.
The cuffed Snow Crystal Beanie from Prana is a classic, unisex beanie with a chunky knit pattern. It comes in one size and color, and has a pompom for added flair. Although this hat is warm, it has only one layer of knitting, so wind and cold air still seeped through. It also was a bit itchy on the forehead and works best for everyday wear, not hiking or other winter activities.
Although this hat is very warm, it’s quite pricey and a bit goofy looking.
I love a wonky pair of sunglasses or an outlandish hat, but the Expedition Down Heater by Fjällräven was too much for me style-wise. It’s a trapper cut with ear flaps and a brim, but the whole thing is made with down padding, so it’s very puffy. Because of its down filling, however, it is certainly warm and blocks some wind. Other features include an inner lining of soft, recycled polyester and two sizes for a good fit. Plus, the whole thing is machine-washable, while many of the beanies we tested are not. If you don’t care about style and need a very warm, very protective hat, this is your go-to.
A warm and packable hat, the Orvis Pro Insulated Beanie is not quite as versatile as others.
Opt for the Orvis Pro Insulated Beanie if you need warm but lightweight and packable protection. It has 80 grams of PrimaLoft Gold Active Insulation but is not built like a puffy, down jacket, so it’s not as loud against the ears. Instead, it sits on the head more like a beanie, but because of the insulation and liner, it’s also moisture-wicking and breathable — perfect for hikes or hunting. It’s also wind- and water-resistant and was perfect for stuffing in my pocket on the ski slopes. Although this offers great protection, this was one of the more boring styles of hats tested.
The Coldfront Down Beanie is extremely warm and does block wind, but the material is too loud against the ears.
I had high hopes for the puffy, lightweight Coldfront Down Beanie from Outdoor Research in terms of its warmth — which was great — but I did not enjoy wearing it because of how loud the material was against my ears. The beanie is made from recycled materials and responsibly sourced down insulation to create an extra-warm and wind-resistant hat. That’s all great, except having the puffy material right against my ear was like having a sleeping bag crinkling right by my face whenever I took a step. The hat is wind- and water-resistant, so it protected me fully during windy morning dog walks (and even felt a bit sweaty, as the breathability is lacking), and this can easily be shoved in a small pocket if I don’t need it. It comes in two sizes and is machine-washable.
For extreme temperatures in sunny conditions, the puffy Ghost Whisperer Cap will keep you warm, but it is a bit noisy against the ears.
This was another puffy hat that although it did have some useful extra features, like a small brim for a bit of sun protection and a soft inner elastic band for a secure fit, the puffy material next to my ears was too loud. However, if you need supreme warmth, the Ghost Whisperer Cap can provide that. It kept me warm in windy conditions at 20 below zero, thanks to its 800-fill goose down. It’s lightweight and packable for whatever cold weather adventure you head out on.
If you need a windproof winter hat, a down beanie is the best option. If you need warmth but not wind protection, most classic winter beanies are made of wool or synthetic material like polyester. Wool is naturally moisture-wicking and odor-resistant, while synthetic material is quick-drying and often more affordable than wool.
A lightweight, breathable and moisture-wicking hat is ideal for running or sweat-inducing activities. If you need a hat with full coverage for windy conditions, opt for a down-filled puffy hat or a trapper hat with ear flaps that can be secured under your chin. For everyday wear, choose a classic beanie. Some are lined or double layered for extra warmth, while others are single layered and perfect for moderately cold temperatures.
They can be, but not all have the best vibe to pair with an outfit. A regular knit beanie is the best option to wear while going out, while puffy hats, trapper hats or winter running hats are more functional than stylish.
CNN Underscored editors thoroughly test all the products we cover and provide full transparency about how we test them. We have an experienced team of writers and editors who have many years of testing experience and ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted.
CNN contributor Mattie Schuler specializes in the outdoors, adventure gear and travel, fitness and health, as well as education and parenting. For this story, she tested all 15 winter hats and pitted them against one another to find the absolute best.
Note: The prices above reflect the retailers’ listed price at the time of publication.
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