As winter approaches, one of the major concerns you might have is how to hike in the cold and still keep your head warm. Hiking is fun, relaxing, and healthy, but hiking in the cold is none of these things if you don’t prepare for it. To enjoy hiking in the cold, you will need to arm yourself with the perfect beanie. This will protect your head from the cold and keep you warm. One thing to note is that not every beanie you find in the store is suitable for hiking during winter. This review gives you the best beanie’s for hiking.
What to Consider When Buying
First and foremost, you need to know the exact qualities to look out for when shopping for your hiking beanie.
Material
When shopping for the best beanie for hiking, you should look out for one that has good insulation, keeps you warm, dries quickly and is breathable. There is a wide range of materials to pick from. You can get a beanie made of polyester fleece, Merino wool, regular wool, fur, blended fibers or acrylic.
Depending on your inclinations, all these materials have their pros and cons. The synthetic material is cheaper than the Merino wool material. It also easy to wash compared to the Merino wool and dries much faster. A beanie made of Merino wool on the other hand will give you more warmth even if it is wet. It also has a soft feel when you touch it, and is odor resistant.
Regular wool is durable, can remain dry, is warm and is stretchable. Acrylic hats on the other hand are light, will keep you warm, and is also soft to touch. If you react to wool material then this is a perfect substitute material for you. A beanie made of blended fiber such as acrylic and wool will have more insulation and more stable.
Durability
Whichever material you settle for, beanie should be made of strong material. With a very strong material, it can withstand being washed on a regular basis and not wear out. You should also pay attention to the stiches used to make the beanie. They should be study. Bottom line, the beanie you pick for your hiking expedition should be durable to avoid buying one every now and then.
Comfort
Comfort should top your list when it comes to any outdoor activity, hiking included. Remember that you might be on the trail the whole day or a couple of days. When shopping for a beanie, ensure that the one you pick provides you enough comfort to avoid making your hiking trip a nightmare.
Antimicrobial
If your hiking trips take more than a day then it means you will be wearing the same beanie the whole time. Recycling your beanie for a couple of days without washing it means that you need to look out for one that is antimicrobial. An antimicrobial beanie makes it odorless thus making it last fresh for long. Merino wool material is naturally antimicrobial. Polyester materials van be treated to make them odorless, too.
The Top Beanies for Hiking – Table
Product | Material Quality | Style Rating | Our Rating | Buy Here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
  Under Armour ColdGear Infrared Elements Storm Beanie | ||||
  SIGGI Unisex Winter Wool Knit Cable Cuff Visor Beanie Hat​ | ||||
  Smartwool NTS Mid 250 Cuffed Beanie​ |
Hiking Beanie Reviews in Detail
Under Armour ColdGear Infrared Elements Storm Beanie
Outdoor Veteran Rating: Great
Price: 
Bottom Line: With UA stormy technology, DWR finishing and ultra-soft fleece, the Under Armour beanie has great reviews on Amazon. It offers great comfort and durability, this is a popular beanie for a reason!
The Lowdown
Durability
This beanie is made from tough materials meaning it is very durable and will last years
Material
Top quality materials with DWR (Durable Water Repellent) gives this beanie a great look and makes it functional
Value for money
It’s a slightly high priced beanie but considering the quality and durability to last years it is well worth the money
Comfort
This is a really comfortable beanie due to the way it’s made and the quality materials used
Pros
- It has a soft texture
- It is very warm
- The SWR technology makes it water resistant
- It is very comfortable
Cons
- Has a small fit making it difficult to wear especially if you have long hair
Under Armour ColdGear Infrared Elements Storm Beanie Review
The Under Armour beanie incorporates Cold-Gear technology and has thermo-conductive fiber. The Cold-Gear technology is popular because of it gives the beanie an outstanding weight to warmth proportion. The thermos-conductive fiber on the other hand will keep your body warmer.
Additionally, the fabric is also made of Durable Water Repellant (DWR) treatment. This makes this a perfect choice than most of the available beanies since it will keep you protected from getting wet if it is raining.
The material used in making this beanie is durable and also absorbs moisture. Unlike Merino wool, the fabric, however, is not odorless. It also has a soft feel to touch, which is one of the best things most reviewers love about it.
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SIGGI Unisex Winter Wool Knit Cable Cuff Visor Beanie Hat
Outdoor Veteran Rating: Great
Price: 
Bottom Line: This SIGGI winter wool beanie will give your ears perfect warmth, and protect your eyes from the sun and snow with its long visor. Overall, it is a great beanie that will fit any hikers needs.
The Lowdown
Durability
This beanie is made from a mix of materials making it very durable and able to last years
Material
The beanie is made from a blend of fabrics – 31%wool 12%nylon 57%acrylic.
Value for money
The price is low for such good quality so it is really good value for money
Comfort
It feels nice to wear, it is very warm so you would only wear it when it’s really cold out
Pros
- It is very warm
- Pulls down well to keep your ears warm
- High quality construction
Cons
- Fits a bit small
SIGGI Unisex Winter Wool Knit Cable Cuff Visor Beanie Hat Review
This is one of the best beanies for your hiking expeditions especially if you are worried about your ears. It can be pulled down over your ears to keep them warm when needed.
This beanie’s design ranks high in the market and even on Amazon reviews due to its premium quality and unique design.
With its thick wool, you will be warm in the coldest temperatures. This beanie is also designed to help protect your eyes form the sun, wind, snow and other elements. This is because it has long visor that is strong.
It is advisable to hand wash it with cool water and dry it out in the air instead of using a dryer.
Smartwool NTS Mid 250 Cuffed Beanie
Outdoor Veteran Rating: Good
Price: 
Bottom Line: This beanie has a double layer interlock knit, is made of 100% Merino wool and has a bulk free fit due to its clean finish. A great beanie for hikers
The Lowdown
Durability
Merino wool is known for its durability and this beanie is no exception
Materials
Made of 100% Merino wool this beanie is top quality
Value for money
This is priced in the mid range, it’s not as expensive as the under armour beanie above but not quite as good quality
Comfort
The Merino wool and its double knit construction make it very comfortable even when worn all day
Pros
- It has a great fit
- It is breathable
- It does not itch
Cons
- It is not as warm as its counterparts
Smartwool NTS Mid 250 Cuffed Beanie Review
made of 100% Merino fleece, this beanie is moisture-wicking as well as odorless. Regardless of the weather when you are hiking, it will protect you from the cold.
It has much insulation and has a roll cuff ear band. With this, even your ears are kept warm. The other good thing about this design is that it will give you an opportunity to change the fitting to your comfort.
It is also odorless making it perfect for a more than a day hiking trip. This beanie is lightweight, thin and you can also wear it under a hoodie or helmet. It is also very durable and can last you for years. When washing it is advisable to not use a dryer.
If you love choosing between colors, then this beanie will give you a chance to choose between black, charcoal, orange, and olive.
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Final Note
Shopping for the best beanie might be difficult but with an Under Armour beanie, SIGGI and the Smart-wool options your hiking experience will not be a nightmare because of the cold. These three will provide you with the best comfort, warmth, and durability. Regardless of having pros of their own, they all have many pros which will be advantageous to you.
