Winter hat recommendation ...down??

[saltysack]

Can't find a quality beanie that feels good and warm...have a patagonia fleece beanie I like but doesn't cover my ears. Any users of down beanies have feedback?? I thought that down beanies would be too hot to wear while hiking. Would like one to hike and sleep in when temps warrant.


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[Likeapuma]

A down beanie would be fine for sleeping, but between the heat & sweat, you might just want a fleece beanie while walking. I got a light fleece been in, EMS brand, on sale for cheap. Has worked great down below zero, as long as you're moving.

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[10-K]

This is what I wear - hiking and sleeping. A USN wool watch cap. Even works when it gets wet, and cheap.

http://www.amazon.com/Rothco-Genuine.../dp/B000LK1VYS

[Meriadoc]

I wouldn't wear down for hiking. For sleeping there are some that the folks over on hammockforums swear by. The name is escaping me at the moment. Wait, I think it is Black Rock. I have no experience with down hats. For camp in very cold weather my down jacket has a down hood.

Shoveling, hiking, and sleeping I like this hat made from windproof fabric:
http://www.outdoorresearch.com/en/ac...rek-hat-6.html
Otherwise, a wool watch cap is perfect and cheap and usually stretchy!

[aficion]

Poly or wool toboggan. Fits in pocket, can be pulled over ears or not, wicks away moisture, warm when wet,
can be worn under hood of rain jacket, poncho, insulated jacket, or sleeping bag. Perfect.

[Alligator]

Does your current hat have any kind of windblocker layer?

Also, if your head is cold while hiking you may need layers elsewhere. Neck gaiter might be helpful too, or a balaclava.

[LIhikers]

Can't find a quality beanie that feels good and warm...have a patagonia fleece beanie I like but doesn't cover my ears.

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Consider wearing a stretch hat over a headband.

[Mags]

Any wool, fleece or even acrylic beanie should be fine. I personally don't like wind block garments of any sort, but that's just me. A wool watch cap like 10k uses is less than $10, the newer fleece version is also less than $10 and truck stops/gas stations/grocery stores also often sell acrylic hats for less than $10 as well this time of the year. (Probably not it in Fla though. )

If you really want full on weather protection, consider getting a polypro balaclava in addition to the beanie. Light, inexpensive and versatile. It is a piece of gear I use in all four seasons.

[Feral Bill]

Classic wool balaclava. Used for serious winter weather for many decades.

[leaftye]

Blackrock Gear makes a down beanie with silnylon on the inside.

My favorite was a Rayway bomber hat. I don't need it while hiking, but it'd get put on as soon as I stopped for any reason.

[bert304]

Go on Amazon and look up Turtle Fur. The hats are long enough to cover your ears. They are made of fleece

[tolowo80]

My suggestion would be wool.. Smart Wool cuffed beanie or Wigwam wool watch cap.. the smart wool is new school and streamline the wigwam is an old school army style hat but works. But are under $30

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[RockDoc]

If it's cold we use icebreaker merino wool balaclavas for hiking, camping, or sleeping. End of problem.

[booney_1]

Ear bands + wool/fleece cap. My ears are pretty sensitive and if it's windy, I really like extra coverage. You also have flexibility. For real cold you wear earband + cap, if you start to get warm (like on a climb), remove cap, but keep ear band. My favorite hat has windstopper built in. (wore it today while running around sunset, it was nippy around 28 deg and windy, but I felt fine)

[4eyedbuzzard]

Mountain Hardware Dome Perignon windblock fleece. Carry during colder weather and year round above timberline.
Also carry a very lightweight poly balaclava all the time that can be rolled up as a watch cap / sleeping cap in the summer.

[Chubbs4U]

http://www.blackrockgear.com/hat_splash.html

How can you go wrong?

[Tipi Walter]

Go on Amazon and look up Turtle Fur. The hats are long enough to cover your ears. They are made of fleece

My current tuque or toboggan of choice is a Turtle Fur hat and they make several sizes of fleece hats.

If it's cold we use icebreaker merino wool balaclavas for hiking, camping, or sleeping. End of problem.

Yup, my go-to balaclava for winter is the Icebreaker midweight although it fits a little snug.

I use a three hat system in the winter---the balaclava first, then the Turtle Fur on top, and in extreme conditions have a down hood to my parka which can be used unsnapped and used separately if things get strange.


Here's the Icebreaker balaclava in action---oh and it matches the Icebreaker tops.

[saltysack]

Thx all just ordered turtle fur $16 free 2 day shipping...blaze orange...like the BRG down Bernie's but $85 too steep for me


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[Shonryu]

I always carry a bandanna so I consider it as an additional option of I need to keep warm. But I usually use a Mont Bell balaclava, Mount Hardwear Micro Dome Fleece, and a Black Rock limited edition something with the silnylon inside. If I need more warmth I'll add my bandanna. Every minus the bandanna is under 3oz if I remember correctly. I will also some time carry my Mountain Hardwear Rappel if needed.

[saltysack]

Tipi
Used my new turtle fur on a run in 35 deg and strong wind tonight on a beach run...wow can't believe how worm and comfortable..thx for rec I see campmor has them for under $10 now...going to order a few more!


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