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The Best Beanie

Last updated on October 7, 2021
Best Beanie

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When it comes to winter gear, beanies are a great addition to the regular uniform of winter jacket, gloves and scarf. Beanies are form-fitting and provide an extra layer of warmth when temperatures begin dropping. Of course, they are also quite stylish and do an excellent job of complementing your cold-weather wardrobe.

As you shop for the perfect beanie, consider fit first. Many of these hats are sold as one size fits most and made from 100% acrylic, which is known for being stretchy. Others list a head circumference or hat circumference range in both inches and centimeters, so you can easily measure your head and compare it to the chart.

A beanie’s primary function is to keep you warm when the wind is blustery and the temperatures drop below a comfortable level, so a double-layered knit beanie is an excellent choice. Others feature an external layer of knitted cotton yarn and an internal lining made of soft cashmere. In addition to providing warmth, this option is also skin-friendly, which is great if you have sensitive skin.

Next, consider your preferred style. There are rib-knit cuff beanies, some of which have cuffs as high as 8 inches. Others don’t have a defined cuff, but allow you to fold them up to a height of your liking. Another option is to go with a beanie that is slouchy with a cross-basket knit design. This style gives the appearance that the hat has been hand-woven.

Don’t forget to consider any extras that make one beanie stand out from another. For example, some beanies come with an embroidered logo. There are even beanies that come in dozens of color choices, such as cobalt blue, bright lime, orange, heather gray and coffee. With this many options, you won’t have any trouble finding beanies to match your outfits.

Our Picks For The Top Beanies

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Product Overview
Our Take
 Our Favorite Pick

Carhartt Rib-Knit Beanie

Don't Waste Your Money Seal of Approval

Carhartt

Rib-Knit Beanie

This stylish beanie has a wide cuff and is constructed from 100% rib-knit acrylic, which is both warm and durable. The hat is one-size-fits-most and stretchable to conform to each individual for a perfect fit every time.

Overall Take

Multiple Color OptionsYou'll find this beanie comes in an impressive 38 color choices, including cobalt blue, jasper and bright lime.

 Best Basic

Champion One-Size Roll-Cuff Beanie

Champion

One-Size Roll-Cuff Beanie

If you're searching for a gender-neutral beanie, this hat is an excellent choice. It's made with a ribbed design and roll-cuff, which add style and warmth. The material is 100% acrylic and stretches to fit most head circumferences.

Overall Take

Great DesignThis beanie looks great whether you're out running errands or taking a nature hike with a few friends.

 Best for Style

Vgogfly Lined Slouchy Beanie

Vgogfly

Lined Slouchy Beanie

Charming is the best word to describe this beanie, which is warm, soft and slouchy. Although the hat is made using a thick, skin-friendly cotton material, it's still lightweight. The beanie is designed to fit both men and women and comes in a choice of 20 fun colors.

Overall Take

Fuzzy Inner MaterialThis beanie features an attractive knitted cotton yarn with a soft inner cashmere lining.

 We Also Like

Connectyle Cuffed Ribbed-Knit Beanie

Connectyle

Cuffed Ribbed-Knit Beanie

Stay nice and toasty when the weather turns cold with this beanie. It's knitted and double-layered for all-day warmth. There are 22 different colors to choose from, including coffee, charcoal gray, bright blue, hot pink and purple.

Overall Take

Economical OptionThanks to the affordability of this beanie, you'll be able to get more than one color.

What to Look For

  • Always check the beanie’s product label before cleaning, as many are listed as hand-wash only. Others may allow for machine washing using the cold cycle and drying with the tumble dry low-heat setting.
  • Beanies that must be hand washed will also need to be reshaped and laid out flat to dry. You can stuff balls of newspaper inside the beanie to accomplish this task.
  • It can be helpful to check reviews to determine whether the hat fits as expected, or runs too big or too small. Some may even indicate whether the hat stands too tall. Of course, many companies provide a head circumference guide that you can reference before you buy.
  • Today, you can actually purchase a beanie with built-in headphones. The headphones pair with Bluetooth, so you can listen to music while you work, exercise or go for a jog.
  • You can wear your beanie under a hoodie or hooded jacket for added warmth. and protection from the wind It’s best to choose a lightweight hat, instead of a thick beanie, when doubling up.
  • Beanies make excellent Christmas, birthday and back-to-school gifts. They’re also small enough to fit in a stocking.

More to Explore

Did you know the word “bean” was used as slang for “head” back in the 1900s? That’s how the hats we know as beanies got their name.

Some of the first people to use beanies were blue-collared workers who liked the hats because they kept their heads warm and kept their hair out of the way while they worked.

Years later, beanies become a popular choice among college students. By this point, the beanies were personalized using schools’ colors and logos.

For a short time, beanies were sold with a propeller on top, which made them marketable to children. The fad didn’t last long, however. You can still purchase a beanie with a propeller on top today, but these are more often used as part of a costume and not as a fashion choice.

In the 1990s, beanies were made from wool for the added warmth. Today, you’ll find beanies are typically constructed from synthetic materials and fleece. Fleece is an excellent choice for a variety of outdoor winter sports, as it offers warmth, softness and natural moisture-wicking properties.

More to explore