The 11 Best Beanies for Men That’ll Keep Winter at Bay

The perfect beanie to match your favorite pair of work boots. Yeah, it’s Timbs season. This one is sturdy and tough, with a ribbed design that our editors love—no more chasing your beanie down the block on a windy day. It’s at a great price, too, with Amazon Prime’s speedy shipping coming in clutch. Snug, warm, and machine-washable, this is a winter essential.

We’ve been helping our readers buy beanies for years (decades if you count Esquire Magazine) and for the last couple this has been the one our readers have flocked to. It’s all about balance. This beanie is not too thick but keeps your head and ears warm. It stretches enough to accommodate most head sizes and hair lengths. And you really can’t go wrong with the classic folded over Fisherman style.

As we’ve already told you, if you’re looking for peak softness, go cashmere. J Crew’s cashmere beanie is chic and elegant, with fine ribbing and no visible branding or logos. That’s why it’s our favorite option. It’s as soft, versatile, and functional as you’d expect from the brand, too, with a lightweight feel that’s perfect for braving any weather. For cashmere, it’s also remarkably affordable (especially right now at 34 percent off).

Made from 100 percent wool, this thick, durable watch cap is made in the U.S.A. and manufactured to US military standards. McGuire is a military surplus store made for supplying vets and current military servicepeople, so you’ll be getting this stuff cheap and well-made. But you don’t have to be going to serve a tour of duty to benefit from the hats. You can just buy one.

This is almost a gimme. Like, if you don’t have one of these already can you even call yourself a beanie guy? The Carhartt Knit Cuffed Beanie might be the most ubiquitous winter hat on the market right now. That’s because it’s soft, weather resistant, and will fit most anyone’s head. Don’t discount that there are something like 20 different color options. Oh, and most importantly, it’s 20 bucks. That’s why everybody has one.

Made from polyester and wool, this beanie is the ultimate in-betweener. It’s warm but not too warm, lightweight but not too lightweight. And it’s from Arc’teryx, the cold-weather performance-gear brand our editors love. Talk about a happy medium.

Our commerce editor Luke Guillory loves Brooks Brothers. He wears this sweater almost every week when the season demands. You can trust ’em for warm clothes you will want to wear again and again, and this beanie is no exception. It’s supremely comfortable, just thinking about it gives us the warm fuzzies. And we can’t complain about the style and fit either. It’s versatile and fashionable in addition to snug, yet breathable.

From the cashmere icons at Falconeri, this is going to keep your ears chicly toasty all winter. Our editors agree: This is one of the softest beanies on the market. The cashmere construction offers plenty of warmth, too, and the ribbed cuff is there for a secure fit.

Few brands can handle the great outdoors as well as TNF—especially in winter. This beanie is your secret weapon for the season, with its recycled fabric, cuffed style, and shallow fit designed to sit closely on your head. It’s soft, breathable, and versatile, whether you’re going into the office or embarking on a snowy adventure.

The chill skate culture of South Central L.A. knows a thing or two about crafting the perfect beanie. This is a style you’ll get use out of year-round—not just in winter. It has a classic look, plenty of colors to choose from, and an acrylic construction that’s versatile and warm.

Barbour has been making sturdy and stylish outdoorsy gear for well over a century. And this chunky knit beanie—with a furry pom-pom, of course—is the best way to telegraph your approval. It’s warm, it’s cozy, and it’s just damn wintery.