Want a hat with some real utility? Today, we’re presenting 15 cool beanies for men to help you stave off the cold, wet, windy weather. Plus, who can resist the casual appeal of a good watch cap?
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A lot of guys think they can conquer winter weather with nothing more than a hoodie. While there’s plenty of use for a good hoodie, we’re willing to bet your ears are still cold without something like a good men’s watch cap to cover them up.
Not only do beanies keep you warm, but they also offer a stylish solution to bad hair days. This is because they’re incredibly flexible stylistically–you can wear them with anything, from pajamas to blazers.
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Whether you like bold and bright colors, or just something neutral that’ll work with any outfit in your closet, the perfect beanie is out there! But how can you be sure of which one is right for you, with so many choices out there? We got you, with our ranking of the best men’s watch caps below.
The 15 Best Beanies for Men to Look Cool and Stay Warm
Regardless of what you’re looking for, there’s always a watch cap to satisfy your needs. And to make it easier for you to choose a good beanie, we’ve compiled this list of the best men’s watch caps that are warm and stylish.
1. ISTO Beanie
ISTO designed their men’s beanie not only for warmth but for style. ISTO double folded the 100% extra-fine merino wool during the making process to give the beanie a soft yet structured feel and look.
Whether you want to stay warm at night or be stylish at a party, the ISTO beanie has you covered. The three classic colors the beanie comes available in will not only match with any outfit, but will also be a statement piece all on their own.
2. EDWIN Watch Cap Beanie
Whether you’re hitting the slopes or hiking around a national park, the EDWIN Watch Cap Beanie will trap in your valuable body heat and make you look good in the process. The 100% jersey double-layer acrylic beanie comes in black and uniform green. It really is a simple yet effective design that will suit all outfits.
3. Dalgado Dante Beanie
Nothing quite says winter fashion like a chunky knit beanie. And Dalgado definitely delivered. Their 100% pure cashmere beanie is soft, warm, and sophisticated. An ideal addition to any outfit.
Also available in four other colors, Dalgado really covered all bases in their staple beanie collection. Complete the look with Dalgado’s matching Dante 100% pure cashmere scarf.
4. Unrecorded Dutch Wool Beanie Taupe
Do you have trouble finding a beanie that doesn’t itch or irritate your head? Well, Unrecorded has you covered. Their 100% Dutch merino wool beanie is non-allergenic, non-itchy, and oh so incredibly warm.
You can wear the beanie either rolled up or rolled down for a more relaxed look. It even comes in a sand color to go along with lighter winter outfits.
5. Luca Faloni Chunky Knit Cashmere Beanie
If you want to stay warm on the slopes, or traipse through the city during winter. Then you need a Chunky Knit Beanie from Luca Faloni.
With the high quality two-ply cashmere, you’ll stay warm on the coldest days. And you’ll look good while snug in your Luca Faloni beanie.
Plus it comes in navy, grey, and black. All colors can easily mix and match with whatever is currently going on inside your closet. Or, you can check out some of the matching scarves and gloves to complete the whole look.
6. Closed Pure Wool Beanie
Remaining simple, yet refined, the Pure Wool Beanie from Closed is everything you want in winter wear. Whether you’re casually sporting it around town, or pairing it with a blazer, you’ll look and feel great.
Once you take a closer look you can see just how high quality the knitting is on this beanie. We’re talking hand-finished products with impeccable attention to detail.
And there’s a removable Closed pin that you can add to your beanie. Along with three colors to choose from. Your head will thank you.
7. Percival Kaffe Forest Beanie
Don’t be too shy to add some real flare to your wardrobe! One of the easiest ways to jazz up your wardrobe without going overboard is with accessories. And headwear is a great place to start.
Thankfully Percival has made this easy for you with their Kaffe Forest Beanie.
Having a mixture of dark colors lets you effortlessly style this beanie. Because you’re likely already wearing dark color tones in the winter. Which means it won’t be too jarring for those who are timid about their flare.
8. Wahts Bowy Merino Cashmere Beanie
Looking for a beanie that keeps you warm while looking cool? Wahts Bowy Merino Cashmere Beanie has all the appeal of minimalism. And its merino cashmere knitting will keep you nice and toasty in the winter months. Plus it’s luxuriously soft.
Along with a small Wahts label, this beanie features a reverse knitted band. Which adds depth to its simplistic style.
And it comes in five colors. So, there’s something for everyone.
9. Wax London Beanie Knit Hat
Trying to stay warm, but don’t want a heavy beanie over your ears interfering with your ability to hear? Then check out Wax London and their Beanie Knit Hat.
Keeping it classic with a fisherman style beanie, your head will stay warm. But your ears will be free to listen out for oncoming traffic. Or you’ll be free to easily don a pair of headphones.
And you’ll still stay warm. Because the beanie can be pulled down slightly to cover the tips of your ears. Which gets all the important bits tucked away.
10. Wawwa Recycled Fisher
Do something good for the world while doing something good for yourself – buy a Wawwa Recycled Fisher beanie. Not only are the materials recycled, but the entire process is kind to the earth and the people living here.
Aside from being a stylish beanie, and keeping your head warm, each purchase gives a hat to someone in need.
But if that’s not good enough for you, with solar energy powering the yarn factory. And cotton from pre-consumer waste. Plus polyester from recycled plastic bottles. You won’t feel guilty for treating yourself to a nice beanie.
11. Carhartt Acrylic Knit Cuffed Beanie
Carhartt sells some of the longest-lasting, most stylish, and overall best men’s watch caps. And our pick of their stock is the Acrylic Knit Cuffed Beanie.
Made of 100% acrylic, the beanie features a rib-knit construction giving it a cozy, stretchy fit. This means you don’t have to worry about getting the perfect size for your head; it’s practically one size fits all.
Moreover, Carhartt’s watch cap works well for almost every occasion. From embarking on wilderness adventures to strolling down the city streets, this warm and comfy cold-weather essential is a perfect choice to keep your noggin toasty while looking your best.
Additionally, you don’t have to worry about missing your favorite color; the Carharrt Knit Cuffed Beanie comes in different hues ranging from alabaster heather to deep winter white, black to iron ore, and ocean blue to wine, just to mention a few. You’ll be spoilt for choice.
It’s not the cheapest beanie on the market, but we say it’s worth splurging if you’re only going to get one.
12. Columbia Men’s Whirlibird Watch Beanie Cap
Columbia Men’s Whirlibird Beanie, which comes as a classic, functional and ultra-light beanie, is renowned for its unmatched moisture wicking and heat retention properties. Being ultra-light and packable makes it a go-to-staple for outdoor enthusiasts looking to shed ounces in their pack.
Styled to mimic the traditional classy caps, this cashmere-soft acrylic beanie will keep your head warm no matter where you are. Its minimalist design features a micro-fleece liner that, in addition to feeling extra soft on your head, also provides exceptional temperature control and wearability.
Given Columbia’s known attention to detail, it’s unsurprising their best men’s watch caps built with top-shelf material and meticulous craftsmanship. The result offers lasting warmth, breathability, and comfort any day, anytime.
Depending on your color preference, you can get this classic Columbia beanie in shades of black/graphite marled, night tide, black/white, and collegiate navy.
13. Timberland Men’s Short Watch Cap
Timberland’s short watch cap fits the same mold as their tees, boots, gloves, and pants. That is to say: Timberland makes one of the best men’s watch caps around in terms of style, durability, and warmth.
This perfectly warm 100% acrylic watch cap offers a stretchy fit, but it maybe falls short of accommodating larger heads or especially bushy hair. But if it fits, you’ll love the iconic label sewn on its double-layer fold-up cuff to complete your signature Timberland look.
This classy headpiece comes in a range of colors including charcoal heather gray, dark sapphire, grape leaf, wheat, and many others besides.
14. Rothco Genuine USN Wool Beanie
If you fancy a simple 100% wool beanie that won’t leave a dent in your wallet, the Rothco Genuine USN Wool beanie is your perfect choice.
We appreciate Rothco for designing one of the best men’s watch caps to keep your head cozy even under extremely cold temperatures. We also appreciate its unmatched durability courtesy of 100% wool construction. It’s also made in the USA, which offers a level of confidence above and beyond what you’d expect in this affordable price range.
Wool is naturally moisture-wicking, meaning that even if you work up a sweat you won’t have to worry about it getting swampy under your beanie. It also means you can get away with washing it less, translating to a longer-lasting watch cap.
The USN Wool Beanie comes as an ideal option to take on challenging adventures with an added touch of style. It’s available in black, coyote, and navy blue. Top off this beanie with your favorite pair of Rothco pants, boots, and a warm parka coat, and you’re good to go.
15. Brixton Heist Beanie
If you own any outfit from Brixton, be it pants, t-shirt, or jackets, you know how cool and cozy they are. And to round-out their collection of men’s wear, they came up with the Brixton Heist Beanie. Made in America, it is the antidote to low-quality watch caps from overseas that dominate this price bracket.
Designed light but durable, this watch cap is a staple that works well for any occasion. It features 100% acrylic rib-knit construction that offers a perfect stretchy fit, yet won’t wear out fast. The Heist Beanie also sports a well-rounded crown for a low profile yet stylish look on your noggin.
Brixton offers the Heist in flexible colorways that range from bright to neutral. These include a handsome mustard, athletic orange, or city-slicking gray, black and olive hues.
16. Polo Ralph Lauren French Bulldog Cuff Hat
Polo Ralph Lauren rarely disappoints when it comes to quality and style, and their French Bulldog Cuff Hat is no exception.
Built with 100% merino wool, this watch cap offers unmatched heat retention regardless of where your adventures take you. With merino’s soft texture plus its moisture-wicking and odor-fighting properties, you’ll find the Bulldog is comfortable to wear day in and day out.
Adorning the fold-over brim is the iconic Polo logo, embroidered in full color for a touch of class. It really pops against the cool navy blue or stark black options available for this watch cap. And because it dresses up or down with equal ease and is so comfy and warm, don’t be surprised when this becomes your daily driver once the temperature drops.
17. M-Tac Tactical Beanie for Men
Any man who wants a hard-wearing black beanie at a pocket-friendly price should consider the M-Tac Tactical watch cap. It comes as a snug-fitting skull cap made of high-density polyester that doesn’t put pressure on your forehead and scalp, preventing chafing and discomfort.
The ultra-light M-Tach beanie is perfect to wear under your hoodie, helmet, or parka without limiting air circulation or causing excessive sweating. It’s clearly built for the outdoors, and is ideal for camping, running, hiking, snowboarding, and ice skating, among other adventures.
So if you’re looking for the optimal balance of durability, tactical style, and light weight, this is the affordable black beanie for you.
18. Danish Endurance Merino Wool Beanie
Danish Endurance throws their hat into the ring with a beanie of exceptional quality. Made from pure merino wool as well as high-quality recycled materials, their watch cap is soft, stretchy, and sustainable.
Their novel material blend yields a sweat-wicking, skin-friendly fabric that feels soft and breathable on your head all day. Another plus is that all the itchiness of lower-quality wool is completely tamed out for guaranteed comfort.
For brand identity, Danish Endurance features a sleek stitch fold label on the upper left front of its folded brim. Available in black and gray, this stylish watch cap pairs well with your entire wardrobe.
19. Momoon Casual Knit Long Slouch Wool and Velvet Beanie
The classic Long Slouch Beanie from Momoon offers an outstanding casual knit that is at once eye-catching and comfy. The woolen knit is complemented by a soft inner velvet lining, offering superior warming and a soft, stretchy feel.
While the fit is relaxed, it’s snug enough not to slip, even in heavy wind and rain. And when you’re fending off the elements, you’ll love having a little extra length to fully shield your brows and ears. The dual velvet/wool construction breathes well, wicking away moisture even when you work up a heavy sweat.
Think wool caps are itchy? Think again; the relaxed fit and soft velvet lining make the Momoon one of the plushest-wearing and overall best men’s watch cap on our list. It comes in multiple different shades of gray, black, brown and blue; there’s even a variety of knits to choose from to perfectly suit your style!
Picking Cool Beanies for Men
A good beanie is a true staple to accentuate your sense of style and fashion on a cold day. However, before adding any watch caps to your winter wardrobe, be sure you know whether or not the beanie really suits you. Our buyer’s guide below will help you make the right call.
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Beanie Shape
The shape of your face will determine the ideal cap’s shape you need to go for.
If you have a round or square face, choose a beanie without a turn-back cuff. Additionally, you should get a loose fit variant to add a bit of height to your face. Additionally, you should try wearing your beanie slightly back off your face instead of pulling it down over your ears.
On the other hand, if you have a longer face, get a beanie with a turn-back cuff. Go for one with a tight fit and which sits snugly on your noggin to avoid adding more height to your face.
Beanie Fabric
The type of fabric that a watch cap is made of will determine whether you’ll stay dry and warm.
- Wool beanies are the best for staying dry, due to their natural anti-microbial and moisture-wicking properties. Merino is the choice stuff, owing to its soft, non-scratchy texture and attractive finish. While it tends to be the premium material for hats, it also requires the most care–you can’t really throw it in the washing machine and expect it to come out the same. Let it dry out completely before wearing it again after a rain-soaked day, and deal with any stains or soiling with a soft bristled brush.
- Acrylic is significantly less breathable, and not really recommended for warmer climates. However, it’s a good option for folks who are allergic to wool or otherwise have sensitive skin. Acrylic is hard-wearing, and won’t fade, stain, or deform. It’s low maintenance, and often low-priced.
- Polyester most often constitutes stretchable, one size fits all watch caps. It fits snug, and can be pulled to fit the shape of your heat for full coverage and warmth. Polyester is exceptionally durable, yet still breathable. It’s a nice compromise between the best qualities of wool and acrylic.
Beanie Styles
Sure, beanies are meant to keep you warm during as the mercury plummets. But at the same time, it doesn’t hurt to look stylish. In fact, there are some really cool-looking watch caps that drape on your head making an unmistakable fashion statement.
For this reason, pick your watch cap the way you’d pick out an outfit, keep the design and style in mind.
Beanie Color
Most brands that manufacture beanies offer a wide range of colors to pick from. So choose wisely which color to buy.
If you’re going for a laid-back, neutral cap, then go for shades of black, grey, or dark blues. If you want to make a resounding fashion statement with your watch cap, then pick a bright color that’ll blend in with the rest of your outfit.
How to Wear a Beanie With the Right Outfit
How to wear a beanie will depend on the type of beanie you have, and your outfit.
After you’ve found the right fit, style, and color, it’s time to choose a good beanie outfit. But what makes for good beanie outfits?
In order to help you embrace the beanie look, follow along for the different ways to rock beanie outfits.
Office Space
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While many assume beanies are casual wear, this all depends on the beanie you choose. If you need to stay warm on your commute to the office. Or if your place of work isn’t strict on dress codes, a beanie is a great accessory to have.
Pair with a blazer, or a nice overcoat. And stick with tonal colors, such as a black beanie with a black overcoat. Or a grey beanie with a dark grey pea coat.
You’ll want to choose a thin cuffed beanie for this look. And don’t be afraid to throw in some texture and ribbing on the cuff either.
But you’ll want to play it safe. So, avoid donning any vibrant colors and wacky styles.
Casual Vibes
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If you’re planning on grabbing a few drinks with friends over the weekend. Or if you’re planning to spend the day hanging out around town, a beanie can really bring your outfit together. And keep you warm. It’s a win-win.
But if you’re a man that cares about his appearance, not any headgear will do. You’ll want to have a solid grasp on beanie outfits before you step out.
When you’re going for a more casual look, you don’t want to stick out like a sore thumb. So, choose a thinner beanie. Nothing too bulky. Either a fisherman beanie, or one with or without a cuff.
Pair with jeans, and a flannel shirt. Or a bomber jacket with a pair of Chelsea boots.
Street Style
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Want to turn heads on the sidewalk? Then streetwear is the way to go. And beanies reign supreme for street savvy headgear.
Because of this, you’ll have plenty of freedom to choose the right style for your look. From slouchy, cuffed, fisherman, and even the pom-pom beanie.
Now is your chance to rock some vibrant colors, and really bring your beanie outfits together.
Pair with relaxed fit jeans, hoodies, and your chunkiest sneakers. Or rock a beanie with a sweater, puffy vest, and baggy camo pants. Streetwear is all about labels and pushing the boundaries of fashion.
Men’s Beanie Hat Ideas, Parting Words
Who said your winter wardrobe has to be chunky and boring? Our guide has shown you nine of the best men’s watch caps that perfectly balance wearable warmth with fashionable style. All you need to focus on when choosing a watch cap is the shape of your face, your material preference, price, and your preferred colorway.
What’s your favorite beanie?
Got a watch cap recommendation we need to consider? Any firsthand experience with any of the most common hat materials? Share your thoughts in a comment below!
