Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

The Independent's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission. Why trust us?

10 best winter hats for men

You can look good in a hat – we've tried bobble hats, beanies and flat caps to suit all heads this winter

Wednesday 21 November 2018 18:01 GMT

A stylish hat will keep your head warm this winter (Getty/iStock)

Ever seen that guy walking down the street that you’ve looked at and thought to yourself, “Wow, that is a really cool hat”? Well, today you can become that guy. The one everyone envies, the one who suits the hat that’s in fashion. From the beanie to the bobble to the flat cap, there are so many options this winter that will make you feel good, look good and at the same time protect you from wind and rain.

The bonus of all this is that with some, you can wear them throughout the year (note: we do not endorse wearing bobble or beanie hats in the summer months, especially if there’s another heatwave like the one we’ve just seen). Winter brights are on trend this winter, but a plain grey, black or brown can still go a long way to completing your look, so whether you’re looking to be experimental with your colour range or stick to what you know, you’ll find something you like on this list.

Hats are often the first thing a person will notice about a look, so how do you choose the right one? Luckily for you, we’ve tried and tested the best around and whittled them down to a top 10, from the everyday affordable to those who want to treat themselves.

Weekday Peace Force Hero Knit Beanie: £10, Weekday

This hat isn’t just a great look – nor will it just stand out – but it’ll make you feel good about yourself because it promotes a message of peace. Coming in small/medium and large/extra large, you’ll be able to find the size for you.

The limited edition Weekday x non-violence hat is 100 per cent acrylic and provides a bit of a skater look. It comes in black, orange and green, but hurry up, they’re selling fast! To help you complete your look, below the link on the site are some more Weekday x non-violence items, including T-shirts and scarves, so you’ll never run out of options to complement the hat. Just don’t overload on orange, tempting as it may be!

Next Ribbed Beanie: £10, Next

A stylish look with a fleece lining, this beanie from Next is great for the winter months. The black will go with pretty much any outfit when you’re looking to wrap up warm, but it also comes in brighter hues such as green and red, should you fancy something different. It’s soft, almost like cashmere, and sits on your head nicely and covers your ears, although we recommend wearing it a little higher up on the head for a more slightly fashionable look. As with most hats, it’s a one size fits all, so this is a simple choice – especially for those on a budget.

Carhartt Acrylic Watch Hat A18 Hat: £15.42, Amazon

Arguably the coolest feature of this Carhartt hat is its logo. It’s a hat that suits a more casual look, the material is warm and the darker green colour we’ve gone for is very now and will go well with a number of outfits for the winter months. We recommend wearing this with a white top and black jeans, maybe even go for a rip in them just to show off how trendy you really are. Should you fancy a different colour for this one, you have options – 28 to be exact, in pretty much every shade you could hope for – so you will certainly find one to keep you warm this winter.

Next Grey Grid Texture Flat Cap: £16, Next

Who knew Next could pretty much do it all? They’re good for their general clothing range but add flat caps to that list right now because if you want that sophisticated look, look no further than here. Flat caps are becoming a much more popular look among a younger generation. This has an adjustable strap at the back, allowing you to find the right fit for you. It’s a hat we recommend because it’ll be good to wear throughout the year. It also comes in small/medium and large/extra large, so we’d suggest trying it on for size first rather than purchasing it immediately online – just so you can be sure it suits you and fits well. We recommend wearing this with a nice overcoat, go and channel your inner Tommy Shelby.

Levi’s Sportswear Logo Beanie: £25, Levi’s

For the sportier among you, this Levi’s beanie is the one for you. It’s warm, one size fits all and it has a retro look to it with the classic colour scheme. Again this one comes in a number of different colours ranging from cream to purple to blue, so if the one we’ve gone for isn’t to your taste, you’ve got a number of options. You can wear this with pretty much any look, but you’ll probably be wearing something more everyday if this is the one you want to go for.,

Barbour Throttle Watchcap: £44.95, Barbour

The. Material. Not much more needs to be said about this one, but we’ll give you more. Made from knitted lambswool, this is the perfect hat to keep you warm and looking good this winter, and comes in grey, blue and black. Slightly on the pricier side of the range, but it’s a decision you won’t regret. Emblazoned with the Barbour International logo to the left of it, this is a good one for a casual look. It’s a one-size-fits-all hat and will sit right above your ears and keep you comfortable for hours in the cold.

Universal Works Estrela Bobble Hat In Orange Fair Isle Stripe: £30, Universal Works

Not the most well known brand, but certainly the most comfortable hat. A classic ski beanie is how it’s described on the company’s website and that’s exactly what it is: a lovely one-size-fits-all bobble hat to keep you looking slick whether you’re on the slopes, walking around a Christmas market or just on your daily commute. A wool mix (80 per cent wool, 20 per cent polyamide), this one is all about the stitching and design – with a lovely orange colour at the top. Team it with a bomber jacket and you’ve got the perfect style for the winter season.

Quiksilver Shaw Beanie: £32, Quiksilver

A classic, comfortable fit that you can wear in so many ways – this is another one size that fits all, and another with a bobble (because who doesn’t love a bobble in the colder months?), this time featuring three different coloured bands. You can also get this one in black and grey, but we preferred this version. This one fits best going all the way down your head and covering your ears, although it can be a little bit itchy if you wear it for too long. From a brand known for its sporty attire, this will definitely go with your snowboarding/skiing outfits in the winter months.

Topman Toffee Skater Beanie: £8, Topman

A classic for the skater look – you can turn up in toffee with this one. At the affordable price of £8, this one-size-fits-all hat sits snug on your head and will look particularly good mixed with black or white clothing. Whether you’re on a budget or not, this is a hat you need as an option this winter. Also comes in a number of different colours from white to blue. Topman are always a strong everyday option and they increase their appeal more so with this one.

Crew Clothing Company Nepp hat: £25, Crew Clothing Company

Crew Clothing is more and more becoming the cool brand you need to stay ahead of the curve – so get going with it. This grey hat is for a more casual look, but during the colder months would you want anything else? With a speckled wool blend, it has a contrast of navy blue with the logo to the left. It also comes in white and has gloves and scarf to match should you choose to go for the complete look.

The Verdict: Best winter hats for men

While Carharrt offers great options and Next has the flat cap, which can hold a special place in the heart for generations, the Weekday x non-violence collaboration simply can’t be looked past. It’s warm, affordable, a statement hat, it’ll go with pretty much anything and, more key than anything, it’ll make you feel good every time you put it on. What more could you want?