If you’re going to survive the cold weather gauntlet, a proper topper is a must. And the best beanies for men are a gloriously simple, cozy accessory that keeps your head warm and your fits topped off.
There’s a certain know-it-when-you-wear-it je ne sais quois to the beanie cap—and to that end, we’re firm believers that there’s no such thing as the one best beanie. Most GQ editors have a stack of them, accumulated over time. Some were splurges—soft cashmere for a buzzcut head, maybe, or a freaked-out version to offset the midwinter blahs—and some were $12 gas station grails, with plenty in between.
To help you build out your roster, we’ve pulled together 13 of the best beanies we could find, in a variety of styles, fabrics, and colors. Give yourself some options. (And don’t sleep—we find the coolest beanies tend to go away right when the cold really kicks in.)
The Best Men’s Beanies, According to GQ
The Best Beanie Overall: Drake’s Donegal Ribbed Knit Cap
When you think of donegal wool, you’re probably thinking of a beefy sweater worn by some guy with a beard and a few sheep, but the fabric has plenty to offer anyone who doesn’t live in the Scottish moors. In beanie form, the distinctly flecked wool has the weight to hang with a tweed suit and brogues and the looks to bring a little extra seasoning to your jeans-and-Blundstones weekend beater fits.
Unsurprisingly, we’re fans of the donegal beanies from Drake’s, worked up in all sorts of cool-weather colors—deep burgundy, burnt orange—that have some personality of their own. The ribbing is the perfect gauge, not too tight, not too loose. The merino wool is buttery soft and will stay warm but won’t cause you to overheat like some cashmere will. And the proportions are spot on and can be worn with or without the cuff to adjust to most head sizes. It may cost a bit more than most options, but we think the juice is worth the squeeze, especially if it’s gonna be your daily beanie.
The Best Budget Beanie: Uniqlo Heattech Beanie
When Uniqlo first landed stateside in 2007, the biggest draw to its sparkling NYC flagship was the towering wall of preposterously affordable cashmere sweaters. While we’re sad that its formidable and affordable cashmere beanies won’t be around for this season, the brand’s all-cotton ribbed beanies pretty damn great—and even more wearable year-round. The cotton is smooth, soft, and breathable (a godsend for those of us with sensitive skin), and the hat comes in all sorts of natural, easy-to-pair colors. Grab a few now and don’t worry much when you inevitably leave one in the back of an Uber.
The Best Watch Cap Beanie: RoToTo Bulky Watch Cap
As per usual, the best available version of a classically American thing—in this case, the old-school ribbed watch hats favored by WWII naval officers, Boston dock workers, and every third person in the Rocky movies—comes from Japan. RoToTo’s traditional fisherman beanies are knit from a tough-as-nails acrylic blend, and will look best paired with some ruddy cheeks and a lovably gruff attitude. Unlike a lot of watch caps, which can be too tight, the extra “bulk” makes this watch cap fit most head sizes.
The Best Fisherman Beanie: Alex Mill Aran Cable Knit Beanie
Fisherman beanies can be synonymous with watch caps or cuffed beanies, but if you ask us, the one with the sturdiest sealegs is this one from Alex Mill. Like their fisherman sweater counterparts, this plush accessory is made of 100% wool and knit with a traditional Aran knit design. While GQ associate commerce director doesn’t own any cable-knit sweaters, he says this Alex Mill offering gives him the texture he’s looking for, in a “subtle, sparing way that costs a lot less.”
The Best Cashmere Beanie: William Lockie Ribbed Cashmere Beanie
Leave it to the sweater experts at William Lockie to make some of the finest beanies on the planet. They’ve been crafting high-quality knits since the 1800s and this ribbed cashmere beanie is just one sweet taste of what the storied label can do. It’s made of a luxurious Mongolian cashmere, which is washed in the River Teviot near the William Lockie factory giving it an even softer hand before being spun and knit into a narrow rib for a snug and shapeable fit.
The Best Splurge-Worthy Beanie: The Elder Statesman Stripe Watchman Ribbed Cashmere Beanie
While Uniqlo is out here democratizing cashmere, SoCal’s The Elder Statesman remains focused on using it in the most relaxedly opulent ways possible. The brand generally follows the “if you have to ask” pricing principal, which leads to a $465 beanie. But damn—what you get for that kind of dough is 100% finest-of-the-fine cashmere for royal softness and textile-based flexing, hand-dyed in a striking striped pattern. Laidback never looked so good.
More Beanie Caps We Love
Carhartt Knit Cuffed Beanie
The North Face Jim Beanie
Rothco Genuine U.S.N. Wool Watch Cap
Patagonia Better Sweater Fleece Beanie
Séfr Brushed Alpaca-blend Beanie
Lady White Co. x Phigvel Cashmere Knit Cap
What to Look for in a Beanie
Finding the right beanie can be a very personal endeavor. When the colder months force you to cover up your beautiful, luscious locks (or lack thereof), your entire face shape and silhouette is impacted by a beanie, so it pays to take the time to get it right.
Material: Material is paramount when choosing a beanie. Consider whether you have sensitive skin, run hot or cold, and your region’s weather. Wool beanies are great for retaining heat and moisture-wicking capabilities, but can feel itchy depending on the type of wool. Finer wools like merino wool, cashmere, and alpaca tend to have a smoother hand but will command a bigger price tag. Synthetic materials like acrylic and polyester are great for price-conscious shoppers. They’re durable, warm, and easier to care for than wools which often have to be hand-washed or even dry-cleaned. Cotton, while not as warm as wool, is softer and more breathable—great for those who run hot.
