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What’s the best Merino wool beanie for hiking?
Why do so many outdoor enthusiasts even talk about them? What’s so great about Merino wool? Where to begin… It’s super soft and there is no other material so highly capable. It wicks away moisture, is breathable and has anti-bacterial and anti-odor properties. And, as a result, it works great in almost any weather and season. If you are looking for a reliable and sophisticated hat to invest in, look no further.
Here is a selection of some of the best beanies we could find.
Click here to see our favorite on Amazon now!
Table of Contents
Best Merino Wool Beanie for Hiking
Cool and slouchy or classic cap style Merino wool hats.
The good news is that there is a Merino wool beanie for everyone. You don’t need to compromise your style to own a good quality winter hat. The best beanie for backpacking is the one that you like by the looks and that keeps your head and ears warm for many winters.
1. MERIWOOL Unisex Merino Wool Cuff Beanie Hat (click for more details)
Superfine 100% Merino wool unisex hiking beanie.
Overall, the best Merino wool beanie for hiking, our favorite.
Being the best backpacking beanie, this 100% Merino hat is breathable, has natural bacteria and odor resistance. You can wear it as a cap or unfold for a slouchy beanie style. Made out of microfiber, it’s super soft. You can wash it in the washing machine, but better wash it by hand for longevity.
One of the reason to love Merino wool is that it adapts well to different temperatures. Therefore you can wear this Merino beanie almost all year long.
MATERIAL: 100% Merino wool
BEST FOR: Hiking, winter hiking, hunting, skiing
Read more: Best Hiking Beanie For Men and Women
2. Minus33 Merino Wool Ridge Cuff Wool Beanie (click for more details)
Beanie for hiking in winter with UPF 50 sun protection.
Sun protection makes Merino wool hats great for mountain holidays where the sun can be harsh. Made out of 100% fine Merino wool, the beanie is breathable and moisture wicking. The midweight fabric is used in a double layer which makes it even more comfortable in winter temperatures. The hat also has outstanding water absorption abilities (up to 30% of its weight) without feeling wet or clammy. And it’s safe for machine washing.
Worth to mention, the production of the hat is environmentally friendly.
MATERIAL: 100% Merino Wool
BEST FOR: active winter activities, hiking, camping, snowshoeing
3. DANISH ENDURANCE Classic Merino Wool Beanie (click for more details)
Unisex Merino wool hat with unrollable cuff.
The cap is designed in Denmark with Nordic winter conditions in mind. You can wear the cuff folded or unfolded to cover your ears when you need more warmth. It’s sweat wicking, breathable and soft. All of that makes it the best beanie for men who love this particular style. There are no different sizes — only one size fits all.
This DANISH ENDURANCE hat is produced to feel good on your skin and for the planet too. It is made from animal friendly wool and uses recycled polyester.
MATERIAL: 55% Merino Wool, 45% Recycled Polyester
BEST FOR: Outdoor training, hiking, camping, snowmobiling
4. MERIWOOL Unisex Wool Ribbed Beanie (click for more details)
Hiking hat for women and men with UPF30+ sun protection.
There is a wide selection of more than 10 colors to choose from. It’s possible to wear it with the cuff folded up or unfolded. This one size fits most hat is breathable, manages moisture well and dries quickly. It’s extra soft and feels light which is perfect for people with sensitive skin. It has natural odor resistance and warming and cooling properties that come from Merino wool.
The hat is comfortable at temperature 5F and warmer.
MATERIAL: 50% Merino Wool, 50% Acrylic
BEST FOR: Hiking, skiing, ice fishing
5. Tough Headwear Merino Wool Ribbed Cap (click for more details)
Budget friendly hiking beanie with minimalistic look and no cuff.
One of the cheapest Merino beanie hats for women and men.
This hat is very classic and suits those that don’t like flashy design. It’s simple and low cost, but it still gives the first class garment look. It’s one size fits most kind of a hat. The material is thick enough to handle winter temperatures and doesn’t let you overheat. This beanie looks good on women as well as men and you can easily style it for any occasion.
MATERIAL: 50% Merino Wool, 30% Nylon, 20% Acrylic
BEST FOR: Hiking, outdoor exercising, everyday use
6. Smartwool Unisex Isto Retro Beanie (click for more details)
Fun backpacking hat with a pom pom.
The double layer heavy knit construction extensively locks in the body heat and protects against the wind. If you want a fluffy winter hat, this might be the one. It’s so soft that it will be comfortable also for people with sensitivity to textures. However, note that there is no lining on the inside. It’s machine washable, but dry it flat.
Its one size fits most and the circumference of this hat is 16″. The hat is suitable for both men and women.
MATERIAL: 50% Merino Wool, 50% Acrylic
BEST FOR: Skiing, hiking, camping, long walks
5 Reasons to Choose Merino Wool Clothing
Is Merino wool itchy? Is Merino wool warm?
Here are the top benefits of Merino wool.
1. Odor Resistance
Merino wool is naturally antibacterial.
To put it simply, it doesn’t smell. It’s resistant to odors.
For many it’s the number one reason to choose Merino wool activewear. Merino allows you to stay fresh longer.
2. It’s a Natural Material
Merino wool is a wool from merino sheep (New Zealand, Australia).
As a natural material it’s also much safer than synthetics for most us. No itching. No allergic reactions. In fact, Merino wool allergy neutrality is one of the top reasons why people choose Merino clothing not only for sports, but also for everyday. Being 100% biodegradable, Merino wool is also better for the planet.
Make sure you choose 100% Merino wool clothing, though.
3. Outstanding Moisture Management
Merino wool adjusts to you and the environment you are in.
If the weather is hot, Merino keeps you cool. If it’s Arctic outside, it keeps you warm. It’s all possible due to its fully natural moisture management system and moisture wicking features. For the best performance, however, you may want to look for Merino blends. There are many that are technically better than 100% Merino wool.
Speaking of the winter activities, it’s equally important to choose the right fabric weight. It’s especially true with Merino wool base layers and Merino wool base layer pants — not all of them will keep you warm on the coldest days.
4. Breathability
Merino wool is great with it.
5. Ease of Use and Longevity
Not only Merino is durable, but also easy to take care of.
Merino wool is machine washable. However, make sure to refer to the care instructions of the manufacturer of your shirt or pants, as they may differ. For the most lightweight Merino base layers and pants, hand wash is the safest choice.
How to Find the Best Merino Wool Beanie For Yourself?
How to find the best hiking beanie for your needs?
Let’s make this super simple.
Generally speaking it’s mostly about these 4 simple things.
1. Warmth
It’s the most important quality to look for in a hiking hat for winter.
Does Merino wool make a good hat? In general, wool and, particularly Merino wool, is a great material for winter garments. It has a natural ability to adapt to temperatures, therefore it provides warmth in winter and has a cooling effect when it gets warm. So you can be sure that you won’t overheat wearing Merino wool. It’s not the same (not always) with other materials.
Pay attention also to the fiber thickness and knit technology, as well as layers. Thin wool fiber feels softer, but you need some thickness to fight cold which can also be achieved by special knit technologies and layers. Some hats have lining and that also adds more warmth.
2. Coverage
Merino wool beanies come in various dimensions.
There are long beanies with a loose end and shorter beanies with a cuff that sits close to the top of your head. For long walks in cold weather you will be pleased to have a hat that covers your ears. The cuff around the crown is not just a matter of style, it also gives additional warmth to it. Some hats allow you to wear the beanie in both ways – folded and unfolded. Others are not that flexible.
However, if you need a top class trekking hat for winter, a slouchy beanie may not be the best choice. For outdoor activities like hiking, mountaineering, skiing etc., look for more structured hats that will better hold to your head.
3. Material
100% Merino wool vs natural and synthetic fiber blend, which is better?
If you want to know which is warmer then there is no short answer. It depends on other factors like knit technology, percentage of the different fibers, layers used etc. But you can be certain about other qualities. When it’s cold, Merino wool keeps you warm, when it gets hotter, it cools you down. It’s also breathable, moisture wicking and naturally odor-resistant. On the other hand, synthetic materials usually are cheaper, more durable and resist pilling.
It makes sense to make hiking hats out of natural and synthetic fiber blends. However, you won’t be able to tell how well performing they are until you try them on (or read the reviews very carefully, and know exactly what you need the hat for). Whereas in most cases you can be sure about the performance of a 100% Merino wool hat.
4. Design
A cool looking loose beanie or a classic sailor type cap – the choice is yours.
The loose end beanies are comfortable and look cool on most heads. However, it’s a specific look and won’t suit everyone. A classic cap may not look ultra stylish, but will definitely look great on more people. Also, a hat that fits close to the head may be more handy during activities with more movement like running, skiing and snowboarding. For extra fun on a dark winter day you can choose a hat in vibrant color or a hat with a pom pom. Everyone looks cute with those.
Since winter beanies are often unisex and one size fits most, they are also a great gift on holidays. Surprise your friend or a loved one with a hat they will enjoy wearing.
What is your experience with hiking beanies? Have you tried a Merino wool beanie? What’s the best Merino wool beanie you have tried so far?
Featured photo by Walter Torres from Pexels
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