The Best Snowboard Hats

When you are out in the snow, you must protect your head at all times from the cold. I recommend that you wear a high-quality snowboard hat that is comfortable, warm, and breathable. There are several factors to consider when choosing a beanie—for instance, whether you are going to wear it under a helmet, your snowboarding style, the temperatures to which you are going to be exposed, etc.

Thousands of models are available on the market; some are thicker, some are thinner, some have earbands, others are windproof, etc. The truth is, there is such a huge offering that it can be difficult to make a choice.

But, don’t worry! In this article, I am going to talk about types of beanies, materials, weather resistance, helmet compatibility, and other important factors to take into account before choosing your snow hat. In addition, I’ll review the best models of the year, so that you can find the one that best suits your needs.

Have a look at other guides to find the best snowboards, best skis, snow cameras, ski jackets, bags for ski boots, ski beanies, snowboard gloves, and snowboard backpacks.

THE BEST SNOWBOARD BEANIES

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BURTON KAKTUSBUNCH

The Burton Kaktusbunch is popular among all types of riders because it has a nice, casual design, a high-quality construction, and a reasonable price. This model wicks away moisture smoothly. Also, it’s breathable and super comfy. It’s a fantastic option that you can use both in the city and at the ski resort, as long as the temperatures are not extreme. However, keep in mind that it’s relatively thin, so it won’t provide as much thermal insulation as other models on the list.

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CARHARTT

This Carhartt beanie works really well for snowboarding as well as for other winter sports. Because it has a casual design and is available in many colors, this model has become popular for city use, too. The lower part of the hat has an adjustable length to better protect your ears and forehead. It’s sold in one size, but it’s quite stretchy, so it fits most people.

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EISBAR COCKER

The Eisbar Cocker has a fun design that features artificial fur on top and large logos on the sides. This model retains a great deal of heat because it’s thick, it features a really warm fleece liner, and it completely covers your ears. Overall, the Eisbar Cocker is a great option for snowboarding on the coldest days of winter.

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COLUMBIA WHIRLIBIRD

The Columbia Whirlibird is a popular model that you can wear for winter sports, hiking, or any outdoor activity. This model efficiently wicks away sweat while retaining heat and blocking UV rays. In addition, it has a fantastic price that makes it one of the most attractive options on the list.

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BURTON BALACLAVA

The Burton Balaclava is the perfect solution for the coldest, windiest days. This model has a soft touch, is highly breathable, and is quick-drying. The adjustable closure prevents wind from sneaking into your face. Also, it’s helmet-compatible.

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TOUGH HEADWEAR

The Tough Headwear is a thermal skull cap with great weather performance. This thin model adds extra protection when worn under a helmet. It is ultralight, wicks away moisture, and retains a good amount of heat. Furthermore, it’s highly breathable and it doesn’t retain odors. You can wear it under not only snowboarding helmets but also biking helmets, climbing helmets, etc. In addition, it’s a great option for winter running and hiking.

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BUFF MERINO

The Buff Merino is perfect for protecting exposed parts, such as your neck, ears, lower face, etc. In fact, this model can be worn in many ways, depending on your needs. One of the main advantages is that it’s lightweight and compact, so you can easily store it in your jacket when you don’t need to use it. In addition, it’s made with merino wool, which is a great thermal insulator, doesn’t retain odors, and doesn’t irritate the most sensitive skin.

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VECRY

The Vecry features a truly informal design that makes it perfect for both snowboarding and street use. This model is made from a mix of polyester and acrylic materials that provides great stretch and durability. It has a soft inner liner and a quick-drying outer layer. It’s available in lots of colors at a very good price. Please keep in mind that due to its loose design, it’s not compatible with a snowboard helmet.

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BURTON CHLOE

The Burton Chloe is a popular model among female snowboarders. In addition to having a beautiful design, it offers great climatic performance. This model wicks away sweat, retains heat, and has a soft touch that makes it comfortable to wear. It’s perfect for winter use, both on the slopes and in the city.

IMPORTANT FEATURES OF SNOW BEANIES

The most important characteristics you should look for are moisture-wicking, thermal insulation, wind protection, and UV protection. Each model has different features and properties, which will make it more or less appropriate for certain activities.

To find the right model, think about the type of snowboarding you practice, the outside temperatures, and the intended use. If you’re going to wear your beanie under a helmet, you must choose a thin model that is helmet-compatible.

These models perform very well, as they wick away sweat while protecting you from the cold. Most helmets feature an insulated liner that can provide enough thermal insulation. However, a skull cap will give you that extra protection on the coldest days.

If you are looking for a nice beanie that you can wear when you are not snowboarding, you should look for a thicker model, which will provide greater thermal insulation.

TEMPERATURE AND WIND

The place where you go snowboarding will be an important factor to consider when making a choice. For instance, you won’t find the same weather conditions in the Alps in January as you will in the Pyrenees in April. Also, within each region, there are more exposed areas, with a greater probability of snowfall and strong winds. Also, you should consider whether you’re going to snowboard in a ski resort or if you like to get off-piste.

If you are a freerider, your head will likely produce more heat. Consequently, you will need to wick away more sweat. In that case, you should opt for a highly breathable model.

MATERIALS

Most snowboard hats are made with polyester, acrylic, merino wool, and elastane (spandex). Most models have an inner liner that provides greater thermal protection. Often, this inner liner is made with fleece, which is really comfortable and soft to the touch.

Some materials, such as polyester and fleece, are perfect for manufacturing winter garments. These materials are warm, breathable, and comfortable, and they perform incredibly well in wet weather, as they are quick-drying. Sometimes, they are built with a high fiber density that makes them windproof.

Some models include a small percentage of elastane, which is a highly stretchy material, along with other materials. As you may have noticed, most models are one size fits all. This is due to the introduction of stretchy materials, which make these beanies fit most people’s heads.

I recommend that you avoid certain materials, such as cotton. Cotton fibers can retain a large amount of water, and they don’t allow water to evaporate as easily as synthetic fibers do. Cotton caps can rapidly increase your sense of cold.

LAYER SYSTEM

In many cases, a single hat will provide enough thermal insulation while you’re snowboarding. However, you may start feeling colder as the temperatures drop. In that case, you should wear other headwear along with your hat, just like you wear your jacket as part of a layering system.

For snowboarding in the harshest winter months, you should reinforce weather protection by wearing a thermal cap, a buff, or a balaclava under your beanie. These garments will help keep your head dry, too. When temperatures rise throughout the day, simply take off one of the hats and store it in your jacket pocket.

BREATHABILITY

Keep in mind that snowboarding can be an intense activity and that your body is likely to sweat a lot, even on cold days. That’s why it’s especially important to look for characteristics such as moisture-wicking and quick drying.

Generally, thick models are less breathable than thin models, but other factors, such as materials, can also directly affect the garment’s breathability.

COMFORT

Choose a soft, comfortable model. After all, you’ll be wearing your hat for many hours a day, so you’ll appreciate a nice touch and fit. Breathable materials, such as polyester and nylon, provide warmth without causing irritation.

Beware of wool models. While high-quality wool hats are generally not itchy, some cheap models can cause rashes and irritation on your forehead.

Most top-end models feature a soft inner lining that ensures greater comfort. Fleece inner liners are popular because they are extremely soft and comfy. Also, you should look for a size that fits your head well, and that is not too tight or too loose.

DESIGN AND STYLE

Snow hats are available in thousands of designs, shapes, and colors, so it will be easy to find a model that suits your personality and style. Surely, you’ll want a model with great weather performance, but also an attractive design.

The advantage of snow beanies is that, as compared to other parts of your snowboard equipment, they are relatively cheap. You can buy several models and use them at different times of the season. Thus, you’ll have more options to combine with your jacket, your scarf, and other snow accessories.

Several types of hats can be used for snowboarding:

Traditional hats protect the top of your head and ears. They are the most popular models, which can be manufactured in hundreds of shapes and colors.

Skull caps are really thin, as they are designed to be compatible with snowboard helmets. They are perfect for adding extra thermal protection in the dead of winter. They are also popular among riders who are sensitive to cold and who feel that their helmet liner doesn’t provide enough warmth.

Buffs provide greater protection for exposed parts, such as the neck, the lower face, the ears, etc. The main advantage of buffs is that they are lightweight and versatile, so they can be worn on different parts of the head and neck.

Balaclavas cover a large part of the face and the entire neck, providing maximum weather protection against not only the cold but also strong mountain winds. Thinner models are usually compatible with most types of helmets.

CAN I WEAR A BEANIE UNDER MY HELMET?

If you choose a buff, a skull cap, or a thin beanie, you’ll likely be able to wear it under a helmet. In fact, many snowboarders do this to better protect themselves from the cold. Thicker models, on the other hand, tend to be bulkier, and are rarely helmet-compatible. However, you should test the two elements together to confirm whether or not they are compatible.

SKI GOGGLE COMPATIBILITY

There are several ways to wear your ski goggles and hat together. Some riders prefer to place the goggle strap under the hat, directly in contact with the head. Other riders prefer to place the goggle strap over the hat, so it doesn’t get tangled with the hair. The choice will depend entirely on each snowboarder’s performance.

MEN’S AND WOMEN’S MODELS

There are specific women’s models that feature different colors, decorative pom-poms, shapes, etc. In addition, women’s models can come in slightly smaller sizes. However, many models on the list are unisex and one size fits all. That means if you like a model and it fits you well, you can wear it!

HOW TO CLEAN YOUR BEANIE

First, have a look at the manufacturer’s recommendations. Generally, woolen fabrics can be hand-washed in cold or warm water. Synthetic fabrics, which are common in this type of garment, can be washed in a washing machine.

If you still have doubts, I recommend that you wash your model by hand to avoid possible damage. When you’re done with the wash, let your model dry and then store it in a dry place out of direct sunlight.