13 Best Beanies for Men 2024: Tested by Style Editors
GQ Recommends13 standout knit caps to keep your head in the game—and the chill at bay.By Gerald OrtizNovember 8, 2024Everett CollectionSave this storySaveSave this storySaveAll products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.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 GQThe Best Beanie Overall: Drake’s Donegal Ribbed Knit Cap, $95The Best Budget Beanie: Uniqlo Heattech Beanie, $15The Best Watch Cap: RoToTo Bulky Watch Cap, $50The Best Fisherman Beanie: Alex Mill Aran Cable Beanie, $78The Best Cashmere Beanie: William Lockie Ribbed Cashmere Beanie, $80The Best Upgrade Beanie: The Elder Statesman Stripe Watchman Ribbed Cashmere Beanie, $465In This Shopping GuideAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevronMore Beanie Caps We LoveWhat to Look for in a BeanieHow We Made These PicksThe Best Beanie Overall: Drake’s Donegal Ribbed Knit CapDrake'sDonegal Ribbed Merino Knit Cap$95 Drake'sPros & ConsAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevronProsClassic designSoft materialsNot too tight or too looseLots of color optionsConsHurts to lose in an UberWhen 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 BeanieUniqloHeattech Ribbed Beanie$15 UniqloPros & ConsAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevronProsAffordableGreat softness-to-warmth ratioConsMostly synthetic materialsWhen 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 CapRoToToBulky Watch Cap$50 Todd SnyderPros & ConsAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevronProsThrowback designAiry softnessCuffableConsSome can’t handle the bulkAs 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 BeanieAlex MillAran Cable Knit Beanie$78 Alex MillPros & ConsAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevronProsInteresting knit design100% woolConsCould be softerLimited color optionsFisherman 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
All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
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, $95
- The Best Budget Beanie: Uniqlo Heattech Beanie, $15
- The Best Watch Cap: RoToTo Bulky Watch Cap, $50
- The Best Fisherman Beanie: Alex Mill Aran Cable Beanie, $78
- The Best Cashmere Beanie: William Lockie Ribbed Cashmere Beanie, $80
- The Best Upgrade Beanie: The Elder Statesman Stripe Watchman Ribbed Cashmere Beanie, $465
In This Shopping Guide
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
The North Face
Jim Beanie
Skull cap beanies are far from the most popular choice in winter hats, but they’ve been gaining steam with fashion’s cognoscenti looking to sidestep anything remotely mainstream. The North Face’s skull cap-style beanies are made of recycled materials with a plush fleece-like lining and a cuff-less design that gives it a streamlined silhouette.
Rothco
Genuine U.S.N. Wool Watch Cap
It doesn’t get much more textbook than this. Built to military specifications, this is the cheapest all-wool beanie you can get. It may not be the softest headwear option out there, but the classic watch cap design paired with all-natural materials, a made-in-USA pedigree, and a miniscule price tag, it’s hard to beat.
Lady White Co. x Phigvel
Cashmere Knit Cap
Lady White Co.’s intense focus on all things knitwear has earned them several podium spots here at GQ including for best T-shirts and sweatpants. This recent collaboration with Japanese label Phigvel only solidifies their place in the pantheon of knitwear greats thanks to a custom-knit cashmere fabric with a comfortable ribbed texture for adjustable cuffing and a square-ish crown.
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.
Branding: While we looked for brandless caps for the purpose of this shopping guide, oftentimes making a decision about the best beanie for you is about brand loyalty. Whether it’s Carhartt, The North Face, or recognizable logos from brands like Ostrya, Polo Ralph Lauren, or Acne Studios, the question becomes what you want your hat to say to the people around you.
Color: Since much of the beanie’s origins come from workwear, classic colors like navy, black, gray are an easy choice. But beanies have evolved to encompass every shade under the sun with freaky patterns and textures to boot. We’re not sure who really needs to hear this, but when you’re choosing a beanie color, go with any color you like.
Style: The style and shape of the beanie is really dependent on you. To get the right silhouette, it’s best to try on several options in person. Consider whether you want a beanie that fully covers your ears or a beanie that sits closer to your head without so much extra material. The size and shape of your head as well as how much hair you have impact the type of beanie that will look best:
- Watch caps, fisherman beanies, and cuffed beanies: They go by several names, but watch cap-style beanies are probably what you imagine when you think of a beanie. They’re designed with a cuff and come in various sizes, which can hug the crown closely or sit high off the head.
- Slouchy Beanie: Slouchy beanies have an extended crown and usually a narrower knit to allow it to droop. It’s a stylistic choice that was more popular in the 2000s emo scene and you won’t see much of that these days. That said, the extra length and lack of a built-in cuff allows the wearer to shape and cuff it to their needs.
- Skull Caps: Like slouchy beanies, skull caps lack a built-in cuff but are shorter and sit closer to the head, hence the name.
How We Made These Picks
We make every effort to cast as wide of a net as possible, with an eye on identifying the best options across three key categories: quality, fit, and price.
To kick off the process, we enlist the GQ Recommends braintrust to vote on our contenders. Some of the folks involved have worked in retail, slinging clothes to the masses; others have toiled for small-batch menswear labels; all spend way too much time thinking about what hangs in their closets.
We lean on that collective experience to guide our search, culling a mix of household names, indie favorites, and the artisanal imprints on the bleeding-edge of the genre. Then we narrow down the assortment to the picks that scored the highest across quality, fit, and price.
Across the majority of our buying guides, our team boasts firsthand experience with the bulk of our selects, but a handful are totally new to us. So after several months of intense debate, we tally the votes, collate the anecdotal evidence, and emerge with a list of what we believe to be the absolute best in their category right now, from the tried-and-true stalwarts to the modern disruptors, the affordable beaters to the wildly expensive (but wildly worth-it) designer riffs.
Whatever your preferences, whatever your style, there's bound to be a superlative version on this list for you. (Read more about GQ's testing process here.)
