5 Best Winter Hats for Women That Will Keep You Warm in Any Weather

While sweaters, base layers, winter coats and boots are more than important, hats, gloves and warm socks are essential and, all too often, forgotten. As the weather gets colder, having the right winter gear is a must to stay warm, and our extremities — especially our hands — and our heads often get cold first, especially if we’re not protecting them like the rest of our bodies. Even if you’re not a “hat person,” there are still tons of options to choose between, from your trusted beanies to trapper hats and pom pom options along with more stylish picks like berets or even bucket hats. If you’d like to skip long hours of browsing, that’s where we come in.

Our analysts evaluate aspects like materials, construction, fit, washability and design in addition to working directly with consumer testers for direct feedback on real-life performance. To determine the best winter hats for women, we considered top-performing brands from our winter apparel tests, personal favorites from our product experts and popular styles online with rave reviews.

With a fuzzy fleece exterior, this beanie adds the perfect touch to your favorite coat or jacket while keeping your head warm in windy winter weather. Columbia’s Omni-Heat technology has been a top performer in our outerwear evaluations, earning the top spot in our winter coat and puffer vest tests, and uses a thermal-reflective inner liner that’s designed to help retain heat without weighing you down. Our experts also appreciate that this style is available in two sizes with a wide variety of colors. Just be sure not to toss it in the washer — it’s hand wash only!

Slouchy beanies are a go-to during colder months, especially during bad hair days. This one is has over 8,000 Amazon reviews, with an average 4.5-star rating, and is a fraction of the price of similar styles. It features a chunky knit design that’s available in a slew of neutrals, pastels and bold shades for the perfect winter accessory. Just keep in mind that it’s available in one size only, and some reviewers say it’s a bit too small for their heads.

Back and better than ever, bucket hats were all the rage in the summer, and this faux fur one is beyond perfect for this winter. One GH editor swears by fuzzy bucket hats saying, “I always reach for a fuzzy bucket hat in the winter when I want a bit of warmth but still want to look stylish,” and loves pairing a cream bucket hat with “a long black coat and cream scarf.” This popular Amazon pick is an easy buy, with a broad range of colors and patterns. Just take note that some reviewers found sizing across colors to be inconsistent, with some colors running large and some running small.

This simple beanie is insanely popular. It has over 137,000 Amazon reviews with an average rating of 4.8 stars and is also a favorite pick of one of our own Textiles Lab analysts. The fabric is on the thinner side, making this soft, acrylic knit beanie great for year-round use, but it’s not the best choice for someone looking for the warmest option possible. While there’s nothing standout about the design, it’s available in more than 30 colors, so you’re sure to find an option you like.

You’ve heard of hat hair and helmet hair — ugh — but when it’s beyond cold on a winter day, what else can you do? Freeze? This acrylic beanie is lined with satin, so you can stay warm and still have a good hair day when you take it off indoors. The smooth satin fabric helps minimize any additional friction on your hair. While it isn’t as likely to trap heat as some of our other picks, our experts like the wide variety of colorways. Plus, it’s got over Amazon 1,700 reviews and an average rating of 4.6 stars.

Things to keep in mind when shopping for winter hats

✔️ Material: While cotton is one of the most popular materials across the board, when it comes to winter hats, it’s not ideal. Cotton holds onto moisture, so it can make your head feel wet in rain or snow instead of offering protection. Look for materials like cashmere or wool, which is naturally thermoregulating, or acrylic, which helps trap heat to keep your head warm and is a great substitute for wool if you’re allergic. Fleece and faux fur are also great options for insulation and may be made using other synthetic fibers like polyester. Hats with spandex or elastane have added stretch for a snug fit.

✔️ Sizing: If you have a larger head or thick hair, opt for styles with more than one size or hats that can stretch to accommodate your entire head. Women’s hats typically have a smaller fit, so they’re ideal for users with small- to average-sized hats, while unisex hats may have a larger fit. Some brands offer sizing charts, so if you’re uncertain about sizing you can opt to measure your head.

✔️ Style: Beanies and pom pom hats are some of the most popular options you’ll find online, but trapper hats are great if you find that beanies don’t offer enough warmth for you or fully cover your ears. Plus, if you’re scared of getting “hat hair,” there are satin-lined hats that limit the amount of friction on your hair as well as more fashionable berets or bucket hats that don’t have as snug of a fit on your hair.