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Beanies & Headbands

On the move, a headband or thin hat will do. Standing around calls for thick knit, plus a windproof layer over the ears when it blows. Under a helmet, wear a thin hat with no bobble.

Guide

Beanies & Headbands

If you are moving, wear a headband or a thin beanie. If you are standing about, wear thick knit, with a windproof layer over the ears once the wind picks up.

Key points

Moving: headband or thin beanie. Standing about: thick knit.
Merino or technical synthetics stay warm when damp.
Under a helmet: a thin beanie with no bobble.

Which type for which use?

Use	Choose	Reason
Running, cross-country skiing, climbs	ChooseHeadband	Reasonwarm ears, open crown. too little for rests and hard frost
Hiking, mountain days, under a helmet	ChooseThin technical beanie	Reasonlight, packs small, dries fast. too thin in wind or when standing
Town, commute, walks	ChooseKnitted beanie	Reasonwarmth while standing. wind gets through; a bobble clashes with helmet and hood
Frost, chairlifts, watching from the touchline	ChooseLined beanie	Reasonfleece band or lining over the ears. too warm once you work hard
Summits, ridges, cycling	ChooseWindproof beanie	Reasonblocks wind. stuffy on the climb

Types compared

Headband
Warm ears, for running and cross-country skiing.
- Advantage: Warm ears
- Drawback: Too little for rests and hard frost
Example: Salewa Pedroc Seamless Headband ›
Knitted beanie
Warmth while standing, for town, commute and walks.
- Advantage: Warmth while standing
- Drawback: Wind gets through
Example: Outdoor Research Juneau Beanie ›

What to look for when buying

Question	In brief	Why
Beanie or headband?	In briefDepends on effort	WhyA headband warms ears and forehead and lets heat escape from the crown: right for running, cross-country skiing and climbs. A beanie is for rests, summits, lifts and town.
Which fabric stays warm when damp?	In briefMerino or polyester	WhyMerino or a technical synthetic. Wool can absorb up to 35% of its own weight in moisture, says the wool body IWTO; polyester dries faster. Cotton soaks up sweat: keep it for town.
When do I need a windproof hat?	In brief0°C feels like −8°C	WhyAs soon as it blows. At 0°C in a 50 km/h wind the wind chill is around −8°C, according to MeteoSwiss. Loose knit lets wind through; a membrane such as Windstopper blocks it.

Frequently asked questions

Do you lose most of your body heat through your head?

No. The British Medical Journal dismissed this myth in 2008: with no clothes on, you would lose no more than about 10% of your body heat through your head.

What does the number on a merino beanie mean?

Fabric weight in grams per square metre. A 150 g/m² merino beanie is thin and made for moving; 200 to 240 g/m² is warmer and suits rests and cold days. Devold's 150 g/m² beanie weighs 50 g.

How do I wash a wool beanie?

By hand in lukewarm water at about 30°C with a wool detergent. If the care label allows it, the machine's wool cycle works too. Reshape the hat and dry it flat, as Woolmark advises.

Does a cycle helmet still protect with a hat underneath?

Yes, if it fits correctly. The Swiss Council for Accident Prevention (BFU) examined five hats under three cycle helmets in 2020, including impact trials to EN 1078: protection was not meaningfully reduced.