Best Cold Weather Hat

The weakest link in my cold weather clothing is in the hat/head area. I'm not sure if this has been discussed before but I would love to get some feedback on what works best for us photographers. Wind and rain proof, optional ear covers and maybe back of neck coverage? Right now I've been wearing a wool beanie, but when the wind blows hard in sub zero temps is just not enough. Links would be appreciated.

I think the wool cap like what you have in your avatar coupled with a well insulated hood that is integrated into a really good winter jacket works well even at -40.

You people from really hot places are at real disadvantage...live in a cold climate and watch the folks, when then the temp gets to the 40'sF, break out the shorts and sunscreen..

Hi Alan, I am not a fan of cold weather and get cold easily, so I have had to deal with this issue in my cold weather trips. With age I don't have much hair left and so insulation for the head is a major issue in cold for me. What has worked for me is a buff which covers my neck and ears. I also have a baseball type hat which has down fill and then on top of that hood of the jacket. This has kept me warm in cold climes.

Hey Alan, the best $40 I ever spent was on a CTR Howler Balaclava.
On a trip to Algonquin Park at -29C it was toasty warm. Ears, neck and face protected and comfy.
Their hats look interesting as well.
https://chaoshats.com/collections/ctr

Cheers,
Mike

I agree with EJ, the cap/hood combination works best for me.  I prefer a cap with a bill which keeps the hood from slipping down over my eyes.  The bill can get in the way but seems easier to adjust and stay put than the hood.  I've had many caps and never found one that kept the cold wind and rain from seeping in around the back of my neck in extreme conditions.

Pat is on to something. Winter sunlight hitting your sunglasses causes something a little like lens flare and a knit cap with a bill, sometimes called a Radar O'Reilly hat, helps prevent that. I've got a Carhartt version that has worked fine for the last several years - http://www.carhartt.com/products/Knit-H ... Visor-A164 As mentioned, a hood provides additional warmth when needed. Bonus feature: you can hear incredibly distant helicopters.

Alan,

Layering is the key. 20- 0F I typically wear a ball cap or merino wool cap, pulling up the insulated hood on my mid-layer down or primaloft jacket, and then shell hood when the weather is inclement  If the temps dip down well below 0F I am usually wearing my Mtn Hardware Absolute Zero down parka with hood. This puppy has kept me warm at -50F.  I do have a beaver trapper hat I picked up in the Arctic that is amazingly warm, too warm in fact to use above 0F.

You can get a goose down hood that is not part of a coat...these are extremely weight and warm.
https://katabaticgear.com/hoods/

https://nunatakusa.com/down-garments/30-down-balaclava.html?live_configurator_token=1794a557ef94bcb9c7565ed9e403f8c5&id_shop=1&id_employee=1&theme=theme8&theme_font=font9


Best, Chas

I'm a big believer in hoods.  I use a 300wt polartec hooded sweat shirt under the DAS patagonia hooded coat.  The new jacket is a slimmer cut than the older model so that may be a problem depending on your middle age spread.  I too use a baseball cap to shade my glasses and keep the hood from coming down and obstructing my view.  last trip I used a Stormy Kromer® Men's Mackinaw Cap wool cap.  Very pleased with it.  It provides more warmth than a baseball cap (under the hood or beside itself) and the bill keeps the hood up and glasses shaded. I don't have problems with my neck but you might consider a wool scarf.

Super cold, one of the feathered friends expedition coats again with the hooded sweat shirt underneath. 

Alan - I live in Northern Maine and we frequently see -25F in the cold months, and this is what I recommend:  

http://www.cabelas.com/product/clothing ... _103956480  

This hat has served me well and sometimes it's actually too hot! I like that it has a flap on the front for your forehead if it gets windy too. That flap also can serve as a sunscreen that is flexible and bends out of your way when you're trying to look through the camera. Hey, it's lined with rabbit fur and they seem to make it through tough winters!     This hat is very much designed like a hood like others have recommended. 

Alan, I agree with E. J. and others. The ball cap I like to wear with a hood is one from Duluth Trading. They come in extra large sizes to accommodate wool caps, Ninja hoods, etc. And I believe they have models with extra long brims. That hat with the right Ninja Hood and the hood on the jacket ought to keep the cold and wind out.

http://www.duluthtrading.com/store/prod ... ed_product

Even in warmer weather, I sometimes wear a light weight ninja hood or neck gaiter to protect my neck and ears from sun damage and bugs. Cabellas has lots of models to choose from. And then I add a hat to protect the rest of my face.

Joe

Thank you all for the great feedback.

While on Duluth Tradings website have a look at this burr remover. Burrs just fly off. (I have one.)

http://www.duluthtrading.com/store/prod ... igin=30529

I too am averse to cold temperatures, was born in a warm climate and now have no hair on the head.

I always have a Smartwool lightweight balaclava with me, even when I go for fall shooting, you never know. This is very lightweight, fits into my pocket easily and can either be worn as a balaclava (the ears feel colder than any other body part) or pulled down to work as a neck gaiter. For its size and heft it really provides a lot of warmth. If I need anything else, the ear muffs from 180s are more than adequate.

For colder weather, whatever jacket I am wearing, the hood over the Smartwool balaclava is usually enough. The Rock and Ice Parka from Feathered Friends is about the warmest thing I've ever owned, but any good jacket should have a warm hood. The only problem with these things is the bulk, you start looking like the Michelin man but who cares.

Pradeep