Winter hat suggestions?

[petebert]

It's that time of year again. Michigan winters are no joke, I have animals and have to go to the barn 365 days out of the year. I'm looking for suggestions for something to keep my face and head protected. Not trying to put on a fashion show, going for pure utility here. I own a balaclava style hat, you can fold it up and wear it like a ski hat or pull it down and have a face covering. Problem is I have glasses and if I cover my nose, steam pushes back up onto my glasses. It works okay if I pull it down under my nose. I also have a storm kromer rancher cap, that style covers your neck some. It doesn't cover your face at all and sometimes the neck protection is a little lacking. Other options I'm considering is a Czech surplus Ushanka or a modern Ushanka, there's some on amazon that have a face covering flap.

 

[MinnesotaEric]

My typical for MN unless it is windy in which case I also wear goggles.

 

[bcp]

One of these, actually made for cold weather, not a look-alike.

mad bomber hat - Google Search

A good insulated parka, with a long-forward hood is good, too.

If wind on the face is a major problem, look at a snowmobile helmet.

Bruce

 

[MossRoad]

It's that time of year again. Michigan winters are no joke, I have animals and have to go to the barn 365 days out of the year. I'm looking for suggestions for something to keep my face and head protected. Not trying to put on a fashion show, going for pure utility here. I own a balaclava style hat, you can fold it up and wear it like a ski hat or pull it down and have a face covering. Problem is I have glasses and if I cover my nose, steam pushes back up onto my glasses. It works okay if I pull it down under my nose. I also have a storm kromer rancher cap, that style covers your neck some. It doesn't cover your face at all and sometimes the neck protection is a little lacking. Other options I'm considering is a Czech surplus Ushanka or a modern Ushanka, there's some on amazon that have a face covering flap.

Most of the time, I just wear a knit stocking cap and a Carhart jacket with a hood. Sometimes I'll wear a hoody sweatshirt under the carhart if it gets really cold. The hoody is big and loose and blocks most of the wind, and the Carhart hood keeps it in place. So I don't need a balaclava most of the time. However, I wear one when if it gets windy, or down below about 10F.

 

[check]

OK, here is a test of your knowledge of the international world.

Ever hear of a "Toque"?

 

[JamesHW]

Toque? Is that what pot smokers do?

I like this Tilley Endurable Tec-Wool winter cap

 

[polo1665]

OK, here is a test of your knowledge of the international world.

Ever hear of a "Toque"?

Chef's hat.

 

[Gary Fowler]

OK, here is a test of your knowledge of the international world.

Ever hear of a "Toque"?

Never heard of that term till I lived in Alberta. As far as I could tell, it was any kind of knit cap that is worn in winter whether it is just a hat or a full face ski mask.
What I found to be best for winter is Alberta was a toque on the head and a duck down jacket with a hood. For those -40 C days, add a wool scarf that you can wrap around your nose and mouth and you are good to go for quick forays out and about. For extended duty (like ice fishing) a full face mask, a scarf around the neck and the duck down jacket with hood was all I needed even if the wind was blowing 20 MPH. I still have that winter wear but seldom need it now other than the toques that I still use.

 

[polo1665]

Never heard of that term till I lived in Alberta. As far as I could tell, it was any kind of knit cap that is worn in winter whether it is just a hat or a full face ski mask.
What I found to be best for winter is Alberta was a toque on the head and a duck down jacket with a hood. For those -40 C days, add a wool scarf that you can wrap around your nose and mouth and you are good to go for quick forays out and about. For extended duty (like ice fishing) a full face mask, a scarf around the neck and the duck down jacket with hood was all I needed even if the wind was blowing 20 MPH. I still have that winter wear but seldom need it now other than the toques that I still use.

In Ohio the generic term is Toboggan.

 

[Xfaxman]

Lots of possibilities here: Headwear for Men - Duluth Trading

I like this one:

 

[MinnesotaEric]

Lots of possibilities here: Headwear for Men - Duluth Trading

I like this one:

View attachment 488298

That's the type that I'm wearing in the photo above.

If it is really cold, then over the fleece hat, a fleece bomber's hat (so it is washable) with some type of wind breaker material as an utter shell. I do not like the fake fur or real fur bomber hats.

 

[RobS]

That's the type that I'm wearing in the photo above.

If it is really cold, then over the fleece hat, a fleece bomber's hat (so it is washable) with some type of wind breaker material as an utter shell. I do not like the fake fur or real fur bomber hats.

Depends on your activity level. If just sitting on the tractor, I'll go with the Mad Bomber (hood over it if it's that cold). If I'm more active (snowshoeing, fat-biking etc.), I'll go with a balaclava as shown or just a sock hat.

 

[motownbrowne]

Stormy Kromer Rancher model hat. Super warm, made of wool with fleece on there inside, the flap folds up and doesn't look goofy, made in the USA (with global and domestic materials), comes with a free insurance policy (you ever lose or destroy your, you get one for 50% of retail. What's not to love?


Also, a merino wool "Buff". Buff is a brand name, but it's a tube that you wear around your neck. If it's windy, i pull it over my cheeks. Can cover the back of you neck and bottom of your ears too. Learned about them from a good friend, can't imagine winter without them now.
BUFF(R) USA Official Store | Multifunctional Headwear

 

[nosurprise]

Frost line hat by Outdoor Research for 54 dollars gets good reviews and looks comfortable and not too bulky.

 

[sixdogs]

Around here it doesn't get all that cold but when it does, a baseball hat with a knit hat pulled over it works best. I can't find a picture so just visual a baseball hat with a knit type pullover hat on top of it and covering the ears. Only the bill of the ball hat sticks out.

If it's really cold and windy, it's hard to beat the "Elmer Fudd" hat shown below. It's my all-time favorite for really cold weather.

 

[petebert]

I like the look of that Duluth Trading Company one, I like how it looks like when you exhale the air will move down and away from my glasses. I have one Rancher Stormy Kromer already, an orange one I got for hunting but end up wearing it to the barn a lot too. Your head will get pretty warm inside of that. It's pretty much always windy here in the winter and I'm always outdoors doing something.

 

[Creamer]

Most of the time, I just wear a knit stocking cap and a Carhart jacket with a hood. Sometimes I'll wear a hoody sweatshirt under the carhart if it gets really cold.

You are in Indiana - when does it ever get really cold?

 

[MossRoad]

You are in Indiana - when does it ever get really cold?

Ice fishing. Sitting on an upside down bucket in the middle of a lake. Wondering if Mrs. Paul's would be a wiser choice.

Been out plenty of times at 0 or below here. Coldest I recall here is -22F.

 

[Garandman]

USGI Extreme Cold Weather Mask is less than $10.

Also look up USGI Insulated Helmet Liner.

 

[Egon]

Hard hat with fleece liner works well. If that is too bulky a climbing helmet with fleece liner works.

When producing lots of sweat take off the liner. The hard shell should also have a small hole in the very top to let vapours out. Otherwise a sheet of ice may develop.