Ah, winter: the season of slick sidewalks, toe-numbing trails, blustery winds, and dark days. It’s enough to deter most runners from pounding the snowy pavement. While keeping warm in sub-zero temps is enough of a sport, with the right tools, winter running can actually be fun. The key to keeping comfy (and your Strava stats from going dormant) is a good winter running hat. Look for one that is moisture-wicking, well-fitting, and with extra features like reflective panels and ear flaps. From snug yet breathable beanies to fleece balaclavas, here are our top picks.
- Why You Need a Specialized Winter Hat for Running
- Top 10 Winter Running Hats
- How to Choose the Right Headgear for Running
- FAQs About Winter Running Hats
Why You Need a Specialized Winter Hat for Running
Ditch the bulky ski toque. If you’re considering expanding your running kit to four seasons, you’ll need a specialized winter hat. The right hat, headband, or beanie regulates heat and sweat while providing good ventilation—all crucial components to ensuring you’re comfy when logging icy miles outdoors. By keeping your head toasty warm, you’ll ward against potential heat loss, which means better performance and a more enjoyable experience. Moisture-wicking materials like merino wool reduces your risk of overheating, with the added benefit of being quick-drying and anti-bacterial. Features like ear flaps or balaclavas help to prevent frostbite on any exposed skin.
Top 10 Winter Running Hats
Best Moisture-Wicking Winter Running Hat
Lightweight enough to slip into your pocket, durable enough to withstand frigid temps. This versatile and slim-profile beanie goes the distance when it comes to wicking away sweat. Made from recycled polyester and flat-faced fleece, its R1® Daily stretch fabric has exceptional moisture control keeping you dry while you crush uptempo runs. The MiDori® bioSoft is soft to touch and the HeiQ® Pure odour control helps to extend its wear over multiple trail days.
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Lightweight enough to slip into your pocket, durable enough to withstand frigid temps. This versatile and slim-profile beanie goes the distance when it comes to wicking away sweat. Made from recycled polyester and flat-faced fleece, its R1® Daily stretch fabric has exceptional moisture control keeping you dry while you crush uptempo runs. The MiDori® bioSoft is soft to touch and the HeiQ® Pure odour control helps to extend its wear over multiple trail days.
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Warmest Beanie for Winter Running
Merino's temperature-regulating properties makes it a favourite of everyone from outdoor enthusiasts to the fashion forward. For runners, a merino beanie will keep you warm as you're leisurely warming up and cool when you've hit your stride. A natural fibre, it's also lightweight and odour-resistant. Icebreaker's take on a staple beanie adds in darts for shaping around your crown, along with an added layer around the ears for even more warmth.
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Merino's temperature-regulating properties makes it a favourite of everyone from outdoor enthusiasts to the fashion forward. For runners, a merino beanie will keep you warm as you're leisurely warming up and cool when you've hit your stride. A natural fibre, it's also lightweight and odour-resistant. Icebreaker's take on a staple beanie adds in darts for shaping around your crown, along with an added layer around the ears for even more warmth.
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Best Breathable Hat for Long Runs
Merino's temperature-regulating properties makes it a favourite of everyone from outdoor enthusiasts to the fashion forward. For runners, a merino beanie will keep you warm as you're leisurely warming up and cool when you've hit your stride. A natural fibre, it's also lightweight and odour-resistant. Icebreaker's take on a staple beanie adds in darts for shaping around your crown, along with an added layer around the ears for even more warmth.
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Merino's temperature-regulating properties makes it a favourite of everyone from outdoor enthusiasts to the fashion forward. For runners, a merino beanie will keep you warm as you're leisurely warming up and cool when you've hit your stride. A natural fibre, it's also lightweight and odour-resistant. Icebreaker's take on a staple beanie adds in darts for shaping around your crown, along with an added layer around the ears for even more warmth.
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Best Windproof Hat for Extreme Cold
Enjoy the comfort and fit of Ciele's classic GoCap, only winterized. The Cold Weather GoCap takes all the best elements of this cult favourite hat—the soft curved brim, five-panel look, and breathable Coolmatic|Plus™ fabrics—and adds wind-proof merino ear flaps and reflective detailing. Bonus: its stylish fit can easily be worn on rest days, too.
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Enjoy the comfort and fit of Ciele's classic GoCap, only winterized. The Cold Weather GoCap takes all the best elements of this cult favourite hat—the soft curved brim, five-panel look, and breathable Coolmatic|Plus™ fabrics—and adds wind-proof merino ear flaps and reflective detailing. Bonus: its stylish fit can easily be worn on rest days, too.
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Best Lightweight Running Hat for Mild Winter Weather
This high-performance beanie is perfect for those in-between temperature windows, whether you're braving the spring slush or an usually warm winter's day. Merino wool pulls double duty, keeping you cool when moving and warm when not, while the soft, hypo-allergenic fabric of Tencel™ Lyocell offers unparalleled comfort. Both materials are anti-bacterial, resistant to odours, and moisture-wicking, meaning your new favourite winter hat won't hold onto snow, sleet, or rain—or whatever else the forecast brings.
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This high-performance beanie is perfect for those in-between temperature windows, whether you're braving the spring slush or an usually warm winter's day. Merino wool pulls double duty, keeping you cool when moving and warm when not, while the soft, hypo-allergenic fabric of Tencel™ Lyocell offers unparalleled comfort. Both materials are anti-bacterial, resistant to odours, and moisture-wicking, meaning your new favourite winter hat won't hold onto snow, sleet, or rain—or whatever else the forecast brings.
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Best Winter Running Hat with Reflective Materials
The dark days of winter are no match for Craft's lumen hat. Made from recycled polyester jersey, this soft winter beanie features an all-over reflective print so you can stand out when the sun goes down. Night jogs? Check. Early morning cross-training? Check. Low-lit forest runs? Check. Wherever you plan to wear it, you can rest (or run) easy knowing you're visible.
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The dark days of winter are no match for Craft's lumen hat. Made from recycled polyester jersey, this soft winter beanie features an all-over reflective print so you can stand out when the sun goes down. Night jogs? Check. Early morning cross-training? Check. Low-lit forest runs? Check. Wherever you plan to wear it, you can rest (or run) easy knowing you're visible.
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Fleece-Lined Hat for Winter Running
The no-frills silhouette of this timeless beanie combined with a fleece lining makes it the perfect winter accessory. Throw it on during an extra cold snap or take it on cool mountain trails for added warmth and comfort. It also comes in a vibrant array of colours, perfect for adding a welcome pop to winter's drab palette.
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The no-frills silhouette of this timeless beanie combined with a fleece lining makes it the perfect winter accessory. Throw it on during an extra cold snap or take it on cool mountain trails for added warmth and comfort. It also comes in a vibrant array of colours, perfect for adding a welcome pop to winter's drab palette.
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Best Affordable Winter Running Hat
Winter running is for the ultra committed, but how to know whether it's right for you? This is where Craft's core essence jersey beanie comes in handy. At an affordable price point, you can test drive cold weather running without breaking the bank.
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Winter running is for the ultra committed, but how to know whether it's right for you? This is where Craft's core essence jersey beanie comes in handy. At an affordable price point, you can test drive cold weather running without breaking the bank.
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Best Winter Hat for Running in the Rain and Snow
What looks like a simple ball cap is actually a cold-weather, high-performance running hat. Tilley's innovative Thermashield technology combines warmth and breathability while its streamlined construction keeps you aerodynamic. The water-repellent nylon shell protects against snow and rain and the fold-down flaps offer cozy coverage for your ears. An adjustable backstrap lets you dial in a custom fit.
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What looks like a simple ball cap is actually a cold-weather, high-performance running hat. Tilley's innovative Thermashield technology combines warmth and breathability while its streamlined construction keeps you aerodynamic. The water-repellent nylon shell protects against snow and rain and the fold-down flaps offer cozy coverage for your ears. An adjustable backstrap lets you dial in a custom fit.
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Best Winter Hat for Trail Running
Trail running ramps things up a notch. When you're miles down a forest path, you need the right gear in case inclement weather hits. This is why a versatile winter running hat is an ideal trail companion. Enter Ciele's DOSBeanie, a two-in-one cap that functions as both a beanie and a neck scarf. The innovative tube design features an adjustable opening so you can easily wear it wherever you feel cold. Also innovative? Their COOLmatic | EXP DIAMAfleece™, which draws on a diamond pattern to lock in warmth and is embedded with carbon for advanced temperature control.
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Trail running ramps things up a notch. When you're miles down a forest path, you need the right gear in case inclement weather hits. This is why a versatile winter running hat is an ideal trail companion. Enter Ciele's DOSBeanie, a two-in-one cap that functions as both a beanie and a neck scarf. The innovative tube design features an adjustable opening so you can easily wear it wherever you feel cold. Also innovative? Their COOLmatic | EXP DIAMAfleece™, which draws on a diamond pattern to lock in warmth and is embedded with carbon for advanced temperature control.
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How to Choose the Right Headgear for Running
Winter running is enough of a challenge. When it comes to choosing the right headgear, keep things simple. Look for things like material—are you a fan of merino wool? Tech-forward synthetics?—and moisture-wicking properties. Also, fit. A cold weather running hat should be snug to prevent heat loss. Consider how and when you like to run: reflective elements are great for after-dark jogs while features like soft brims, ear flaps and balaclavas ensure you can hit your 10,000 steps, rain, snow, or shine.
Material
Most winter running hats are made from natural and synthetic materials that manage sweat. Merino wool is a natural fibre known for its excellent moisture-wicking (and thermal regulating) properties. Besides keeping you comfy and dry, it’s also lightweight, resistant to odours, and soft. (There’s a reason why merino wool winter base layers are so popular.)
Fleece is another winter staple. This polyester synthetic is lightweight and ultra cozy. It traps heat yet wicks away moisture, is ultra plush and easy to wear, and comes in different weights, ideal for varying temperatures. Plus, it’s low-maintenance, so you can chuck it in the wash after every run and still get miles out of it.
Nylon is great for protecting against wind, rain, and snow. It offers a higher level of elasticity, which—for runners—means a snug fit, while technical blends are designed with key features in mind like odour control and ventilation.
Moisture-Wicking Properties
When cold winds hit damp sweaty clothes, you’re more likely to get the chills—and when prolonged, this can lead to hypothermia. In order to keep you comfortable and safe, a winter running hat needs to do the hard work of quickly moving your sweat away from your skin to its outer surface where it can evaporate.
Breathability
A hat with good ventilation reduces the risk of overheating. By keeping your hat on, and your head warm and dry, you’ll help your body maintain a stable temperature even in freezing temps—and with good circulation comes better performance.
Fit & Comfort
While most hats are universally sized, it’s important to get one that is snug. Any extra room means more potential for heat loss and increased moisture. It should be close-fitting, but not too tight. Beanies fit relatively true-to-size while fleece hats can be on the roomier side. For runners who prefer ball caps, look for ones with an elastic back. Make sure to measure your head circumference and check the size chart.
Visibility & Safety
Winter days are dark. Reflective detailing like logos, patterns, and trims help keep you safe on the road or trail when visibility is poor. If you’re a runner who likes to jog early morning, late at night, or through the forest, this should be an important consideration when purchasing a running hat. Don’t forget to add running accessories like a headlamp for added safety, too.
FAQs About Winter Running Hats
Q: Should you wear a hat when running in cold weather?
A: A winter running hat is a cold weather essential for anyone on the move. At its most basic, a good hat will prevent critical heat loss. But, they also wick away sweat and moisture (keeping you from the chills), resist odours, and offer features specific to winter running conditions.
Q: How to keep your head warm while running in winter?
A: You'll want to consider where you live, how you like to run, your ideal fit, and personal preferences. Do you tend to overheat? A lightweight cap is a good choice. Are you planning to take on sub-zero temps? Opt for a high-performance hat with technical fabric or merino wool that will keep you warm and dry. Do you run in areas that are windy and exposed? Go for something with ear flaps or choose a hat with extra warm material like fleece. Are your winters cold but sunny? Winter's UV rays may not be strong, but they can quickly heat things up. A simple beanie that can be taken on or off is best.
Q: What is the warmest type of winter hat?
A: The warmest hat is one that properly wicks away sweat and moisture, and is suited to your specific environment.
Q: What is the best material for a running beanie?
A: Merino wool, fleece, and synthetic fibres loaded with tech.
Whether you’re looking to train in the cold, keep up with your social lunchtime runs, or stay active during the year’s coldest months, a proper winter running hat will help you survive anything the season throws at you. They’re not just a handy accessory, but a key piece of gear in your running kit—designed to keep you moving for miles outside. The best winter running hat? One that is comfortable, moisture-wicking, and terrain- and runner-specific. Round out the rest of your cold weather fit by shopping for running apparel and gear, and find other tips on how to dress for winter running.
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