Which Winter Hat Is Right for You?

As they used to say on a certain famous TV show, winter is coming. Or, perhaps by the time you read this, winter is already here. Either way, if you’ll be working outside in the winter weather, there are lots of important factors to think about when it comes to how you’ll stay warm. 

One of the most important questions is which winter hat you’re going to rely on to keep your head warm. A warm, comfortable winter hat is a must-have on the job during cold weather. So, before you head out into winter’s chilly reception, make sure you’ve got something to cover your most valuable asset. And, if you’re working on a job site that requires hi vis gear, make sure that your winter hat is working to keep you safe and seen. Now is the perfect time to look at all of the great options available for cold weather hats that perform on the job. To get started, let’s check out the things that make a great winter hat so effective.

What Should I Look For in a Winter Hat? 

Here are a few of the features that an effective winter hat will include: 

• Powerful Insulation: The most basic requirement of a winter hat is to have insulating material that keeps your head warm effectively. 3M Thinsulate™ is synthetic insulation known for its lightweight performance that you’ll find in many winter hats today. 
• Ear Protection: Your ears are among the first parts of your body that lose blood and become numb in the cold, so a good hat should cover and protect them. Some hats, like the classic trapper hat design, come with full protective flaps for the ears, while winter beanies often feature a fold-up cuffed knit for adjustable ear protection. 
• Comfortable Fabric: The best winter hats are made from fabrics that are comfortable to wear all day. Fleece winter hats are a classic, but fabrics like polyester acrylic knits are also gaining popularity for their stretch factor and durability. 
• Flexible Fit: A good winter hat should be flexible enough to fit your head comfortably. You shouldn’t have to frequently adjust it while on the job. 
• Adaptable Design: Many workers have to wear a winter hat under a hard hat or other protective head PPE. Thus, it can be important that a winter work hat be designed to fit underneath another piece of headwear. 
• Tough Quality: Your winter hat shouldn’t fall apart after a few weeks of tough weather and washing. Look for a model that’s made using high-quality materials and manufacturing processes. 

High Visibility Performance: A hat that uses ANSI high visibility colors and reflective piping can help prevent accidents by improving your visibility on the job. Although a high-visibility hat isn’t enough by itself to satisfy OSHA hi vis requirements, it’s always a good idea to improve your visibility in whatever way you can. 

High-Performance Winter Hats

Our selection packs a complete range of winter hats in hi vis colors that will help you stand out even in rough winter weather. Here are a handful of our top options: 

• HiVis Supply H1211 Classic 240g Ultra-Fleece Beanie: It’s hard to go wrong with this classic knit beanie design that features 240g polyester insulation and high visibility coloration. Plus, it slips easily underneath a hard hat or hood. 
• HiVis Supply AH2011 Arctic Series 3M Thinsulate Lined Cuffed Knit Beanie: Another rugged and reliable hi vis beanie, this time with an inner fleece layer and 3M Thinsulate™ lining for powerful defense against the cold. 
• HiVis Supply AH1004 Arctic Series Fleece Lined 3M Reflective Knit Beanie: This one packs all the great features of our other knit beanies, including an inner fleece layer, but also adds 3M reflective piping for an extra splash of visibility. 
• Ergodyne N-Ferno 6802HV HiVis Classic Trapper Hat: This trapper hat is a tough modern update of a beloved design. Faux fur, a quilted satin lining, and a wind- and water-resistant shell combine to create one of our most rugged winter headwear options. 
• HiVis Supply AH3011 Arctic Series 3M Thinsulate Lined Knit Balaclava: Looking for the ultimate in winter warmth for your head? Our Arctic Series balaclavas feature a multi-layered acrylic knit design with 3M Thinsulate™ sandwiched in between, creating powerful warmth that’s easy to pair with hard hats or other headgear. 

Ribbed Knit Polyester Full Face Hard Hat Tube Liner. This ribbed knit full-face tube liner will keep you warm and comfortable while at work even with your hard hat on! It fits snugly over most regular brim hard hats for safety and comfort. 100% polyester knit material help block wind and snow from getting in.

Keeping your head protected with a winter hat is incredibly important, but don’t leave the rest of your body out in the cold. Check out HiVis Supply’s complete selection of winter gear for the hi vis winter workwear that will keep you safe through tough conditions.