The best streetwear beanies for men

The plain cuffed watch cap: a stretchy 9-gauge acrylic rib, a deep fold-up cuff and the square woven label on the front. Soft and warm, one size, 23.5 cm tall.

Why this one: Over the Carhartt A18: the same idea with the smaller WIP square label instead of the big workwear patch, for $15 more.

Limitation: Acrylic, so it's warm but doesn't breathe like wool, and Carhartt WIP gives no washing instructions on the page.

The workwear original: a thick stretch rib in 100% acrylic with a deep fold-up cuff and the big Carhartt patch, in 16 colours, for $19.99.

Why this one: Over the Carhartt WIP Watch Hat: a thick rib and the original patch, machine washable, for $15 less.

Limitation: Owners say recent A18s run bigger than older ones, and acrylic can shrink on a hot dryer: Carhartt says tumble dry low.

A short, cuffed rib watch cap in an acrylic-nylon blend with 9% wool and a little stretch, unisex and in 11 colours, for $19.90.

Why this one: Over the Carhartt A18: a finer rib with some wool in it and no patch, for the same $20.

Limitation: Mostly acrylic, so it is warm rather than wool-soft, and it comes in one size.

A plain ribbed cuff beanie with the Stüssy script embroidered on the front, 20.3 cm tall and 19.7 cm wide. Unisex, one size.

Why this one: Over the Carhartt WIP Watch Hat: the Stüssy script instead of the square label, for $10 more.

Limitation: 100% acrylic at $45, so most of the price is the name. Stüssy gives no care instructions.

A watch cap in fine Super Geelong lambswool, knitted double-layer in a 1x1 rib with a small branded tab: smooth, light and warm for its weight. Knitted in Italy.

Why this one: Over the Filson Watch Cap: fine Super Geelong lambswool knitted double, for $45 more than Filson's American wool.

Limitation: $100 for a beanie, and Norse doesn't list care on the page. It is knitted in Italy but assembled in Tunisia.

A chunky rib in 100% American virgin wool with a deep cuff; turn it up or down to change how far it covers. Filson says the wool insulates even when wet. Made in the USA.

Why this one: Over the Norse Beanie: American wool made in the USA, for $45 less.

Limitation: Hand wash cold and dry flat, and Filson gives no measurements.

Carhartt WIP's staple cut down: the same 9-gauge acrylic rib and square label, but 21 cm tall rather than 23.5, so with the cuff turned it sits higher on the head.

Why this one: Over the Carhartt WIP Watch Hat: 2.5 cm shorter, so it sits higher, and $10 cheaper.

Limitation: Still long enough to reach the ears if you leave the cuff down; for a true above-the-ears beanie, look at the Andersen-Andersen or Norse.

The Danish knitwear maker's shortest beanie, made to keep your head warm without covering your ears: Patagonian Corriedale wool in a dense 5-gauge cardigan stitch, fully fashioned and knitted in Italy.

Why this one: Over the Norse Shallow Beanie: all wool rather than a cotton blend, fully fashioned, for $15 less.

Limitation: It is made not to cover your ears, so it isn't the beanie for real cold. No care instructions on the page.

A shallow-fit take on the US Navy watch cap, in a chunky half-cardigan rib of wool and cotton; the cotton makes it softer, and Norse says the wool stays washable.

Why this one: Over the Andersen-Andersen Beanie Short: softer with the cotton in it, and washable, for $15 more.

Limitation: 21% cotton makes it a little less warm than all-wool. Knitted in Italy, assembled in Tunisia.

A short watch cap in ecru British wool with a knitted navy pattern, a pinched crown and a knitted roll; 18.5 cm tall with the 6 cm turn-up. Made in the UK.

Why this one: Over the Carhartt WIP Short Watch Hat: British wool made in the UK, with a knitted pattern, for $20 more.

Limitation: Dry clean only, which is a lot to ask of a beanie.

A low-gauge acrylic-wool knit with a WINDSTOPPER liner inside, so wind doesn't come through the stitches. Shallow, 4.7 inches tall, but the cuff unfolds for a deeper fit.

Why this one: Over the Norse Shallow Beanie: a windproof liner and a cuff that unrolls for a deeper fit, for $10 less.

Limitation: 60% acrylic, and the Brown colour had sold out on 28 Oct.

Arc'teryx's logo toque: a close, uncuffed shape knitted from merino and recycled polyester with the bird jacquarded across it, and a brushed fleece band at the forehead. Weighs 57 g.

Why this one: Over the Smartwool Merino Beanie: a knit Arc'teryx built for warmth, with a fleece band and the bird logo, for $35 more.

Limitation: The logo is the look; if you don't want it, the Smartwool does the same job plainly.

A thin, close-fitting jersey beanie with flat seams and merino against the skin; light enough for running or under a helmet, and it goes in the washing machine.

Why this one: Over the Arc'teryx Bird Head Toque: a lighter, plainer jersey that goes in the washing machine, for $35 less.

Limitation: Too thin on its own for hard cold. Two other colours were on sale at $17.50 on 28 Oct; black was full price.

A plain rib knit in 100% merino, with no cuff and just a small Snow Peak tab; Snow Peak says the wool is washable.

Why this one: Over the MHL Rolled Hem Beanie: washable merino for $43 less.

Limitation: Snow Peak gives no length, origin or care detail beyond "washable".

British merino in a close, cuffless shape with a rolled edge and a small knitted nub on top: a softer, older look than a watch cap. Made in the UK.

Why this one: Over the Snow Peak Knit Cap: British merino made in the UK, with a rolled hem, for $43 more.

Limitation: Hand wash only. MHL gives a 52 cm circumference and nothing about stretch, so check it against your head.

A pure cashmere body with a ribbed turn-up, unisex and in 13 colours: about as soft as a beanie gets for under $50.

Why this one: Over the A.P.C. Noa Beanie: 100% cashmere in the body against A.P.C.'s 10%, for $100 less.

Limitation: Cashmere this light is thin, so it won't stop wind; hand wash cold, or it shrinks and pills.

A ribbed wool-cashmere beanie with a wide turn-up cuff and A.P.C.'s woven label on the side rather than the front. Italian yarn, made in Romania.

Why this one: Over the Uniqlo Cashmere Beanie: a wool-cashmere rib with a wide turn-up and the label on the side, for $100 more.

Limitation: A.P.C. calls it a cashmere beanie, but it's 90% wool and 10% cashmere. Sold in sizes S1 and S2, with no chart we could find.

A chunky 3-gauge fisherman rib in a brushed alpaca and wool blend, so it looks fuzzy and feels light for its bulk. Italian yarn, with a small branded tab.

Why this one: Over the Acne Studios Face Beanie: brushed alpaca in a 3-gauge rib, without the face patch, for $65 less.

Limitation: 22% polyamide in the blend, and Norse lists no care. Knitted in Italy, assembled in Tunisia.

A chunky ribbed wool beanie with a tall upturned edge and Acne's embroidered Face patch on the front. Unisex, about 56 cm around, made with responsible wool.

Why this one: Over the Norse Alpaca Beanie: a chunky all-wool rib with the face logo people recognise, for $65 more.

Limitation: $190 is mostly the patch, and Acne gives no care or origin on the page.