Outdoor Research Beanie Hat (and)

I wanted a mid-range warmth beanie for fitness walking, including bush walking. This hat is not a light beanie, such as the excellent merino Icebreaker (of which I have one). It is a windstopper, but I feel it will be light enough for walking in Melb.'s relatively mild (i.e. no snow) winter. Mine's L/XL for an XL head, and there is admirable stretch in the fabric, with a warm, absorbant polar fleece headband inside & a large breathable crown.

As a liner or on its own, you have to have one lightweight cozy piece like this in your winter gear. Easy to stow, and the lousy lime color suits me fine both for visibility on my head and for finding in a dark pack or at night.

This hat was a 2010 Backpacker Magazine top recommendation for active sports in cold weather. I find it a good all-purpose hat for travel in winter weather, particularly for hiking and snowshoeing. It is not at all bulky and very light in weight, key attributes for traveling light.

It might not be warm enough if you don't do a lot of activities when outside but excellent when you go for shoveling snow or winter activities. I just wish it has more colors to choose from...

This was the hat I climbed Mount Rainier in. High winds and snow - not a problem.

Very nice, nothing wrong with this at all.

Arrived in time for cool fall walks

gift for relative