It’s a bit of a ritual really, many skiers that I know nearly base the quality of their entire season on how happy they are with the ski hat they find in the fall – seriously, I can’t tell you how many times I have heard “oh this is going to be a good year” as a new hat is put on for the first time. Regardless of whether you wear a helmet while you ski or not is irrelevant. We all wear winter hats to and from the mountain, while we shovel the drive way, sometimes even in the summer just to remember what they feel like. Good ski hats are just like any other favorite piece of clothing – you could never imagine living without it. However, just like other “favorite” pieces of clothing, serious time has to be put into finding one that is just right, and one skiers preference is very different from another. However, if there is one thing that I have noticed, it’s that these hats come in all shapes and sizes, and they know no boundaries as far as individual personalities are concerned. To help you with your decision on which hat will be best for you, lets take a look at some of the most popular styles, and brands out there.
When people think of ski hats they tend to think of the most traditional ones. These are generally the tight fitting option that incorporate a stringed tassle. This type of hat offers superior warmth, with a certain “I’m a skier” flair. In more recent years, this type hat has become a favorite among the racing crowd.
Another favorite type of hat for skiing is the modified version of the one mentioned above. This beanie offers the same snug fit, but does not have a tassle or pom on top. This type, over the last few decades, has become a favorite among all winter enthusiasts. Backcountry has a pretty sweet collection of some of the best, and some are even on sale, so I’d check there first.
Finally, ski hats with a big pom on top are really starting to come back into style. You may remember these best from the 70′s and 80′s as the most frequent type of hat worn for skiing. Descrete has stated producing these beanies again, and you can find a few of them (like this stylin’ one) at Backcountry as well as many other ski retailers around the world.
No matter what hat you pick, I’m sure you agree that ski hats can be a fun accessory as they are fairly inexpensive, and lend themselves to owning multiple options to match any wardrobe or mood. The Snow Ski Sale has a great selection of ski hats from all over the web!
