Beanies and buckets and caps, oh my.
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With the exception of baseball caps and beanies, which arguably suit everyone with a noggin, even the best of hats are tricky accessories for most men to pull off properly. But it’s not personal—or at least not where your own style game is concerned. Bluntly put, it’s often just down to the shape of your face and head.
The more extravagant the headgear, the more challenging it is to get right—even the simpler flat cap à la Peaky Blinders, or the classic fedora and Panama hats, can look a bit costume-y or out of place on the average guy’s head, even if the outfit is on point. (That said, if you’d like to rock whatever hat you damn well please, the more power to you.)
Thankfully, the best hats—especially the ubiquitous baseball cap and beanie, as well as the ultra-trendy bucket—offer plenty of style points and protection from the elements. Whether you’re on the streets, the slopes, or anywhere in between, take a look at the best head coverings to own in 2022.
Read more: Best Hat Brands for Men
A plain black cap in cotton corduroy is a type of hat that will work wonders in your wardrobe. The embroidered Nike swoosh in the same tone is subtle, making it ultra-versatile, yet the logo still keeps that extra streetwear element when called on.
Made from Mack Weldon’s own lightweight, fast-drying performance fabric, which includes a mesh sweatband and targeted ventilation zones, this’ll be the go-to cap you grab when you’re heading to the gym, or just need to do those pesky chores.
In true Coach fashion, the American design house elevated the basic baseball cap into a luxury must-have by finishing this piece with beautiful leather detailing, hitting the nail on the sporty-chic head.
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The 100% cotton cap in a casual red corduroy will stay as classic in your wardrobe as the drink it celebrates. It doesn’t hurt that the 6-panel constructed baseball hat with a curved brim comes with an eco-conscious message to boot.
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Best Trucker Cap
Celine Homme Embellished Cotton-Blend Twill and Mesh Trucker Cap
Best Trucker Cap
Celine Homme Embellished Cotton-Blend Twill and Mesh Trucker Cap
If you’re still wary about the notorious trucker cap that trended in the 2000s, Celine’s creative director Hedi Slimane should convince you that this style very much belongs in the year 2022 via this neo rave-inspired iteration.
To think there was a time when you wouldn’t be caught dead in anything your father wore. Now the dad hat, like other menswear staples fashioned after the parental figure, has become so cool that your wardrobe feels incomplete without it. This Tommy Hilfiger cap will fill that void.
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The sportswear brand’s cap with an adjustable closure and self sweatband comes in a relaxed fit, with this camo version giving total dad-in-the-outdoors vibes, which is absolutely a good thing. You’ll even make dad proud by saving a buck or two when you buy this one.
Thanks to hip-hop, the structured 5-panel constructed snapback hat with a flat brim emerged as one of the biggest trends in the 90s. This Vans cap made of an acrylic-wool blend in a mid-high-profile fit shows why the style is here to stay.
The high-profile-fitting snapback hat from Carhartt may have undergone a naming rebrand (it was formerly known as the Ashland Cap), but it still has all of the offerings that’s kept it so popular, including an odor-fighting sweatband, its sweat-wicking and fast-drying tech—plus, of course, its reasonable price.
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Jacquemus Casquette Logo-Embroidered Cotton-Blend Cap
Jacquemus Casquette Logo-Embroidered Cotton-Blend Cap
Everything French designer Simon Porte Jacquemus touches turns to Insta-gold. And it’s worth the hype, as is seen with this reinvention of the baseball cap: a khaki-green headpiece that features a functional drawstring top. Adding his signature touch, the simple emblazoned white logo ensures the sporty cap remains elegant.
Best Hybrid Headwear
The North Face Cragmont Fleece Ball Cap
Best Hybrid Headwear
The North Face Cragmont Fleece Ball Cap
We’re not entirely sure what this cap-meets-beanie hybrid should be classified as, but we do know that we love it. Made from 100%-recycled polyester fleece, this cold-weather accessory boasts earflap folds that are set to keep your head as snug as a bug in a rug.
Active types will know the struggle that comes with the need for a head covering that provides sun protection but that doesn’t heat up your head like an oven, either. Under Armour’s specially designed ArmourVent technology ensures your head is shielded from the sun’s rays while it still experiences maximum air flow.
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For the outside and on-the-go guys looking for a visor that emphasizes fashion as much as fit, the luxury label’s supremely sought-after cap in black suede certainly delivers on those needs.
Sticking true to its Scandi roots, this COS beanie with a folded hem is constructed from ethically-sourced wool in a simple and clean fashion. And sure, it’s best suited for the colder winter months, but nabbing one in a radiant yellow will give you a much-needed spring in your step.
Read more: Best Winter Hats for Men
Top off your outfit with a fold-over rib-knit cuff beanie that rightfully displays the style icon that is the world’s best-dressed bear. Featuring a seamed crown, the beanie guarantees a cozy fit, with the light gray color ensuring it pretty much goes with every outfit you throw on.
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Designed in Colorado with the Rocky Mountains as a backdrop, Glade is an expert in all things alpine related. This beanie has no doubt been tried and tested for all sorts of outdoor adventures, especially in those tougher snowy conditions.
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You’d be hard-pressed to find someone that doesn’t look good in a short—or fishermen—beanie. Think Wes Anderson’s cult-classic The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, or even better, Oscar-winner Mahershala Ali, who’s made these short hats a permanent part of his wardrobe.
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The New Hampshire-based company was formed by textile engineers, so if you’re after a Merino wool authority, these guys should be top of your list. This double-layered yet lightweight wool beanie looks superb cuffed or uncuffed.
The outdoor clothing retailer’s Powder Town Beanie ticks all the boxes when it comes to your open-air accessory needs. Constructed entirely of recycled polyester fleece in a textured knit, it’s an itch-free, moisture-wicking and quick-drying offering that’s bound to give you plenty of mileage.