The ray mears beanie

[Herman30]

This (in green): https://www.varusteleka.com/en/product/sarma-tst-l1-balaclava-merino-wool/55466
In combination with this (I have an older model in green): https://www.varusteleka.com/en/product/sarma-finnish-m36-field-cap/19512
Keeps me going most of the winter, unless it gets colder than -20 Celsius. And that is not often anymore with winters getting warmer.

 

[adriatikfan]

An alternative to the Mears and Varusteleka offerings are the Buffy hats which you can get from Ben Orford's website. I've got a couple - they are wonderful and not too hot for all uses in the U.K. - and this from a very reluctant hat wearer!

Thanks for the heads-up on the Orford's site - some nice hats on there.

David

 

[Hodge]

I have and use the Ben Orford and Ray Mears hats, I like both.The RM hat is the warmest of the two.

 

[SCOMAN]

Got my varusteleka hat and it seems quite thick and warm. Untested outside though

 

[Billy-o]

This (in green): https://www.varusteleka.com/en/product/sarma-tst-l1-balaclava-merino-wool/55466

Well, this looks like I should get one to add to the pile. Thanks .. I think Still going to get to -20 quite a bit here over the next five or six months. I am really not looking forward to winter this year. I am stuck on the east side. No hills to speak of, and last winter was long. So, snuggly clothes are going to have to stand in for actual entertainment.

 

[Herman30]

Well, this looks like I should get one to add to the pile. Thanks .. I think

It is thin but surprisingly effectiv at keeping my ears warm. Plus the neck and throat. And because it´s wool it doesn´t feel wet even though it is from sweat, underneath the hat.
Most of the time I wear it like this:

 

[Billy-o]

I took to wearing a buff/neck gaiter kind of thing a few years ago ... I don't much like a hood over a ski helmet, and somedays it rains as much as it snows, with a large portion of that airborne slush heading down the neck. There isn't much worse than getting stuck on a chairlift with a drip aimed unerringly at the gap between your neck and your jacket. So, something wool and tubular is a win. Something that will slide neatly under a helmet; more win. Joined together, you say? Goooooaaaallllll!!!!!

 

[punkrockcaveman]

Just had a British army wool head over delivered from endicotts. Super long tube, really warm. First impressions are great, £4 too

 

[Hodge]

Coincidently, Journeyman Bushcraft now have sheep wool beanies half fleece lined a £19-99. Worth a look I think.

 

[baggins]

Similar to the Aclima warm wool shirts, but they have the hood built in to the collar. very warm and toasty and a good head layering system

 

[Snufkin]

I've had a mears, mine also shrank in the wash, also my own fault. I've used the varusteleka ones for a couple of years and like them very much. I got one of their alpaca ones last winter but didn't have many occasions to use it but it seems really nice. I dug it out as I was going through my autumn/winter kit now the weather's changing.

 

[punkrockcaveman]

Tested the mears beanie. Works great, super warm, comfortable enough to sleep in the hammock with and wear for long periods. Just didn't get any wet weather to test it in! I have however been called a fan boy a few times for wearing it already!

 

[Thoth]

I have a couple of those possum and merino hats, they are very warm. If I lost one I'd buy another. In fact I have!

 

[Billy-o]

Wow turns out the ray mears beanie is very good value for money.

Yes, you are right. I am looking high and low for a flat cap just now ... which is trickier to figure out online than you might think ... anyway the Mears beanies are £35 at Farlows.

People taking wannabee pops usually got their own problems with confidence and authenticity, I've found. (There's some flat cap wisdom, for you )

 

[punkrockcaveman]

Yes, you are right. I am looking high and low for a flat cap just now ... which is trickier to figure out online than you might think ... anyway the Mears beanies are £35 at Farlows.

People taking wannabee pops usually got their own problems with confidence and authenticity, I've found. (There's some flat cap wisdom, for you )

Wow £35? Seems a bit extortionate?

Haha too true, in all fairness is was all in the name of banter and I played the part for it