The 10 Best Baby Winter Hats to Keep Little Ones Warm
Growing up, it might’ve been annoying to hear our parents nag us to wear a hat in the cold, but now that we’re parents ourselves, we realize how important it really is. A comfy, cozy winter hat is a pretty magical thing, as it’s exactly what baby needs to stay warm when winter’s chill hits. While they’re not ready for runny nose-inducing snowball fights with their older siblings just yet, babies still need hats to protect them from the cold. The best baby winter hats are the ones that’ll keep your little one warm and comfortable (and yes, looking cute). Here, find our buying tips to guide your winter hat hunt, as well as a rundown of our favorite styles to shop now.
Babies lose body heat up to four times faster than adults, so they’re particularly susceptible to feeling cold. To that end, you’ll want to make a warm winter hat part of their wardrobe whenever they’re outside in cold weather. The best winter hats for babies are made from super soft materials and fit snugly over their heads, providing coverage for baby’s ears and even chin.
Babies may not feel warmth escaping their bodies, but they can certainly sense a scratchy garment snuggling their scalp and will do their darndest to rip it off. That’s why you’ll want to invest in a hat—or two or three—that’s comfortable and will stay on, not just because it’s secure, but because it won’t irritate them enough to want to pull it off.
Keep these features in mind when you’re searching for baby winter hats:
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Soft and lightweight. Winter hats for babies should hug their head instead of weighing it down, as well as provide them comfort. Look for options made with soft and flexible materials that won’t feel excessively heavy, like alpaca wool, plush fleece or Icelandic yarn.
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Secure but not constricting. If your little one will be joining you for a walk outside or a few hours of errands, you’ll want them to sport a hat that’s well-fitting and protective but doesn’t feel like a helmet. Features like strings or snaps that can be tied or fastened beneath the chin make for more secure fits, as do beanies with pliable Spandex binding (which contours to baby’s head while helping the hat keep its shape) or roll-up cuffs (which can tighten a slouchier fit for a smaller infant head).
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Sweet and stylish. Baby winter hats can run the gamut from whimsical and age-appropriate to overly kiddie and cloying. Instead of specific character-themed caps (Disney is great, but Elsa and Baby Yoda don’t have to accessorize every one of their outfits), look for options that feature trendy, baby-amusing details like poofs or pom poms, or playful add-ons like ears or eyes that serve as a nod to your tot’s favorite animal archetype. Fair isle patterns are also cute, but they’re not the only motif you can work with come winter!
There are plenty of places you can pick up a winter hat for baby—but if you’re looking for a well-crafted option that provides good value for your money, these four retailers are our go-to spots to shop.
- Backcountry. You might think of Backcountry primarily as a place to buy hiking and biking gear—and it is!—but it also carries a wide selection of durable and practical outerwear for little ones, making it a one-stop shop for active families.
- Maisonette. Want baby to be as stylish as they are warm and cozy? Click your way over to Maisonette. It’s an ideal destination for baby hats, offering a wide array of fashionable and comfortable headwear options that are sure to appeal to trend-conscious parents.
- Zutano. Zutano offers a vibrant and versatile line of baby and toddler clothing featuring everything from cozy baby hats and booties to colorful rompers and cute-as-a-button tees. Even better, they’re crafted with soft, organic cotton for ultimate comfort.
- L.L.Bean. Known for its durability and classic styles, L.L.Bean hats stand the test of time, keeping little heads warm season after season. Younger siblings, cousins and friends’ little ones will be delighted to inherit these hats when you’re ready to hand them down.
Overall best baby winter hat
- Available in multiple sizes
- May be slightly bulky for younger babies
- Plush design may be too hot for warmer winter days
Keep your little cub cozy in this adorable baby winter hat from The North Face. The plush, fleece cap offers extra warmth and coverage, plus bear ears for an added aw-factor. Better yet, the hook-and-loop chin strap ensures the hat stays firmly in place while you get on with your day. It’s available in four cute colors, so you can easily coordinate with baby’s wardrobe.
Material: Polyester | Size range: 0-6 months to 6-24 months | Machine washable: N/A
Best baby winter beanie
- Covers baby's head and ears snuggly
- Suitable for every skin type
- Sold in an affordable 3-pack
- Beanie band can be tight, according to some parents
- Can become stretched and worn after a few seasons
This machine-washable, quick-drying trio of beanies is intricately knitted, stitched and quality-checked to guarantee comfort and durability. It stretches up to 10 inches, allowing it to grow with your little one from the 3-month to 3-year mark. And with a contemporary knit style, the beanie complements any outfit, be it a sweater and denim combination or a coat and snowsuit.
Material: Acrylic | Size range: 0-6 months to 6-36 months | Machine washable: Yes
Best infant winter hat
- Adjustable chin strap
- Fleece lined
- Designed to fit generously
We admit it—we're suckers for a baby hat with animal ears. This fleece-lined beanie will keep even the smallest of heads warm all winter long, and an adjustable slip-through chin strap ensures it won't fall off or get tossed overboard when you've got baby in the stroller. Available in seven sweet color combos including bright pink, white and navy, this is an affordable, well-made option you and baby will both appreciate on a chilly day.
Material: Polyester | Size range: One size | Machine washable: No
Best baby balaclava
- Offers full-coverage warmth
- Soft and gentle on baby’s skin
- Available in five neutral colors
- Hand-wash only
- Pricey
Searching for a baby winter hat that fits a newborn’s tiny head can be surprisingly tricky. Luckily, this balaclava is the perfect option. Thanks to five size options (including 0 to 3 months), you can ensure a proper fit. Plus, the balaclava style pulls over baby’s head, completely covering their ears and neck for maximum warmth and allaying any fears of it falling off. It’s made of ultra-soft kbT-certified organic merino wool (which meets Europe’s highest standards for organic textiles), so it’s warm, lightweight and moisture-wicking. Wool stays warm even when wet, and thanks to the natural lanolin, it boasts self-cleansing properties—perfect for baby’s sensitive skin.
Material: Merino wool | Size range: 0-3 months to 12-24 months | Machine washable: No
Best baby trapper hat
- Super warm
- Available in a variety of fun colors
- Machine-washable
- Runs small, according to some parents, so you may want to size up
Zutano, a family-owned company based in Vermont, creates some of the best baby winter accessories out there. While we adore the brand’s classic beanies, it doesn’t get much cuter than this mini trapper cap. It has a fleece exterior, a soft furry lining, ear flaps and a Velcro strap that fastens under baby’s chin for a secure fit.
Material (fleece): 70% cotton/30% polyester | Material (lining): 100% polyester | Size range: 6 months to 4T | Machine washable: Yes
Best baby pom pom hat
- Available in seven colors
- Pricey
There’s a reason Canada Goose has such clout; it’s a winter classic and a brand that’s known for keeping people warm and toasty—babies included! This soft, chunky knit winter hat is the perfect topper for your winter treks outside (especially if you live somewhere with lower temperatures). Lined in plush fleece for extra insulation, you’ll never have to worry about your little musketeer being too cold.
Material: Wool/nylon | Size range: One size | Machine washable: No
Best baby hat and mittens set
- Snaps at chin to keep little ears covered
- Machine-washable
- Best for moderately cold days
This sweet plush-lined hat and mittens set will keep your baby bear warm in the cold—and looking cuter than ever. An adjustable two-snap closure fastens under baby's chin to keep little ears covered and warm, and side snaps on the mittens keep them connected when they're not in use. It even makes a perfect baby shower gift, especially when you add a blanket to the set!
Material: 50% polyester/41% cotton/9% nylon | Size range: 0-6 months to 12-24 months | Machine washable: Yes
Best fleece-lined baby hat
- Spandex binding around the opening
- Reversible design
- Pricey
Patagonia is beloved by outdoor enthusiasts—but did you know this brand makes winter accessories for kids too? This reversible baby winter hat offers two looks in one: an adorable knit pattern on one side and a high-pile fleece on the other. It’s also designed with longer sides to keep baby’s ears covered. Plus, this super cute style is Fair Trade-sewn and made from recycled polyester, so it’s a sustainable option to boot.
Material: Polyester | Size range: 0-3 months to 2T-5T | Machine washable: Yes
Best velvet-lined baby hat
- Lightweight
- Machine-washable
- Pricey
Worried about baby winter hats actually staying on your little one’s head? Then a balaclava is the way to go. They easily pull over the head to protect your little one’s neck and ears from the wind and cold. This one from HutteliHut is made from cozy wool with soft velvet cotton on the inside, so it’s warm but not bulky. The little bear ears at the top will give baby’s look an extra dose of cuteness, and if you just can’t get enough of it, it’s available in toddler and big-kid sizes to keep the fun going for years.
Material (outer): 80% wool/20% polyester | Material (inner): 80% cotton/20% polyester | Size range: 0-12 months to 4-6 years | Machine washable: Yes
Best cute baby winter hat
- Multiple cute designs
- Chin strap keeps hat in place
- Designed to fit snugly
- Some parents said the velcro fastener wore out quickly
Are they a dragon? A dinosaur? Whichever they are, they'll be cute as a button in this fleece-lined knit hat. A velcro closure at the chin keeps the earflaps over baby's ears, and a touch of Lycra adds a little stretch so this hat hugs their head while providing some room to grow.
Material (outer): 100% acrylic | Material (inner): 95% polyester/5% spandex | Size range: 6-12 months to 2T-4T | Machine washable: No
Babies are notorious for not wanting to keep hats on their heads, and we were determined to find a few that even the fussiest little ones won’t object to. After all, you’ve got to keep that little bean warm! To help you find the best baby winter hat, we browsed dozens of options from leading brands and online retailers so you don’t have to spend hours scrolling through products yourself. From pretty to practical, we scoured the web to find baby hats that parents (and babies) will love when the mercury drops, considering several factors like sizing, material, warmth, quality, durability and, of course, cuteness. We also read user reviews to get the lowdown on how these jackets have worked for real kiddos, and didn’t consider anything with less than an average four-star rating.
Interested in learning more about our editorial process? Read about how our team develops and reviews all our articles here.
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