Smartwool Reversible Training Beanie

Thin two-layer merino wool beanie is great for cool to cold weather high output activity. Very stretchy, one size fits all well. Double layer provides a little more warmth, but you’ll feel the cold when you stop or if it’s windy. In the very long term, thin merino fabrics like this tend to develop holes—but so far, so good..

This is what I used to call a "running hat." It’s very basic—a two-layer 100% merino wool beanie that most people will "fold over" for fit and to give your ears a little more warmth on a cold day. The fabric is smooth and has a lot of "give"—very comfortable to wear. 

The entire hat is two thin layers of merino wool—soft and decently warm, super-stretchy so the one size will fit pretty much anyone well. It’s great for running, hiking, and other high output activities; like many light beanies, it’s a nice way to cut the morning chill when you’re cooking breakfast on a hike or river trip.

Wicking is this hat’s forte. Sitting still on a cold, windy day is not. Even under a hood, this hat lacks enough bulk to resist even moderately cold weather if you aren’t moving.  

A key difference between wool and synthetic is how they handle a lot of moisture. This hat absorbs a fair bit more sweat than a comparable polyester fleece beanie, so I’ve occasionally had to wring it out. Another key difference, though, is that you can sweat on wool layers all day, days in a row, and they do ultimately dry out and do not stink; some of my polyester fleece hats end up smelling awful under the same circumstances. Pick your poison, I guess. 

HOW I HAVE USED IT

I purchased this hat in New York City on a cold winter day. My spouse and one of our daughters were in and out of stores that scare me—nice, very expensive things for sale—so I wandered into Paragon Sports and found this hat on a two-for-one sale. That appealed to me as some of my older merino wool hats are starting to get little holes. Our son, a year-round runner, got the other hat and used it most of the winter for daily workouts. I wore this hat on a bunch of cool/cold weather day hikes, at the dog park, commuting to work…

Background

I bought the hat about six months ago and have worn it quite a bit since then.

My go-to beanie for thin, soft, medium-warmth head comfort. Suitable under a helmet.

I keep at least 6 warm hats handy and like to always know which ones will be most appropriate based on weather, activity, mood, and what else I'm wearing. I've had a reversible pink/grey SmartWool beanie for about 5 years and it has consistently been my most versatile and comfortable hat.

Sometimes I want the pink to show more and other times I prefer the grey. Regardless of the fashion statement I make, I've got some of the finest, softest wool against my forehead, ears, and head. It fits nicely under a bicycle helmet, it's long enough to wear either folded double-back over the ears or single-layer long, pointy, and flopped back. It also works great while camping and sleeping in a sleeping bag, pulled down over my eyes and nose to block out light and keep in heat without overheating or suffocating me.

Compared to most beanies I've owned, this is the thinnest for sure, so it's suitable for spring and fall weather but doesn't always cut it during the coldest winter days.