Winter Hats
Keep your head and ears warm with military winter hats built for guard shifts, deer stands and long winters. This collection pulls together nearly fifty Rothco cold-weather pieces, from the plain G.I. watch cap to full-face balaclavas.
- Watch caps in acrylic, genuine wool, ragg wool and polar fleece, including the G.I. Wintuck watch cap, a genuine G.I. watch cap with brim, fine knit caps, and fleece- and sherpa-lined deluxe caps.
- Embroidered watch caps for the Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force, veterans, the U.S. flag, NASA, and public safety teams like EMT, fire, police and security.
- Fleece caps and liners: a polar fleece watch cap, an arctic fleece tactical cap/liner, and a Gen III Level 2 grid fleece watch cap.
- Balaclavas and face covers in polyester and polar fleece, a 3-in-1 adjustable double-layer balaclava, a convertible fleece cap with face mask, and an ECWCS full face cover and helmet liner.
- Neck and ear warmers: ECWCS polyester and Gen III grid fleece neck gaiters, a polar fleece neck warmer and an ECWCS double-layer headband.
- A fur flyer's hat and a wind- and waterproof insulated acrylic watch cap for the worst weather.
Thin grid fleece and polyester pieces fit under a helmet or hood. Thicker wool and lined caps are the better choice when the hat is your only head cover.
A note for service members: DA PAM 670-1 lets commanders authorize a plain black or coyote brown fleece cap with the combat uniform in the field, and lists a dark brown neck gaiter as an optional accessory. Embroidered and patterned caps here are for off-duty wear. See the guide below for the details.
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How to Choose Military Winter Hats
The best winter hat depends on how cold it gets, how hard you're working, and whether the hat goes under a helmet.
Wool vs. Acrylic vs. Fleece
- Wool and ragg wool stay warm even when damp from snow or sweat and resist odor. Wool can itch on bare skin, so some people wear a thin liner under it.
- Acrylic is soft, cheap, easy to wash and holds embroidery well, which is why most branch and agency watch caps use it.
- Polar fleece and grid fleece are light, dry quickly and breathe well during hard work. Grid fleece is thin enough for a helmet liner.
Watch Caps vs. Balaclavas
A watch cap covers the head and ears and folds up or down to adjust warmth. A balaclava adds face and neck coverage for wind, snowmobiles and long hours outside. The convertible and 3-in-1 styles let you go from cap to face cover without taking anything off.
Layering for Real Cold
Military cold-weather clothing works in layers, and your head is no different. A thin fleece or polyester layer under a wool watch cap, plus a neck gaiter, handles most winter days. Add a hood or the insulated waterproof cap when wind and wet join the cold.
Fit and Sizing
Most watch caps, balaclavas and gaiters are one size and stretch to fit. Wash knit caps in cold water and lay them flat to dry so they don't stretch out of shape or shrink. The cap should cover your ears completely without pressing on your eyebrows. If you'll wear a cap under a helmet, try them together before you head out.
Military Winter Hats and Uniform Regulations
Army Fleece Cap Rules
Under paragraph 4-10 of DA PAM 670-1, commanders may authorize the black or coyote brown fleece cap with the combat uniform in field environments, on work details, or where the patrol cap isn't practical. Paragraph 20-13 describes it as a single-ply, bell-shaped, pull-on cap of plain black or coyote brown fleece or microfiber. The black cap is clothing bag issue and the coyote brown cap is an optional purchase. Wear it pulled down snugly with the bottom edge covering the ears but not the eyebrows. You may fold the edge but not roll it.
Neck Gaiter
Paragraph 20-20 describes the neck gaiter as a dark brown, camouflage-compatible knit tube for optional wear with combat and cold weather uniforms. It can be worn as a neck warmer, hood, balaclava, ear band or hat.
Other Services
Sailors, Airmen, Guardians and Marines have their own cold-weather headwear rules in their service manuals, and each limits colors and markings. Read the current version before wearing a commercial cap with your uniform.
Buying for Uniform Wear
These are commercial Rothco items. Embroidered, camo and colored caps don't match the plain fleece cap description, so wear them off duty. If you want a plain black or coyote brown cap for the field, choose one with no logos and confirm with your chain of command. The Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps set their own cold-weather headwear rules, and local policy can be stricter.