PolarWool™ Merino Wool Fisherman Beanie – Double Layer Knit Hat for Large Heads

Not reversible. The workman's history of the beanie lends meaning to the clunky seams. The warp yarn that I pulled passed the heated fiber test for being natural. Has a nice dense feel but reasonably thin, good for these Southern California winters. Could be the best fitting knit cap that I have used on my big head.

I wear wool whenever possible—base layers, socks, underwear—so I was glad to add this hat to my collection. The knit is dense, soft, and not itchy, exactly what I expect from a merino blend. Sizing is where things get tricky. I usually wear a Large in motorcycle and ski helmets. With the cuff folded, this hat feels a bit short to work well as a proper watch cap. It sits well above the ears. Unfolded, it has plenty of length but then feels a touch long near my eyes and to the base of my neck, better suited for XL or larger heads. For me it sits right in between—usable in both styles, but not perfect in either. That said, the construction is solid, the wool keeps me warm without overheating, and the color choices are versatile. If you’re truly a big-head wearer, unfolded it’s a great beanie. If you prefer a folded fisherman style, it may be best if your head runs smaller. Edit: I played around with it a bit more. Because the fold point is not determined you can do a small fold and work this hat as a watch cap even on a large size head.

**Background:** I love merino wool—socks, thermal underwear, base layers, gloves. I'm a big fan of this knit. My head circumference is 23 1/2 inches, so I was on the fence between sizes. I went with the XL/XXL. **Build Quality:** Very nice hat. I like the knitting, the colors, and the little name tag—it's not offensive and adds a tasteful accent. The fabric definitely feels like merino wool. There isn’t as much stretch as I had hoped, which might be related to my sizing choice—my fault. When I pull the fabric, it doesn’t feel as stretchy as some other hats. **Function:** Since I was unsure about the size and because I'm growing my hair out—plus I thought they might need more room—sometimes head size shifts, I chose the larger XL/XXL. It fits my head, but it's not as tight as I prefer. I'm pretty active, so I like a more secure fit. The material is definitely breathable; even with later summer warm weather, I'm not overheating while wearing this hat. It insulates and provides some warmth. I’d rate it as a lighter thickness of material. It’s probably suitable for fall and spring, but for deep winter, you might want something thicker. According to the sizing info on the listing—24 inches and above is for XL/XXL—I’d agree with that. It's just a bit big for my head.

Overall, great beanie!
Nice & warm, decent stretch & fit for size. The seams are a bit . . . chunky on the inside, which makes it feel a little bulky, but ymmv. They certainly could have been done better I think.

80% Merino wool with 20% acrylic as a blend is probably my favorite at this point. You get a nice mix of breathable and odor resistant yet shape retaining and longer lasting. Going 100% on the wool flings you into the extreme of comfort but also care management, the latter of which is not my particular bag.

The big head design seems to work with this hat; I feel quite comfy donning this thing inside and outside. Honestly, the material mix seems to keep my head fairly well temperature balanced whether in the cold or warm weather. Lastly, it doesn��t seem to cling to or entrap an odor, so the value to me is great.