Whether you are chopping firewood, shoveling snow, or just running errands around town, a winter wool cap with ear flaps offers you the versatile warmth you need to help protect your ears during the brutal cold. Some of these winter earflap hats have a tie-back design for the earflaps, while others will have fold-away earflaps that tuck inside the hat.
I like Filson’s Double Mackinaw wool insulated cap with ear flaps because not only does it use double layer Mackinaw wool for warmer insulation, it’s also made here in the USA to help ensure that this cap lasts through many winter seasons. This Filson cap also has a neck flap – the flaps are sheepskin shearling-lined flaps to provide the warmth you need.
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These are our choices for best wool winter earflap hats:
- Filson USA Double Mackinaw Wool Cap with Ear Flaps (click here to view)
- Filson USA Mackinaw Wool Cap with Tuck-Away Earflaps (click here to view)
- Stetson Kinty Winter Wool Earflap Cap (click here to view)
- Stormy Kromer Snowdrift Insulated Wool Earflap Cap (click here to view)
- L.L. Bean Maine Guide Wool Hat with PrimaLoft (click here to view)
- Stormy Kromer Original Kromer Cap (click here to view)
- *Cabbie Style* Biddy Murphy Wool Ear Flap Cap (click here to view)
- *Cabbie Style* Folie Co. Wool Herringbone Winter Ivy Cabbie Hat (click here to view)
You’ll need to decide whether or not you want a traditional ballcap style, or a cabbie-style wool hat. Also, as I mentioned at the top, some of these wool hats will have tie-down ear flaps, while others will have fold-away ear flaps.
You’ll also need to decide if you want insulated ear flaps that are lined to provide additional warmth. Obviously, lined ear flaps are bulkier, and therefore can’t be folded into the cap. These types of wool caps with insulated ear flaps are tie-down style because those insulated ear flaps can’t simply be tucked inside the cap.
I like the Filson Double Layer Mackinaw Wool Cap because it has sheepskin shearling-lined insulated flaps to provide the warmth needed around the ears and neck during those brutally cold winter days. The crown of this Filson cap is also insulated to provide warmth to the top of your head.
In this article let’s take a closer look at these winter earflap hats so you can find an option that fits your needs. Let’s also discuss in further detail things you will need to consider when buying a wool cap with ear flaps.
Best Winter Wool Cap with Ear Flaps
Filson Made in USA Double Mackinaw Wool Cap with Ear Flaps
Filson is a clothing company based in Seattle WA that has a deep-rooted tradition in providing heavy-duty dependable workwear. Their founder, C.C. Filson, opened shop in 1897 and, at that time, specialized in making ultra-tough, ultra-dependable clothing for stampeders heading north for the Klondike Gold Rush.
Modern day, they’ve transitioned into a company that provides a wide range of outdoor gear (not just workwear). Their gear can be worn by fisherman, loggers, miners, engineers, explorers, and even just everyday folk looking for rugged casualwear.
This is what the Filson Double Mackinaw Wool Cap with Ear Flaps looks like available at Filson.com (affiliate link takes you to filson.com). Here’s what you need to know about this cap:
- Material – This Filson winter earflap cap is made with 24-ounce Mackinaw wool that is double layered for warmth and durability. This cap has sheepskin shearling-lined flaps to provide the warmth needed around the ears and neck during those brutally cold winter days. There is nylon lining to help insulated the crown of the cap for additional warmth.
- Made in USA – This winter earflap hat is made in the USA. Filson sources its wool from a “small herd of hardy sheep in the northwestern United States and Canada.” Filson prides itself on quality wool that they say can be bent 20,000 times without breaking. The sheepskin shearling-lined flaps are sourced from either Australia or New Zealand depending on the style you choose.
- Design – This Filson wool cap with ear flaps also has a back neck flap that provides additional warmth. This is a tie-back cap. It has this tie-back design because the flaps are insulated and therefore can’t be simply tucked inside the cap when not in use. This wool earflap hat has a 3″ bill.
- Tuck-Away Option – If you want a Filson wool winter earflap hat with tuckaway flaps, then I would suggest checking out this Filson wool cap (affiliate link takes you to Filson.com). It has a 2-inch low-profil bill, and has slimmer ear flaps that can tuck inside the hat when you aren’t using them.
- Weather Protection – This Filson cap, out of all the caps on this list, has the most insulated on the flaps. In fact, many wool earflap hats don’t even have lining on the flaps. Obviously, insulated earflaps means more warmth, but it also means you can’t simply tuck those bulky flaps inside the cap. The wool is naturally water-repellent. Filson’s Mackinaw wool will “absorb as much as 30% of its own weight in moisture without becoming damp or clammy.”
Click here to buy this Filson winter earflap hat available at Filson.com (affiliate link takes you to Filson.com). This hat needs to be dry cleaned.
Stetson Kinty Wool Cap with Ear Flaps
This Stetson cap has more of a casual design. It does not have bulky ear flaps, and because of that, the ear flaps can simply be tucked inside the cap when you aren’t using them.
Here’s what this Stetson winter earflap hat looks like:
This is the current price of this Stetson winter earflap hat available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). Here’s what you need to know about this cap:
- Material – This Stetson hat, although made of wool, is actually made with a wool/polyamide blend. Polyamide is simply a polymer used in sportswear and other types of apparel to help add durability to the product. But if you are looking for a 100% wool winter cap, I’d stick with the Filson hat we discussed first.
- Style – This winter earflap hat has a sportier style than most other types of wool hats on the market today. This is a very casual design that might blend in better with jeans, t-shirt, and a jacket better than some of the other options on this list. If you are looking for a wool earflap hat to wear around town, this might be the best option.
- Design – This Stetson cap is designed with non-bulky flaps that simply tuck inside the cap when you aren’t using them. This cap has a standard design with a front bill to protect you from the elements. The hat is fully enclosed and has a cotton lining for warmth.
Click here to buy this Stetson winter earflap hat available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). The herringbone pattern on this cap gives it a nice casual style.
Biddy Murphy Wool Ear Flap Cabbie Cap
Looking for a cabbie-style wool cap with ear flaps? This Biddy Murphy hat has that classic “newsboy” design to give it that authentic Irish feel and, yes, it is made with 100% wool for warmth and comfort.
Here’s what this Biddy Murphy newsboy cap with ear flaps looks like:
This is the current price of this Biddy Murphy wool cap with ear flaps available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). Here’s what you need to know about this cap:
- Design – This Biddy Murphy hat has the classic newsboy, cabbie-style design that gives it that true, authentic Irish feel (the cap is actually woven in Ireland too). Yes, this hat is made with 100% Irish wool.
- Ear Flaps – This winter earflap hat has a foldaway design which means the ear flaps aren’t too bulky and awkward. This is another cap that is perfect for those who want a casual-style cap to protect your ears and neck as you running errands around town during the brutal winter months.
- Sizing – Remember, because the flaps tuck inside the cap, it will fit smaller than normal cabbie-style caps. It may be best to size up one size to give your head plenty of space to fit inside this cap.
Click here to buy this Biddy Murphy newsboy cap with ear flaps available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). Like all wool caps, this cap offers a water-resistant, warm, but breathable design.
Stormy Kromer Snowdrift Insulated Wool Winter Earflap Hat
This Stormy Kromer insulated wool hat is another nice option if you prefer a cap that has lined earflaps and a tie-down style. Again, these insulated flap hats are too bulky to simply tuck the flaps inside the cap, so they will have the tie-down style.
Here’s what this Stormy Kromer wool winter earflap hat looks like:
This is the current price of this Stormy Kromer wool cap with ear flaps available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). Here’s what you need to know about this cap:
- Material – This Stormy Kromer hat is made with a wool/nylon blend (is wool blend waterproof?). Nylon is used at times in hats to help add durability and strength to the hat. This hat also uses cotton in the lining to add warmth and comfort.
- Lining – This hat has lined earflaps and also has 3M Thinsulate insulation worked into the hat to help add warmth. 3M Thinsulate is a popular synthetic insulation used in apparel because it is very good at trapping heat, but is non-bulky and lightweight.
- Design – This Stormy Kromer winter earflap cap is a tie-down design due to the lined earflaps. The cap is fully-enclosed and has a front bill to help keep the weather off your face.
Click here to buy this Stormy Kromer wool earflap hat available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). This hat will need to be dry cleaned.
Other Wool Winter Earflap Hats to Consider
- L.L. Bean Maine Guide Wool Cap with PrimaLoft – It’s hard to discuss outdoor winter gear and not mention LL Bean. This LL Bean wool hat uses Primaloft as insulation to help keep your head warm. Primaloft is another synthetic insulation that is warm, but lightweight and non-bulky. This hat has a short brim to protect your face but not restrict your line of sight. Click here to view this LL Bean wool cap with ear flaps (affiliate link takes you to llbean.com).
- Stormy Kromer Original Kromer Cap – This is the second Stormy Kromer wool earflap hat that we have discussed. This hat has a slimmer style, and might be great for those of you who want a winter earflap hat that isn’t bulky. This hat has a unique pull-down earband that protects your ears from the cold. This hat is made from wool and nylon, and has a 100% cotton flannel lining. Click here to view this Stormy Kromer winter earflap cap at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com).
- Patagonia Recycled Wool Ear Flap Cap – Patagonia is well-known for making winter outdoor apparel, and they do make this wool cap with ear flaps made from recycled wool. The flaps on this hat are lined for warmth, and can be tied up when you don’t need them. This hat has a low-profile that won’t sit high above the head. Click here to view this Patagonia winter earflap hat available at Huckberry (affiliate link takes you to Huckberry.com).
5 Things To Consider When Buying a Wool Cap with Ear Flaps
Traditional vs Newsboy Wool Cap
You’ll need to decide whether or not you want a traditional ballcap style, or a newsboy (aka cabbie) style wool cap. Traditional style wool caps have a sportier look with an extended front bill that can help keep the weather off your face.
But sometimes the bill of a cap can disrupt your line of sight, and cabbie-style caps have a more open front. Also, these cabbie-style caps have a classic casual style that might be better for those looking for a cap to pair with trousers and a jacket as they run errands around town.
Insulated Ear Flaps
Do you need insulated ear flaps that are lined to provide additional warmth? Obviously, lined ear flaps are bulkier, and therefore can’t be folded into the wool hat. These types of wool caps with insulated ear flaps are tie-down style because those insulated ear flaps can’t simply be tucked inside the cap.
If you want a less-bulky design, you will want to buy a cap that has foldaway flaps. These flaps usually aren’t quite as warm, but will still shield your ear from the elements.
Type of Lining
Most winter earflap hats also have lining on the inside to help provide additional warmth to your head. This lining will often be made with cotton flannel. But it is also common to see options that use a synthetic insulation across the crown of the hat to provide warmth.
For example, the Stormy Kromer hat on our list uses 3M Thinsulate as insulation, and the LL Bean wool hat on our list uses Primaloft as insulation. These synthetic insulations are great at trapping heat, but are also lightweight and non-bulky so they don’t make the hat awkward to wear.
Other Ways to Stay Warm
What is an alternative to wearing a winter wool cap with ear flaps? Obviously, a winter beanie might be an option. But unlike wool hats, beanies don’t have a bill to help shield weather off your face.
Canvas hats will be much more durable than a beanie, and you can buy insulated versions for winter. To read more, visit our article about the best waxed canvas hats. If you prefer leather, visit our article about the best leather flat hats.
Another option you have is to buy a liner to wear over your head and ears, but under your ball cap. This might allow you to wear your favorite hat even in the winter time. To see options, visit our article about the best winter hat liners.
If you prefer wool for winter weather, perhaps you would be interested in a wool shirt jacket. These types of shirt jackets come in both lined and unlined versions so you can find one that fits your climate. To see more options, visit our article about the best wool jackets for work.
For wool work pants, visit our article about the best wool cargo pants. If you need overalls for winter, visit our article about the best wool bibs.
Manufacturing Origin
Most wool winter earflap hats are imported. If you want a USA-made wool cap with ear flaps then I would recommend the Filson Double Mackinaw Wool Earflap Cap at the top of our list. That hat is made in the USA using wool from North American sheep.