Keep your head and ears warm this winter thanks to these sustainable beanies and winter hats!
If you live in a cold climate or like spending a lot of time outside, even during the colder months, a beanie is essential to have in your wardrobe.
But if you’re trying to be more sustainable, you might not want to buy one of those unsustainable winter hats made from acrylic or other synthetic fabrics.
You might be on the lookout for more eco-friendly alternatives.
In this article, you’ll find 9 sustainable beanies and winter hats so you can protect your ears this winter while taking care of the environment.
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What are sustainable beanies & winter hats?
Sustainable beanies are winter hats that are built to last and made with eco-friendly fabrics such as recycled wool, recycled polyester, or organic cotton.
There are also great models made from cashmere, merino wool, or yak wool.
But if you opt for virgin wool, prefer brands that source wool ethically, using cruelty-free practices.
Ideally, they should have received certifications such as the Responsible Wool Standard, the Responsible Cashmere Standard, or ZQ Merino wool.
Sustainable beanies and winter hats should also be made using sustainable manufacturing processes.
These can, for instance, include water-saving, energy-saving, or zero-waste practices.
The brand selling them should be transparent about how and where it makes its products, and use eco-friendly, non-toxic dyes.
What’s more, it should prioritize its workers’ well-being and health.
So try to look for brands that are certified B Corp or Fairtrade.
Read more: How to make your wardrobe more sustainable?
Where to find sustainable beanies & winter hats?
You can find beanies second-hand online or at the thrift store.
But if you prefer to buy a new item, avoid fast fashion brands if you can.
Many ethical brands sell sustainable beanies and winter hats!
In this article, I’ve included options for both vegans and non-vegans, so everyone can find the perfect hat for them.
So you’ll find many options made from different types of wool, but also from organic cotton and recycled synthetic fabric.
Most beanie brands featured in this post have models for both women and men and sometimes even for kids.
9 sustainable beanies and winter hats to keep your head warm outside
1. For Days
For: Women & Men
Fabrics: Reclaimed Angora Wool, Recycled Acrylic, Reclaimed Cotton, Cashmere
For Days has a large selection of sustainable beanies and winter hats for both men and women.
They feature eco-friendly fabrics like leftover cotton and angora wool yarns abandoned by the fashion industry.
From pom beanies to casual winter hats with fun patterns, there is a model for everyone!
Its Jude Beanie, available in white or dark red, is hand-knit by the brand’s artisan partners in Uganda.
It offers a little bit of slouch and is made of 50% recycled acrylic.
SHOP FOR DAYS SUSTAINABLE BEANIES & WINTER HATS
2. Pangaia
For: Women & Men
Fabrics: Regenerative Merino Wool, Recycled Cashmere, Recycled Wool
Pangaia is an ethical fashion brand that creates clothing for each member of the family.
It has two styles of gender-neutral beanies, including one made from merino wool using regenerative farming practices.
Its Recycled Cashmere beanie is a soft, lightweight winter hat made from recycled cashmere and recycled wool.
You can get it in pink, brown, or black.
We like that the brand discloses the water and carbon footprint of this product!
Besides being transparent, Pangaia is B Corp-certified and regularly provides donations and support to different NGOs.
SHOP PANGAIA SUSTAINABLE BEANIES & WINTER HATS
3. Faherty
For: Women & Men
Fabrics: Cashmere, Merino Wool, Alpaca, Wool
Faherty’s beanies are all soft, well-crafted, and comfortable, and exude a laid-back vibe.
There are many styles to choose from, from Irish cable knit winter hats to ribbed and pom beanies.
Some models are even designed by Native American artists and feature a beautiful, unique pattern.
The brand uses all kinds of wool for its winter hats, including cashmere and alpaca wool.
Its Waffle Beanie is a waffle-textured model made from 100% superfine merino wool.
It is naturally odor-resistant, breathable, and moisture-wicking.
It’s sold in three colors: oatmeal, red, and charcoal.
Plus, Faherty is a member of 1% For The Planet and a sponsor of the Surfrider Foundation, and it makes sure to recycle its fabric scraps.
SHOP FAHERTY SUSTAINABLE BEANIES & WINTER HATS
4. Prana
For: Women & Men
Fabrics: Recycled Polyester
Prana sells beanies and winter hats made from recycled polyester, including classic pom beanies and patterned models.
You can also buy balaclavas for full coverage and protection from the elements, or 90s-inspired fleece bucket hats.
Designed to cover your ears, the brand’s Hurricane Trapper Hat is perfect for those who like being outdoors in extremely cold weather.
It even has a chin strap so you’ll feel cozy and snug, even on those very cold days.
Not to mention this gender-neutral piece is Fair Trade, meaning that it was crafted with people and the planet in mind!
SHOP PRANA SUSTAINABLE BEANIES & WINTER HATS
5. Colorful Standard
For: Women & Men
Fabrics: Recycled Merino Wool
Sustainable clothing brand Colorful Standard sells unisex winter hats and smaller, single-fold beanies in 36 different colors.
There is a color for every style and person, from neutral ones to soft lavender to bright red or yellow.
Both beanies and winter hats are made in Portugal from 100% recycled merino wool certified by the Global Recycled Standard.
The brand also dyes them using non-toxic dyes that are OEKO-TEX certified, meaning that they’ve been tested to be free of harmful substances.
Colorful Standard’s beanies and winter hats will keep you warm, cozy, and healthy all at once!
SHOP COLORFUL STANDARD BEANIES & WINTER HATS
6. Allbirds
For: Women, Men, Kids
Fabrics: Merino Wool
Allbirds is a sustainable footwear brand that also sells clothes and accessories like beanies.
It offers a unisex beanie for adults, as well as one for kids featuring a cute little pom.
Both are made from 100% ZQ-certified merino wool that is never itchy and always comfy.
The adult model has a cozy, textured design and is available in two neutral colors.
The brand discloses the carbon footprint of its products, and as a Climate-Neutral certified company, it also offsets it entirely.
What’s more, Allbirds is a certified B Corporation so you can feel good about supporting it!
SHOP ALLBIRDS SUSTAINABLE BEANIES & WINTER HATS
7. Eileen Fisher
For: Women
Fabrics: Organic Cotton, Recycled Cashmere, Cashmere, Silk, Merino Wool
Sustainable designer brand Eileen Fisher offers four beanies for women, all of which are made with natural fabrics.
Its Cotton and Recycled Cashmere hat is a cozy gray beanie featuring a lovely cable-knit design.
It’s made from a blend of organic cotton and recycled cashmere meeting the Global Recycled Standard.
The hat feels very soft and luxurious, and you can even pair it with a matching crewneck sweater.
Plus, Eileen Fisher is B Corp-certified and utilizes fair trade practices to craft its pieces!
SHOP EILEEN FISHER SUSTAINABLE BEANIES & WINTER HATS
8. NAADAM
For: Women, Men, Kids, Newborns
Fabrics: Cashmere
NAADAM sources premium cashmere directly from Mongolian herding communities to create high-quality, timeless clothes and accessories.
It has three different beanies: one for adults, one for children, and an adorable one for newborns that comes with a matching blanket.
Crafted from 100% premium, Mongolian cashmere, its Kid’s Cashmere Beanie will be the perfect winter hat for your children!
It features a classic fit, all-over ribbing, and a cuffed base.
Your kids will be able to choose from beautiful colors including pink, rust, blue, and yellow, and it can be worn on its own or under a hood.
SHOP NAADAM SUSTAINABLE BEANIES & WINTER HATS
9. Frank and Oak
For: Women & Men
Fabrics: Yak Wool, Merino Wool, Lambswool, Recycled Nylon, Upcycled Oyster Shell Fabric, Recycled Polyester
Frank and Oak sells a variety of sustainable beanies and winter hats for men and women.
They are made with ethically sourced fabrics such as cruelty-free lambswool, non-mulesed merino wool, or even an innovative fabric produced from upcycled oyster shells!
Our favorite is the brand’s Yak Wool Beanie.
It’s crafted with merino wool and traceable yak wool, sourced from small-scale farms in the Himalayas.
It is dyed naturally and it’s very warm, durable, and soft.
The beanie can be worn with the cuff rolled up or down.
We also love that this Canadian brand is a certified B Corporation.
To top it off, it donates 1% of the proceeds from its yak wool collection to a grassland regeneration program in the Himalayan highlands.
SHOP FRANK AND OAK SUSTAINABLE BEANIES & WINTER HATS
Final thoughts on sustainable beanies and winter hats
I hope this list of sustainable beanies helped you find a winter hat to keep you warm and cozy during your winter activities!
For more brand recommendations, these sustainable shopping guides will help you find what you’re looking for:
- 20 sustainable clothing brands for an ethical wardrobe
- 9 sustainable winter coats and jackets for braving the cold and staying toasty
- 14 sustainable sweaters to keep you warm and cozy all winter
- 10 sustainable scarves you’ll love to wrap up in
- 7 sustainable gloves and mittens to keep frostbite at bay
What are your favorite sustainable beanies?
Please leave a comment below.
Don’t forget to share this blog post with your friends so they can find sustainable winter hats this season as well.
