With winter just around the corner, it’s time to make sure you’ve got ample protection for your entire body when headed outdoors. While the tried and true knit hat will never go out of production, it’s not appealing to everyone. Here are some great head coverings that break the mold a bit when it comes to form and function, allowing you to stay cozy and warm, score some style points, and most importantly protect your head.
Balaclava
A balaclava is a great alternative to a knit cap, as they usually tend to be less bulky and cover more surface area without compromising breathing and vision. This head covering will typically encompass the entire head and neck, leaving all or just a portion of the face uncovered. Even if it’s constructed with ultra-thin materials, the balaclava will go a long way in ensuring the heat generated from your head stays close to the skin, keeping sensitive places like your ears and the back of your neck shielded from cold air and precipitation. Plus, they can easily be worn under helmets and larger hats quite comfortably, which comes in very handy with cyclists and snow sports enthusiasts.
Ear Bands
Some people cannot stand the confining feeling of a hat, but that doesn’t mean their extremities don’t suffer the cold like the rest of us. Instead of forgoing a head covering altogether, try an ear band instead. It’s nothing more than a insulated band that either goes around your entire head, or just the back of it while still covering your ears. The frigid winds of winter can be debilitating if your ears are unprotected, so if a hat just won’t suit you, be sure to wear an ear band of some sort.
Wild Card
If you’re not sure what you want to wear on your head, but know you need some kind of protection, maybe a multi-purpose head covering is what you’re after. Buff has a great line of — what else? — buffs that will serve many purposes and suit all kinds of styles, all you need to do is bring it along for the ride. While there are different materials used for varying levels of insulation, each Buff buff is protected with an application of odor-controlling Polygiene, which is environmentally friendly and will last throughout the life of the garment. Available in an assortment of colors and patterns.
Now that we’ve gone over some gear to protect your head, let’s talk about protecting your camera and other valuable gear.
Featured Image from Red Hat Factory/Unsplash
