Toasty toques

October 25, 2015 10:35 PM

Please recommend brands of toque, tuque, or watch cap for me.

I could stand to have more toques to rotate around during winter so's I'm not putting one on that's cold and wet. What toques are the most bestest? I am not really open to non-toque caps unless I can wad them up into a coat pocket when I get to work. Things I care about in order:

(1) Toasty.

(2) Big enough for a big ol' melon and can maybe be persuaded to cover my entire ears.

(3) Cheapish. Up to maybe USD25 is okay.

(4) Plainer is better. I'm mostly not too concerned with fashiony stuff but have noticed that my usual winter ensemble, in combination with my cheery expression, says "Hi! I'm from the mafia and I'm here to kill you." So, fuck it, let's roll with that; available in black is a plus.

posted by ROU_Xenophobe to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (6 answers total)

No matter what brand you get, you really want Merino wool because it dries fast and doesn't get funky smelly from head-sweat and snow/water melt.

I like Minus33 or Icebreaker, but Smartwool is always good.

These are all in your price range if you shop around, and they're very plain and not-flashy.
posted by rokusan at 11:01 PM on October 25, 2015 [2 favorites]

It's wildly outside the borders of your desires, but as a daily toque wearer, I feel compelled to chime in here to say that for nearly 3 years (winters at least), I've worn a Brooks Brothers cable knit cashmere toque. It is shallow (which I love), so it won't cover your ears. It is also expensive (or was when I got it) at around $100.

But, if you can find a cashmere or cashmere-blend that suits you, I can vouch for cashmere's warmth, wicking, and non-stinkiness. Plus, it feels sooo nice to wear. I think Woolovers has a cashmere/cotton or cashmere/merino blend at a good price, and I can vouch for the quality of their materials and construction, although I only own their jumpers.
posted by still bill at 3:25 AM on October 26, 2015

Black all-wool watch caps from military surplus. Usually like $5 in surplus stores in my area. I have 3 or 4 in rotation in any given year.
posted by soundguy99 at 5:12 AM on October 26, 2015

Nthing everyone on the wool thing; you want wool, not acrylic, which many manufacturers use as a cheap (but poor) substitute. Soundguy99 has it right: you can even get those military surplus black wool watch caps online now.
posted by Pandora Kouti at 6:04 AM on October 26, 2015

I take hat size 73/4 ( XL for most brands), so I know it can be a pain to find a decent one size fits all.

This Merino wool toque fits a large noggin well, and will cover your ears.
Decent quality as well.

This synthetic is ok. Quite thin, easily packed, warm. Fits smaller than the Merino, but will do.
posted by yyz at 9:18 AM on October 26, 2015

Response by poster: Thanks, everyone. I've ordered a surplus watch cap and will order another toque later on. The ones from mec really seem like what I want but their charges to ship to the US are ridiculous; if we have time some trip to TO maybe we'll stop in Burlington. I sort of wish I could do cashmere but I need hats where I'm not gonna cry if I lose them.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 6:35 AM on October 27, 2015