In search of a beanie/skullcap that doesn't cover my ears
March 9, 2024 10:32 PM   Subscribe

I would like a beanie/skullcap that leaves my ears uncovered to allow for over-ear headphones, hearing protection, etc. When searching for this most of what I find is hats with ear flaps, which is the opposite of what I want.
posted by unus sum to Shopping (11 answers total) 3 users marked this as a favorite
 
Fisherman beanies! There's a lot of brands that have subtly different fits, but in general the point of the style is that they don't cover the ear (or the entire ear).

Something like this.
posted by Pemberly at 11:19 PM on March 9, 2024 [3 favorites]


In Canada there is Crown Cap which sells beanies. Good quality - I wear ‘em.
posted by whatevernot at 4:24 AM on March 10, 2024 [1 favorite]


Watch caps; fold the brim above your ears.
posted by Iris Gambol at 6:31 AM on March 10, 2024 [5 favorites]


I don't have a specific one to recommend but if they haven't been already, your search terms should include "watch cap", toque, and tuque.
posted by GCU Sweet and Full of Grace at 7:03 AM on March 10, 2024 [1 favorite]


Best answer: kufi
posted by SageTrail at 7:34 AM on March 10, 2024 [2 favorites]


UNIQLO has a beanie and a watch cap both; they differ in the amount of "tube" below the crown.
posted by seanmpuckett at 9:53 AM on March 10, 2024 [1 favorite]


Beanies are one of the easiest things to learn to crochet. You could make one that's exactly what you want because you can try it on while you're making it and just stop crocheting rounds once it's the perfect size.
posted by Jacqueline at 12:59 AM on March 11, 2024 [2 favorites]


You can also improvise a hat out of a buff/neck gaiter.
posted by Harald74 at 4:53 AM on March 11, 2024 [1 favorite]


Best answer: Wildly, i was considering writing this exact question just a couple days ago. Even the thinnest hat (Smartwool is my current favorite) that covers my ears cuts down on the sound attenuation from my ear protection during loud activities.

I think what other answers are missing is how much of a gap your use case needs between ear and hat, or how much the cuff of a beanie still gets in the way. As near as i can tell, a good earcup seal needs at least a half inch of clearance, maybe more. My ideal would look something like this (maybe even more of an extreme cutout around the ears), but what folks here are suggesting is this.

A couple slightly tangential thoughts: doubling up on foamies and active electronic ear pro is good so the seal around the ears isn’t as critical. (Or if you’re willing to throw a lot of money at it, or have FSA money to burn, Gentex Ops Core AMP headset with NFMI plugs.) Gel ear cups are slightly more forgiving of a thin hat (but overall don’t seal as well as foam). Under Armour’s Coldgear balaclava can cover the ears totally, keeps the head warm, and doesn’t hurt sound attenuation too much.

Otherwise, i haven’t found my perfect hat. I’m considering having one or more of my otherwise-good hats altered to avoid my ears; should be a simple job for anyone who knows knitwear and has an overlocker.
posted by supercres at 5:17 PM on March 11, 2024 [1 favorite]


Ian MacKaye is the official clotheshorse for this kind of hat.
posted by rhizome at 1:47 PM on March 12, 2024


Response by poster: supercres does a good job of laying out why a hat with a straight brim (no ear cutouts) isn't ideal, and like them I'm still in search of the perfect hat specifically designed to leave the ears exposed with space for headphones, etc.

That said, I did buy the kufi listed by SageTrail and it's a solid improvement over my current beanie that I have to fold up to leave my ears exposed, and I really appreciate all the other ideas as well.

Thanks all (please feel free to keep offering new ideas).
posted by unus sum at 1:47 PM on March 13, 2024


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