Alpine Hat

Comments about Outdoor Research Alpine Hat:

I wear this hat for everything from a jog in the park to working outside in -40F conditions. It fits well under my helmet when I'm skiing and riding, but the front edge can drop slightly to low sometimes and get into my line of sight. Wears great, washes great, stays warm and keeps the wind out. Great hat!

Comments about Outdoor Research Alpine Hat:

OR built this primarily as a windstopper hat that can be used in cool to cold conditions. The fleece itself is a very tight and short nap on both inside and outside and so it seems, at first, that this might not be all that warm in really cold conditions. However, if you're very active at all, this lid will provide more warmth than you might anticipate. The thickness is slightly less than the very popular Mountain Hardwear Dome Perignon Hat, yet I haven't really noticed a difference in warmth (as I own both). With that said, I find that both windstopper hats impede a certain amount of sound. I thus find myself wearing basic wool or synthetic hybrid non-windstopping beanies when hiking or skiing just so that I can hear better. If the weather requires it, I just pull on my jacket hood for wind protection. Nevertheless, this hat has its place. Because it does not fit tightly to the head, I've easily worn OR's Novo Watch Cap underneath, since the Watch Cap is a thin, tight fitting synthetic beanie and acts sort of like a "base layer" for your head.

Comments about Outdoor Research Alpine Hat:

Very warm and light. Does it's job well without being intrusive. Only downside i've seen is windblock fabric in ear area noticeably dampens sound

Comments about Outdoor Research Alpine Hat:

I think i've had one of these hats since about 1996 or so when i moved to Jackson Hole. I'm probably on my fourth one now. Makes an outstanding ski hat, not itchy, warm, windproof. the ear flaps keep even the lower lobes of your ears warm and toasty on cold windy days. These days i ski in a helmet, but i always have the toque in my pack for a hike or hitting the bar after skiing.

only real drawback is that with the windstopper fleece, you cant hear at all with the ear flaps down.

Comments about Outdoor Research Alpine Hat:

I use this hat for winter bicycle commuting and I've found it to be an almost perfect hat for that purpose. For starters, the hat is extremely windproof which not only keeps my head and ears warm but strangely enough is a psychological advantage in a stiff headwind. I just don't hear the wind as much with this hat on. The extended section around back is very nice for keeping my ears completely covered and it never rides up like other hats. It could be a bit more breathable but it probably wouldn't be as windproof any more. My only complaint is that there is too much fabric at the top of the hat. I look a bit like a conehead when I put it on but I have other hats to wear when I'm concerned about how I look. If I pull the hat down further to get rid of the cone effect, I end up with too much length around the back and it wants to roll up around my neck.

Comments about Outdoor Research Alpine Hat:

will use this for sailing in Maine and Canada

Comments about Outdoor Research Alpine Hat:

superior wind protection and warmth with no weight or bulk