I’m looking for a warm hat to wear fly fishing through the winter months. I guess it would have to have a brim and ear flaps?
Thanks
I did the Google thing and found the Duluth Trading Co. crusher. If I were planning to spend time outdoors in the cold I would order me one. I have never worn Duluth Trading Co. apparel but I think they think their competition is Carhardt.
Bruce -
I’ve been wearing a Simms windstopper fleece beanie for winter fishing the past few years. I wear a baseball cap over the beanie, and top it off with the hood of a windproof jacket when it gets really cold or windy. The bill of the baseball cap supports the front of the hood quite nicely.
I’m not usually out if the temps get much below freezing, but this approach has worked well for me fishing through the winter here in the Northern Rockies.
John
I use two different winter hats. One is the Simms Windstopper flap hat, like a skull or beanie cap and the other head gear for when it is really cold is a Polar Buff Reversible which covers your head, as much of your face as you want and also your neck with that part tucked down into your fleece vest. Then I put on a baseball cap to ward off stray hooks and keep the sun out of my sunglassed eyes. Larry —sagefisher—
I use a tactical style pullover face mask that has inserts for warm packs at the ears. Keeps you warm and toasty for 12 hours.
Depends on the answer to the question: cold and what?
overcast: watch cap
overcast and windy: windproof watch cap
sunny: broad brimmed hat,with ear band as needed
rainy/snowy: non-cotton ball cap, ear band as needed, parka hood.
Unknown: keep something like this in your pocket. http://www.amazon.com/Rapdom-Tactical-Convertible-Balaclava-Black/dp/B00892M3W4
I’m a big believer in layering and avoiding cotton in the winter.
I use a Stormy Kromer, they have several styles. That have to do with the length of the ear flaps. I bought one at Cabelas’ but found the ear flaps did not fully cover my ears. I took it back and got the style that covers my ears fully. They are very warm hats, I must say.
I do exactly what John Scott does. If it happens to warm up during day the beanie goes in my wading jacket back pocket
I have a Cabelas Radar Type cap. It is thinsulate lined, has a short bill and knit ear flaps that roll up or down and can be spplemented with a sweatshirt hood !
Wish I could afford this one… 
Though it is usually used as a hunting hat I find the Jones style hat to be very versatile… You can get it in Goretex…many fabrics.
Balaklava. It’s a beanie when needed, and a facemask when not. I have the one I can wear around my neck when I want to keep my ears and neck warm, and like a bank robber when it’s nasty out. you can even buy them with brims if that’s your fancy…snowboarder punks wear them…
I just wear a stocking cap over the ballcap. Gets warm, take it off and stuff it in a pocket.
I think you nailed it!
I wear a wool Jones style hat from Johnson Woolen Mills
I’ve had one of these for at least ten years. It is waterproof, warm and looks pretty much the same as is did when it was new.
DG has it right–windstopper over the brimmed ballcap.
A Simms Wool Flexfit Flap Cap found here: http://www.simmsfishing.com/wool-flexfit-flap-cap.html
I’ve always liked wearing ball caps when fishing so this one fit the bill during the winter especially when it is spitting nasty cold stuff from the skies.
I have the same hat. Works great for any weather I’m going to fish in. Filson’s Mackinaw hats are also really nice and a bit warmer.
If you need a brim, yet need a ear cover I use a Buff and my wide brimed hat. I can leave the Buff down around my neck if just windy, pull it up over my ears when cold, or clear up around my face when real cold. Here in Eastern Oregon it does get cold. http://buffusa.com/wear/ways_to_wear_a_buff