A beanie is a knitted hat worn for warmth, but choosing one comes down to more than picking a colour. The fibre, knit, shape and fit all influence how it feels and where it sits. A shallow fisherman beanie looks and wears differently from a chunky pom-pom knit, even when both are made from wool.
Whether you’re dressing for a chilly commute or packing for a weekend away, start with the details that matter to you. Here’s how to choose a beanie you’ll enjoy wearing, with examples from our beanie collection.
Start with the fit and coverage
Before comparing materials, think about where you want your beanie to sit. Do you prefer a neat shape above your ears, or are you looking for more coverage? A comfortable beanie should feel secure without uncomfortable pressure. If it keeps riding up or needs constant adjusting, reconsider the size or shape.
Fisherman beanie or chunky knit?
A shallow fisherman fit
Fisherman beanies have a shorter profile. Toby is designed to sit above the ears, so it suits someone who likes a compact, pared-back shape. It is made from 100% Australian merino wool, combining that shallow silhouette with natural warmth and breathability.
Our connection to this shape goes back beyond Toby. In our Journal story about taking Doc to Cape Town, we followed our fisherman beanie from the city to the coast. That story reflects the coastal inspiration behind Doc’s design and its deliberately shallow, above-the-ear fit.
If covering your ears is a priority, a fisherman style may not be the shape you’re after. Explore our fisherman beanies if you prefer that shorter profile.
A chunky knit with more texture
A chunky knit gives your winter layers a different feel. Willow Brown and Willow Cream feature thick ribbing and a pom detail, with 100% Australian merino wool construction. They offer a more textured silhouette than Toby’s low-profile fisherman shape.
Chunky describes the knit rather than a universal size. The contrast is easy to see: Toby keeps its outline compact, while Willow’s pronounced ribs and pom add volume.
What materials should I look for in a beanie?
Look at both the knitted body and any lining. Merino is a type of wool, not a separate alternative to it. Toby and the Willow Brown and Willow Cream styles use 100% Australian merino wool, while Levi Dark Brown pairs a 100% Australian wool body with a separate polyester fleece lining around part of the inside.
That construction matters: a wool body with a synthetic lining is not the same as wool and synthetic fibres blended into one yarn. In Levi’s material notes, we explain that we avoid polyester blends so the components can be separated for reuse or recycling. It’s a specific design choice behind the combination of a wool knit and a separate fleece liner.
For a broader introduction to the fibres we work with, visit our materials guide. For your beanie, consider the composition, the feel you prefer against your skin and whether you want an inner lining.
Choose a size that suits the design
Our women’s beanies and men’s beanies are useful places to browse, but fit comes down to the design rather than the collection label.
Levi, for example, has a deeper fit and lists a 51–59 cm size range. It is described as firm initially, stretching with wear. Follow our guide to measuring your head size, then compare your measurement with the sizing guidance for the style you choose, especially when moving between a shallow fisherman shape and a deeper knit.
What Levi wearers say
Here are two verified-buyer reviews from our Levi beanie range, sharing their own experiences of warmth and everyday wear.
“Well made hat I like the lining inside, it is really warm especially on cold ferry journeys outside on Sydney harbour”
Geoff h., verified buyer reviewing Levi Olive Brown | Winter Beanie. Rated 5 out of 5.
Choosing a beanie for children
Start with a children’s design rather than treating an adult beanie as a smaller fit. Little Tasman Fawn is a soft-touch, cream-coloured pom-pom beanie made from 100% Australian wool and designed for boys and girls aged 2–12 years.
Age guidance is a starting point, not a guarantee of fit for every child. Browse our kids beanies and use the age and sizing information together when choosing.
A few questions before you choose
Do fisherman beanies cover your ears?
Toby is deliberately shallow and designed to sit above the ears. Choose a deeper style if you prefer more coverage.
Does a thicker knit always mean a better beanie?
Not necessarily. Choose for your preferred feel, shape and use rather than thickness alone. Consider the material, construction and coverage together.
What’s the difference between a merino wool beanie and a wool-blend beanie?
A 100% merino wool beanie uses merino wool for its knitted body. A wool-blend yarn combines wool with another fibre, so its feel and care requirements depend on the composition. Don’t confuse a blend with a separate lining: Levi Dark Brown’s material notes specify a 100% Australian wool body and polyester fleece liner, whereas Toby uses 100% Australian merino wool. Levi is therefore a lined wool beanie, not an example of a blended-yarn beanie.
Find your everyday fit
Start with the coverage you want, then consider the knit, materials and sizing. Whether it’s Toby’s shallow profile, Willow’s chunky texture or Levi’s deeper, partially lined design, choose the details that suit how you’ll wear it. Explore the full beanie range to compare the options.
