Winter Hat with Ear Flaps name

November 30, 2023 by Zoe Logan

Popular for their rugged styling, unique earflaps, and no-nonsense ability to keep your head warm in the harshest of winters, trapper hats have a long history as the go-to headwear for those who work outdoors and in sub-zero temperatures.

Worn in frigid places where the ears, chin, and back of the neck needed secure protection from the freezing cold. The aviator hat we know today, with its revealing earflaps, was worn across North America in cooler climates, from the Appalachian Mountains to northern Canada.

Best winter trapper hats

The trapper hat, the aviator hat, the bomber hat: they are all easy to tell apart from the other hats.

They have a rugged look and those earmuffs keep you warm in the harshest weather conditions, combining versatility and practical elegance.

The proof of the effectiveness of the hat lies in its long history.

Trapper hats were designed as hunting hats for those hardcore souls who tamed the American frontier.

Winters were harsh in many parts of the border, and keeping a warm head was essential to surviving and seeing another spring.

Originally made of leather or fur and lined with fur, at the time they were considered more of a necessity than a fashion statement.

Best fur for trapper hat

The aviator hat is popular with fashion-conscious people, from teenagers to adults. And although it is no longer used as much for hunting, the hat is still very popular for skiing and other outdoor sports in cold climates.

When it comes to the actual construction of these hats (aviator hats and bomber hats), the two key elements are the tough outer shell and the soft, warm lining.

Originally, they were made from tanned animal hides, with the leather side facing out and the skin facing in. Today, you’re more likely to find them made from a polyester-wool blend and faux fur made from quilted polyester.

But really, it’s the ear flaps that make the hat what it is. These long ear flaps, which can even cover your chin, can be tied or attached at the top of the hat so you can choose to wear them or not.

Another distinctive feature is the long back to keep the back of your neck warm and protected from the elements. And there’s the stylish element of a leather flip-up at the front.