Hats, caps, beanies and neck gaiters for shooting and stalking, from Deerhunter, SwedTeam and Seeland, in tweed, camo, knitted wool and waterproof finishes.
What to wear when
Stalking. A soft knitted beanie or a brushed peaked cap in a broken pattern — SwedTeam's DESOLVE Veil is the camo we see most of — kills the outline of the head and, more importantly, makes no noise against a rifle stock or a hood. Avoid anything with a stiff peak that fouls the scope when you get down behind the rifle.
Driven and walked-up. Tweed and wool flat caps still do the job: the brim keeps rain off your glasses and the fabric stays quiet in cover. In hard weather a waterproof bucket hat sheds far better than a cap, because the full brim carries water away from the collar rather than dripping down your neck.
Cold, still mornings. This is where a neck gaiter earns its place. Far more heat is lost from an open collar than most people expect, and a microfibre tube weighs nothing, packs into a pocket and can be pulled over the face when the light comes up.
Fit
Knitted beanies stretch and generally run one-size. Peaked caps and tweeds are usually sized, and a hat that has to be jammed on will lift when you shoulder a gun. If you wear ear defenders, size up or choose a low-profile knit — a thick cuffed beanie breaks the seal on the cups and destroys their protection.
Related: Gloves · Hearing protection · Waterproof clothing
