Stormy Kromer The Original Cap

What a great winter hat! Being from New England, I was unfamiliar with the historical legacy of this Midwestern hat company, and had seen the hat only on photos posted on social media by fellow winter adventurers.

Well, this hat is amazing...high quality, great comfort, specific sizing, and very warm. I have used it for winter hiking, snowshoeing, and just being outside in wet, miserable weather. Highly recommended!

I love my Stormy Kromer.

Disclosure...when I first heard I had won this hat, I was a bit concerned. I had seen a few photos of this cap, and wondered if I might look like "Floyd R. Turbo, American" while wearing it. (That reference may give away my age, but google it!)

But when I went to choose one of the caps, I was delighted to see that I had many choices of patterns, fabrics,and styles. I chose the classic cap, in Adirondack Plaid, since I love the Adirondack area. I had been told that the caps are sized to fit snugly, so "it won't blow off if you stick your head out of a moving train." I was advised to select one size up from my measured size. The Stormy Kromer website  has a plethora of information about the caps, hats, and their history...as well as excellent sizing guides and descriptions of the various fabrics to help you make your selection.

My hat arrived quickly, and with all sorts of information packaged with it...including an "owner's manual", explaining the lifetime warranty, exchange policy, and the insurance policy. Yes, if you lose your hat, or have it stolen, you can get a replacement for 50% of current costs. Pretty nice, considering my tendency to lose track of hats and gloves.

The cap itself has an outer layer of 23-25 oz. 85% wool/15% nylon, with a very soft cotton flannel lining. There is a small brim, which I really appreciate when it is precipitating! The design is six-panel crown construction, with a pull down earband. I have used the earband in both down and up position, and underneath a Buff neckwarmer layer, and also under a goggle strap. The hat has proven very comfortable in all configurations. The headbands are easy to put up and down, and can be snugged up by adjusting the tie at the front of the cap.

The hat is very warm; I have used it in temperatures up to 35 degrees, and down to the teens, with very gusty winds. It stays in place, with and without goggles, which is nice, since that is an issue I have with other style winter hats. The ear flaps are very nice, but for extremely cold conditions, they are not quite long enough, so I would supplement with a Buff type neckwarmer pulled over them. I actually do that with most hats I use.

When I chose the plaid pattern I wanted a dark color...since this hat is dry clean only, I really wanted a color that would not show the dirt that can accumulate over a long season in Vermont. The quality of the manufacturing is exceptional; each hat is hand stitched, and uses high quality fabric. I anticipate that in order to extend the cap's life, I will have it cleaned at the end of each winter, so it is ready to go at the first cold snap of the next season!

My new favorite winter hat, which will see me through many more mountaintop storms!