Backcountry.com Himal Beanie - 2008 BCS

the pom pom was a bit bigger than expected, but i can live with it .... it's about the size of a fastpitch softball ...maybe a bit smaller....caveat though is that you can't use a hood properly...

it's super warm, but not the greatest in the wind ....re: those who are folically challenged or have shaved heads....

and the wool itches the back of my neck a little, but i only notice it when i'm sitting...the knit is thick though!....which is a good thing!

I'm still not sure how you pronounce "Nepalese", but regardless, those mountain natives make a sweet hat. The wool is toasty on the top and the fleece over the ears keeps it from being itchy. It is a good fit for a narrow shaped dome. Also, the carbon color on mine actually is an identical match to my BC Shift softshell. A pleasant surprise. Like always, wool performs way better than the pervasive acrylic materials in beanies. Support your neighborhood sherpa, buy a himal.

Spring hadn't quite sprung on the Siberian tundra when I took cover under my Himal Beanie. Temps around -10C (low teens F) couldn't touch my ears once I laced the pompoms under my beard; on calm days, I stayed nice and toasty warm. The crown of my head got pretty cold on windy days, tho' -- where the hat isn't lined, the wind can cut through real bad (the lining is kinda a headband that also covers the earlobes). Granted, I got no hair up top, so your mileage may vary...

looks great and is super warm. fleece liner around your ears for extra comfort. my buddy has one and after trying it on once i had to buy it!

NIce hat. But there is only a partial fleece lining. I am looking for something with full fleece lining for those bone chilling sub-freezing VT ski days.

I'm really liking this beanie. Soft fleece, no scratchy and keeps me very, very warm. Might be a little snug if you've got a huge head.

This is one warm hat. The temps haven't gotten bone chilling yet, but it seems to be doing this job thus far. As previous people have noted, there is an inner liner head band of cloudy-softness that gives the ears an extra layer of warmth + chafe relief. I have yet to see the need for a full liner, but in sub-zero temps + gale force winds the unlined top (which nicely regulates temps) could prove to be inadequate.

I wouldn't let this be a deterrent in purchasing this hat though, it is a great item for nearly every day and use shy of stand alone expedition piece in January at 14,000'. For that, you may want to grab yourself a thin liner. However, I view this as a good thing as to not overheat me in every other situation, so I dont think i would change it even if I could.

The high quality construction + materials ensures I will have this spiffy looking hat for many years - just like all of BC wares.

I got the green one, and loved it right from the get-go. For $15, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better hat. The wool is thick and comfy, but still breathes out of the unlined top so you stay warm, but not too warm. I have had it out in the early season snow up here in the Keweenaw, and my head is excited to have a new friend for the winter! Hooray for BC!

p.s. the sherpas made my pom-pom extra big...and it's awesome!

I know an "Alabama Winter" doesn't sound like much - until the ultra-cold wind hits one's ears!! The Himal works great for this. The lining in the flaps is very soft and warm and blocks wind and rain nicely even if the ties are not tied. The unlined part is also warm without being confining or uncomfortable.