I purchased this pack of generic beanies fully expecting them to be terrible. The product name alone—a jumbled string of keywords like "Winter Beanies Knit Women's Hat Winter Hats For Women Ladies Beanie Girls Skullies Caps Bonnet Femme Snapback Wool Warm Hat 2018 2"—was a major warning sign. However, the price was unbeatable, and with winter approaching, I decided to take a chance.
We were looking for simple, warm hats that could withstand getting lost or crammed into a backpack. My goal was to find out if these ultra-affordable options provided any genuine value.
I've worn these beanies consistently for three months. Below is my day-by-day account of how they performed.
Here’s what these inexpensive hats claim to offer:
The package arrived quickly. We ordered three colors: black, mustard yellow, and cream.
The first thing you notice is the odor—a faint, chemical factory smell. This is typical for cheap synthetic hats. Don't be alarmed, but you'll definitely want to wash them first.
Next, the fabric. The listing described them as a "wool warm hat," but they feel about 90% acrylic. This is the primary trade-off with generic items. Just as jewelry often isn't made of 316L stainless steel unless specified, these hats are almost certainly not wool. They lack the soft, luxurious feel of genuine wool.
Action Step: Soak them immediately in cold water with a mild detergent to eliminate the factory smell.
Verdict: Incredibly cheap price for decent warmth, but material quality is questionable. Manage your expectations accordingly.