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You know what they say about guys with small heads, right?
They have great taste in articles about the best hat for small heads. That’s what they say. Probably. Maybe.
Either way, this is one such list. You see, us wee-headed gentlemen can’t pull off just any hat. The best fit for us will almost always be achieved by hats with a diameter between 21- and 22-inches. Most one-size-fits-all lids are capable of cinching to your head’s sweet spot but you’ll still want to check the brand’s size guide to confirm.
With the exception of one low-profile beanie, I’ve mostly stuck to baseball caps in this list. Even though you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to small-sized bucket hats, fedoras, and other hat styles, they err on the niche side and are typically more occasion-specific.
Yep, ye olde baseball cap is our trusty go-to. It’s one of the most versatile hats for men with small heads. The one we reach for before dashing out the door. A thoughtful addition to a casual outfit. The thing that keeps sweat and sun out of our eyes. You name it.
And with that, let’s get that dainty dome of yours covered in style.
Key Takeaways
To find the best hat for a small head across a range of categories, I began by poring over dozens of brands, styles, customer reviews, photos, and even my own closet. The resulting five are the best of the best based on factors that include but aren’t limited to versatility, comfort, style, material composition, and durability.
My top overall pick of Huckberry’s Waxed Canvas 6-Panel Hat is an elevated take on the baseball cap. And you’re looking for a budget-friendly beanie, The North Face’s Jim Beanie is an excellent low-profile option.
Why it’s great: You’d have to look pretty damn hard to find a more stylish, harder-working piece of head candy than Huckberry’s Waxed Canvas 6-Panel Hat. On the technical side, the waxed canvas construction lends this hat a unique and elevated look, sure, but it’s also water-resistant. Multiple eyelets increase airflow and breathability and the handsome leather strap closure is secured by a brass clasp engraved with the Huckberry logo. The hat’s unstructured design gives it a low-profile look and feel which is perfect for small heads. From outdoor adventures to coffee in the city, there’s no wrong way to wear it.
How it feels: The unstructured construction gives it a light and airy feel on the head. Meanwhile, well-placed eyelets improve breathability and the adjustable strap will keep things stylishly snug on small heads.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: This isn’t the kind of hat for guys with small heads you want to toss in the washing machine. It’s recommended that you only spot clean it, so you’ll want to take that into consideration and wear accordingly during the hotter months.
Style: Baseball Cap | Panels: 6 | Colors Available: 3 | Materials: 100% Cotton Canvas | Size: Adjustable Fitted Strap Closure
Why it’s great: 100% linen. That’s not a material description you see everyday when it comes to baseball caps. But if there’s one thing Luca Faloni does well, it’s pampering every square inch of your body. Enter the Italian fashion house’s Linen Baseball Cap in all its borderline-excessive glory. The 22.4-inch circumference should work for most smaller heads, and the elastic strap on the back of the hat adds to the style and comfort quotient. Pair one of its nine available colors with pressed shorts and a buttonless polo for a thoughtful look worthy of any seaside resort’s rooftop cocktail bar.
How it feels: Remember the part up there about this cap for small heads being made of 100% linen? You guessed it: Your head won’t even know it’s there.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: This is the hat for the guy who has everything—especially a deep bench of hats. In other words, it’s not a daily wear and is best for casual occasions where form matters more than function.
Style: Baseball Cap | Panels: 6 | Colors Available: 9 | Materials: 100% Linen | Size: One-size; Elastic Strap
Why it’s great: The only beanie on this list, The North Face represents the species well with its Jim Beanie. Like baseball caps, beanies with lower profiles tend to look best on smaller heads. The super soft Jim Beanie delivers on this look and is available in 16 colors for mixing and matching with your fall and winter outfits. Like most of The North Face’s products, this is a durable hat that’s meant to last for years—an attribute that too few wallet-friendly hats share.
How it feels: You’re working with a fleece-wool blend with the majority of the construction consisting of the former. This makes for a pillowy soft feel that hugs your head in warmth while also maintaining adequate breathability.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: If you tend to lean on beanies for a style statement as opposed to a functional piece of headwear, you may find this one lacking in the aesthetics category. It looks great, but it’s more business than pleasure.
Style: Beanie | Panels: 1 | Colors Available: 16 | Materials: 70% Polyester, 30% Wool | Size: One Size
Why it’s great: With almost 24,000 5-star reviews on Amazon, Carhartt’s Canvas Cap is clearly doing something right. It’s adjustable down to 21 inches and features a headband designed to absorb sweat for long days spent outside. Comfortable cotton construction, Carhartt’s tough-and-nails stitching, and a whopping 15 colors to choose from further seal this hat’s designation as the best hat for small heads on Amazon.
How it feels: Cotton is one of the most comfortable and sturdy materials for a baseball cap. And since this one’s made of 100% cotton, that makes it—wait for it—comfortable and sturdy.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: Carhartt is ubiquitous these days for a reason. But if you’re not one to follow the crowd and would rather stand out than blend in, this may not be your brand.
Style: Baseball Cap | Panels: 6 | Colors Available: 15 | Materials: 100% Cotton | Size: One-size
Why it’s great: Vuori’s V1 Embroidery Hat is more handsome than it needs to be. But it’s also sturdier, more comfortable, and more sustainable than it needs to be. Which I guess makes you and that small head of yours pretty lucky. The V1 is a one-size men’s hat for small heads available in a head-turning off-white color and features a stitched Vuori logo above the brim. It’s an elevated version of the classic baseball cap that adds a touch of effortless class to casual outfits.
How it feels: Hemp, organic cotton, and recycled polyester combine forces to gift your head with a lightweight, comfortable feel, and the light color helps keep your head cool during warmer months.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: The V1 is another spot-clean-only hat, making slightly more high-maintenance than other options. And depending on where and how often you wear it, you might find its “Natural” color tricky to keep clean.
Style: Baseball Cap | Panels: 6 | Colors Available: 1 | Materials: 45% Hemp, 40% Organic Cotton, 15% Recycled Polyester | Size: Adjustable Strap Closure
Buying Considerations For Smaller Heads
Size & Fit
If you’ve got a petite pate and are on the hunt for the best hats for small heads, start by looking at sizes around 21- and 22-inches in diameter.
Most hats with adjustable straps still look great when adjusted to accommodate small heads, but sizing is particularly important when it comes to fitted caps, fedoras, and other styles that don’t feature adjustable components.
Style Of Hat
The best hat for a small head in terms of style is typically the ever-versatile baseball cap, particularly those that are unstructured. This gives them more of a low-profile look that doesn’t highlight the size of your head.
That said, beanies and fedoras are also good choices as long as they come in small sizes. Lean into styles that you know will compliment your style and unique head shape.
Material Composition
Few things are more annoying than hat materials that end up itching and irritating your scalp. If you have sensitivities to certain materials, avoid them at all costs when shopping around for a hat.
For everyday baseball caps, you’ll typically find that the coziest options are 100% cotton. The sky’s the limit from there, though. Linen hats. Fleece beanies. Paper-polyester Havana hats. Just know that you’re anything but pigeonholed when it comes to materials to choose from.
Why you should trust us
As a fashion and grooming writer at FashionBeans, I compare, test, and research the products that make a gentleman a gentleman. If it can be worn, carried, or used in a way that elevates your look and feel, I’m into it.
For this review, I pored over trusted sources, customer reviews, detailed specifications, and my own experience to understand what makes the best hat for small heads. After comparing dozens, I chose the resulting five based on considerations like comfort, style, material composition, and durability. Ultimately, I want to see everyone find the best hat style for small heads.
Final Verdict
If you’ve got a small head and tend to have a difficult time finding hats that fit properly, all is not lost. There are plenty of styles available in smaller sizes to help you keep things proportional and stylish up top.
Huckberry’s waxed canvas, water-resistant baseball cap is my top pick—not only for its durability and small head-friendly adjustable strap, but because it’s one of the most handsome baseball caps I’ve seen in a while.
FAQ
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Your head might end up looking smaller if you buy hats in sizes that are too big or if you go with hat styles that are bulky in general. To achieve a proportionate look, opt for low-profile, unstructured hats.
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The circumference range you’ll usually have the best luck with is 21- to 22-inches. Most one-size-fits-all hats can adjust down to that range, but it’s particularly important to consider the available sizes of fitted hats and caps.
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Though it seems counterintuitive, you can make your head look bigger—or at least in proportion with the rest of your body—by wearing unstructured hats that conform to the size and contours of your head. Wearing bigger hats can swamp your head and draw more attention to its size.
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Kelly Larson is a writer and editor with over 12 years of professional experience. In addition to writing articles for sites like UrbanDaddy and Visit The USA—America’s official travel site—Kelly has led editorial newsrooms in the creation of award-winning content in the digital space. When he’s not writing, Kelly enjoys running, spending time outdoors with his two sons, and searching for his next exceptional finger of bourbon.