As you might know, Milwaukee offers a range of workwear – hats, shirts, jackets, vests, heated gloves, and other such products. They recently launched new neck gaiters that can double as face masks.
Now, there’s new style of winter hat, and acrylic cuffed beanie, available in grey (506G) and black (506B).
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The new Milwaukee winter hats feature lightweight and flexible acrylic construction, and are designed to be warm and resistant to wind and water absorption. It’s got a flexible rib nit to keep the hat securely and comfortably on your head.
Price: $17
Why Should You Buy This?
I posted about this hat on Instagram last night (Follow us at @ToolGuyd!), and there was an interesting comment.
@the_donnydifference said:
The hat itself weighs like 2 pounds and is by Far the warmest hat I’ve ever had.
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It seems to me that he was perhaps talking about Milwaukee’s other hats, made from a polyester-spandex blend. Those hats, priced at $25, are said to block wind, wick moisture, and provide extra warmth.
With these new Milwaukee hats specifically described as being lightweight and breathable, I’m going to guess that they’re a little lighter and more breathable than Milwaukee’s other hats.
So now, Milwaukee’s cold weather hats include:
- Fleece-lined beanie (can be worn under a hard hat)
- Cuffed beanie – polyester and spandex blend
- Cuffed beanie – knit acrylic fabric
I’d consider the fleece-lined beanie for wearing under a hood or hard hat due to lower bulk, the cuffed beanie for maximum warmth and snug-fitting (given the options here), and the acrylic cuffed beanie as the lowest priced and a presumably lighter weight option.
Buy Now via Home Depot
See Also: Milwaukee Fleece-Lined Hat via Home Depot
See Also: Cuffed Beanie Hat via Home Depot
Which one would you wear?
Mike
I buy very similar hats at walmart for $4. so when I lose them I’m not upset. I’m sure the $17 hat and the $4 hat are both made somewhere in China.
Rx9
I think that this may fall into the realm of products whose only advantage is brand advocacy. That’s ok for folks who want to show support the brand, but I would be hoping for something beyond that.
There needs to be a little something else to differentiate this from a regular knit hat. It might be good to add a heating element that integrates with the jackets. Perhaps something simple, yet tool or jobsite related, like high-vis striping, a light, or a small pocket for drill bits.
That said, my field of expertise is in being an officially certified Florida man, so I defer on this matter to those who have the proper credentials, especially those among us who are professionally Canadian.
Joe
I definitely like the idea of a small pocket for drill bits or screw bit tips, a small Allen key or two. But i’m not sure if i would want that pocket to be on a hat, re hitting my head on something that hits those parts.
fred
I guess that there are a lot of extra bucks to be made in selling clothing and PPE at a premium price while also advertising your brand. At least with this hat the “Milwaukee” is not embroidered onto the knitting in big bold letters like the Dewalt – but for $18 the Dewalt adds 3 pairs of socks:
https://www.amazon.com/DeWALT-Everyday-Cotton-Blend-Fleece/dp/B073469Q1R
Vards Uzvards
Cotton wins over polyester, in my opinion. Even if it’s in “Balck” color.
fred
In our fabrication business we supplied work clothing to our employees – via Cintas or Aramark. Because we did welding we insisted on natural fibers (e.g. cotton or wool) only. We also required (regularly reminded) our welders that cotton underwear (wool or silk OK too – but not too common these days) should be worn on the job. Polyester melts and burns and can contribute to personal injury. Skin and melting/burning fabric is a bad combination.
In the plumbing business – we’d also encourage the wearing of cotton clothing as a safety issue.
TonyT
Yep, very true.
Back in my Navy days, we could only wear cotton on board (no polyester), and no plastic shoes, either. The story I heard was that the Navy learned the hard way, back in the 1970’s, that plastics melt in a fire.
Wayne R.
The HMS Sheffield, during the Falklands war, had fires that taught the British Navy that polyesters (long underwear, fleeces) would make any burns that sailors would be subject to a lot worse due to the melting clothing. I had heard too that the ship had burning aluminum structures that made things worse, but apparently those were other incidents with other naval ships.
Vards Uzvards
I would expect these to be given out for free, as a manufacturing company promotional items.
Kevin
thats how I view it as well, gimmie this as along with a keychain, sticker,pint glass and a tee as a reward for registering a product or something.
John
If they made an XXL size I’d give it a try. With a big melon like mine, sizing is important. I’d also want to feel how heavy it is as the commenter noted above. There is nothing worse than having your exposed ear lobes turning blue because your hat is too small. My favorite winter hat is a Climawarm beanie made by Adidas. The fit is generous and it’s made of knit material with a fleece liner. It even has a silly pom pom on the top.
Scott K
I wouldn’t be opposed to this if it’s warm and comfortable. Clearly, this is about branding and convenience- likely set up right next to the gloves which could appealing when your in HD on a cold day. I would hope that something like this is more durable and less likely to develop pulls and tears.
Wayne R.
No wind block? Nope.
Bob
Yup that Milwaukee tag makes it worth $14 more lol.
Seriously its just a $4 Chinese plastic hat they threw a milwaukee label on? Or does it actually have some innovative feature I am missing. I mean besides like you know keeping your head warm.
I guess consumer branding is so prevalent people like to show off their tool brand affiliation. I guess it’s no different than the Harley guys or Ford/Chevy race fans. Whatever makes you happy.
Id probably wear one if I got it as a promo or something.
fred
It could be more costly yet – if you want to show off LV – as in Louis Vuitton
https://www.buyma.us/items/53fb21f9-045d-49f7-9b7b-051f1fa50f95/
Wayne R.
If a guy showed up on the jobsite wearing a $1200 “Louie V” baseball hat, how long would he last? Not long, I believe.