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Travel Himalaya Nepal
Clothing & Layers

Hats, Caps & Buffs

Sun below, warmth above.

About the links on this page.Some go to Amazon, and as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases — at no extra cost to you. It does not change what we recommend: every card here also says who the item is not for, and a few things we think you should simply rent in Kathmandu or Pokhara instead, which earns us nothing.

Outdoor Research Sun Runner Cap — A cap with a removable neck cape, for the exposed approachBest sun protection

A cap with a removable neck cape, for the exposed approach

Outdoor Research Sun Runner Cap

UPF 50+, detachable sun cape

The cape covers the ears and neck that burn first and that no sunscreen ever gets reapplied to; you will look faintly ridiculous, and everyone who has burnt their ears at 4,000 m stops caring.

Covers the two places people actually burn

Cape detaches when you stop needing it

Packs flat

Looks odd

Cape flaps in wind

Not warm in the slightest

Not for you if: Winter trekking, where the problem is cold rather than sun.

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Buff Original Multifunctional Headwear — Dust mask, neck cover, hat, eye shadeMost useful single item

Dust mask, neck cover, hat, eye shade

Buff Original Multifunctional Headwear

The best value item in this entire catalogue — it does five jobs badly enough to be worth carrying two, and none of them well enough to replace a real hat.

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Smartwool Merino Cuffed Beanie — Worn from four in the afternoon until you fall asleepBest warm hat

Worn from four in the afternoon until you fall asleep

Smartwool Merino Cuffed Beanie

Merino stays warm when it is damp with sweat, which a cotton beanie does not — it is thin enough that in real wind you still want a hood over it.

Check price on Amazon