The Best Knitted Hoods and Balaclavas to Keep you Warm this Winter

Knitted hoods and balaclavas are veritable multitaskers no longer solely reserved for keeping the heads of children’s/skiers/soldiers warm, or bank robbers on the down-low. The cosy and incognito qualities of the balaclava went well and truly off-piste a few autumn/winters ago, and the rest is history. As is so often the case with fashion trends, what initially seemed a little far-fetched on the catwalk, now makes a whole lot of sense. Whether feeling the chill or hiding a hangover, the winter accessory you never knew you needed is now the winter accessory you can’t live without.

Following Miu Miu’s AW21 crochet bonnets amongst others, knitted hoods and balaclavas made a sudden return to the fashion zeitgeist, and are still playing a notable role in cosy autumn/winter get-ups. If you pick well, your chosen knitted hood or balaclava will keep your whole head, ears, and neck warm. How is that for multi-tasking? It also feels far more novel, and therefore fun, than pulling on a regular old knitted hat. If you haven’t invested in a practical and toasty balaclava, or knitted hood in previous seasons, let us help you. Here is our updated round-up of the best of the balaclava bunch to buy in 2023.

Cashmere Knitted Hoods & Balaclavas

Guest in Residence's balaclava is knitted from cashmere and traced with a contrasting white trim around the face. The ribbed neck will keep cold winds at bay.
GUEST IN RESIDENCE Grizzly cashmere balaclava, £195

The contrasting white trim on Guest in Residence’s balaclava is so cute.

Raey's navy hood is knitted from impeccably soft GOTS-certified cashmere with an extended hem designed to be layered under outerwear.
RAEY Knitted cashmere hood, £195

Raey’s slouchy hood comes in 4 great neutral shades, including this chic Navy.

A favourite among the Scandi street-style set and a versatile addition to your knitwear edit, this cashmere balaclava features a ribbed trim to lock in heat and a classic camel colourway.
Me + Em Cashmere Balaclava, £95.00

Me + Em’s 100% cashmere hood is so chic with a tonal coat and knitwear.

Raey's navy balaclava is made in Nepal from ribbed-knit cashmere including 70% recycled fibres and features a hand-embroidered and beaded crystal motif.
RAEY Embellished cashmere-blend balaclava, £295

This cashmere balaclava is made from 70% recycled fibres and features such a pretty hand-embroidered and beaded crystal motif.

Arket cream Hood knitted from a blend of cashmere and responsible wool (RWS cert. CU815571). Rolled edges. Cut for a slim fit.
Arket Cashmere Hood, £67

Arket’s neat cashmere hood also comes in black.

Knitted Hoods and Balaclavas are a winter essential. & Other Stories black fitted cashmere hood is knitted from super soft cashmere, this balaclava hood is designed to frame the face and has a snug fit.
& Other Stories Fitted Cashmere Hood, £55

This black fitted cashmere hood is knitted from super soft cashmere and also comes in cream.

Knitted Hoods and Balaclavas are winter essentials. H&M Premium Selection grey Balaclava comes in a soft knit made from cashmere with a ribbed trim around the opening and hem.
H&M Cashmere balaclava, £44.99

H&M’s affordable cashmere balaclava comes in grey, black, or beige.

Knitted Hoods and Balaclavas are winter essentials. This Loro Piana version comes in luxury cashmere and has a soft handle with a zip front.
LORO PIANA CashFur cashmere and silk hood, £ 1,170

From H&M’s affordable cashmere to Loro Piana’s ultra-luxe cashmere and silk version…

Mohair Knitted Hoods & Balaclavas

Knitted Hoods and Balaclavas are a winter essential. & Other Stories grey brushed mohair blend balaclava is a Soft fitted hood knitted from a hairy blend of mohair and wool in a ribbed finish to ensure a snug, cozy fit.
& Other Stories Brushed Mohair-Blend Balaclava, £55

So luxe looking in this season’s favourite neutral grey.

COS atelier black crochet knit balaclava in 70% Mohair / 30% Wool.
COS Atelier THE CROCHET-KNIT BALACLAVA, £95

The chic way to do crochet.

Knitted Hoods and Balaclavas are a winter essential. Hand-knitted mohair and wool blend balaclava / knitted hood. The soft and cosy hood with a fuzzy finish pulls on to keep the head and neck warm with an opening for the face. This version comes in cerulean blue.
Luxurious Mohair and Wool blend Hand-Knitted Balaclava, £74

Etsy is ever the treasure trove of hand-knitted delights. This colour is TDF.

Knitted Hoods and Balaclavas are a winter essential. Arket's black mohair blend hood is a Fitted hood crafted from a hairy blend of mohair and responsible wool.
Arket Brushed Mohair Blend Hood, £47

Arket’s simple and chic mohair blend hood also comes in a camel shade.

Some of history's most stylish women – from Grace Jones to Audrey Hepburn – have donned a balaclava. Chic and practical, Giuliva Heritage's 'The Miranda' version is knitted from an especially snug and fluffy mohair-blend in versatile brown and camel checks.
GIULIVA HERITAGE The Miranda checked mohair-blend balaclava, £355

These classic brown and camel checks have a vintage vibe.

Knitted Hoods and Balaclavas are a winter essential. This Handmade Balaclava is made of mohair in teal.
Handmade Mohair balaclava, £65.72

This Etsy wonder is available in a selection of colours, but this teal is so dreamy.

Rib Knit Hoods & Balaclavas

Knitted Hoods and Balaclavas are a winter essential. This Aligne navy balaclava comes in a pull-on style crafted to keep you warm and add that extra touch to any autumn/winter look. Finished in a rich navy hue and chunky knit design, style with your favourite coat on colder days.
Aligne KONNOR KNIT BALACLAVA, £49.00

Aligne’s chunky rib knit balaclava looks so cosy.

Knitted Hoods and Balaclavas are a winter essential. H&M Premium Selection New Arrival
light grey Balaclava in a soft rib knit made from a wool and alpaca blend with a zip at the front.
H&M Rib-knit wool-blend balaclava, £37.99

This H&M premium selection rib knit balaclava is so chic in light grey, and also comes in white.

Knitted Hoods and Balaclavas are a winter essential. This Hand knitted skin soft merino wool version comes with strings in red.
Chunky knit pure merino wool Balaclava, £54.22

Pick your colour, but this red shade is very on point this season.

Knitted Hoods and Balaclavas are a winter essential. This Miu Miu wool blend rib knit version has the signature Miu Miu logo at the back.
MIU MIU Wool-blend ski mask, £490

We have Miu Miu to thank for bringing the balaclava back to the fashion forefront in AW21.

Knitted Hoods and Balaclavas are a winter essential. This Arket dove blue Chunky rib-knitted hood is made from responsible wool.
Arket Rib-Knit Wool Hood, £47.00

This dove blue shade is so pretty.

Knitted Hoods and Balaclavas are a winter essential. This Magda Butrym cream 100% silk hood has a beautiful floral applique detail.
MAGDA BUTRYM Floral-appliqué hood, £485

Magda Butrym’s signature florals add a feminine touch to this 100% silk knitted hood.

Knitted Hoods and Balaclavas are a winter essential. This H&M New Arrival comes in cream and black zig zag knit in a soft knit with ribbing around the opening and hem.
H&M Knitted balaclava, £21.99

Add a touch of interest with a zig-zag pattern.

Knitted Hoods and Balaclavas are a winter essential. This H&M light grey Balaclava comes in a soft rib knit with a drawstring at the front.
H&M Ribbed balaclava, £14.99

H&M’s ribbed balaclava also comes in dark grey and black.

This story was published at an earlier date and has since been updated.

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