Imperial Review 2026: Are Its $30 Winter Beanies Worth It?
Picture a frosty Saturday tee time in late November. The grass crunches, the coffee in the cart cup holder steams, and your playing partner shows up in a ribbed knit beanie with a small black label on the cuff, looking far more put together than you in your summer golf cap. By the turn, you are asking where he got it.
There is a good chance the answer is Imperial. The American hat maker has been making headwear since 1916 and describes its range as golf hats, bucket hats, rope hats and visors, including its original Tour Visor. This fall its site leads with a cold-weather lineup: cuffed and pom beanies, a merino wool knit, fleece hoodies and a run of tongue-in-cheek holiday caps. Olivia Reviews went through imperial1916.com on November 2, 2026, checking US prices, fabrics, fit, shipping and returns, to answer a simple question: is Imperial worth it for winter?
Quick take: Yes, especially if you want well-made, fleece-lined beanies at a fair price. Most of the new Keep Warm knits cost $30, the merino Mori knit is $35, the classic X210P Original Performance Cap is $30, and holiday novelty caps run about $37. Shipping is free on US orders of $75 or more, and returns are accepted within 30 days. See today's Imperial codes before you check out.
Is Imperial worth it? The short answer
Imperial sits in a sweet spot on price. A $30 beanie is more than a big-box knit, but much less than most designer labels, and the product pages back it up with real construction details: fleece linings, specified knit gauges, exact heights and cuff depths. When a brand tells you a beanie is 8 inches tall with a 3-inch cuff and lined with poly fleece, you know what is arriving.
The other reason Imperial makes sense for winter shoppers is the free shipping line. At $75, two beanies and a cap, or one hoodie, get you there. Add the 30-day return window and one-time size or color exchanges, and the risk of trying a new brand is low.
Where Imperial is less of a fit: if you want luxury yarns across the range. Most of the new Keep Warm knits are acrylic, and the Mori is the main 100% merino wool option. Customized pieces, gift cards and international orders are also final sale.
Who makes Imperial hats?
Imperial's About page describes the brand as being "all about the finer things in life," from the back nine at dusk to fall oyster roasts and Saturday tailgates, and says expert craftsmanship and "classic with a twist" have been its aim since 1916. The online store lists its base as Bourbon, Missouri, and ships to the United States, Canada and Australia.
The company also publishes a sustainability statement. It says it develops performance fabrics from GRS and Oeko-Tex certified recycled polyester, sources Oeko-Tex certified organic cotton, and uses solar energy to power part of the operations at two of its largest domestic decoration and USA-made visor facilities. The X210P cap, for example, is listed as made from 100% recycled performance poly.
One more thing that sets Imperial apart is customization. Many styles, including this season's beanies, can be personalized with a logo or patch, and the Design Your Own section offers more than 100 ready-made designs, from golf and nautical icons to dogs and holiday themes.
What to buy first: Imperial winter picks for 2026
The full catalog runs to well over a thousand listings once you count event and collegiate hats. For cold-weather shopping, these are the pieces Olivia Reviews would look at first.
The Swede knit watchcap beanie with pom ($30)
The Swede is the most playful of the new Fall 2026 knits. It is a knit watchcap with a folded cuff and a pom on top, made from soft 5-gauge acrylic yarn and fully lined with soft poly fleece. Imperial lists it at 8.5 inches tall with a 2.5-inch cuff, with jacquard details around the crown.
Colors on the US site are Baby Pink, Navy and Off White, which makes it as easy to gift to a teenager as to a golf-loving dad. It is one size fits most. Who it is for: anyone who wants a cheerful, warm beanie for weekends, sledding and holiday markets.
The Cache striped cuffed beanie ($30)
If you prefer a cleaner look, the Cache is the one. It is a cuffed beanie in soft 7-gauge acrylic yarn with a 2x1 rib knit throughout, knit-in stripes on the cuff and a fleece lining. It stands 8 inches tall with a 3-inch cuff, a classic proportion that sits neatly above the ears or can be folded higher.
The Cache comes in Black, Off White and Navy. Its close cousin, the Thayne, keeps the same yarn, rib and fleece lining but moves the stripes to the crown and adds a pom. The Mercer, another $30 option, is a waffle-knit watchcap in 5-gauge acrylic, fully fleece lined. Who it is for: commuters and golfers who want a simple, sporty beanie that goes with any jacket.
The Mori merino wool knit hat ($35)
For shoppers who want natural fiber, the Mori is the upgrade. Imperial lists it in soft 5-gauge 100% merino wool yarn with a fleece lining, 8 inches tall with a 3-inch cuff, one size fits most. Two-tone colorways include Black / Medium Grey and Olive / Black, which were in stock during our check, while some other shades were sold out.
At $35 it is only $5 more than the acrylic knits, which makes it an easy pick if you run warm and like the feel of wool. Who it is for: early-morning golfers, dog walkers and anyone who wants a quietly premium beanie.
X210P The Original Performance Cap ($30)
Even in winter, Imperial's signature cap deserves a spot on this list, because it is the hat the brand is built around. The X210P is a low-profile, unstructured cap in 100% recycled performance poly with a curved visor, a self-fabric micro hook-and-loop closure with elastic and a tuck-in strap. Imperial lists it as lightweight, breathable and moisture-wicking, with a moisture-wicking sweatband and a UPF 50+ rating.
Fit is one size, which the brand says covers hat sizes 7 1/8 to 7 5/8. If that is too big or too small, the same shape comes in a Junior fit (Y210P) for 6 1/2 to 6 7/8, a Small Fit (L210P) and an XL version (XL210P). There are dozens of colors, from White and True Navy to Nantucket Red. Who it is for: winter golfers, travelers and anyone who wants one cap that works year-round.
Holiday caps: Naughty, Nice and Humbug ($37)
Imperial leans into the season with humor. The "Naughty" and "Nice" Original Performance Hats are built on the X210P shape with embroidered lettering, at $37 each; Naughty comes in Black or True Red, and Nice in Laurel Green or Macaroon. The "Humbug" Lodestar 5-Panel Performance Hat, also $37, has a dart-front, mid-crown shape, soft silicone snapback and flat embroidery, in Olive, Nantucket Red and Ivory.
These make easy Secret Santa or stocking gifts for the golfer who already has everything. Buy a Naughty and a Nice together and you have a couples gift that writes its own joke. The site's Holiday Gift Guide also groups seasonal hats, belts and apparel in one place.
The Hammersmith premium fleece hoodie ($95)
Imperial is not only hats. The Hammersmith is a new premium fleece hoodie made from 60/40 combed ring-spun cotton and polyester in a three-end fleece, with a jersey-lined hood, a matching flat braided drawcord, a pouch pocket and straddle-stitched seams. It comes in sizes S to XXL in shades such as Heather Grey, Black and Bamboo Green, although many sizes were already sold out during our check.
Who it is for: anyone who wants a warm layer for the range or the couch, and a simple way to reach the $75 free-shipping line with one item.
Imperial winter picks compared
| Product | Price | Key detail | Fit | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6100 The Swede beanie with pom | $30 | 5-gauge acrylic, fully fleece lined, jacquard crown | One size fits most | Playful weekend warmth |
| 6026 The Cache striped cuffed beanie | $30 | 7-gauge acrylic, 2x1 rib, fleece lined | One size fits most | A clean everyday beanie |
| 6024 The Mori knit hat | $35 | 100% merino wool yarn, fleece lined | One size fits most | A natural-fiber upgrade |
| X210P The Original Performance Cap | $30 | 100% recycled performance poly, UPF 50+ | Fits 7 1/8 to 7 5/8, plus Junior, Small and XL fits | Year-round golf and travel |
| "Naughty" or "Nice" Original Performance Hat | $37 | Embroidered lettering on the X210P shape | One size fits most | Holiday gifting |
| 90937 The Hammersmith hoodie | $95 | Three-end fleece, jersey-lined hood | S to XXL | Cold rounds and lazy Sundays |
Imperial hat sizing: how do they fit?
Most of this season's knits are one size fits most, so sizing is mostly about style. The cuffed beanies are 8 inches tall with a 3-inch cuff, and the Swede is a touch taller at 8.5 inches with a 2.5-inch cuff. If you like a slouchier look, wear the cuff down; for a fisherman look, fold it higher.
For caps, Imperial gives exact ranges. The X210P one-size cap fits hat sizes 7 1/8 to 7 5/8, the Junior fit covers 6 1/2 to 6 7/8, and there are Small Fit and XL versions for heads outside the standard range. Bucket hats are sold in sizes, such as M for 7 to 7 1/4 and L for 7 1/4 to 7 1/2 on the seasonal styles. If you are unsure, the one-time exchange for size or color is a helpful safety net.
Shipping and returns at Imperial
According to Imperial's shipping policy, US orders of $75 or more ship free. Under that, rates are calculated at checkout by location and method. The brand ships with USPS and FedEx, with these estimates:
- Standard: 5 to 7 business days
- 2nd Day: 2 business days
- Overnight: 1 business day
Orders typically leave within 1 to 3 business days, and orders placed after 12 p.m. Central are processed the next business day. The policy also notes that processing time varies by product, does not include production time for custom pieces, and that current processing may stretch to 15 to 20 business days because of high demand. If you are buying holiday gifts, especially customized ones, order early.
Returns are straightforward. Items can be returned within 30 days of purchase if they are unworn, unwashed and new, ideally in the original packaging with the receipt or packing slip. You can get a refund to the original payment method within 30 days of receipt, or store credit within 90 days. Imperial offers one-time exchanges for size or color, but exchanged items are then final sale. Gift cards, select visors, customized or personalized items and international orders cannot be returned.
What we like and what to watch
What we like
- Fair prices: $30 for most new beanies and the core X210P cap.
- Useful details on every product page, from knit gauge to cuff depth.
- Fleece linings across the Keep Warm knits.
- Free US shipping from $75 and a 30-day return window.
- Logo and patch customization on many styles, including beanies.
- A published sustainability program with recycled polyester fabrics.
What to watch
- Most new knits are acrylic; only the Mori is listed as 100% merino wool.
- Custom pieces are final sale and can take longer to process.
- The shipping page warns of processing times of 15 to 20 business days during high demand.
- Some colors and hoodie sizes were sold out during our check.
- International orders to Canada and Australia are final sale.
Who Imperial is for, and who should skip it
Imperial is for you if you golf through the cold months, you want good-looking beanies without paying designer prices, or you are shopping for a dad, brother or coworker who lives in golf caps. The customization options also make it a strong pick for team gifts, golf trips and company outings.
Skip it if you want only natural-fiber knitwear, you need a custom order delivered in a few days, or you are shopping from outside the US, Canada or Australia.
How to save at Imperial
- Welcome offer: the site banner advertises 15% off when you sign up for email and SMS.
- Free shipping: spend $75 or more on a US order. Two beanies and a cap, or one hoodie, gets you there.
- The Clubhouse: Imperial's loyalty rewards program lets members earn points as they shop.
- Keep the tags on: returns within 30 days go back to your original payment method, and after that you still have up to 90 days for store credit.
- Current codes: offers change through the holidays, so check the latest Imperial coupon codes before you pay.
→ Check the latest Imperial coupon codes and deals
Imperial FAQ
Does Imperial offer free shipping?
Yes. The shipping policy lists free shipping on all orders of $75 or more. Smaller orders pay a rate calculated at checkout. Standard delivery is 5 to 7 business days by USPS or FedEx.
What is Imperial's return policy?
Unworn, unwashed items can be returned within 30 days for a refund to the original payment method, or within 90 days for store credit. Gift cards, select visors, customized items and international orders are final sale.
Can I exchange an Imperial hat for a different size or color?
Yes. Imperial offers a one-time exchange for size or color. Items received through an exchange are final sale.
Where is Imperial based?
Imperial says it has been making headwear since 1916, and its online store lists Bourbon, Missouri, as its location. It ships to the US, Canada and Australia.
Can I add a logo to an Imperial beanie?
Many styles can be customized. On the Swede beanie, for example, adding a logo to the front is listed as a $7 add-on, chosen from Imperial's library of patch and embroidery designs. Customized items cannot be returned.
Is there an Imperial discount code?
Imperial advertises 15% off when you sign up for email and SMS. For other current offers, see today's Imperial deals.
Final verdict: should you buy Imperial this winter?
Imperial is an easy brand to recommend for cold-weather basics. Start with the Cache or the Swede if you want a warm, fleece-lined beanie at $30, step up to the merino Mori for $35 if you prefer wool, and keep an X210P in the car for milder days. For gifts, the Naughty and Nice caps bring a laugh, and a hoodie plus a beanie clears the free-shipping line in one go.
Order early if anything is customized, keep the tags on until you are sure, and then enjoy that first frosty tee time looking warmer than everyone else in the group.
→ Get today's Imperial coupon codes before you shop
Olivia Reviews researched Imperial using its official website, product listings and published policies in November 2026. We haven't personally tested these products. We may earn a commission when you buy through our links, at no extra cost to you.