Arc'teryx Bird Word Toque
The Arc'teryx Bird Word Toque combines both the bird and word logos on a single beanie. It's the loudest piece in the lineup. At 90 grams and $60, the 100% recycled polyester uses a two-layer knit for warmth in the 20°F to 40°F range. I reach for mine during cold resort mornings when I want something heavier than the Bird Head. Model #: X000010065. One size fits all.
⚠️ COUNTERFEIT WARNING: The Arc'teryx Bird Word Toque is heavily counterfeited. Fakes flood eBay, Grailed, and Poshmark constantly. The biggest tell is the wrong interior tag; fakes say "Fernie Toque" instead of "Bird Word Toque." Check the full authentication guide before buying secondhand.
What Is the Arc'teryx Bird Word Toque Made From?
The Bird Word uses 100% recycled polyester in a two-layer knit with six-dart construction. Synthetic yarn traps air between layers, helping move sweat vapor away from your scalp. It's softer against skin than you'd expect, with no itch during full-day wear. Arc'teryx keeps the build simple compared to wool-blend models like the Bird Head Toque, which adds a brushed interior band.
The tradeoff is less wind resistance per gram but better moisture handling when you're sweating. For a deeper breakdown of polyester, merino, and acrylic, the beanie materials guide covers all three.
What Temperatures Does the Arc'teryx Bird Word Toque Handle?
The Bird Word handles 20°F to 40°F during moderate activity. The double-knit holds more heat than thinner options like the Rho Toque at 20g. That extra density becomes a problem above 40°F once you start moving, and below 15°F, wind cuts through on exposed chairlift rides.
This works best for stop-and-go resort days where you're alternating between runs and standing around. I wouldn't pick it for running or touring since the trapped heat builds fast. The Embroidered Bird Toque at 87g handles aerobic use better with its fleece headband and thinner profile.
How Does the Bird Word Toque Fit?
One-size-fits-all covers 55-60cm, and the polyester stretches more than wool blends. This fits larger heads better than the Bird Head, which runs tight past 58cm. At just over 6 feet and 165 pounds, I get a secure fit without pressure. The material conforms to different skull shapes without digging in.
The beanie sits low on the forehead with enough cuff to fold once for a higher profile. Slides under ski and snowboard helmets without bunching, though it's bulkier under a lid than the Rho. For fit comparisons across all models, check the beanie sizing guide.
What Colors Does It Come In?
Arc'teryx rotates colorways each season. FW25 colorways include Bliss/Arctic Silk, Azalea/Aster, Solitude/Arctic Silk, Orca, 24K Black, and Canvas/Dynasty. Previous seasons included Black/Void and other seasonal two-tones that sell out fast.
The dual logos cover most of the beanie, so color choice matters more here than on subtler designs. The Word Toque offers a cleaner look with just the text logo if the Bird Word feels too loud.
How Does the Arc'teryx Bird Word Toque Compare to the Smartwool 250?
The Smartwool Thermal Merino 250 Cuffed Beanie costs $30-35 for 100% merino wool at 30g. That's half the price, a third of the weight, and a fiber that blocks wind better. The Smartwool also reverses for two looks.
The Bird Word wins on durability and street presence. Polyester holds its shape through dozens of washes without the stretching merino develops. The oversized dual logos are the real selling point; you're paying for branding as much as performance. The Smartwool is the better technical beanie, but it won't turn heads.
How Durable Is It?
Mine has survived dozens of cold-water washes without losing shape. Dart seams show no loose threads after multiple winters, colors stay true on darker options, and logos haven't degraded. The fabric doesn't pill like the Grotto Toque, giving the Bird Word a real edge in longevity.
I keep this in my resort rotation for 20-35°F mornings. Grab it for the drive up, stuff it in my jacket pocket once I'm warmed up after a few runs. Works great for cold weekend walks too. Find the Arc'teryx Bird Word Toque at Arc'teryx.
The Word Head Toque Connection
The Bird Word Toque isn't the first Arc'teryx beanie to put text branding front and center. Arc'teryx listed a "Word Head Toque" and "Word Head Long Toque" on their site as early as 2013. Both appeared in the men's accessories section under "Travel" activity. The Word Head Toque stayed in the lineup through at least 2014, alongside the Word Head Long Toque that wrapped the full Arc'teryx name across a slouchy design.
The current Bird Word ships as model X000010065 in seven FW25 colorways with delivery split between August and October. The naming shift from "Word Head" to "Bird Word" happened in the mid-2020s and reflected a broader rebrand of the headwear line. The older Word Head models used wool-acrylic blends, while the Bird Word switched entirely to recycled polyester, matching the sustainability push Arc'teryx applied across their entire beanie lineup.