Arc'teryx Covert Beanie

The Arc'teryx Covert Beanie weighs 40 grams and uses the same Alpenex II fleece found in Arc'teryx's Covert line, and I bought this for its heathered sweater-knit look that comes off more like wool than synthetic fleece, which is exactly what I wanted for casual wear around town, but the low-profile fit doesn't cover my ears fully and that's a dealbreaker when temps drop. First appearing on arcteryx.com in late 2007 alongside the Covert Pocket Beanie, this uses six-dart construction that creates a snug fit without squeezing your head, and the 100% recycled polyester provides decent warmth for mild temps while breathing well enough that you don't overheat during light activity.
I've owned this for several years and wear it occasionally, mostly around town rather than on the trail, because the styling works with everyday clothes and the heathered finish looks more refined than typical outdoor beanies, but the ear coverage issue means I grab other hats when it gets below 40°F.

Arc'teryx also made the Covert Pocket Beanie, a 49g version with a small stash pocket, available in Basmati, Black, Carob, Fuchsia, and Miro Blue. Both models debuted as part of a massive headwear expansion in late 2007 that took Arc'teryx from six toque models to over twenty.

Alpenex II Fleece That Looks Like Wool

The Alpenex II fleece creates a wool-like appearance that doesn't scream "technical outdoor gear," which is the main reason I bought it since the heathered face looks natural with regular clothing instead of making you look like you just came off the mountain. The fabric handles temps in the 35-50°F range well even in wind, and the construction is what you'd expect from Arc'teryx with clean seams, good fabric edge finish, and a fitted shape that doesn't create pressure points even after wearing it for hours.

Does the Arc'teryx Covert Beanie Low-Profile Design Actually Work?

I have larger ears and the low-profile design doesn't give full coverage, which kills it for me in cold weather since the beanie sits higher on my head than other designs leaving the bottom third of my ears exposed. In cold or windy conditions that's uncomfortable enough that I don't reach for this beanie. The one-size approach works reasonably well for head circumference since the stretchy material fits without feeling too tight and the six-dart construction prevents bunching, but the limited overall height creates the ear coverage problem that makes this more of a mild-weather option.

Best Between 35 and 50 Degrees

I've worn this in temps from 30°F to 55°F and the practical range is really 35-50°F for casual use in calm conditions. Below 30°F the ear coverage makes it uncomfortable, and above 55°F it's too warm. For hiking on mild days it provides insulation without causing overheating during moderate climbs, but if wind picks up or temps drop I need something with better ear coverage, which is why this doesn't work for snowboarding or skiing where the low-profile fit doesn't cover enough to wear under a helmet.
For casual wear, running errands, or walking around town is where this shines since the wool-like appearance looks good with everyday clothing and the lightweight construction stuffs easily in a jacket pocket or bag.

Later Generation: Model #24056 at 52 Grams

Arc'teryx revised the Covert Beanie at some point, bumping it from 40g to 52g (1.8 oz) under Model #24056. The later version kept the 100% polyester construction and six-dart design but moved to sized S-M and L-XL instead of one-size-fits-all. Arc'teryx described it as a "lightweight, fitted beanie with a minimal, urban aesthetic" and categorized it under Everyday with an "Around Town" activity tag. Retail was $45 USD. Features stayed consistent: lightweight, low profile, and form-fitting.

Colorways for the later generation included Axiom (a brown/mauve heather) and Exosphere (dark blue/grey). Manufacturing shifted to Santa Clara Co. Ltd. in Vietnam. The weight increase from 40g to 52g likely came from slightly denser fabric or the sized construction requiring more material, but the overall character stayed the same: a casual, urban-oriented beanie that prioritizes aesthetics over raw cold-weather performance.

No Pilling or Shape Loss After Several Years

The Alpenex II fleece is the same material Arc'teryx uses in their Covert Zip Neck and Covert Cardigan, and it's a heathered polyester knit that mimics wool's appearance while giving synthetic fleece performance without being scratchy. I wash this after every 4-5 wears in cold water and hang dry, and the fleece still keeps its loft without stretching or losing shape. No fading, no pilling even after several years of regular use. Moisture-wicking works well for light to moderate activity, and if you're generating heat and sweat the beanie gets damp but dries relatively quickly once you slow down.

Arc'teryx Covert Beanie vs. Patagonia Synchilla

Compared to the Patagonia Lightweight Synchilla Beanie, the Covert has a more refined look with its heathered finish, but Patagonia gives better ear coverage and more warmth while also costing less, around $30-35 vs $45-50 for the Covert. Within Arc'teryx's lineup the Covert is one of the more casual options since Arc'teryx makes technical beanies with better ear coverage and warmer fabrics for serious cold weather, but those look and feel more technical whereas the Covert sits between fashion and function.

Casual Style Over Cold-Weather Performance

This works if you want a casual beanie with a refined look and don't need full ear coverage. Good for mild weather, light activity, and situations where appearance matters as much as performance. It doesn't work if you need serious cold weather coverage, have large ears and require full coverage, or want maximum warmth for winter sports, and at $45-50 you're paying for the brand and styling since Arc'teryx offers this in black, Basmati (tan), Carob (brown), olive, and seasonal colors with a heathered finish that creates visual interest without being loud.
For a cool little beanie that looks good around town this delivers, just don't expect it to replace your winter gear. See the full beanie and toque model list for alternatives.
How to Legit Check an Arc'teryx Beanie