Arc'teryx Scando Toque
The Arc'teryx Scando Toque (Model #16435) weighs 100 grams (3.5 oz) and features reversible wool-acrylic construction. I wear this during chairlift rides when I need substantial warmth. The six-dart construction creates a close fit despite the slouchy appearance, and the oversized design allows hair to be tucked inside. The reversible feature provides stripes on one side and geometric tiles on the other. For lighter options, check the Rho Lightweight Wool Toque or Diplomat Toque.
Arc'teryx's F15 product page described the Scando as "a warm, versatile hat for winter mountain sports and late season bouldering" with "a classic stripe design on one side and a wilder tiled pattern on the other." They categorized it as an All Round activity beanie. At 100 grams, the Scando was the heaviest wool-acrylic beanie in the F15 lineup, outweighing the Rolling Word Beanie at 90g and the Word Head Long Toque at 80g.
Tall, Slouchy, and Surprisingly Snug
The Scando features an extremely tall design that fits tightly around my head. I have an XL-sized head and this works well, and it accommodates hair in ponytails. The height allows the toque to sit high while maintaining snugness.
The tall construction provides extra material that folds naturally. The six-dart construction prevents excess fabric from feeling floppy, and the close fit keeps the toque secure. For a different striped option, consider the Molly & Moe Toque.
Sizing for Larger Heads
The one-size-fits-all creates challenges. I measured my head at 60cm and found this too tight. The band creates pressure after extended wear.
However, people I know with smaller heads appreciate the secure feel. The wool-acrylic blend provides some stretch, though not enough for full versatility.
Color Accuracy: Website vs. Reality
The Kufi Heather colorway I own appears noticeably darker in person than website photography suggests, blending well with LEAF Wolf Grey or Black gear rather than standing out as a lighter neutral tone. This darker appearance makes the toque more versatile for tactical or subdued color schemes, though I initially expected the lighter tones shown online. The color shift occurs because website lighting emphasizes the lighter fibers in the heather blend, while natural daylight reveals the dominant darker tones that define the actual appearance.
Other colorways show similar discrepancies between digital representation and physical product, with most appearing slightly darker or more muted in person than expected. The geometric pattern side typically shows more contrast than the striped side, making it my preferred display option. The reversible design provides flexibility when the actual color doesn't match expectations, allowing me to flip to the side that better suits my preferred aesthetic. For bold two-tone designs, see the Color Block Toque.
All Scando Colorways
The Fall 2015 launch included eight colorways: Antares Star, Coastal, Cosmic Chandra, Derecho Blue, Meteorite, Nebula, Snapdragon, and Sunflower. That's the largest single-season colorway run of any F15 beanie alongside the Word Head Long Toque, which also launched with eight. Additional colorways from other seasons included Kufi Heather, Corinth, Magnet, and Dark Olympus.
Too Warm for Touring, Perfect for Chairlifts
The 100-gram weight and wool-acrylic construction create substantial insulation that works exceptionally well for chairlift rides and camping but causes overheating during touring or high-output skiing. I find this performs perfectly for stationary cold exposure where I'm generating minimal body heat, but the lack of ventilation becomes problematic during ascents. The thick knit construction traps heat effectively without providing the breathability needed for sustained aerobic activities.
I find this works best for activities where I'm alternating between stationary periods and moderate movement rather than sustained high output efforts. The warmth excels during winter camping when I'm sitting around camp or during evening camp tasks, and it handles chairlift rides without the wind chill penetration that thinner toques allow. However, I switch to lighter options for backcountry touring or any activity where sustained effort generates significant body heat.
Care and the Shrinkage Problem
Arc'teryx's F15 care instructions require hand washing only with no dry cleaning. Hang to dry and avoid top-loading washing machines or ironing.
I experienced significant shrinkage even with careful cold washing and air drying, requiring me to switch to hand washing to prevent the toque from becoming unwearably small. The wool content shrank far more aggressively than I expected in machine washing, with substantial size reduction after a single wash despite following care instructions. The acrylic blend doesn't prevent the wool fibers from felting when exposed to agitation and temperature changes.
Hand washing in cold water alone provides the safest cleaning method. The reversible design complicates drying since both sides need air exposure, and the thick construction takes longer to dry than single-layer toques. After experiencing shrinkage, the toque became too tight at the band while the crown lost its comfortable slouch, creating an unflattering shape that can't be restored. For a logo-based option with less shrinkage risk, check the Bird Patch Toque.
Find current availability at Arc'teryx or authorized retailers.