Review: Sauce Hats

It's been a winter of hats, that's for sure—I can't remember the last time my head was more shrouded in fleece, nylon, and wool. But shrouded it was, and no matter what I was doing, I found a Sauce hat to suit.

For general winter wear, and while hiking, snowshoeing, or cross-country skiing on cold days, the Swift Toque kept my head happy. I got so accustomed to the snug, comfortable fit, that pretty soon, no other hat would do—when it wasn't on my noggin, it was in a pocket or on the dash. One day, I misplaced it and fell into a panic; turns out it was hiding in the bottom of a duffel bag. Whew!

When the temps nose-dived, I slipped on the Chill Toque and breathed a hearty sigh of relief. If this hat won't keep you warm, nothing will. It fits a little looser, is soft & cozy, and keeps even the nastiest winter weather at bay. (I keep a spare in my emergency car kit, along with a fleece jacket, gloves, and thick socks.)  I switched things out on cold backcountry tours: Swift for skinning, Chill for skiing.

On frigid downhill days at the resort, or while riding my bike around town, the low-profile Axis Hat slipped under my helmet and took the edge off. The Axis also made a great backup hat, as it's a bit warmer than the Swift, and more breathable than the Chill. The Axis is likely to replace the Swift as my daily driver, as the days get warmer and spring approaches.

Three hats, one company, and a long, snowy winter—it's a match made right here in Bozeman. Find Sauce online, or swing by their shop on Bryant St., off. N. Rouse, where great deals can be found on seconds and samples.