Five degrees in the morning. Sun and t-shirt weather in the afternoon. The wind picks up while you're on your bike, but then you're suddenly sitting outside for coffee in town again. Autumn days can be quite versatile, sometimes offering everything within just a few hours.
That is exactly why you don't necessarily need the warmest gear in autumn. Far more important are lightweight companions that you can put on quickly, take off again, and stow away somewhere easily and practically.
Our recommendation for autumn days: Choose lightweight and breathable headwear with warmth level 1 to 2. Thin beanies and headbands are perfect for active days, and a light neck warmer is ideal for windy conditions. If it gets colder towards the end of autumn, a model with a brushed interior can be a sensible choice.
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In short: What do you need in autumn?
For changeable autumn days, we primarily recommend lightweight beanies, headbands, and neck warmers with warmth level 1 to 2. They protect against cool air and wind without causing you to overheat when you're active or when temperatures rise.
| Situation | Our recommendation |
|---|---|
| Cool morning in everyday life | Purist Beanie, Merino Thin Headband, Handmade (VS) Headband or Team Beanie |
| Bike, running, or active days | Protector Polycolon Beanie (suitable for wearing under a helmet) |
| Changeable temperatures | Arctic Stone Headband (easy to stow away) |
| City, bike & mountain adventures | Lightweight Neckwarmer (thin and breathable) |
| Cooler and windy autumn days | Arctic Stone Neckwarmer |
| Sports where you need a helmet on a cold, windy autumn day | The Stormerer |
Why autumn days have their own rules
Autumn falls somewhere between summer and winter, and that is exactly what makes it so good.
The air is already really crisp in the morning. You’ll find yourself wishing for a beanie on shaded streets or on your way to work. Two hours later, the sun is shining and everything disappears back into your jacket pocket.
It’s the same in the mountains: it’s cold at the start, you warm up during the ascent, and then the wind suddenly picks up on the ridge.
For us, good gear in autumn means one thing above all: It must be flexible.
Not as thick as possible. Not as warm as possible.
But just right for the moment.
Lightweight materials, good breathability, and a small pack size are often more important to us during this season than maximum insulation.
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Beanie, headband, or neck warmer: Which one fits when?
Beanie: when the whole head needs a bit of warmth
For us, a light beanie is a classic for cold autumn mornings. Thinner beanies, such as the Purist Beanie or the Team Beanie, are particularly practical as they don't get too warm too quickly, are highly breathable, and can be stowed away without any issues.
For active days, that breathability mentioned is extremely important. When running, hiking, or wearing a helmet, you want warmth and protection, but not heat buildup.
Headband: perfect for changing temperatures and your hairstyle
A headband is probably one of the most uncomplicated items for autumn.
Your ears are protected, heat can still escape through the top of your head, and when the sun comes out, it disappears into your pocket in just a few movements. Especially during activity, such as jogging early in the morning or in the evening, this is often the perfect combination.
A headband is also perfect for the commute to work, which can now dip below 10°C in the mornings. It keeps you nice and warm, and your hairstyle stays exactly as it was.
For jogging or other activities, we often recommend the Arctic Headband or the Protector Micro Headband. For work, HAE also offers very fashionable headbands that are sure to match your outfit. The Handmade Headband, crocheted right here in the heart of the Swiss Alps, is an absolute classic and purchased by many for everyday wear.
Neck warmer: a small piece that makes a big difference
Cool air on your neck quickly feels unpleasant, especially on a bike or when the wind picks up.
A lightweight neck warmer takes up almost no space and, depending on the model, can be used not just around your neck, but also as face protection, a headband, or a beanie.
That’s exactly why one of them is usually tucked away in our backpacks during autumn.
Our HAE beanies, headbands, neck warmers, and masks for autumn
Protector Polycolon Beanie : when you need something lightweight and functional
For active autumn days, the Protector Polycolon Beanie is one of our most functional solutions.
Made of 100% Polycolon®, it is extremely thin, breathable, and temperature-regulating. Its low profile means it also works very well under a helmet.
These are the exact properties that make it interesting for autumn: you get protection for cool mornings or windy descents without having to put on a traditional winter beanie.
Our choice for:
Jogging, hiking, mountain sports, under a helmet, and active autumn days in general.
Lightweight Neckwarmer : one for almost everything
The name really says it all.
Our Lightweight Neckwarmer is light, elastic, and so uncomplicated that you can basically have it with you at all times during autumn.
The Quick Dry Super Soft Cotton Touch material is made of 94% polyester and 6% elastane. It feels soft, dries quickly, and is breathable. With warmth level 1, it is specifically designed for cooler temperatures and active days. It can be worn as a neck warmer, face protector, headband, or even as a light beanie.
For us, it is exactly the kind of product that works just as well in the city as it does on a bike.
Around your neck in the morning. In your backpack in the afternoon. And maybe back on for the ride home.
Our choice for:
Cycling in the city, biking, jogging, walks, hiking, and everything in between where the wind plays a role.
Arctic Stone Headband : light, new, and quickly stowed away
The Arctic Stone Headband is one of our new companions for days when a beanie would simply be too much.
It is light, soft, quick-drying, and features a brushed interior. With warmth level 2, it offers a bit more protection for cooler autumn days while remaining compact enough to quickly disappear into a jacket or trouser pocket.
This is complemented by the new Glacial Polish, Alpine Algae, and Gneiss prints, inspired by structures from the Alps.
This is exactly the combination we love in autumn: functional enough for movement, but not so technical that you wouldn't want to wear it every day.
Our choice for:
Jogging, hiking, walks, and everyday life with changing temperatures—i.e., cool mornings and pleasantly warm daytime temperatures.
Arctic Stone Neckwarmer : when autumn gets a bit colder
When temperatures drop further, the Arctic Stone Neckwarmer comes into play. It is slightly thicker than the Lightweight Neckwarmer mentioned above.
It is also light and quick-drying, but features a brushed interior and, with warmth level 2, sits slightly above our Lightweight Neckwarmer. It protects the neck and, if needed, the face from wind and cold.
For a mild September day, we would likely still reach for the Lightweight version. But on a cold October or November morning, the Arctic Stone can be just right.
Our choice for:
Very cool autumn days, more strenuous hiking at higher altitudes, and mountain sports.
Purist Merino : uncomplicated through the autumn
Are you looking for a more classic beanie for everyday life and leisure?
Then the Purist Beanie is a good autumn option.
It consists of 100% Merino wool, is produced in Europe, and has a warmth level of 2. Merino wool is great at regulating warmth and moisture—practical for weather and temperatures that change throughout the day.
Although the beanie thus has many positive performance properties, it is not just a pure sports product. Thanks to its simple look, you can also wear it on your commute to work and bring a genuine Alpine lifestyle into the city.
Our choice for:
Everyday life, the city, walks, a weekend in the mountains, and relaxed days outdoors.
Team Beanie : sporty, but not too thick
Our Team Beanie also works very well during the transitional season.
The outer fabric consists of 50% acrylic and 50% cotton, while a functional Polycolon® lining is used on the inside. This makes the beanie breathable and temperature-regulating. It is produced in Europe and rated with warmth level 2.
It is a bit more technical than the Purist Beanie and therefore works both in everyday life and on more active days. The look is definitely also very sporty.
Our choice for:
Cold autumn days when you need to perform.
The Stormerer : for the days that already smell like winter
We wouldn't pack The Stormerer for every autumn day.
It is a lightweight mask, making it particularly interesting when it gets really cold and windy, such as on an early bike ride, higher up in the mountains, or when the first taste of winter arrives.
The material consists of 94% Quick Dry Super Soft Cotton Touch polyester and 6% elastane. Warmth level 1 provides light protection without insulating too much.
Our choice for:
Cold and windy autumn days, mountain sports, and tours where you like to wear something under your helmet.
Mat & Seb: What we actually have with us in autumn
We don't develop our products for some theoretical weather situation. We live in Valais, are out and about ourselves, and know these days quite well.
“I basically always have a beanie within reach. Especially in autumn, it’s often surprisingly cool in the mornings, and I’m glad to have it on my way home in the evening, too. I prefer to wear my Purist Beanie. Light, uncomplicated, and just right for this transitional period.”
“In autumn, I especially like things that I don't have to plan much for. A light neck warmer or a thin beanie is quickly packed away and works just as well in the morning as it does on the bike later on. Especially when temperatures change significantly throughout the day, I don't want to carry anything too thick with me.”
People feel the cold differently. Exercise makes a huge difference. Wind does, too.
In the end, it’s about finding what works for your day.
Autumn in the Swiss Alps
Not every good autumn day in the Alps requires a big plan.
Sometimes it starts with cold air on the way to work. With a coffee outside, even though it’s actually a bit too cold for it. With a spontaneous ride after work. Or with a trail you just wanted to walk quickly, but on which you end up staying a bit longer.
A good day rarely consists of just that one moment we tell people about later.
It’s made of early risings. Preparation. Cold fingers. Good decisions. And sometimes, of one more attempt.
We can't choose the conditions.
But we can choose what we make of them.
THE BEST DAYS ARE HANDMADE.
Frequently asked questions about autumn headwear
Which beanie is suitable for autumn?
Lightweight and breathable beanies are particularly suitable for autumn. For active days, we recommend the thin Protector Polycolon Beanie, for example. For everyday wear and cooler days, the Purist Merino Beanie or the Team Beanie with warmth level 2 are well-suited.
Headband or beanie, which is better in autumn?
When exercising and in changing temperatures, a headband is often particularly practical because your ears remain protected while excess heat can escape through the top of your head. On colder days or when less active, a beanie offers more protection.
When is a neck warmer useful in autumn?
A neck warmer is particularly practical in windy conditions, on a bike, or on cool mornings. A lightweight neck warmer with warmth level 1 can be stowed away quickly and can be flexibly put on or taken off throughout the day.
What do warmth levels 1 and 2 mean?
At HAE, warmth level 1 represents products for cool temperatures. Warmth level 2 offers more warmth and is suitable for colder days. However, which warmth level is right for you also depends on how quickly you get cold and how active you are.
Which materials are suitable for changing autumn temperatures?
Breathable and temperature-regulating materials are especially practical in autumn. These include, for example, merino wool or functional fibers like Polycolon®. Quick-drying polyester materials are also well-suited for active days.
Which HAE products are suitable for everyday city life in autumn?
For the city and everyday use, lightweight products are particularly versatile. The Purist Merino Beanie, the Team Beanie, the Arctic Stone Headband, or the Lightweight Neckwarmer can be easily combined with everyday clothing and quickly stowed away when temperatures rise. If your hairstyle is important to you, HAE has many fashionable headbands.
