Trapper & Bomber Hats

Trapper hats and bomber hats were designed for a specific and demanding problem: keeping the head warm in sustained extreme cold. The trapper hat — also called an ushanka or earflap hat — originated in the Russian and Siberian fur trade, where hunters and trappers working in conditions reaching −40°C needed headwear that could cover the ears, the back of the neck and the forehead simultaneously. The solution was a structured crown with large earflaps that could be tied under the chin (maximum coverage) or folded up and secured at the top (moderate weather). Variations of this design have been produced continuously across Russia, Scandinavia and Northern Canada for over three centuries.

The bomber hat shares the cold-weather function with a different silhouette — typically a shorter crown with a circumferential fold-down brim, inspired by the leather and shearling flying helmets worn by bomber crews and pilots in World War II and the Korean War. Both categories are constructed in genuine sheepskin, shearling, faux fur, and insulated synthetic fabrics — each offering different warmth levels, weight and care requirements.

Hatloom's trapper and bomber hat collection covers the full range from classic ushanka-inspired shearling trappers to slim modern bombers in leather and faux fur — all rated for genuine cold-weather use.

Trapper vs Bomber Hat

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a trapper hat?

A trapper hat is a cold-weather hat with a structured crown and large earflaps that can be worn down over the ears and tied under the chin, or folded up and secured at the top. Originating in the Russian fur trade, it is also called an ushanka (Russian: шапка-ушанка, 'ear hat'). Traditional trappers are made in sheepskin, shearling or rabbit fur; modern versions use faux fur and insulated synthetics. Designed for sustained cold between −15°C and −40°C.

What is a bomber hat?

A bomber hat is a cold-weather hat with a circumferential fold-down brim that covers the ears and forehead, inspired by the leather and shearling flying helmets worn by WWII bomber crews. The bomber hat is typically shorter and less voluminous than a trapper hat, making it more suited to urban winter wear. Common materials include genuine and faux leather with fleece or shearling lining. Bomber hats are designed for severe winter conditions, typically rated for −15°C to −25°C.

What is a trapper hat made of?

Traditional trapper hats are made from genuine sheepskin, shearling or rabbit fur — materials with outstanding natural insulation properties. The exterior is leather or wool; the interior lining is the thick, fleece side of the sheepskin. Modern trapper hats use high-quality faux fur exteriors with synthetic fleece or Thinsulate linings that approach the warmth-to-weight ratio of genuine fur at lower cost and with greater weather resistance. Faux fur trappers are also machine-washable, unlike genuine fur.

How warm are trapper hats?

Quality shearling trapper hats are among the warmest head coverings available — genuine sheepskin provides natural insulation effective to −30°C or below when the earflaps are worn down and tied under the chin. For reference, a standard wool beanie is typically rated to around −5°C to −10°C. Trapper hats are significantly warmer than beanies, balaclavas or standard winter caps because the earflap coverage eliminates the exposed-ear heat loss that is the primary vulnerability in cold-weather headwear.

How do you wear a trapper hat?

In extreme cold: earflaps down and ties secured under the chin — maximum coverage for the ears, cheeks and back of neck. In moderate cold: earflaps down but ties left loose or crossed and tucked. In milder conditions: earflaps folded up and secured to the top of the crown with the integrated buttons or ties, leaving the ears uncovered. The trapper hat is one of the most adjustable cold-weather hat designs available — the same hat can function across a wide temperature range depending on earflap position.