Artilect Darkhorse Skully Beanie

Artilect's Darkhorse Skully Beanie - A Standout In A Crowded Field

A merino wool (baselayer) beanie that uses Nuyarn's novel spinning tech which produces a very comfortable (less itchy) next-to-skin surface, breathes extremely well and has an excellent warmth to weight ratio.  The low profile fit covers the ears and upper neck and the flatlock seams and moisture-wicking fabric make it ideal for under-helmet use during high-intensity winter sports.

Scramble's top pick for their 3-Season / Baselayer Beanie. Here's their take: 

Ideal for cold spring and autumnal conditions as active headwear under a cap. Artilect's Skully Beanie is comfortable to sleep in and functions well for static use on cool summer nights. In addition, it will also serve a role in sub-zero conditions, to layer under more serious thermal options. The Skully is suitable for high octane winter sports such as ski-touring, snow boarding etc ... and so is designed to function like a winter baselayer for the head: wicking moisture while providing a little thermal regulation. Artilect's Skully is silky smooth, non-itchy, comfortable, breathes well, dries quickly and unlike many of the woolen versions we've tested, doesn't lose its stretch / form. Weighing in at just 26g, it takes up hardly any pack space and is one of those items that's hard to rationalise not packing.

Nuyarn's Benefits Over Traditionally Spun Merino

Nuyarn

Traditional spinning twists wool and compresses its otherwise natural air pockets. It introduces tension, loops and restricts the natural movement of the fibres - essentially creating a rope-like structure that can be itchy next to the skin.  Nuyarn drafts wool fibres along a high performance filament resulting in two ply yarns with much more volume and aeration. What you get is a much smoother, comfortable next-to-skin surface which has far more stretch and rebound (up to 85% more stretch) negating the need for elastane.  Because of the increased loft, Nuyarn dries much faster than traditional spun merino (stated as 5x faster) and has better thermal retention. You can find out more here.

Polyamide (Nylon)

Adding nylon to wool simply adds greater strength and abrasion resistance and further increases drying times.

Features

• Fabric (* Before AW25): 91% Nuyarn 185g/sm (Merino Wool)  9% Polyamide (Nylon)
• Fabric (** AW25 and after): 82% Nuyarn 185g/sm (Merino Wool)  18% Polyamide (Nylon)
• Available Colours (Fabric):  Grey, Red (*)
• Size: One Size
• Weight: 26 g
• Low profile flatlock seams

Sizing

Due to Nuyarn's excellent stretch (and rebound) this will fit most adult head sizes.