I was about to just blurt out that it doesn't matter at all but Army's response made me think. I'm not much a fan of those new oven mitt styles Cally and TMag are churning out either. I prefer something that provides a little shaft protection too.
I use head covers on drivers, fairways, hybrids and some putters but I would be satisfied with anything better than a sock. I use them for protection, that's all
I prefer to buy pre owned/demo driver, 3W and hybrids which usually don't have a head cover with them so anything in the discount bin for a buck or two will work just fine.
I have a full set of Seamus headcovers with tartans matching the counties of Ireland where my grandparents were born. So for me…? I wish clubs at this point didn't come with a headcover (ha).
I tend to be a minimalist ... never figured out what the head covers value were ... as result I do not use them on my driver. However, I do use one on my putter. I feel like my putter will be with me for a long time and it sits lower in the bag and I want to protect the face ... other clubs come and go out of the bag ... to date I have not had a damage club from like of a head cover.
I guess I care a good bit. Always use a Brutus headcover on my driver, and I purchased 2 Callaways red/white pom pom covers for my 3 and 5 wood to match my bag and OSU color scheme. Luckily my putter cover is white with red, otherwise I'd probably have purchased something else for it.
That said, I would never not purchase a club bc the headcover didn't match. I just buy covers for my clubs that fit my general color scheme if necessary.
I use whatever comes with the club when I bought it. I used to buy animal headcovers when my kids were young so I could use them as hand puppets, but they're teenagers now so I've dropped the practice.
For my driver I replace it with my Rottweiler head cover. I also don't want to advertise a great driver that someone might want to 'borrow' forever! My fairway woods have the covers that came with them. I DO use my iron covers as I hate bag chatter, and they keep my irons in great shape with fewer (or no) nicks!