You’ve loved hoodies since that nasty old one you had back in third grade.
You know, the sweatshirt that featured all the different nautical flags?
Ok, maybe that’s just me. But hoodies are one of the few universal clothing items that guys love.
So why not get the best?
That’s where we come in. We put together the five best hoodies for men in every category: from full zip to pullover, from hyper-comfortable to rugged. Let’s look under the hood.
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5 Best Hoodies for Men
Best Full Zip Hoodie: Unbound Merino Compact Travel Hoodie
The folks at Unbound Merino know how to make comfortable clothes look good. We first tried Unbound Merino a few months ago and have been wearing this Compact Travel Hoodie way too often since then.
The Compact Travel Hoodie is made with a super soft 21.5 micron superfine Merino wool with a little elastane thrown in for stretch so it’s warm, comfortable, but not a heavyweight. With hoodies, the details need to be right—otherwise they just look sloppy.
The Travel Hoodie has a clean, modern fit, matte zippers that don’t jangle around, and a minimalist cut that looks sleek.
This is a perfect hoodie for everyday wear, and like the name suggests—a great option for traveling because Merino wool wicks away moisture and doesn’t get stinky. Beyond that, it doesn’t wrinkle easily and it’s super easy to roll up and pack away if it’s warm outside.
What I Like
The Merino fabric blend is soft, light, drapes well, packs nicely, and keeps you warm.
The no-bounce zippers stay flat and locked in place so you don’t sound like sleigh bells wherever you walk.
The invisible seams and minimalist design make this a versatile piece.
What I Don’t Like
Unbound Merino only carries three color options at the moment.
What Other Reviewers Say
Reviewers on the Unbound Merino site had a lot to say about this hoodie, which is always a good sign. The biggest positive was on the style: the lines are so clean that some guys felt it looked appropriate even in a business casual setting.
The Verdict
What’s the easiest way to look stylish, even when you’re running a quick errand? Get something with high-quality fabric and a modern cut.
The Unbound Merino Compact Travel Hoodie looks chill, but it’s a style powerhouse. It ticks all the comfort boxes, and has the added benefit of being easy to pack away and staying fresh no matter what you do.
This makes the top of the list because it’s stylish enough to throw on over a button-up shirt if you need a layer for the office, it’s breathable enough to bring to the gym, and it’s comfortable enough to chill at home in.
This hoodie offers a structured cut and a heavier fabric. While still not as heavy as your run-of-the-mill zip-up hoodie, the Compact Travel Hoodie has substance enough to get you through chillier days without becoming a sauna in higher temperatures.
Best French Terry Hoodie: Everlane Uniform FT Hoodie
Everlane’s Uniform line has a simple guarantee: these items will go 365 days minimum without tearing, fading, or losing their shape. Their FT Hoodie is built for durability and comfort.
This slim fit sweatshirt comes in several muted colorways that match well across most wardrobes. The drawcords have simple stainless steel caps that add a touch of refinement to this otherwise simple hoodie.
If you want a slim-fit hoodie, this is the one.
What I Like
100% French Terry cotton fabric means this gets more comfortable with time.
Metal capped drawcords and slim neck opening give this sweatshirt a stylish look.
It’s covered by Everlane’s Uniform 365-day quality guarantee, so if it gets a hole or fades in the first year, send it back, no questions asked.
What I Don’t Like
It shrinks a fair amount in the washer, so if you’re between sizes, choose one size larger.
What Other Reviewers Say
Over 150 reviewers on Everlane’s site rate this hoodie a 4.78 out of 5 stars. Most of the comments revolve around the fit. The consensus is that it lies on the body well, with more structure and shape around the chest and shoulders.
When stars were docked, it was usually because it shrinks about a half-size in the wash.
The Verdict
Everlane makes a bold claim with their 365-day Uniform guarantee, and I can say first-hand that their FT hoodie still has its crisp color after a full year of wear and tear.
In my experience (I’m sometimes M, sometimes L), guys in-between sizes should bump up to the larger size for this hoodie. If you’re a solid size, just know it’ll fit a little more snug, but it will still look great.
The Uniform FT hoodie is a deceptively simple design that looks slim and fitted but feels relaxed.
Made with french terry cloth, this sweatshirt is soft and durable. The neckline is tightly stitched so this hoodie fits flat across your shoulders. The result is a masculine look and a nice, slim fit.
Best Pullover Hoodie: Outerknown Hightide
This entry is for the guys who prioritize comfort over everything. Or, if you want to wear something that’ll make the ladies want to hug you whenever they get the chance.
Outerknown’s Hightide hoodie is made with plush terry towel fabric, so it feels almost like a teddy-bear on the outside. It still has a modern cut so you look trim and neat, but it’s so relaxed that you feel like you’re wearing that under-the-covers feeling you get on Sunday mornings.
Outerknown is best known by surfer dudes for their high quality beach-town clothes. While the Hightide is uber-soft, it’s got enough structure to keep cold off-shore winds from chilling you down.
What I Like
The plush terry fabric is designed to feel like your favorite soft beach towel.
Hightide has a cozy hood and a roomy kangaroo pocket for when you want to huddle in and find your happy place.
It’s the best hoodie for any situation where you might want someone to spontaneously hug you.
What I Don’t Like
This is a fully chill hoodie. It doesn’t have nifty zippered pockets like Public Rec so you need to be more careful with keys, wallets, and phones.
What Other Reviewers Say
There are only a handful of reviews for the Hightide on Outerknown’s site, but what’s funny is that they all say almost the same thing: they put it on and haven’t taken it off. For any reason.
So I guess that’s something to watch out for—your friends might need to stage an intervention for you to wash this thing after you give it a shot.
The Verdict
The Outerknown Hightide feels like a teddy-bear, but stands up to that crazy chill you get from sitting on the beach after the sun sets.
If a bonfire with the sound of waves crashing in the background sounds like an ideal way to spend an evening, check out the Outerknown Hightide.
Ever wanted to know what it feels like to be a walking teddy bear? The Outerknown Hightide is your chance to finally live that dream.
Best Lightweight Hoodie: Public Rec Politan
Lightweight hoodies are sometimes the best solution when you just want to throw something on for a quick trip to the store or if you’re looking to hit the weights.
The Public Rec Politan is the best in this category due to its highly breathable Jersey Moss technical fabric shell. It’s easy to bundle up and toss in your bag, which also makes this an excellent layer to bring with you traveling.
The notched v-neck brings a nice touch of style to the Politan, and like all Public Rec clothes, hidden zippers make it easy to securely store anything you’re bringing with you.
What I Like
The notched v-neck adds comfort and mobility if you’re wearing it during a workout, and it also adds a more unique style than your standard pull over hoodie.
The Jersey Moss technical fabric is breathable, light, doesn’t wrinkly easily, and blocks wind-chill.
There’s a zippered pocket and media pocket tucked away inside the kangaroo pouch, which makes carrying your wallet, keys, and phone easy and secure.
What I Don’t Like
Like the Weekend hoodie, there aren’t that many color options. I’d like to see a variation on green and red at least.
What Other Reviewers Say
Over 125 reviewers on the Public Rec site rate the Politan an average of 4.9 stars. Comfort and style are the two positive comments that come up in nearly every review. The only negative is on sizing. Some guys feel it runs a touch on the small side, especially after washing. If you’re in between sizes, get the next largest option.
The Verdict
When you need a lightweight sweater to toss on for quick errands and gym sessions, nothing beats technical fabrics. That’s why the Public Rec Politan hoodie is the reigning champ in this category.
Even if you left this thing crumpled in your gym bag, just give it a shake and throw it on. The modern athletic fit makes it a great blend of comfort and style for everyday use.
Public Rec's lightweight layer features a notch in the neckline for a more relaxed vibe.
Best Fleece Hoodie: Carhartt Rain Defender Rockland Sherpa Lined Sweatshirt
Until now, we’ve added a bunch of hoodies built to blend style and comfort, but the Carhartt Rain Defender Rockland Sherpa Lined Sweatshirt is all about performance.
Decked out with a fleece interior and a 10.5 oz cotton/polyester shell, this hoodie is a beast. It’s warm enough to wear through the winter, and it even has a water-resistant treatment to help keep it dry in downpours.
What I Like
What I Don’t Like
The Verdict
This is a beast of a hoodie. It's heavyweight, water resistant, and about as warm as hoodies can get. It's bulky, but sometimes style isn't the top priority.
How to Wear a Hoodie: Style Inspiration
Wondering how some of these hoodies look in real life? Here are a few ways you can style our featured hoodies so you’re ready to hit the streets as soon as they show up in your mailbox.
This is the Unbound Merino Compact Travel Hoodie. It’s a perfect setup when you’re about to hit the gym or go out for a meeting over coffee. The clean seams add a bit of minimalist style to your look, and the fabric and cut are masculine.
The photo above shows the Everlane Uniform FT hoodie paired up with a denim jacket. I’ve rocked this combo from time to time, too.
And during spring months, where it’s not quite warm yet, a lightweight hoodie is great to have for quick trips out. Our favorite lightweight hoodie is the Public Rec Politan.
The oversized kangaroo pouch with a hidden media pocket and a zippered compartment are excellent for stashing a card. This is a great layer to have as it easily fits under a larger coat, but it’s light enough to wear on a run.
Which Hood is Too Good?
So which hoodie does the trick for you?
If you want the ease of a full zip and want a hoodie that looks modern, check out the Unbound Merino Compact Travel Hoodie.
This hoodie offers a structured cut and a heavier fabric. While still not as heavy as your run-of-the-mill zip-up hoodie, the Compact Travel Hoodie has substance enough to get you through chillier days without becoming a sauna in higher temperatures.
For an upscale version of a classic, simple sweatshirt, scope Everlane’s French Terry. Need to crank the comfy into overdrive? Outerknown’s Hightide is like wearing a teddy-bear.
And for something lightweight, the Public Rec Politan is a simple layer to toss on in any situation. But if you need a heavy-weight—the sweatshirt you wear out into a storm, Carhartt’s got you covered.
FAQs
Do hoodies look good on guys?
Hoodies are still a classic look for men. They’re very casual, so don’t wear them on a date, or even on a Saturday night out at the bars. But if you get a modern hoodie made with structured and clean fabric like the Unbound Merino Compact Travel Hoodie, you’ll get a few longing glances. .
Do guys wear shirts under hoodies?
We recommend that guys wear shirts under hoodies. Why? Because the more you wash your hoodie, the more it loses color and structure. So if you wear an undershirt, you’ll cut down on the amount you need to wash your hoodie.
