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They may have been born out of the world of sportswear, but the best hoodies for men have evolved into a full-blown staple of every style god's closet. Whether you're Joe Schmoe looking for something to swaddle into on a lazy Saturday, or you're Justin Bieber defending your crown as the sweats king, everyone needs a go-to hoodie.
In our quest for hoodie perfection, we separated the wheat from the chaff to really figure out which ones are the absolute best. Why? For one, it's an excuse to get cozy. But also because hoodies are part of a good wardrobe diet. Without further ado, here are all the best hoodies for men right now.
The Best Hoodies for Men, According to GQ
- → The Overall Pick: Reigning Champ Midweight Pullover Hoodie, $150
- → The Classic Pick: Champion Reverse Weave Hoodie, $65
- → The Budget Pick: Russell Athletic Dri-Power Fleece Hoodie,
$26$20 - → The Zip-Up Pick: Uniqlo Sweat Long-Sleeve Full-Zip Hoodie, $50
- → The Designer Pick: Fear of God Essentials Hoodie, $100
- → The Gym-Ready Pick: Nike ACG Trail Running Hoodie, $85
- → The Cashmere Pick: J.Crew Cashmere Hoodie, $178
- → The Heavyweight Pick: Camber Cross-knit Heavyweight Hooded Sweatshirt, $94
Best Hoodie Overall: Reigning Champ Pullover Hoodie
Materials: 100% cotton | Fabric Weight: 390 GSM | Sizes: XS-XXL | Colors: Varies
If you haven't had the chance—or, more accurately, the patience to line up for a chance—to wear a Supreme hoodie, you've been missing out. But the fashion gods have heard of this plight because just over a decade ago, Vancouver's CYC Design Corp—the former manufacturer behind Supreme's superior sweats—launched Reigning Champ, which churns out the same heavy-duty athleticwear minus the thirst-inducing branding and highly limited supply. We're talking about dense, heavy fleece, industrial-strength ribbed hems that deliver a healthy amount of give, and perfectly-proportioned hood. All the game-raising coziness, zero risk of inciting an actual riot.
In our testing, Reigning Champ's hoodies were clearly the best quality, even at its steep price tag of $150. The fabric was softer than Champion's Reverse Weave hoodie and the fit was ever so slightly better. But the real kicker is the construction. We were really impressed with the details on Reigning Champ's hoodie, which included nearly imperceptible flatlock stitching, a unique sleeve made of a set-in construction from the front and a raglan construction at the back which brought both fit and comfort to the hoodie, and extra details like herringbone seam taping at the neck. Plus, we liked that the hood overlaps ever so slightly at the neck.
Best Classic Hoodie: Champion Reverse Weave Pullover Hoodie
Materials: 82% Cotton 18% Polyester | Fabric Weight: 12 ounces | Sizes: XS-3XL | Colors: Varies
Okay, come on: we don't really need to sell you on this one, do we? Champion sweatshirts, like 501s and Chucks, have probably been a fixture in your wardrobe since before you could spell "wardrobe." Instead, let's use this space to reaffirm why they've been worthy of your loyalty all these years. Mainly, it's the construction: way back in the '30s, Champion introduced their patented reverse weave technique, a process that jacks ups the fleece's durability and makes it impervious to shrinking. That one innovation instantly made Champion's sweats the go-to outfitter for every college sports program in the country, and a favorite of Japanese vintage hunters many decades later. They still make 'em the same way, and their hoodies still last damn near forever—and deserve a spot on this list—because of it.
Our testers say the hoodie's outer handfeel isn't as soft as other hoodies, but it also feels incredibly tough, plus the brushed interior is as fluffy as a cloud and very warm. The kangaroo pocket is quite large, like, large enough to store a housecat or a couple of fully loaded hoagies. For dudes under 5'10", this may be a touch long, but we found that the stretchy ribbing at the hem made it easy to adjust.
Best Zip-Up Hoodie: Uniqlo Sweat Full-zip Hoodie
Materials: 100% cotton | Fabric Weight: N/A | Sizes: XXS-XXXL | Colors: Black, Gray, Light Gray, Blue
We're well-known fanboys of Uniqlo U, the fashion-forward Uniqlo sub-label headed up by the esteemed Christophe Lemaire. In the midst of all the (deserved) praise, we should remind you that Uniqlo's mainline still slaps—and the full-zip hoodie is among its best products. It's surprisingly well built for a hoodie that costs a very approachable $50, outpacing hoodies that cost more than double. And the silhouette is worthy of the juiciest chef's kiss. It's relaxed but not oversized, precisely cropped for a vintage feel, but not so cropped that it enters Fashion territory. And it's hard to find a hoodie at this price made of 100% cotton, especially cotton that's as soft as this one is.
This is your correspondent's go-to hoodie for several reasons. The fabric is soft from the jump, the color is spot on, and most importantly, the fit is perfect. It's roomie enough to feel lounge-y, but the slightly shorter length means it doesn't feel sloppy like so many other hoodies are.
Best Budget Hoodie: Russell Athletic Dri-Power Pullover Fleece Hoodie
Materials: 50% cotton, 50% polyester | Fabric Weight: 9 ounces | Sizes: S-4XL | Colors: Varies
As far as affordable sweats go, it's hard to beat the fleece OGs from Russell Athletic. Would you expect anything less from the brand that actually invented the hoodie? While Russell Athletic sweats have become a vintage grail for hoodie enthusiasts in the past few years (including a few in-the-know celebs), the box-fresh hoodies you'll find today are still just as good, even if they don't come with their own pre-loved patina. They've got the classic V-insert detail at the neck, ribbed hems and cuffs, kangaroo pockets, and drawstring hoods. (And unlike its Champion counterpart, the Russell tag is a little more discreet.) The mid-weight fleece is made of a 50-50 cotton-poly blend with a near-vintage hand and the Dri-Power materials means it'll help wick away moisture, keeping you dry and warm. At just around $20, this is the hoodie to beat if you're on a budget.
Best Designer Hoodie: Fear of God Cotton-Blend Jersey Hoodie
Materials: 80% Cotton, 20% Polyester | Fabric Weight: N/A | Sizes: XS-2XL | Colors: Black, beige taupe, off-white
Fear of God's tailoring might've stolen the show in recent collections, but Jerry Lorenzo's signature Essentials hoodies are seriously worth a second look—if you're fast enough to scoop them up. These days, Lorenzo's neutral-toned vision of American luxury fashion encompasses everything from exquisite made-in-Italy suiting to SoCal-drenched slides, but the type of exacting leisurewear he helped popularize remains a house specialty. The Essentials hoodies are a hit every season, especially at the $100 price point. While that's not exactly cheap, there aren't any capital-D Designer hoodies out there for the price. It's the best oversized hoodie out there and is designed with subtle details that set it apart from so many others, like the extended neck on the hood, the vintage-style cuffs, and the tastefully minimal branding. Plus, they come in the brand's signature dusty color palette which means they'll work for anyone's wardrobe.
Best Gym-Ready Hoodie: Nike Dri-FIT Trail Running Hoodie
Materials: 100% polyester | Fabric Weight: N/A | Sizes: S-XL | Colors: Light silver, diffused blue, lime blast
Nike's trail-ready riff on the silhouette took home top honors in last year's Fitness Awards, and for good reason. For a while there, running gear felt as grim as your homie's plantar fasciitis. So Nike ACG, the Swoosh's crunchy-cool sub-label, took it upon itself to enliven the genre, drenching its slinky, UV-blocking sweatshirt in a slew of icy hues. Your runner pals will be impressed with its sun-protecting prowess, but the real coup is how gloriously normal it looks off the track.
Best Warm Hoodie: J.Crew Cashmere Hoodie
Materials: 100% cashmere | Fabric Weight: N/A | Sizes: XS-2XL | Colors: Heather gray, navy
Calibrating your wardrobe for the WFH era is all about finding those Swiss Army garms that look and feel right in the widest possible range of situations. J.Crew's newest hoodie fits that mold perfectly: the ultra-soft Mongolian cashmere is warm but refined like your best business casual sweaters, but it's still, you know, a hoodie. Which means you can wear it on an important Zoom call with a client, out to the dog park for a little fresh air, and then cinch it up on the couch for a long night of The Crown without anyone ever blinking an eye.
Best Heavyweight Hoodie: Camber 232 Cross-Knit Heavyweight Hooded Sweatshirt
Materials: 100% cotton | Fabric Weight: 12 ounces | Sizes: S-6XLT | Colors: 11 colors
Camber's shored up a sizable following over the decades, even with months-long lead times that have become par for the course. Though the patience required to get your own Camber hoodie certainly adds to the lore, the proof is in the hoodie. The custom-developed cross-knit fabric is incredibly dense and impressively durable (we're talking decades-long-wear-durable). Not only does Camber produce all of its hoodies in its Pennsylvania factory, the brand does it using US-made materials. Each piece is cut with obsessive craftsmanship by sewers who have been with the company for longer than most people have been at multiple companies. The cross-knit hoodie was originally built off the inspiration of the iconic Champion Reverse Weave hoodie, but time and customer enthusiasm has proven that it has far exceeded its muse. Are there heavier hoodies on this list? Yes. Are there any that do it better? No.
Plus 15 More Hoodies We Love
Todd Snyder x Champion
Relaxed Hoodie in Silver Mix
For years, the relationship between Todd Snyder and Champion has been one of the tightest bonds in the fashion world. And while we still love the first several iterations of the duo's signature sweats and hoodies, this latest version is even better thanks to the more classic, relaxed silhouette.
lululemon
Steady State Hoodie
Aside from Lululemon's aspirational yoga gear, the brand makes a slate of really solid hoodies that are equally adept at chilling as they are at breaking a sweat. But perhaps their most versatile yet is the Steady State hoodie which looks more like a classic hoodie than a gym hoodie. The boxy feel and generous kangaroo pocket are prime reasons to add it to your rotation and to pair it with some wide leg pants.
Gap
Reissue Logo Zip Hoodie
There are many versions of a classic hoodie. You’ve got your no-frills gray Champion-types. You’ve got your old-school, throwback cotton hoodies, the kind that Japanese brands reproduce with painstakingly accurate details. And then you’ve got Gap’s iconic arch logo hoodies. Few brands have actually exploded their logo to everlasting success, but the mall brand’s dominance in the 1990s cemented its collegiate-inspired hoodie as a new classic. The cotton-blend hoodie features a zip-front design with kangaroo pockets, smooth face, brushed terry interior, and relaxed fit that pairs so well with some wide-legged pants.
Flint and Tinder
10-Year Pullover Hoodie
Buck Mason
Loopback Wool Hooded Sweatshirt
Organic cotton and triple-brushed terry hoodies are great and all, but some of the most comfortable hoodies on the market are actually made from wool. Buck Mason’s balanced blend of merino wool and cashmere is proof that the brand is way more than its cotton T-shirts and puts a major portion of the hoodie market on notice. Thanks to the mid-gauge wool yarns and perfectly-cropped length, it feels elevated enough to pair with a blazer avoiding the flimsy hoods that plague most other wool hoodies.
Carhartt
Loose Fit Firm Duck Insulated Flannel-Lined Active Jacket
This may not be what you had in your mental lineup of men’s hoodies, but if your M.O. when it comes the genre is a hard-wearing garment that also happens to be decently cozy, then this is for you. It features Carhartt’s ultra-durable signature duck canvas for the face, insulating fill, and a soft flannel lining. So while the tough outer shell is like a hard candy, it’s got a gooey center that’ll sweeten the deal.
Patagonia
Fitz Roy Icon Uprisal Fleece Hoody
If sustainable sweats are more your jam, there are few that do it better than Patagonia. The Fitz Roy hoodie is made entirely of recycled material by blending recycled polyester and cotton to produce a fleece hoodie that’s as sustainable as it is comfortable.
Chamula
Mix Heather Hoodie
Chamula’s ultra-plush, mega comfy hoodie is hand-knit by Mexican artisans using thick wool yarns and a whole lot of skill and time. It’s thick enough to wear as a standalone jacket, but the loose fit ensures that you can layer up with a mid-weight sweater or puffer vest for extra protection against the biting cold.
Jungmaven
Montauk Hooded Sweatshirt
If you’re prone to overheating but love the feel of a heavyweight hoodie, you might want to consider ditching the usual cotton hoodies. And we’re not necessarily suggesting an over-engineered hoodie with insane moisture-wicking tech. Instead, try a naturally-cool fiber like hemp. Jungmaven’s Montauk hoodie is substantial at nearly 10-ounces, but feels significantly cooler thanks to the heavy helping of hemp fibers which help naturally regulate your temperature.
Abercrombie & Fitch
Premium Heavyweight Popover Hoodie
It may come as a surprise to some of you, but spending hours digging through dusty flea markets and grody charity bins in search of the perfectly patinated, sun-faded hoodie isn't most people's idea of a good time. Neither is forking over hundreds of dollars for an artisanal, hand-distressed version. But, friends, Abercrombie has managed to nail the grail vintage hoodie look—fades, silhouette, and all—for less than 100 bucks.
Outerknown
Sur Snap Hoodie
Outerknown's Sur snap hoodie offers a delightful switchup to the usual cotton-poly options that dominate the market. The hemp-cotton blend gives the hoodie a unique texture and heft while retaining a softness and breathability that's perfect for days when it's slightly too warm for the usual poly blends.
The Real McCoy's
Double Face After-hooded Sweatshirt
There are few reproduction brands counted in the same sentence as The Real McCoy's. The Japanese brand is notorious for its hardcore obsession with reviving vintage grails, and for the vintage heads out there, its wares may as well be the real thing. This particular hoodie references some of the earliest hoodies in history with its ‘after hood’ detail, a floating hood attached around the crewneck collar. On top of that, TRM uses a custom-knit loopwheel fabric that forgoes the typical sideseams for a seamless finish—and then doubles it for an insane heft.
Carhartt
"Paxton" Hooded Heavyweight Sweatshirt
Lady White Co.
Super Weighted Hoodie
Lady White Co.'s quest for knitwear greatness has produced, well, some pretty great knitwear. From the fabric to the cutting and sewing, their flagship hoodie is made in Los Angeles and features a beefy 13-ounce fleece that's brushed on the inside for cozy warmth and a dialed-in relaxed fit.
How We Tested
All hoodies are comfy hoodies…in theory. If you want the best hoodies for men, you gotta take the time to really try them out side by side. And that's exactly what we did. We wore a ton of hoodies from the most popular to the most expensive to the most affordable and everything in-between. We wore them around a chilly office, looking for warmth, softness, fit, and overall quality. Though fit is subjective, we like hoodies that we could easily layer over a button-up and reached a length just below the belt line. And the main point of a hoodie is that they're comfortable. Most hoodies are comfy, but in side by side comparisons, some hoodies stood out more than others.
Your Hoodie-Related FAQs, Answered
There are three basic tenants of a hoodie: soft, warm, durable. Higher up on Maslow's Hoodie Hierarchy, a high quality hoodie should be made of fabric that's dense enough to not see through and have flush, flatlock stitched seams, along with smooth, double-faced hoods that won't rough up your hair. Self-actualized hoodies will use extremely rare loopwheel machines which are famed for their particular knitting style which uses the natural tension of gravity to knit a fabric that's unparalleled density and softness. Additionally, loopwheel fabrics are knit without any side seams which makes them more durable and comfortable.
If you're after a really warm hoodie, it's all about the fabric. The warmest hoodies will use thick, heavyweight fabrics which normally start at about 12 ounces, or 400 GSM, and go up from there. Oftentimes, warmer hoodies have a brushed interior which not only provides a lush handfeel, but also better insulation. For even better heat retention, some hoodies use a double-faced fabric, often with some kind of jersey or French terry for the exterior and a waffle-knit thermal fabric for the interior. But hoodies come in more materials than the usual cotton or cotton-poly French terry you're used to seeing. Designers are crafting hoodies from all kind of materials like cashmere, wool, fleece, even super technical performance fabrics, each with their own unique properties and advantages. Regardless of the material, high-quality fabrics use long staple fibers which are both strong and smooth.
No matter your budget, there's a good hoodie at every price point. We've been surprised by some very cheap hoodies and we've also been really disappointed by some expensive hoodies. It all depends on the brand and where they chose to either cut corners or pass the savings on to you. That said, we feel pretty confident that a really good-quality hoodie can cost around $40-$60. Both Uniqlo's zip-up hoodie and Champion's Reverse Weave hoodie sit in that range and are great examples of the kind of quality we look for in a hoodie.