Clothing > Sweatshirts & Sweaters
14 Best Zip-up Hoodies for Men
As I like to talk about time and time again at WERD, dressing casually doesn’t have to mean forgoing style, or utility – enter the zip-up hoodie.
In my experience, you sometimes need casually cool pieces that get the job done in terms of warmth and utility, without much fuss and with top-notch quality top of mind.
The zip-up hoodie bridges the gap between laidback and functional with ease. On that note, the best zip hoodies are quite literally easy to throw on and zip up – over your favorite henley or a plain t-shirt – offering casual comfort.
More options are covered in my list of the best hoodies for men.
- Form meets function: Whether you want one made from stretch performance fabric for workouts or a cozy cotton number as a work-ready layer, there’s a zip hoodie for you.
- Layer as you please: The right zip hoodie can be worn underneath a field jacket or trucker jacket, or on its own with your favorite jogger pants.
- Grab and go style: With its hood and front hip pockets, the zip hoodie is a useful piece you can throw on and forget about (except when you need the hood on a blustery day).
Try these:
Jack Reacher, James Patterson, Brandon Sanderson
Flint and Tinder 10-Year Hoodie
If there’s one company that’s defined the zip-up hoodie for the modern man, you could argue that it’s Huckberry.
The company’s Flint and Tinder line already makes an incredibly durable waxed trucker jacket (not to mention stylish, tough jeans and henleys), but the 10-Year Hoodie is something else entirely.
I tried the Flint and Tinder brand years ago coming off its successful Kickstarter campaign, and my hoodie has still held up plenty well in the years since then. It’s a Huckberry bestseller for a reason, available in plenty of colors and useful sizes for layering other cold-weather essentials.
It’s made in America with care and crafted from a soft yet long-lasting cotton blend with plenty of structure. The 10-Year Hoodie now comes in a wide range of stylish colors and that aptly named 10-year guarantee.
Carhartt Loose-Fit Midweight Full-Zip Sweatshirt
Carhartt is another brand that’s practically had the market cornered for decades when it comes to some of the most dependable workwear on the planet.
Its beanie caps are a staple on job sites, as are its hard-working canvas jackets, and you can certainly add this zip sweatshirt to our list of the best men’s zip hoodies.
The more relaxed fit is ideal for layering anything you can dream up for frigid weather, be it a thermal shirt or a flannel (or both). It’s also highly affordable, available in a range of sizes and built to last with Carhartt’s legendary toughness top of mind.
Howler Brothers Chisos Sherpa Fleece Hoodie
The fleece jacket you might have reached for in your closet as an afterthought gets a big upgrade thanks to the adventure-minded team at Howler Brothers.
The sherpa fleece is cozy, warm and soft, with the ability to function as your outermost layer on brisk days, and the details are seriously on-point.
Sturdy ribbed cuffs at the wrist and waist ensure a snug fit, while the hood is even lined in fleece for added comfort.
As a bonus, the hood exterior is made with a cotton-nylon blend for durability in blustery conditions, while handy hip zip pockets offer storage space and hand protection.
American Giant Classic Full-Zip
American Giant does right by the all-American zip hoodie with its much-loved, favorably reviewed full-zip hoodie.
This is another hoodie I’ve personally tried in situations both laidback and more utilitarian, especially during weekend trips upstate. The fabric is precisely what you need if you’re looking for a hoodie with some serious beef (in a great way). Call it a modern classic for a reason.
The aptly named Classic Full Zip is burly and rugged, made from custom heavyweight fleece and ringspun cotton. Of course, it’s crafted in the U.S. of A. and built with remarkably tough features, including reinforced elbow patches.
As if that wasn’t enough, the hood is double-lined for added warmth in grueling conditions. This is certainly the best zip-up hoodie to wear for your toughest fall and winter projects (or just relaxed lounging).
Patagonia Full-Zip Work Hoody Sweatshirt
Patagonia switches things up rather nicely from typical French Terry cotton fabric with a sustainable, soft yet tightly knit recycled polyester, spandex hemp exterior.
The fabric face is abrasion-resistant for added toughness, so you truly can wear this hoodie as a work layer with a waxed trucker jacket.
The famously sustainable brand also notes the hood itself is oversized to accommodate work gear, while the drawcord should be easy to operate with gloved hands. When you want a rough-and-tumble hoodie for workaday routines, opt for this eco-friendly number.
Vuori Seaside Hoodie
Vuori expertly blurs the lines between performance menswear for the gym and, well, the rest of your day (errands, coffee runs, work-from-home meetings and beyond).
When the time comes to do a little bit of everything, I reach for my stretchy, warm and easy-to-layer Vuori hoodie (best paired with durable yet soft and comfortable Vuori joggers, of course).
The Seaside Hoodie hits the right notes in that regard, too, made from a soft fleece that also boasts helpful, comfortable four-way stretch. It also features a handy interior chest pocket to store your phone and EDC, while the hood itself features a slightly higher zipper build for added coverage during workouts, day hikes and just about any adventure you can dream up.
Fjallraven Ovik Fleece Hoodie
Active pursuits in chilly weather call for a zip hoodie that can rise to the occasion. The Ovik Fleece Hoodie is made from a stretch polyester, which makes it ideal for wearing as a mid-layer on brisk days outdoors (perhaps under a Fjallraven waxed jacket).
Because durability reigns supreme in all things outdoor adventure, the iconic Swedish company went a step further by reinforcing key stress points (like the elbows and chin flap) with its abrasion-resistant G-1000 material for good measure.
James Perse Vintage French Terry Zip-Up
How can something so casual end up being luxurious? That’s the question James Perse tends to ask with its remarkable assortment of minimal, sleek yet easily wearable menswear, like this French Terry zip-up hoodie.
The fabric is super-soft, and it’s garment-dyed for added comfort, too. The garment-dying process also gives this hoodie a unique texture and distinctive look, meaning it stands apart when worn with everything from heather grey joggers to faded blue jeans and a soft black James Perse tee.
Reigning Champ Lightweight Terry Full Zip Hoodie
Among brands making the best zip-up hoodies, Reigning Champ tends to go the extra mile.
They’re yet another brand we love making gear suited for work or play (as in, workouts or lazy days at home), but each Reigning Champ piece is built to a high standard.
Take this hoodie: The terry fabric breathes easily and wears well with Reigning Champ tees and jogger pants. Dependable details like raglan sleeve stitching and flexible side panels provide ease of movement for active pursuits, while the Slim fit should prove flattering atop sleek base layers.
Bonobos Elements Full-Zip Hoodie
While best known for its office-approved chinos, crisp corduroy pants and stretchy, ready-for-anything buttondown shirts, Bonobos is aiming to take over the rest of your closet with a line of highly functional golf gear.
This stretch hoodie is specifically engineered for range of motion in terms of both fabric and fit, with raglan sleeves adding range of motion and stretchy double-knit material.
The locker loop is a small touch that makes it easy to hang up as you gear up for a day on the links, but it’s useful details like zip pockets for your scorecard and tees that take this hoodie from good to great.
Sunspel Loopback Zip Hoodie
If you want a hoodie you can feel great about wearing, the kind you can invest in and then reap the rewards every time you wear it, Sunspel has you covered.
The James Bond-approved brand (a personal favorite of mine) uses ultra-soft fabrics and the best construction on the market, from tees to polo shirts.
That same approach holds true with this zip hoodie, with loopback fabric designed to wick away moisture for sporting pursuits. You very well might want to wear it instead for laidback lounging, but we won’t fault you either way.
Tracksmith Trackhouse Zip Sweatshirt
Heritage style is the name of the game with Tracksmith, which takes cues from old-school, preppy and athletic uniforms to deliver stylishly modern running gear.
They certainly don’t skimp on performance fabric either, using a heavyweight reverse-weave cotton for warmth and durability.
The brand also calls this minimal sweatshirt an “elevated take on a team classic,” and they’ve even streamlined it by removing the drawstring in a nod to the well-worn hoodie you’ve had for years.
American Giant Carolina Midweight Full Zip
When it comes to variety, it’s hard not to be impressed by what American Giant is doing in the world of men’s hoodies. Sure, its Classic Full Zip is an impressive (and impressively durable) hoodie that won’t steer you wrong, but the American-made brand also experiments with fabrics in surprising ways, too.
Take this hoodie, named for its namesake production base of North Carolina and crafted from midweight, easy-to-layer 100 percent cotton. Opt for a classic athletic color, or go with a seasonal shade to mix up your off-duty wardrobe.
Rhone Apparel OOO Full-Zip Hoodie
The zip hoodie is a jack of all trades, with ideal warmth and comfort for travel, day hikes and of course, training sessions aplenty.
Rhone looked to cover all the bases with its OOO Hoodie, made with a brushed knit fabric designed to wick away moisture. Like other pieces I personally love from Rhone, this hoodie should prove stretchy while bouncing back easily and drying quickly.
Hand pockets are useful for staying comfortable during a brisk morning warm-up, and the internal media pocket is a crucial addition for everyday carry storage.
What fabric is best for a hoodie?
The fabric these days among your favorite menswear brands bridges the gap quite nicely. Some are made from moisture-wicking stretch fabrics – ideal for workouts. Still other zip hoodies are made from classic French Terry cotton (just like your favorite regular hoodie).
I prefer French Terry hoodies with a bit of extra bulk in terms of fabric thickness, but my rotation also includes hoodies made from stretch fabric, especially for travel and navigating often-chilly planes and airports.
How do you style a hoodie?
As far as functionality goes, the best zip-up hoodies can be worn as a mid-layer (try it underneath a waxed trucker jacket, a denim jacket or even a field jacket), and of course, the hood itself offers handy protection from brisk breezes. I wear mine for park strolls and weekend coffee runs, and I love to layer with other favorite fall and winter essentials.
The best zip hoodies can even be worn for hard-wearing work projects, if the fabric is thick and dependable enough (we’ve got a few options that fit the bill).
Zip hoodies are also apt at meeting multiple casual style situations. Toss it on for weekend outings and lounging with, naturally, the best lounge pants.
Style it on the road with stretch joggers or stretch denim, or use it as the aforementioned mid-layer underneath a denim jacket to grab some cold beers at your favorite brewery. If you don’t have a zip-up hoodie, one from my list could be considered the perfect starting point.
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