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More practical than pullovers, these open at the front to let cool air in, but only when you need it. Custom Designed Hoodies
The zip-up hoodie is the convertible of clothes — like if an all-terrain SUV came with a soft top if that makes sense. They boast the same hard-wearing capabilities as pullover hoodies (aka ones without zippers), but they come with their own temperature-regulating technology (a zipper).
Our tester has seen every single one of these hoodies, either in the store on the backs of friends and colleagues or in their own closet. They spent months feeling how they change with wear and a handful of washes, as well as when they feel inferior to others. They gauged whether the sizes felt true to what they were labeled as, whether the construction met personal standards, and, most importantly, whether they felt comfortable in it, no matter the situation.
For the zip-up hoodies we did not personally test, we relied on a combination of our in-house knowledge, brand reputation and customer reviews and experience. We scoured through sources like Reddit and online storefronts to find the best of the best.
To learn more about our testing methodology and how we evaluate products, head here.
Made in Middlesex, North Carolina, hence the name, American Giant's classic Carolina Midweight Full-Zip is cut from 100 percent cotton. It references vintage American sportswear, but updates the silhouettes with modern styling.
There's a pesky tag that disrupts the otherwise logo-less look, however, and our tester asked their tailor to remove it. Nap fleece lines the inside, it has contrasting strings and zipper, and two pockets on the front, and our tester finds it comfortable. It's slimming, too. Because while most sweatshirts add width, this one flatters through most mens' mid sections, even on bigger builds. It's a straight fit that doesn't lose its shape halfway down your side. Plus, the sleeves are the right length and the underarms are tight enough to layer beneath another garment relatively easily.
Flint and Tinder's 10-Year Hoodie comes with a few refined details: a double-lined hood, a media pocket on the inside, reinforced seams, and metal-tipped drawcords.
But the first thing you should know about Flint and Tinder's 10-Year Full Zip Hoodie is its heavy. It's constructed from beefy 23 oz. fleece fabric made in South Carolina — where American Giant gets its fabric, too — but this thing's like a weighted blanket for your body, not a compact mid-layer.
It doesn't feel like it sags or like it dominates your entire outfit the way a Carhartt or even Camber sweatshirt can. It sits on top of what you have on underneath, offering warmth and a cozy protective coating against the elements. As such, it's almost a jacket. Our tester found themself wearing it (and just it, with just a T-shirt on underneath) well into November (when highs were in the mid-40s). It kept them plenty warm and comfortable, too.
Does it get better than Gildan? Well, yes, but that's beside the point. For the price of an NYC cocktail, there isn't a better a sweatshirt. The Gildan Heavy Blend Full-Zip Hoodie weighs in at 8 oz., comes in over a dozen colors and won't pill as much because of its cotton-polyester blend construction. Several users say that while this is a bargain buy, it’s also too thin for much warmth and runs on the smaller side.
This hoodie by Buck Mason has a vintage look and feel, meaning it's full in some places but flattering in others. It has a straightforward zipper setup, two angled pockets, mid-sized cuffs and tonal, metal-tipped strings. It’s also got some good heft to it, in true Buck Mason fashion. If you want vintage but prefer your clothes new, this is your best bet.
Go fully incognito in this hoodie from Asket, which is all-black except for its metal components, the zipper and two tips that finish each drawstring. There's also a double-sized hood, too, which offers a place to hide when you don't want to be seen (by the paparazzi, of course). Users say that while it’s comfy and soft, the construction isn’t up to par, with one saying their zip-up’s pocket is coming apart after minimal wear. However, many say it’s the best fitted and feeling hoodie they’ve ever purchased.
Slightly oversized, Abercrombie & Fitch's standard fare zip hoodie doesn’t come with logos or graphics. (Shocking, right? It's a solid plain color, save for the silver hardware. This option does billow out a bit at the sides, though, which makes you look wider than you truly are. You should still be able to find your perfect fit, however, thanks to tall options and a wide size range spanning from XXS to XXXL.
If you're a fan of Todd Snyder, you should know about his collabs with Champion already. If not, it's the American designer's way of updating some of his favorite items from the venerable brand. This Midweight Full Zip Hoodie, for example, trades typical fabrics for rich, garment-dyed 18 oz. French Terry. And don't fret: the famous reverse weave construction remains, so it won’t shrink after wash.
Running brand Tracksmith makes a zip-up hoodie runners and non-runners alike will adore, because of its tremendous weight, long ribbed cuffs, internal iPhone pocket and double layer hood. Plus, there's something decidedly retro about this design, from the empty antique brass eyelets to the coated metal zipper and the embroidered logo.
Want weight? Go with Les Tien's Heavyweight Core Hoodie, a style with serious heft, stacked cuffs and shiny gold hardware, a finishing touch that truly does stand out. It’s hefty and a favorite of celebs like Ye and Drake, and it’s got an oversized fit perfect for those who prefer streetwear to pure menswear.
Carhartt is a classic. Its Midweight Hooded Zip Front Sweatshirt may not have the recognizability its beanie or B01 pants do, but this hoodie is still Carhartt — representative of everything that comes with that name. It’s tough, oversized, available in a plethora of sizes and built to be worn into the ground — for better and for worse. Many users say sizing is hard to get down due to its roomy fit.
Marine Layer's basic Afternoon Full Zip is the ideal accessory for lounging around the house... or hitting the gym. It's soft, warm and gives with you when you move, all without looking neither too lazy nor too technical. Micromodal makes this hoodie softer than others on this list, as well as cool to the touch.
I'd all but guarantee most men aged 18-35 have owned at least one Nike Sportswear Club Fleece Full-Zip Hoodie. At $70, it's hard to beat. The fleece is soft and light, the sweatshirt itself has some structure and it's pretty warm for its weight. Plus, this version comes in plenty of colors, whether to match your sneakers or your favorite sports team. Several users do note quality control issues, with some saying their zipper broke apart during wash.
There's truly no other hoodie quite like The Real McCoy's Japanese-made Ball Park zip-up sweatshirt. Its Sinker weave tubular construction gives it a super-tight, ultra-durable front with a soft interior. Over time, it'll look like a fine sweater, but it won't pill, rip or snag like a normal knit. There are no side seams and the bucket pockets — my favorite style — is big enough for a cold can of beer or a phone and a wallet. With the upright orientation, nothing will fall out unless you bend over.
If you’re a frequent hiker or general outdoorsmen, Patagonia’s R1 Air Full-Zip Hoody is built for your adventures. It’s made with recycled polyester that quickly releases moisture when you’re working up a sweat. Meanwhile, its zigzag-like exterior works like seersucker by keeping fabric off the skin and inviting airflow, thus, keeping you cool. It’s slim fit for preventing snags on a hike, plus it compresses for easy packing. Even if it’s made for the outdoors, some customers say it’s a bit fragile and won’t hold shape well after being compressed.
Made in Canada at the brand's own factory, Reigning Champ's Full Zip Hoodie is an irrefutable classic — and a must-have for every man. It's soft, sturdy, and plenty structured, ensuring it can stand alone as its own top layer or be tucked beneath bulkier jackets.
Sunspel makes some of the best basics, and its Cotton Loopback Zip Hoody may be one of the softest. It’s got a great fit, according to many customers, and its cotton is top-notch and luxuriously soft. The rib cuffs, drawstrings and zip closure give the jacket more of a vintage sport style, while its loopback provides extra warmth throughout. This is a certified classic.
If you overheat, you won't need to wiggle your way out of your heavyweight hoodie, lifting up your undershirt, ruffling your hair and dislodging glasses or AirPods along the way. That's a shortlist of not-so-serious problems, but when you're bundled up without room, time, or the green light to get undressed just so you don't drown in your own sweat, having the option to undo your front proves essential.
They're also the ideal "extra." If you're dressed up, for example, but fear you'll be cold, you can tuck a compact zip-up into your bag and its open front lets you put it on more easily when it's eventually needed.
You can obviously wear it as a top layer, but doing so requires an eye for fit, fullness, and fashionability. Finding one that will be as flattering as comfortable shouldn't be a futile fight, though. Plenty of the options below work as top layers, but many are mid or even base ones, too.
Custom Hoodie Suppliers To layer a zip-up hoodie, it needs to be true to size — not oversized nor too slim. It needs to fit underneath another garment — a denim jacket, most commonly — but still give you room to breathe (and move your torso and lift your arms over your head). Try wearing it on top of a thermal shirt, which is as thin as a T-shirt but far warmer. That takes the load off your top layer, making a denim jacket just as appropriate in November as it is in June.