It’s difficult to think of any item of clothing with quite as colorful a history as the humble hoodie. Over the past century, this sportswear staple has gone from the playing field to the runway, stopping off at every conceivable urban subculture along the way. It’s been name-checked by prime ministers, designers, and screeching Daily Mail editorials. It’s even been banned in some parts of the western world for brief periods of time, all thanks to its street associations.
But the humble hoodie has come a long way since Champion invented it for its laborers. In line with the latest trends in men’s hoodies, these garments are experiencing a golden era of widespread acceptance. Just as with Elvis, denim jeans, electronic music, and all other aspects of youth culture that initially made grown-ups nervous, everyone has now calmed down and said a collective, “You know what? Maybe a sweatshirt with a hood on the back isn’t inherently evil after all.”
The best hoodies for men combine some integral factors. First, they have to be of good quality and feel good for a long time afterward. Second, they have to provide a good level of insulation. Third, they have to look impeccably stylish.
Considering all of our choices below, we’ve attempted to marry all of these factors to bring you the best hoodies for men. Also, where possible, we have selected items that use more ecologically conscious materials and highlighted that.
Material: 100% Organic Cotton | Sizes Available: S-XXL | Colors Available: Black, Green, Navy
This black ISTO hoodie is stylish due to its pared-back nature and just off-black color. Not even a simple brand logo, it’s ready for any outfit you throw at it. It doesn’t have to shout its name. It knows it’s one of the best hoodie brands for men. It knows it’s cool. It’s assured in a calm and respectful manner. Anyway, that’s enough anthropomorphization for one hoodie.
The lightweight hoodie will pair well with light-wash jeans and white sneakers. Simple as that.
Material: 50% Cotton, 50% Polyester | Sizes Available: S-XXXXL | Colors Available: Black, White, Gray, Blue, +
Sometimes, the best hoodies for men are the workhorses of the wardrobe. The ones that do our bidding and our dirty work day in and day out. Hence why an affordable hoodie makes sense. This is one not to be too precious about. Need to drill a hole in the wall? Wear this hoodie.
Need to take a nap on the couch? Wear this hoodie. Need some milk? Wear this hoodie. The ribbed cuffs and hems give it a relaxed yet secure fit. The double-needle stitching gives extra strength. And finally, the metal drawstring holes ensure wear-and-tear doesn’t bring this workhorse down.
Material: 100% Cotton | Sizes Available: XS-XXL | Colors Available: Navy, Gray
Graphics, embroidery, logos, words, images, symbols, life, death. It’s all the same quagmire of semantics. Why not ease yourself from the confusion of the world with a simple, wholesome, and aesthetically pleasing hand-embroidered hoodie?
Material: 100% Organic | Sizes Available: XS-XXL | Colors Available: Navy, Black, Gray, +
Based on timeless designs and ethical practices,
Crafted from 100% organic, heavyweight cotton, don’t be surprised if this hoodie is your new chilly weather go-to. And since it comes in four colors, don’t be surprised if you find yourself going back for another… and another.
Material: 61-62% Cotton, 38-39% polyester | Sizes Available: XS-XXXXL | Colors Available: Lime Green, Gray, Black
Nike’s Dri-Fit fabric is ideal for a workout (almost as if it were designed specifically for that). The microfibres encourage sweat to surface quickly and evaporate. A less sweat-sodden athlete emerges (hence the “dri”) and can get on with the business of getting in shape (hence the “fit”).
The Light Liquid Lime colorway is sure to invigorate your senses and get you prepped for a hard sesh in the gym.
Material: 100% Cashmere | Sizes Available: S-XL | Colors Available: Grey
Ever since hoodies became a legit way to look smart and put together, labels that specialize in luxurious, well-made basics have done what they do best with a garment once associated with skaters and shoplifters.
Case in point: Sunspel, the British knitwear label that regularly makes us feel all fuzzy inside. Its hoodies come in stroke-able cotton-jersey, and in neutral colors that will work as well with tailored trousers as they do with joggers.
Material: 100% Organic Cotton | Sizes Available: XS-XXL | Colors Available: Brown
Plain doesn’t mean boring. And this Danish-designed Forét hoodie is physical proof. The brown tone of the organic cotton fabric lends it a deviation from the normal black, white, and gray hoodies that are all too common. The color makes this the best hoodie for autumnal layering, going well with the leafy browns of the season but also with the need for a little more warmth.
Try this hoodie with light-wash denim jeans (or chinos), smart-casual sneakers, a long wool overcoat, and a beanie hat.
Material: 100% Cotton | Sizes Available: XS-XL | Colors Available: Gray
Over the last ten years or so, the simple Ami logo with the “A” and a heart has become recognizable. Call it sheer repetition, call it fashion, call it genius marketing, but it’s ingrained in the public psyche now.
And it ain’t going nowhere. What’s nice about the Ami Paris logo and the brand is that it never became oversaturated. It’s known but still retains that semi-underground status: it’s still cool. So here’s a designer hoodie purchase that people know, but it’s not overdone. Winning combo.
Material: 84% Cotton, 16% polyester | Sizes Available: XS-XXL | Colors Available: White, Black, Blue, Green, +
Personally, my best hoodie is a fleece hoodie. Come to think of it, a lot of my favorite clothes are fleece (or, was I the one being fleeced?). It’s almost like you can sink into the fabric as if enveloping your very soul. You feel safe, warm, and loved. Anyway, enough Freudian-hoodie-rhetoric.
This J Crew might look like a regular hoodie with its hood, kangaroo pouch, drawstrings, and ribbed cuffs, but it’s the internal fleecing that takes it to that next level of desirability. Also, the range of colors on offer here means that you can find the perfect hue for you and your (J) Crew. Bonus points for the ‘tall fit’ offering.
Material: 80% Cotton, 20% Modal | Sizes Available: S-XL | Colors Available: Midnight Blue
I am absolutely sure this is the best hoodie in an oversized or baggy fit. I’m sure of it. Why? Because the all-time winner of the best hoodies for men is my own gray, fleece American Vintage hoodie. How comes it’s not on the list then, Harvey? Well, it’s not in production anymore.
So, in lieu of that, here’s this similarly super soft American Vintage hoodie in the same silhouette as mine. Notice how the shoulders slope off down the arm, making it a slouchy and carefree shape.
Plus, the design uses 20% modal fabric, which is made by spinning beech tree cellulose into fabric. Beech trees are an improvement on cotton since they require less water to grow. Baggy + more conscious with its water use = even greater baggy hoodie.
Material: 80% Cotton, 20% Polyester | Sizes Available: S-XXL | Colors Available: Black
After ten minutes of reading “funny” hoodie captions such as “I Love (it when) my girlfriend (lets me play video games),” which is just very sad for everyone involved. And elsewhere, the vaguely aggressive, gun-loving, anti-government that was just alarming, I lost the will to live. Was comedy dead? Where was comedy if not on hoodies?
Then, all of a sudden, I realized, a funny hoodie is at best going to garner a soft chuckle, or make a great funny gift. So, for your best soft chuckle hoodie try this “Future DILF”, which I like for its sincere optimism. Great thing about DILFs? Just by having a child, you will have at one point been a future DILF.
It’s a reassuring tautology. However, the brand name definitely has far more comedy value than the hoodie. Rule number 1 of “funny” hoodies: only ever wear them in private.
Material: 65% Cotton, 35% Polyester | Sizes Available: S-XXL | Colors Available: Black, Gray
In my impartial and unbiased opinion, if I had to pick the best movie-themed hoodie for men, it would be something about Gotham or a little man who got bitten by a spider. You know, something cool and dramatic like that.
But if Captain America came and pinned me to the wall with his large shield and said that I have to choose the best Marvel hoodie, it would have to be this logo box hoodie. You don’t need to overplay your love of Marvel, it’s okay, it says you love Marvel right there on your hoodie. Keep it classy, people.
Material: 100% Cotton | Sizes Available: XS-L | Colors Available: Navy Blue
I’ve been a big fan of the orange hoodie ever since I wore it on a shoot around the Barbican. I wore it then with light/beige/green camouflage cargo trousers, and I recommend the same for this hoodie.
A Bathing Ape is a staple brand of streetwear and this white branded front hoodie will show you’re serious about your pavement petticoats. The weighty cotton fabric, kangaroo pouch, and brand street cred all point to this hoodie being worth the money.
Material: 83% Polyester, 17% Acrylic | Sizes Available: XXS-XXL | Colors Available: Green, Charcoal, Gray
This hoodie by Fear of God Essentials merges together some real joys of casual-wear dressing. First of all, the camouflage is a nice touch, and in a beige/gray/green mix, it’s not overly military in its approach.
Plus, the material is a fabulous polyester fleece that’ll warm your body, mind, and soul. Plus, it has a half-zip, giving it a unique style but also making access real easy. PLUS, it has adjustable drawstrings at the waist, meaning you can cinch in and cut out the cold.
Try this with black jeans and some keen streetwear sneakers. Or, go with the matching fleece camouflage bottoms to be a real badass. To double the invisibility levels, pair it with a camo jacket.
Material: 55% Recycled Polyester, 45% Recycled Cotton Knit Fleece | Sizes Available: XS-XXL | Colors Available: White, Blue, Brown, Black
The Patagonia Fitz Roy Icon Uprisal Hoodie in black is a standout in the realm of best hoodie colors, particularly as the best black hoodie for men. Its design is a masterclass in understated excellence, focusing on refinement rather than reinvention. The black hue is a timeless classic, making it a versatile staple in any wardrobe and a top contender among the best hoodie colors.
The hoodie’s construction is its crowning glory. Crafted from a mix of recycled cotton and polyester, it features a cozy brushed interior and a smooth exterior, balancing comfort with a polished look. This choice of materials underscores Patagonia’s commitment to ecological responsibility. By combining environmentally friendly practices with high-quality finishes, this hoodie from one of the world’s leading sustainable outdoor-wear brands is both practical and conscientious, setting a new standard in the best hoodie colors category
Material: 98% Organic Cotton, 2% Polyamide | Sizes Available: XS-XXL | Colors Available: Navy, Green, Gray, +
These Zip sweatshirts come in versatile mid-weight organic cotton. The fabric is not too thick for layering and not too thin for you to get cold. The colors
While this isn’t necessarily a hoodie, it’s the best hybrid option for the office that still keeps things smart-casual.
Plus, the high-quality fabric and dyes give it durability for daily use. These are the major differentiators between this and more affordable options. And these
Best Of The Rest
Material: 80% Cotton, 20% Recycled Cotton | Sizes Available: S-XL | Colors Available: Black, White, Gray, Blue, +
It may only have been on the scene for 10 years, but already COS is one of the coolest names on the high street. With tightly-curated seasonal selections, containing all killer and no filler, COS has been instrumental in bringing that clean, Scandinavian aesthetic to the everyday consumer. Timeless yet contemporary designs, premium quality and zero obnoxious branding all come as standard when you pick up a hoodie from here.
Material: 78% Polyester, 16% Viscose, 6% Elastane | Sizes Available: S-XXXXL | Colors Available: Black, White, Gray, Blue, +
At the high end of the high street,
The retailer is also well known for its sleek, fuss-free styling and use of quality materials. When it comes to hoodies, it’s more of the same. Shopping here, you’ll find a refined selection of premium leisurewear that manages to straddle the line between timeless and trendy hoodies in {year}.
Material: 100% Cotton | Sizes Available: S-XL | Colors Available: Navy, White, Green
Japanese menswear’s undying obsession with all things vintage Americana, utilitarian and workwear is encapsulated perfectly in the output of Beams Plus.
The label is the men’s fashion arm of the sprawling Beams franchise and has been kitting out clued-up shoppers since 1999. Expect to find a mix of plain and patterned styles, rendered in high-quality fabrics, and with premium Japanese construction.
Material: 84% Cotton, 16% Polyester | Sizes Available: S-XL | Colors Available: Multi
Ralph Lauren doesn’t just do preppy Americana better that most other brands, the man practically invented it.
The brand’s hoodies are smart and stripped back with nothing more than the famous embroidered pony for embellishment. Comfortable and versatile, you can slip these hoodies under a denim jacket or unstructured blazer.
Material: 100% Polyester | Sizes Available: S-XXL | Colors Available: Black, White, Gray, Blue, +
Founded in Berkeley, California, in 1968, The North Face quickly became one of the most reputable outdoor brands on the market. In addition to manufacturing industry-standard mountaineering gear, the brand churns out some top notch casual wear, and its hoodies are no exception.
Buy from The North Face and you can rest assured of quality, style and finishing touches such as printed logos and woven branded tabs.
Material: 60% Cotton, 40% Polyester | Sizes Available: S-3XL | Colors Available: Black, White, Gray, Blue, +
Swedish fast-fashion juggernaut H&M is one of the most recognizable names of the high street and can be credited with bringing simple, Scandinavian styling to the mass market.
The brand is well known for its affordable basics and one piece that crops up over and over again, in various fabrics, patterns and all colors of the rainbow, is the hoodie. If you’re watching your spending and want to get the most
Material: 80% Cotton, 20% Polyester | Sizes Available: S-XXXXL | Colors Available: Black, White, Gray, Blue, +
Few brands have the sporting heritage that
The famous swoosh is almost always present in melange or loopback cotton for maximum comfort. A fine top-layer above jeans or joggers, they will also slip very nicely under a biker, trucker or bomber jacket.
Material: 70% Cotton, 30% Polyester | Sizes Available: S-XXXXL | Colors Available: Black, White, Gray, Blue, +
Like
The brand does pretty much every style of hoodie imaginable, from pouch pockets to zip-ups, oversized to longline. They’re all great.
Material: 82% Cotton, 18% Polyester | Sizes Available: S-XXXXL | Colors Available: Black, White, Gray, Blue, +
Heritage American sportswear label Champion has been doing the hoodie thing for longer than pretty much anyone else. I
t’s produced kits for the NFL, the NBA and the US Olympic basketball team. In a crowded market, this is an undisputed MVP brand. Champion is well-known for its patented ‘reverse-weave’ cotton, which uses unique fabric construction and paneled side inserts to eliminate the risk of shrinkage. Needless to say, its hoodies are some of the best around.
Material: 100% Cotton | Sizes Available: S-XXXXL | Colors Available: Black, White, Gray, Blue, +
When it comes to cool streetwear hoodies, why look further than one of the leaders in the game? Stussy is one of the oldest names in the business and widely credited with starting the scene pretty much single-handedly with styles designed for skaters and surfers alike.
The hoodie is one of Shawn Stussy’s eponymous brand’s staple items, appearing season after season since day one. Expect bold branding, bright colors, contemporary styling and street cred in abundance.
Material: 50% Cotton, 50% Polyester | Sizes Available: S-XXXXL | Colors Available: Black, White, Gray, Blue, +
American heritage workwear label Carhartt has a long-standing reputation for wearability and ruggedness, but in recent years, especially with the introduction of its ‘Work In Progress’ line, it’s become known for its streetwear styling too. Those combined factors make it one of the best options for finding a hoodie as hard-wearing as it is stylish. For workwear meets urban cool, nowhere does it better.
Material: 100% Cotton | Sizes Available: S-XL | Colors Available: Black
Rei Kawakubo’s Comme des Garcons has long been known in fashion circles for its forward-thinking approach to design and cutting-edge seasonal collections that push the boundaries of fashion.
The label’s PLAY line blends these trademark traits with street-friendly styling. A hoodie from CDG PLAY won’t come cheap, but it’s a timeless piece from an industry-leading label, featuring that now-iconic bug-eyed heart branding.
Material: 100% Cotton | Sizes Available: S-XL | Colors Available: Black
Virgil Abloh’s perma-hyped label is at the forefront of stunting the best streetwear hoodies for men and women alike. It’s one of the brands that turned the humble hoodie into a loud, luxury item.
In its range, you’ll find many of the designer’s signature touches – caution-tape stripes up the arm, an oversized fit, asymmetrical cuts and can’t-miss screen prints. You’ll have to pay a premium, of course, but just think of the Instagram engagement.
Material: 100% Cotton | Sizes Available: XS-XL | Colors Available: Black
Under the flamboyant direction of Alessandro Michele,
You can expect envelope-pushing design and luxury cottons, plus the price tags to go with them. Layer it if you really want to, especially with an on-trend puffer jacket, but they were designed to be seen, rather than blend into an outfit.
Material: 100% Polyester | Sizes Available: S-XXL | Colors Available: Black, Hot Oatmeal
There are few sensations as comforting and wholesome as zipping up inside a full sherpa fleece hoodie. That’s why this is one of the best hoodies for men. The hood comes with bungee cords so you can transform yourself into Kenny from South Park when temperatures begin to drop.
The orange contrast details, the chest patch, and the right arm patch all coalesce to form a very outdoorsy zip-up hoodie. Style this hoodie with your favorite Gorpcore pieces.
P.S. Love the color description—hot oatmeal—very on-brand.
What To Look For When Searching For The Best Hoodies For Men
When it comes to buying the best hoodies for men, these are the main buying considerations to keep in mind.
FIT
They don’t come in skinny fit, but if you want to wear a hoodie under a regular-fit denim jacket, look for a relatively form-fitting one. Otherwise, go maxi with an oversized hoodie with a nod to the street culture that made it cool in the first place.
FABRIC
Fleece back and loopback cotton are the most likely options you’ll find in the best hoodies. They’re ideal because they’re comfortable, hard-wearing, and easily washed. Higher-end brands will also experiment with fabrics like merino or even cashmere if you want to loaf in luxury.
COLOR
As ever, gray, navy, and black are the no-brainers that will get the most wear but consider khaki, off-white, or brownish tones for alternative neutrals. If you want to make a statement, bold reds and yellows will do the job, although a mint green or purple gives you a more subtle way to stand out.
Final Verdict
Our final verdict fell down on the Patagonia hoodie as our favorite of the best hoodies for men. It excels in pushing the sustainability agenda forward by way of using recycled cotton and polyester. It also has a stylish logo plus nuanced color options. Elsewhere, it does the basics well. It is a mid-weight fabric of excellent quality and works well as a mid-layer or top layer.
FAQ
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When it comes to your workout, the best hoodies for men are often ones that utilize technical fabrics. Elastane ensures stretch and mobility. Elsewhere, Nike’s Dri-Fit fabric encourages quick drying fabric. Try to choose lightweight fabrics as this will ensure nimble movement and less heat to build up.
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Since a hoodie is a casual item of clothing, generally, a t-shirt is worn underneath for warmth and comfort. On the bottom half, often jeans and pants of all washes will look great. On your feet, sneakers work well for hoodies.
Hoodies can also be smart-casual with the right outfit. Try a long overcoat, smart pants/chinos, and box-fresh sneakers to elevate the hoodie. The best hoodies for men can straddle loungewear, casualwear, and the smart-casual dress code with ease.
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