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10 Best Hoodies for Men
Most of us have at least one favorite hoodie that’s on repeat in our wardrobe. We probably over-wear it a bit, reaching for it in pretty much any and every circumstance: Commuting to work, going to the gym, grabbing a beer with a buddy, settling into the couch for movie night, or going on a run.
There’s just something about hoodies – they’re as comfortable (and comforting) as they are functional.
Many people probably don’t give much thought to how, where, or why their clothing originated, but the inconspicuous hoodie actually has a fascinating history. It’s difficult to think of a single other garment that’s changed so little since its creation and that’s worn so universally across the world, in so many different circumstances.
1. Todd Snyder + Champion Heavyweight Popover Hoodie
The first spot on our list goes to this Todd Snyder + Champion hoodie because it’s very literally a modern classic. Champion created the iconic hoodie nearly a century ago and has since perfected it, while Todd Snyder is one of the best labels around for functional, utilitarian fashion.
Todd Snyder partnered up with Champion to make this hoodie, which is part of the brand’s Foundation Collection. The line contains impeccably-made timeless classics, the perpetual staples – or foundations, if you will – of the modern man’s wardrobe.
This hoodie is made of super soft heavyweight fleece, a blend of 80% cotton and 20% polyester. The thick, soft-structured material and popover-style hood give the sweatshirt a slightly more refined look, so it’s just as appropriate for lunch as it is for a movie night in.
2. prAna Outpost Hoodie
prAna makes excellent-quality adventure-ready clothing, so it should come as no surprise that the Outpost hoodie earned a top spot on our list. The company makes insanely comfortable clothes that are just as well-suited to intense activity as lounging around, and this hoodie is certainly no exception.
It’s made of a lightweight and ultra-stretchy recycled polyester-spandex blend that offers UPF 50+ protection. Four-way stretch and ergonomic seams move with you no matter what activity you’re doing, and thumbholes in the cuffs help the hoodie stay put. A classic large kangaroo pocket and popover-style hood are as handy and functional as they are cozy.
3. Carhartt Midweight Hooded Logo Sweatshirt
There’s a reason this Carhartt hoodie, affectionately called “The Grillin’ Hoodie,” has well over 1,200 5-star reviews. Several reasons, actually – it’s got that perfect minimalist style but will actually keep you really warm, there’s the legendary Carhartt triple-seam construction and durability, and the price point is almost too good to be true.
Cut in a traditional fit, the drawstring hoodie is made with blue-collar working men in mind, designed to move with you. However, rest assured that it looks just as good off-duty as well.
The hoodie is available in sizes Small through 2XL, plus hard-to-find specialty Big & Tall sizes from Large Tall to 4XL. There are over a dozen colors to choose from, so there’s truly an option for even the pickiest men and the ones that are difficult to shop for.
4. Nike Sportswear Club Fleece
Few companies are as synonymous with comfortable, functional sportswear as Nike. Designed with athletes in mind, Nike clothing is always exceptionally durable, breathable, and stylish to boot. The Sportswear Club fleece hoodie is no exception.
Nike designed this hoodie with a tried-and-true classic silhouette that features a drawstring hood and kangaroo handwarmer pocket. It’s made of ultra-soft brushed-back fleece (cotton and polyester blend) that keeps you warm and holds up well to frequent wearing and washing.
There are over 20 colors to choose from and the sole design is a single white Nike swoosh logo on the left chest, so you can pair this hoodie with just about everything. The hoodie also comes in extended sizes ranging from XS to 4XL, with “Tall” available in most sizes as well.
5. Gap Arch Logo Hoodie
Gap is iconic in the casualwear niche, and we can’t think of anything more definitive perfectly casual than a hoodie. The insanely soft fleece Arch Logo Hoodie is made of a blend of 77% cotton, 14% polyester, and 9% recycled polyester that will not pill as it’s washed and worn. Its classic “GAP” logo is embroidered and lends a distinctly vintage, varsity letter jacket-esque look.
The hoodie features a popover, drawstring-less hood, classic kangaroo pocket in the front for warming up your hands, and banded ribbed cuffs and bottom hem for keeping the chill out. Choose among several colors ranging from classic heather gray to more modern “Purple Candy.”
6. Everlane The French Terry Hoodie
If you’re unfamiliar with Everlane, the French Terry Hoodie is a perfect starter piece to begin what will surely become your new addiction. Everlane is a model of ethical fashion, taking extensive measures to pay employees fairly and substantially reduce its environmental impact. The company also focuses on high-quality fabrics and timeless, miniminalistic designs, as opposed to trendy styles.
Keeping true to that, the French Terry Hoodie is part of Everlane’s Uniform Collection, a capsule of 12 premium, well-crafted basics that each come with a 365-day guarantee.
The hoodie is made of insanely durable French terry with a substantial weight that’s somehow both relaxed and structured. Thoughtful details like metal-capped drawstrings elevate this hoodie to something far above basic and allow it to be worn even for date nights.
7. Champion Reverse Weave Chenille Logo Hoodie
Champion is responsible for introducing the modern hoodie to the world, so you know this is a good one. At first glance, the Reverse Weave Chenille Logo Hoodie looks like, well, a basic black Champion hoodie.
On closer inspection, however, you’ll notice that the logo is made out of a plush chenille material, adding texture and dimension to this already-cozy hoodie. The reverse-weave cotton and polyester blend material is super soft, and there’s an adjustable drawstring hood with metal grommet accents.
We recommend styling this hoodie in a more premium and less casual manner by pairing it with slim-fit pants and nicer shoes to play off the chenille logo – although, make no mistake about it, lounging around in this bad boy will be insanely cozy as well.
8. Adicolor 3D Trefoil Logo Hooded Sweatshirt
Embrace the ever-popular vintage athleisure trend with this throwback 1970s-era Adidas hoodie from the Adidas Originals collection. Panels of classic racing stripes in Adidas’ heritage red and blue run down both sleeves, and there’s a bold 3-D embroidered trefoil logo on the left sleeve. There’s also a solid white traditional Adidas logo on the left chest.
The black hoodie comes in a smooth fleece fabric that’s made of blend of cotton and recycled polyester, and it’s a substantial weight that will certainly keep you warm. An adjustable drawstring hood, oversized kangaroo pocket, and banded cuffs add to the cozy factor. It also has an extra-long length, which is nice if you prefer a more oversized look.
9. Gildan Men’s Fleece Hooded Sweatshirt
Although there are several hoodies on this list that serve as fashion statements, that doesn’t always have to be the case. Sometimes you just want to cozy up in a comfortable, classic, pared-down hoodie.
This Gildan version checks all the boxes: It’s made of a super soft 50-50 cotton/polyester blend and it has a substantial weight to it. The fabric blend is designed to remain soft wash after wash and not pill or lose its shape.
Gildan included thoughtful touches like tearaway interior tags, and the hood has a drawstring. With over 30 colors to choose from and an incredible price point, there’s a Gildan hoodie to satisfy every taste. Heck, at this price, there’s no need to choose – pick up a few.
10. Hanes Men’s Full-Zip Eco-Smart Fleece Hoodie
Although there’s something distinctly comfortable about throwing on a classic pullover hoodie, we couldn’t very well not include at least one zip-up option on this list. We especially love this closet staple Eco-Smart one from Hanes because it’s warm yet lightweight enough to wear year-round.
The medium-weight fleece fabric is made of 50% cotton and 50% polyester, with about 5% coming from recycled plastic bottles. The fleece is just 7.8-ounce-weight, but it’s pill-resistant and the seams are reinforced for durability.
The hoodie features a drawstring hood and split kangaroo pocket, plus there are several colors to choose from. Hanes’ Eco-Smart collection helps reduce plastic bottle waste in landfills, so you’ll also feel good knowing your hoodie is doing some good in the world.
History of the Hoodie
The hooded sweatshirts that are so ubiquitous in modern society can be traced back to the Middle Ages. Early depictions of monks show them wearing long, hooded, cape-style garments, and many nobility figures in ancient Greece and Rome wore hooded headpieces and cloaks.
Women in these time periods also wore hooded outerwear when they went out to meet friends or their lovers, seeking anonymity. Hoods have been historically important in terms of the sinister and evil, as well. Think about images of the Grim Reaper, executioners in ancient times, and even Little Red Riding Hood.
Paola Antonelli, Director of Research and Development and senior curator of architecture and design at MoMa, states, “It doesn’t happen that often for a garment to have so much symbolism and history and that encompass so many different universes as the hoodie.” She also calls hoodies “humble masterpieces” and when you look back at their origin, that’s certainly an appropriate description.
Modern-day hooded sweatshirts – hoodies, though of course they weren’t always referred to as such – have been around since the 1930s. The Knickerbocker Knitting Company, which later renamed itself Champion Knitting Mills and is known today as Champion, began as a sweater factory in 1919.
The 1920s saw a big push for more functional sportswear, particularly among laborers and athletes. These men were very literally left standing out in the cold, often working out in the elements or standing on the sidelines for long stretches of time during games and practice.
Champion initially made thick sweatshirts to keep them warm, but it quickly became clear that they needed additional protection. Hoods were added in the mid-1930s, a simple yet highly functional way to cover the ears and face. These earliest versions of hoodies were appropriately called “sideline sweatshirts.”
The University of Michigan football team was one of the first major college teams to have the sideline sweatshirts. Even then, college campuses were breeding grounds for fashion trends, so it wasn’t long before hoodies’ popularity extended well beyond the football field.
The players began loaning their hoodies to their girlfriends and soon, they were a fashion statement just as much as part of a uniform. That pattern repeated itself among working-class men, and it was no time before the comfort, versatility, and functionality of hoodies was well-loved by people all over the world.
In the 1980s, hoodies became a core part of street fashion and took on an edgy element. Rappers, hip-hop artists, skateboarders, and street performers including breakdancers began wearing them, partially to keep themselves warm and partially to conceal themselves.
Soon, hoodies were just as synonymous with streetwear as they were with athletic wear and workmen’s wear. They were full-blown mainstream at this point and the term “hoodie” started being widely used during the 1990s.
Today, the hoodie has taken on yet another level of symbolism. Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg set the internet on fire when he famously went to meet with Wall Street investors wearing a hoodie. It was a stark contrast to the other wealthy, powerful men in the room who were all in traditional suits.
In many ways, the humble hoodie signifies how power has shifted and how convention is regularly defied in the modern world. Isn’t it fascinating that such a utilitarian, basic garment has so many different associations?
Men's Hoodie FAQs
One of the best things about hoodies is that they don’t really have any fashion “rules.” A hoodie can be worn in an extremely casual setting with joggers and sneakers, or thrown on with a favorite pair of jeans.
Our favorite way to wear a hoodie is to dress it up a bit by layering it under a blazer or a peacoat and pairing it with slim-fit denim and nice-but-still-casual shoes, like Chukka boots. This is an ultra-versatile look that strikes a perfect balance between casual and dressy.
It is absolutely okay for a man to not wear another shirt under a hoodie. If you’re wearing the hoodie for warmth, you might prefer to layer a shirt underneath it, but you certainly don’t have to.
The interiors of hoodies are often super soft brushed fleece, so you may find that you actually prefer the feel of that on your skin as opposed to wearing an additional shirt.
Since hoodies don’t have many hard-and-fast rules, you can wear them either looser- or tighter-fitting. Generally speaking, more relaxed hoodies will lend a more casual look, while slimmer-fit hoodies look a bit more refined.
