17 Zip-Up Hoodies That Redefine Comfort and Cool
The zip-up hoodie has a less than stellar reputation. It can come across as lazy. It has too-close-for-comfort associations with a certain tech billionaire, notorious for wearing them; they belong to a subset of menswear that has yet to fully evolve away from mostly plain, basic, functional design.
But! But the zip-up hoodie has its merits, and I'm here to defend it. It's comfy as fuck—let's start there. All the gravitas and coziness of a regular hoodie with the added convenience of a zipper. Scores of handsomer designs are coming through—some made for lounging, some for working out, some for looking cool and maybe dropping a fit pic to the 'Gram.
There are a lot—and I mean a lot—of choices out there. Pick the wrong one and, yes, you're apt to look like the Zuck. (And trust me, you really don't want to look like the Zuck.) But pick the right one and the zip-up hoodie can prove transformative, instantly providing a dose of casual cool in the form of an easy on/off layer you can shed and reapply as you see fit. With all that in mind, here are some of the best zip-up hoodies on the market today—none of which, it should be noted, will make you look like a dead-eyed Internet magnate hell-bent on upending the foundations of American democracy.
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BEST AFFORDABLE HOODIE
Hanes Full-Zip Eco-Smart Hoodie
PROS
Great price
Ridiculously comfortable
CONS
Fleece lining can get very warm
Let your favorite black hoodie take it easy in your closet and wear this maroon style out for a couple rounds instead.
Colors: 15
Sizes: S-3XL
Materials: 50% Cotton, 50% Polyester
BEST THICK HOODIE
Los Angeles Apparel Heavy Fleece Zip-Up Hooded Sweatshirt
PROS
Dyeing process eliminates color variations
Cozy, boxy fit
CONS
Only comes in neutral tones
A hefty 14oz fleece zip-up crafted in L.A. for decidedly East Coast conditions.
Colors: Black, White, Ash, Navy
Sizes: XS-2XL
Materials: Heavyweight Fleece
BEST EVERYDAY HOODIE
Reigning Champ Midweight Terry Zip-Up Hoodie
PROS
Hood is adjustable
Has deep pockets
CONS
On the pricier side
Made in icy-cold Vancouver, so you know it's the real deal. Whether you're hitting the gym or the bar, this comfortable, stretchy option is coming along with you.
Colors: Black, Navy
Sizes: XS-2XL
Materials: 100% Cotton
BEST PERFORMANCE HOODIE
Mack Weldon Ace Full-Zip Hooded Sweatshirt
PROS
Micro-brushed French terry is incredibly soft
Also available in a pullover or crewneck style
CONS
Runs large
Turns out, micro-sanded french terry and a little bit of stretch make for a hoodie that remains, ahem, aces.
Colors: 7
Sizes: S-2XL
Materials: 89% Cotton, 8% Polyester, 3% Spandex
BEST CLASSIC HOODIE
Carhartt Loose-Fit Midweight Full-Zip Sweatshirt
PROS
Also comes in Tall fits
Sturdy, durable fabric
CONS
Not the stretchiest option
Few can hold a torch to Carhartt when it comes to durability and dependability. Same could be said of the matching hat.
Colors: 12
Sizes: XS-4XL
Materials: 50% Cotton, 50% Polyester
BEST OG HOODIE
Champion Reverse Weave Zip-Up Hoodie
PROS
Brushed fleece interior is super soft
Reliable brand
CONS
Buyers report the zipper is prone to snagging
The sweatshirt that deserves a spot in every man's rotation, no matter his style or the season.
Colors: Gray, Black
Sizes: XS-3XL
Materials: 100% Cotton
BEST ELEVATED HOODIE
James Perse Supima Cotton-Jersey Hoodie
PROS
Easy to dress up or down
Lightweight fabric makes it perfect for layering
CONS
Runs long in the sleeves
Soft, washed supima perfection from a master of laid-back L.A. cool.
Colors: Black, Storm Blue
Sizes: S-2XL
Materials: 100% Supima Cotton
BEST COZY HOODIE
Todd Snyder x Champion Midweight Full Zip Hoodie
PROS
Ribbed cuffs and hem for added warmth
Modern take on a vintage style
CONS
Buyers say it runs small
Not too thick, not too thin. Just right. And with Todd Snyder bringing all the style and Champion bringing all the hoodie expertise, you can't go wrong with this option in terms of fashion or function.
Colors: Black, Navy, Gray, White
Sizes: XS-2XL
Materials: Garment Dyed 18oz French Terry
BEST ATHLETIC HOODIE
Nike Full-Zip Sportswear Tech Fleece Hoodie
PROS
Also available in Tall fits
Dropped shoulders allow for easy freedom of movement
CONS
Not the chicest style
Surprise, surprise: The smash-hit hoodie that inspired legions of devoted followers when it first dropped still holds up today.
Colors: 13
Sizes: XS-4XL
Materials: 53% Cotton, 47% Polyester
BEST SOFT HOODIE
Sunspel Loopback Zip Hoody
PROS
Ridiculously soft
Easy to dress up or down
CONS
Pricey
Sunspel makes soft, sumptuous hoodies ideal for layering or for wearing on their own.
Colors: Gray, Navy, Black
Sizes: XS-2XL
Materials: 100% Cotton
BEST CHIC HOODIE
Polo Ralph Lauren Classic Full-Zip Fleece Hoodie
PROS
Adjustable hood
Ribbed cuffs for warmth
CONS
Runs slim
Meet the hoodie that will go with just about everything in your wardrobe.
Colors: Ash Grey Heather, Light Sport Heather, Cruise Navy, Polo Black, Red
Sizes: S-2XL
Materials: Cotton, Polyester
BEST BASIC HOODIE
Fruit of the Loom Eversoft Fleece Hoodie
PROS
Available as a full zip or a pullover
Double-needle stitching for durability
CONS
Buyers report it's thinner than expected
You trust Fruit of the Loom for your underwear, so why not your outerwear, too? This is a cozy, basic hoodie that you'll never want to take off.
Colors: 12
Sizes: S-3XL
Materials: 60% Cotton, 40% Polyester
ANOTHER GREAT AFFORDABLE HOODIE
Amazon Essentials Full-Zip Hooded Fleece Sweatshirt
PROS
Plenty of color options
Adjustable hood
CONS
Buyers report it runs very short
Affordable and timeless, Amazon's fleece zip hoodie comes in an array of colors.
Colors: 24
Sizes: XS-2XL
Materials: 56% Cotton, 44% Polyester
BEST CASUAL HOODIE
Uniqlo Sweat Full-Zip Long-Sleeve Hoodie
PROS
Expansive size range
Effortless staple piece
CONS
Limited color options
Uniqlo does basics to perfection, with quality that doesn't skimp. And what's more basic than a gray zip-up hoodie?
Colors: Black, Gray
Sizes: 2XS-3XL
Materials: 100% Cotton
BEST SPORTY HOODIE
Adidas Essentials 3-Stripes Full-Zip Hoodie
PROS
From a tried and trusted athletic brand
Available in Tall sizes
CONS
Hard to dress up
Three stripes make all the difference in turning a hoodie from simple to sporty and cool. You can also snag the matching pants to make it a full set.
Colors: Legend Ink, Black, Medium Gray Heather, Dark Gray Heather
Sizes: XS-4XL
Materials: 78% Cotton, 22% Recycled Polyester Fleece
BEST DESIGNER HOODIE
Celine Homme Oversized Logo-Print Zip-Up Hoodie
PROS
Ridiculously soft
Can dress up or down
CONS
$$$
In a wool-and-cashmere blend, this oversize hoodie is equal parts chic and cozy.
Colors: Gray, Black
Sizes: XS-2XL
Materials: 70% Wool, 30% Cashmere
CHICEST DESIGNER HOODIE
Burberry Check Hood Cotton Blend Zip Hoodie
PROS
Available as a hoodie or sweatpants
Chic AF
CONS
Pricey
This is about as cool and classy as a hoodie can be. You can thank the Burberry check print for that. And if you want the matching sweats, go crazy.
Colors: Black/Brown, Black/Beige
Sizes: 3XS-3XL
Materials: 76% Cotton, 24% Polyester
What to Look For
Fit: Not all zip-up hoodies are made alike, so make sure you pay attention to the fit of yours before buying. If you're picturing something roomy, boxy, and baggy coming your way, you'll be very disappointed when a slim-fit hoodie arrives at your doorstep just because you didn't read the description.
Stretch: Some hoodies, like those from Hanes, Adidas, and Celine Homme, are very stretchy. You can move freely—walk, run, whatever. Others, like Carhartt's, are more about a thick, tough fabric and less about stretch. Consider the fabric and stretchiness of your hoodie before buying.
Features: Every hoodie on this list has a full front zip, but if you want more than that, scope out the other features, too. Is the hood adjustable? What kind of pockets does it have? Is it moisture wicking?
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I style a zip-up hoodie?
The beauty of a zip-up hoodie is that you don't need to overthink it. If you want to dress it down, go for anything from shorts and flip-flops to a tee and jeans or sweatpants. If you want to dress it up a bit, consider wearing a button-down or sweater underneath, with work pants or chinos.
Do I need a zip-up hoodie for summer?
If you ask me, a zip-up hoodie is a year-round staple. Sure, you might find yourself wearing it more consistently during the colder months, but having a solid go-to option on hand in summer is important, too. You'll be glad you have one on a chilly morning run, or when you're in a cold movie theater or airplane, or when you just want an added layer for coziness in general.
How We Selected
Personally, I love zip-up hoodies. I wear them even in the heat of summer. The rest of our staff at Esquire, even if they don't share my particular love for zip-up hoodies, have a healthy rotation of styles they wholeheartedly support. So to put together this list of our picks, I chose zip-up hoodies I've personally tried, tested, and loved, as well as zip-up hoodies that my fellow Esquire editors have tried, tested, and loved. After that, I went one step further and scoured the ratings and reviews for every hoodie here. Trust me when I say you won't find zip-up hoodies that have gone through this many checks anywhere else.
Why You Can Trust Esquire
We're not going to say something is great unless it's actually great. Every product in Esquire's roundups is carefully chosen by our fashion and e-commerce teams.
It's hard to go wrong with a zip-up hoodie, but there are so many options out there—that's why we've compiled the styles we've tried, tested, and loved from over the years. We've put in the research, we've worn these ourselves, and now we're recommending them to you because they're just that good.
No two tastes are the same, and no two men are the same. Your proverbial mileage may vary. But if you're looking for the right place to start, with advice from folks who care (possibly too much!) about this sort of stuff, this is the place to be.
This story originally appeared on Esquire.com. Minor edits have been made by the Esquiremag.ph editors.
