These Flannel Shirts Will Warm You Up Like a Shot of Whiskey

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YOU CAN MAKE the argument no garment is more useful, more versatile, than a warm cozy flannel. Like a good pair of jeans, your best flannel shirt should be made to withstand all of the toughest of elements. It should also be made to age gracefully as it wears to your unique patterns of movement. If your flannel can do these things, then you've got an easy-to-layer shirt that's going to stay in your winter wardrobe through thick and thin.

Perhaps you've checked your closet and you don't have any flannels that check those boxes? Or maybe you don't have any flannels in your wardrobe at all? (If you recently moved from a warm weather climate to a cold one, then you're going to want to scoop up one of these bad boys fast.) Lucky for you we curated all of the best flannels here in this guide.

The flannels below will all offer supreme functionality while upholding a great level of style. No matter if you're looking for Yellowstone-esque look or a design that's more outside-the-box, you'll find there's something in here for every closet.

What to Look for in a Flannel Shirt

Flannel has two key properties as a fabric. You want it to be soft and you want it to be warm. It's a common misconception that flannel has to be plaid, but it doesn't. Flannel can be any color, solid or textured. It just so happens that flannel became popular in various tartan plaids, so the two were lumped together. A solid black or navy blue flannel shirt is a great piece to have because it can be styled with practically anything. Of course, you do want to have some plaid flannels as well.

Why Are Dixxon Flannels so Popular?

It is hard to successfully update a classic but Dixxon pulled it off with their flannel shirts. They're inspired by motorcycle culture so they built a shirt specifically for riding. Their flannels are longer in the sleeve and body, and feature a hidden collar stay to keep the collar in place. They're also popular because they only do limited run productions, so if you see a particular flannel you like, it might not be possible to find one for yourself. Scarcity always drives demand, especially when the product is of high quality. Dixxon is sticking to their gun, and won't update production at the sacrifice of quality. So get 'em while they're hot.

Who Makes the Heaviest Flannel Shirts?

Filson, one of our favorite menswear brands, is the heavy weight champion of flannel. They have been making beefy flannel built to handle everything the Pacific North West can throw at them for generations. If you want a flannel shirt that can function as outerwear then Filson is a good place to look. Outerknown and Taylor Stitch also make some heavy flannels. They are both newer brands that specialize in rugged yet stylish gear. Their flannels can handle the elements pretty well.

Ahead, the best 17 flannel shirts for men to keep you warm—without losing your cool.

Board Shirt

Pendleton has been at the cornerstone of American style for over 150 years—and their Board Shirt is the gold standard for flannel shirts. Arriving in a multitude of colorways, the menswear icon delivers such a flattering fit that'd give Chris Hemsworth a run for his money. Whats also true: the real magic exists within its weight, which makes for an ideal overshirt on a chilly night. But make no mistake, the ombre plaid can pull double duty and stand just as tall, alone.

Heavyweight Fleece Shirt

Wrangler is one of the best when it comes to providing affordable garments that stand the test of time. Their Buffalo Plaid Fleece has a timeless look and will pair great with an undershirt or when worn standalone. This shirt is so good, in fact, it's probably worth getting two and gifting one to your brother.

Read more: Best Gifts for Brothers

Scotch Plaid Flannel Shirt

Flannel shirts are as synonymous with L.L. Bean as their legendary Bean Boot. They've been making warm, cozy shirts that can handle Maine winters for generations. With all that experience, they've got a nice variety of flannels available. Their Scotch plaid flannel is meticulously brushed eight times on each side for the softest touch.

Alaskan Guide Shirt

Field tested by fisherman, pilots, hunters and, yes, even us, the Alaskan Guide Shirt from Filson is everything a flannel should be. Made from 8 oz. 100% cotton twill flannel, this shirt is brushed on both sides to offer softness and warmth for all your future outdoor adventures. What's great is the shirt also comes in several classic plaid patterns. Don't sleep on this one.

Read more: Best Winter Boots

Jewel Plaid Long Sleeve Shirt

It's inevitable to score subtle style points with this emerald-cream number. Corridor isn't looking to reinvent the wheel, but rather lend a refreshing color to the beloved flannel shirt. This pick boasts a classic fit, rounded shirt-tail hem and has a chest pocket to store your essentials: AirPods, car keys, shades.

Regular Fit Wool-blend Overshirt

Made from heavy wool and twill, this shirt from H&M mixes casual chic with a rugged outdoors look. The result is a flannel that's going to turn heads no matter wear you go—plus, it'll provide a level of utility thanks to the wide front pockets.

The Ledge Shirt in Blue Sky Plaid

Taylor Stitch designed this shirt with a burly 8-oz. organic cotton for durability and washed down for a softer feel straight out of the box. It'll have enough flexibility in your wardrobe to balance the work week and weekend outings. You can wear it as an overshirt or make it first layer on a chilly day.

Blanket Shirt

Cut from lofty organic cotton twill, this eco-friendly flannel from Outerknown has a natural and versatile look on its side. The faded olive plaid is a solid pick to wear year-round and has corozo buttons derived from tagua palm nuts found in the forest.

Chore Shirt in Red Plaid Flannel

Leave it to Alex Mill to design a flannel that channels a vintage look and feel. Looks great wearing straight from work to happy hour (just make sure to ditch your backpack).

Read more: Best Chinos

Crossback Workshirt

When Huckberry's in-house brand, Flint and Tinder, makes a new garment it's worth paying attention to. If you're looking for a high level of utility (looseweave, blanket-thick flannel cotton and crossback construction for reinforcement) and a modern flannel styling, then you can't go wrong with this piece. Comes in a ton of unique colors too.

Read more: Best Underwear

Sandres Logo-Appliquéd Checked Cotton-Flannel Shirt

The 'Sandreas' flannel shirt from Acne Studios is a nod to the 90's grunge era. Patterned with cream, green and yellow checks, this unique piece is one for the cool lumberjacks to enjoy. For an added touch, the design on the chest patch pocket is skewed with the brand's signature face emblem.

Teca Cotton-Flannel Shirt

For our most daring guys: Pops of color, especially pink, are always a good idea. And luckily, Portuguese Flannel gets it. Each design from the brand is luxe and perfect to wear on date night or any occasion that calls for a higher level of formality.

Relaxed Fit Flannel Sherpa-Lined Shirt Jac

Coming highly-rated from Amazon, this rugged Carhartt flannel is perfect for outdoor activities. You can expect enhanced mobility with its rugged flex stretch technology and reduced shrinkage, due to its garment-washed nature.

Heavyweight Flannel Shirt Jacket

This top-rated flannel shirt jacket from Abercrombie & Fitch is a real gem for the winter season. It's got a relaxed-fit silhouette and most importantly, is packing some serious weight—so you'll be able to manage the cooler temps.

Heathered Flannel Button-Down Shirt

This lightweight shirt is the ideal option for those who love flannels, but want a solid color. Go with the khaki color if you want to maximize the numbers of outfits you can pair it with in your wardrobe. Be sure to grab one soon, Todd Snyder can hardly keep them in stock.

Midweight Flannel Workshirt in Regenerative Cotton

Say hello to your new favorite shirt. For this flannel, J. Crew utilizes regenagri®-certified cotton that's fully traceable to farms seeking to upturn the environmental effects of industrial agriculture. Whether it's for work or for play, this piece will fit into your everyday seamlessly.

Granite Peak™ Long Sleeve Flannel Shirt

Brought to you by the genius gearheads at Mountain Hardwear, it should go without saying that this flannel shirt is top-quality. Its design patterns are actually permanently woven into the fabric—rather than just printed over it—and it's also 100% cotton, so there's no question that this shirt will still be in your wardrobe year-after-year.

What Is Flannel Made Of?

Flannel can be documented as being worn as far back as the 17th century in Wales. It's thought to have been created by Welsh textile workers using leftover sheep's wool to weave their own fabrics as they tried to create garments that were comfortable and worn.

Today, most flannels are made from 100% cotton that's brushed after being woven together, resulting in that fuzzy, nappy look that's soft and warm. However there are brands out there experimenting with blends of cotton and other fabrics in order to get added stretch or a specific texture.

How to Style a Flannel

The best part about flannels are their versatility. Up top, you can wear a flannel standalone or layered over an undershirt. With pants, you can wear with jeans or chinos.

If you decide to wear a flannel as your standalone shirt it's worth upgraded to one made with more high quality materials, that way you can avoid any scratching or unpleasant feelings of cotton rubbing on your skin. For those who plan on layering your flannels over a t-shirt, you can get away with a flannel made with regular cotton and save some bucks.

And if it really starts getting cold out, you can size up your flannel and wear a neutral colored hoodie underneath (like grey) for an ultra warm and stylish look.

How Do I Know if My Flannel Is Good Quality?

If you're looking at a flannel in person to possibly buy it, you can tell more by feeling it than looking at it. High quality flannel will have some heft to it and feel thicker to the touch, but still soft. It should feel like felt. If the flannel feels thin like a regular cotton shirt then it is not good quality.

As for the flannel you already own, your washer and dryer can tell you a lot. If you start to see fading, warping in size and shape, and little hairy fibers start to pop up after a few washes, then you've got a sub-par flannel. Good quality flannel will hold its shape and color and will not pill even after years of use. Above all: if it feels soft, fits right, and keeps you warm, then your flannel is doing its job.

How We Selected

For the past two years, Men's Health fashion editors and writers have been trying and testing hundreds of men's flannels. To narrow down our favorites, we evaluated flannel shirts based on their durability, comfort, value, and feel. We also considered flannels that had high review and praise on e-commerce sites we trust.

Related Winter Clothes To Buy

Best Winter Clothes for Men | Winter Jackets | Winter Jackets for Men | Men's Puffer Jackets | Leather Jackets | Men's Parkas | Heated Jackets | Hiking Jackets | Bomber Jackets | Winter Pants | Casual Pants | Sweaters | Crewneck Sweatshirts | Cashmere Sweaters

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