The 12 Best Sweaters for Men

Navigating the myriad of sweater options can be dizzying. To simplify the decision-making process, we've curated a selection of our favorite sweaters, spanning styles from cable knit to cashmere and Fair Isle to fisherman. Just as you wouldn't choose a cashmere cardigan for a snowy hike or opt for a bulky Norwegian knit under a blazer for a party, it's essential to consider your interests, needs, and style preferences. However, if you're looking for a versatile piece that can be dressed up or down, our overall pick is the Everlane Felted Merino Hoodie.

Personally, winter is my favorite season, and I am naturally drawn to our cozy knit companions. With years of market experience, I've explored and worn a diverse array of sweaters, delving into the realm of natural textiles, their history, and functionality. Our goal here is straightforward: to assist you in choosing a sweater once you've loosely identified the type you're seeking and its intended function. I selected these sweaters based on five key considerations.

How I Picked These Sweaters

Heritage. A focus on meticulous craftsmanship and authenticity is paramount. Many of the listed brands specialize in their specific textiles or have a proven track record of producing high-quality knitwear and understanding and respecting its history. If not ultra-specialized, they should demonstrate a meticulous approach to the specific sweater.

Textile quality. Different wools, for example, serve distinct purposes, but they should all meet a certain standard to fulfill their intended functions. No one wants a sweater that pills after just a few wears, so I've curated options that, to the best of my knowledge, exemplify durability and quality.

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Natural fibers. While I acknowledge the innovation of incorporating polyamide stretch and strengthening nylon where applicable, I believe natural materials in quality sweaters innately possess properties such as temperature regulation and moisture wicking. For the most part, these brands prioritize these fibers, tapping into the effectiveness that nature has already provided. If such materials kept Nordic fishermen warm and protected for ages, they should certainly work for you.

Sustainability. Where applicable, I've chosen brands that minimize their carbon footprint and contribute positively to the communities where they source textiles. In an era where fast fashion exacerbates the climate challenges we face, it's reassuring to know that the sweater you wear was sourced with ethical considerations in mind.

Value. While some of these sweaters may come with a higher price tag, I view them as investments that extend beyond a single season. Others strike a balance between value and quality, offering a great knit at an accessible cost. But with proper care, some of these garments could even be considered heirlooms, lasting for many years.

Why You Should Trust Me

In addition to writing for Men’s Journal, I have covered topics ranging from menswear, fragrances, watches, grooming, and styling for Inside Hook, Robb Report, Esquire, and Men’s Health. I served as the market editor at Esquire for several years, scouring the industry for the best garments and goods that were not only worth the investment but also made for compelling stories and good advice for our readers.

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I have always tried to add a timeless element to whatever I have written, as although trends are interesting and relevant to a degree, my heart has always been drawn to more perennial guidance and themes. My obsessive-compulsive tendencies are both a blessing and a curse and while I often delve into researching items to the point of exhaustion, it's this approach that often positions me as a go-to person for advice. Whether it's about coats, colognes, or turntable needles, people recognize that I've done the legwork. I enjoy inspiring others around me to seek out their unique interests in things that might make their life better.

Best Overall Sweater for Men: Everlane Felted Merino Hoodie

When the term "hoodie" comes to mind, most people envision the classic cotton sweatshirt made for athletics and lounging around. The idea of a hoodie crafted from felted wool might initially seem odd, yet, once you try it on, it becomes hard to take off. Wearing this hoodie beneath my topcoat has been my go-to as it provides an extra layer of soft, felted, warmth underneath, and I can pop up the hood when it gets too cold or rainy. I also love the visual aesthetic contrast of the tailored topcoat and the more casual hoodie. Everlane sums it up perfectly when they say their merino wool hoodie is a sweater “you don’t have to treat delicately and is nice enough to wear to various places.” We couldn't agree more.

Best Wool Sweater: Filson Heritage 3-Gauge Wool Sweater

Crafted in Italy, Filson's 100-percent wool crewneck sweater is a versatile all-arounder that is exceptionally warm. Engineered with 3-gauge yarns, (the number of stitches per inch), it has maximum heat retention and a lightweight, breathable feel that is ideal for hefty wool. Along with the raglan sleeves, the jersey stitching helps make the texture somewhat spongy and stretchy allowing for movement and comfort. You can wear this sweater outside by itself on moderately chilly days, but its moderate thickness also allows for effortless layering under a parka or peacoat on exceptionally frigid days. It provides insulation even when wet due to wool’s moisture-wicking properties, and the mélange fabric, weaving together different fibers to create a heathered effect, gives it an aesthetically interesting depth. Keep in mind it has a more relaxed fit, so you might want to size down. With a tasteful blend of heritage craftsmanship and modern sensibility, this sweater is handsome, warm, and functional—an investment piece for lasting warmth and style throughout many fall and winter seasons.

Best Cashmere Sweater: Naadam The Original Cashmere Sweater

Naadam excels in the world of cashmere, it’s their expertise. Sourced from the goats of the Gobi Desert, which survive a negative 40-degree winter environment, their Mongolian cashmere is seriously warm. The goat’s longer fibers result in stronger cashmere that should only pill about once—think of it as a one-time shedding. While cashmere is not typically associated with sustainability, Naadam sets itself apart through its collaboration and support of a select herding community and their Gobi Revival Fund helps provide care to over 250,000 goats. They have established their business model around direct-to-consumer sales, and this ensures that this luxurious textile remains accessible to a wide range of people. Available in a beautiful array of colors, their classic cashmere sweater is a seriously soft, warm, and durable option that you can feel good about supporting.

Best Alpaca Sweater: Industry of All Nations Alpaca Crewneck Sweater

Like Naadam with cashmere, alpaca is the specialty of the celebrated clothing brand Industry of All Nations. Alpaca is just as soft as cashmere, exceptionally warm, water-resistant, and hypoallergenic. Low water retention also makes it exceptional for braving winter weather. This 100-percent alpaca fiber sweater is completely undyed, allowing the natural hairs of the virgin fiber to remain in their purest state. It has a medium weight, and wearing it feels like experiencing the most genuine form of alpaca. Besides being exceptionally soft and form-fitting, their process helps reduce pollution and conserve resources.

Best Norwegian Sweater: L.L. Bean Heritage Norwegian Crewneck Sweater

This Norwegian-style sweater from L.L. Bean has achieved cult classic status for several good reasons. It exudes authenticity and is seriously warm, all at an excellent value. Featuring a traditional birdseye Nordic pattern, this heritage knit is crafted the old-fashioned way by a family-run business in Norway that has been producing these for generations. Wearing this wool sweater genuinely feels like donning a sheet of armor. If these heritage knits could keep Nordic fishermen warm in bone-chilling sea conditions, they'll do the same for you.

Best Cardigan Sweater: Todd Snyder Alpaca Cardigan

Despite their somewhat cyclical popularity (hello 90’s resurgence), cardigans have never gone out of style and should be regarded as a timeless menswear cornerstone. What I love about a cardigan is that it looks just as cool with a T-shirt as it does with an Oxford shirt and knit tie. This cardigan from Todd Snyder is made from a blend of merino, baby alpaca, and polyamide (for extra durability and a bit of stretch), hitting all the right notes. The fuzzy texture, ideal for a cardigan, strikes a perfect balance between thickness and comfort, and the genuine horn buttons provide a nice heritage touch. Moreover, the cardigan’s medium dense heft makes for luxurious softness that ensures this piece will be a perennial winter favorite no matter the current trending decade.

Best Cableknit Sweater: Flint & Tinder Aran Cableknit Crewneck Sweater

There are numerous variations of a classic cable-knit sweater. The Aran cable-knit gets its name from the Aran Islands off the coast of Ireland and the fishing communities that wore these heavy-duty knits to protect against the cold wind off the high seas. The cream or off-white colorway is the most traditional for this timeless diamond weave, adding an air of elegant heritage. A great cable knit should pay homage to its historical authenticity and should feel almost like you are putting on a second coat of armor. This Aran Cable-knit from Flint & Tinder checks both. In addition, it is made from lambswool and some nylon, which gives it extra stretch—offering the best of both the heritage and modern worlds. A cable-knit sweater will never go out of fashion, and this version is a great value that pays tribute to its storied history.

Best Fair Isle Sweater: J. Crew Brushed Wool Fair Isle Sweater

The Fair Isle pattern has been very wearable knit pattern in our fashion zeitgeist for many years now. (Even centuries if you want to nerd out about its history.) Instantly recognizable by its trademark geometric figures, countless brands have riffed on the iconic winter weather staple. Although it is quite visually striking, a Fair Isle sweater can be rocked by anyone and adds personality to any otherwise plain knit. J. Crew has been producing Fair Isle sweaters in their winter offerings for many years, and in my view, create some of the most unique and original yet very wearable and handsome patterns. This sweater is also made from brushed wool, giving it a super-soft and textured appearance that only adds to its authentic feel. This is the sweater you will wear to your holiday-themed parties and weekend errands alike.

Best Turtleneck Sweater: Alex Mill Judd Ribbed Turtleneck in Washed Cashmere

There are seemingly endless varieties of the turtleneck sweater. You have fine merino, which can be paired under a blazer or tailoring, and on the other end of the spectrum, you have chunky cable-knits that can easily be worn on their own with jeans. What I love about Alex Mills' cashmere take is that it combines the best of both worlds. Made in washed cashmere, this garment is seriously soft. It has just the right weight to be worn lounging around the home or underneath a bomber jacket or blazer if need be. The ribbed texture gives a heritage feel, providing some visual appeal and stretch for a relaxed fit. This is a neck-warming investment that might have you longing for those cooler temperatures, just so you can wear it.

Best Cotton Sweater: AYR Textured Cotton Blend Sweater

Cotton, by nature, is a bit more breathable than wool but not as warm. Thus, for a lightweight, transitional sweater to wear on milder days, a cotton sweater makes a great choice. AYR has managed to create a cotton sweater that is almost as soft to the touch as its cashmere, has durability that almost matches wool, and fits like a cotton sweatshirt. It is reinforced with nylon for extra strength and a bit of elastane for stretch. There is a cult following around this item, and it is a best-seller for a good reason: It is darn comfortable. Perhaps the standout factor though is the convenience of being machine washable.

Best Quarter Zip Sweater: Untuckit Birdseye Merino Wool Quarter-Zip

Untuckit has built a reputation for delivering affordable quality dress shirts, and their knits are no exception. Crafted from extra fine Merino wool, this quarter zip is an ideal intermediate layer, fitting snugly over a t-shirt yet comfortably beneath a coat and transitioning easily between casual and formal settings. Merino wool, known for its natural temperature regulation, is lightweight and adaptable, especially in a quarter zip, which offers the convenience of unzipping if things get too warm. The birdseye pattern brings visual interest to the sweater, while its super-soft feel adds to its overall value. It's also hard to find Merino at this price.

Best Merino Crew Neck Sweater: Banana Republic Franco Italian Merino Crew-Neck

Merino wool is naturally wrinkle and odor-resistant, thermo-regulating, quick-drying, and anti-allergenic, making it a great choice for everyday wear. While not a heritage knitwear brand, Banana Republic's classic crew-neck merino sweaters are a hit every year. Striking the perfect balance in merino weight—not overly bulky yet sufficiently thin for seamless layering over a t-shirt, these sweaters are also very soft, thanks to their fabric sourced from Italy's esteemed Zegna Baruffa mill. Beyond aesthetics, these merino crews are certified for responsibly-sourced wool, contributing to the well-being of the sheep and environmental sustainability. Priced right, and available in a myriad of colorways, this all-season merino crew is a guilt-free purchase when temperatures take a dip—whether for yourself or as a thoughtful gift.