These Hoodies Will Be Your Next Old Favorite

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A good hoodie isn't complicated. It's warm, has pockets and a hood, and there's not much else to it. But that's the bare minimum. Hoodies that use flimsy materials can start to pill and shrink in the wash, or stitching at the pockets can come undone if your hands are constantly in and out of them. Some careful consideration when buying a hoodie can be the difference between needing a new one annually and to having one that will last for years to come.

While they used to be exclusively sportswear, hoodies can be dressed up or down for pretty much any casual occasion. Wear a zip-up hoodie over a button down shirt if you work at a casual office, or wear a pullover underneath a shirt jacket for casual weekend outings. They're more versatile than you think and just as comfortable as you remember.

The 7 Best Hoodies for Men

• Best Overall: Flint and Tinder 10-Year Pullover Hoodie

• Best Budget Option: Russell Athletic Dri Power Pullover Hoodie

• Best Workwear Hoodie: Carhartt Duck Flannel-Lined Hoodie

• Best Windbreaker: Nike Windrunner

• Best Layering Option: Patagonia CapileneThermal Hoodie

What to Consider

Materials and Weight

Classic sportswear hoodies are typically made of 100% cotton but that can lead to shrinking after a couple of cycles in the washer and dryer. Most of our picks use a cotton/polyester blend to avoid shrinking or stretching over time. Polyester also bolsters durability when used in fabric blends. A 50/50 blend will still be soft and durable, though some people are sensitive to polyester blends, as the fabric can feel scratchy for them.

Like any jacket, the weight of a hoodie affects how warm it is. Generally speaking, the heavier the hoodie the warmer it will be and the longer it'll last. Our Best Overall pick not only is made of heavyweight cotton, but comes with a 10-year guarantee. They're a great option for layering, but if you're in a place with particularly cold winters, you'll want a down jacket or winter coat with insulation.

Fit

You might think of hoodies as always being on the bulky side, but fit is no longer an afterthought. Brands offer a variety of fits that are typically categorized as either regular/standard fit, or a relaxed fit. A regular fit will be cut true to size where you can layer a tee underneath and have some room to move.

A relaxed fit will be cut with more room in the chest, have lower arm holes, and probably be closer to how an old favorite sweatshirt may feel. You can layer button downs or long-sleeve tees underneath and they make for a good workout option. We've listed the fit for each product, and much of making this choice comes down to personal preference. I like a relaxed fit because I don't plan to layer a hoodies underneath a jacket and mostly use them for lazy days staying inside or for runs.

How We Selected

A good men's hoodie should be warm and comfortable, but it should also last longer than a couple years with regular use and washing. While simple, hoodies have a variety of details that take them from an afterthought to something a little more considered. We combed through hoodies that were designed and constructed with purpose, taking into account personal experience as well as other user reviews. Our final list is a variety of products that are simple, do their job, and look good doing it.

10-Year Pullover Hoodie

Huckberry's in-house brand made a versatile hoodie with durability in mind. It has double-stitched seams and a reinforced hood, but the brand takes it a step further with its warranty. Should your hoodie rip, tear or come apart at the seams, the brand will mend it for free to keep it going for a decade.

It has a regular fit that's comfortable to move in but isn't slouchy for a clean silhouette. The rib knit at the hem and cuffs seals out the cold and wind. The fabric is a blend with part polyester to prevent shrinking and stretching, and to bolster durability.

We suggest sizing up if you prefer your hoodies to have a relaxed fit, as most customers say these run on the smaller size. Take your regular size if you want to layer it underneath heavier coats and jackets.

Dri Power Pullover Hoodie

Whether you want to throw it on for errands or keep it in your gym bag, the Russell pullover is a no-frills option with a versatile weight. The 50/50 blend will hold up after many washes, and the sweatshirt has a soft, fleecy feel against the skin. It has a rib-knit hem and cuffs to seal out the cold, and vintage details like a v-insert at the neck.

The relaxed fit gives you room to move and can be thrown over a tee. There are plenty of colors to choose from, and the price makes its easy to stock up on multiple examples for winter.

Duck Flannel-Lined Men's Hoodie

This hoodie is equipped for hard work and comfort, employing Carhartt's duck canvas exterior and a quilted flannel lining. The cotton-canvas shell is densely woven to be abrasion and wind resistant. The quilted flannel lining provides insulation in the body as well as the hood, and nylon-lined sleeves make it easy to layer underneath. Rib-knit cuffs and hem help to seal out the cold.

There are the expected hand pockets, but additionally there are two interior pockets for extra storage. The zipper is large enough to use even while wearing gloves, and the drawstring at the hood is thicker than you'd find on your standard hoodie.

This sweatshirt has a relaxed fit to let you layer underneath and is best used as a top layer. The shell isn't DWR treated but Carhartt's duck canvas can handle a light shower and some splashes.

Windrunner Men's Hoodie

The Windrunner is one of Nike's classic jacket styles that works for both active and casual wear. The high neck provides extra coverage, and the small, structure bill on the hood helps repel water away from your face. It's not very warm but it has a regular fit that can accommodate non-bulky layers underneath. The chevron design—the contrasting V at the chest—is a throwback to classic sportswear

I've had a Windrunner for about 6 years and it's still going strong. It's a great, lightweight layer that packs down small and provides enough protection if I get caught in bad weather. I use it for cold-weather running with a base layer underneath, with this setup I'm plenty warm.

It's nylon fabric isn't as noisy as a standard rain shell—though it does still make some noise. The hoodie is durable, however. I've taken some spills in the Windrunner and torn the rib-knit cuff some but the nylon shell still looks new. It's held up to years of wash and wear, and the nylon fabric means no shrinking.

Capilene Thermal Men's Hoodie

This hoodie serves as an excellent layering piece or can be worn on its own. It pares down the details of other hoodies to stay sleek, removing drawstrings at the hood and rib-knit cuffs and hem, but keeps the kangaroo pocket. The material is insulating but breathable to help regulate body temperature whether you're hiking or lounging around.

Customers like that the Capilene has the properties of a base layer—anti stink, temp regulating, wicks moisture—but doesn't have the slim fit.

Relaxed Classic Full Zip Men's Hoodie

This hoodie from American Giant is made in the U.S. with domestic cotton and materials. It uses a heavyweight, 13-ounce cotton that's pre-shrunk and double stitched for durability. Reinforcement runs from the elbow all the way down the forearm to the cuff for added durability.

This option is labeled as relaxed fit, but its design is more deliberate for a stylish, comfortable boxy fit. The dropped shoulder seams and shorter body length give you more than enough room to move without feeling like you're swimming in it. The rib-knit cuffs and hem are also shorter to match the boxy proportions.

This hoodie is dense and provides a lot of warmth. I expect this option to provide ample longevity and durability. It's soft from the first wear, and after an initial wish I found that it did not shrink and actually felt softer. There were no signs of pilling or any weird crinkling at the hem or cuffs.

Campshire Fleece Men's Hoodie

Like your favorite retro fleece, but in a hoodie silhouette, the Campshire is a medium-weight layer that'll keep you cozy. The high-pile fleece is soft and provides a decent amount of insulation, but the relaxed fit allows for some layering underneath.

The quarter-zip closure is a nice in-between for those that can't decide between a pullover or full-zip sweatshirt, and it provides coverage up to the chin. An elastic trim on the hood keeps it close to your face to give you ample coverage and keep you warm. The kangaroo pockets have hidden zip closures to keep small items secure.

While this hoodie's fleece is warm, it's still relatively lightweight and some customers expected it to be heavier. You'll need to layer a heavier coat if it's particularly cold.

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