More Hoodies to Consider
We’ve tested a bunch of hoodies. They’re not all worthy of the top spot, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t worth buying. Below, we’ve listed a few more that we think are good but aren’t as great as the ones above.
Courtesy of Filson
Filson Prospector Hoodie for $129: Pacific Northwest outdoors company Filson gifted me a Prospector Hoodie way back in 2017. Despite it being huge on me, I wore the beefy 13-ounce fleece for years. It washed brilliantly, it was warm, it coped with abuse, and it became my at-home hoodie of choice. For the past few years, after passing it along, my brother-in-law has rarely been seen without it. There are all manner of stains on it from daily abuse and countless fishing trips, but the fabric remains in great condition, the shape is true, and there’s virtually no fraying. Made using 75 percent cotton and 25 percent polyester, it’s impossible to recycle, which is a shame, but at least as a family, we’re getting decades of wear from it. —Chris Haslam
Carhartt Men’s Loose Fit Midweight Sweatshirt for $55: Do you have a rugged, outdoorsy job, like roofing or wrangling horses on a movie set? Or would you simply like to dress like this is a possibility? Then you might want to consider Carhartt’s loose-fit sweatshirt. This all-cotton hoodie with triple-stitched seams holds up to all the rigors of reviewer Martin Cizmar’s lifestyle, which includes everything from driving his truck to Target to basic lawn work. The Carhartt hoodie has a looser fit than many and breathes extremely well thanks to a looser weave. —Adrienne So
Minus33 Merino Wool Hoodie for $220: When you want to stay warm, few fabrics can match merino wool. It’s a super fiber, which is why we have an entire guide to merino wool, and this Minus33 hoodie is one of our favorites. It’s soft and comfy, made of 95 percent merino wool and 5 percent Spandex to give it a little stretch. It’s easy to care for: You can machine wash and tumble dry it. It won’t shrink or lose its shape, and the colors won’t bleed. We also like that Minus33 offers a wide range of sizes, from X-small to XXL. I’ve been impressed with its durability; it’s stood up to kid life, climbing trees, and running through the woods. And the hand warmers pair well with mittens on cold days. —Scott Gilbertson
Courtesy of Popflex Active
Popflex Cloud Hoodie for $70: I got this on a recommendation from a fellow WIRED staffer who said this was the perfect hoodie (for women), and I’m here to tell you that they were absolutely right. The Popflex Cloud Hoodie has a nice midweight to it, a soft (though not overly plush) interior lining, and a baggy design that doesn’t make me look like a marshmallow looking for a campfire. The waist of the hoodie gathered nicely at my natural waist, and the drop shoulders and massive hood draped over my upper body while still retaining its form and structure. Honestly, I look way cooler than I actually am in this hoodie, especially since it tends to casually slip off one shoulder. It looks good with well-fitting jeans and leggings, and comes in so many colors that I have to resist buying another every day. —Nena Farrell
Fjällräven Vardag Hoodie for $105: This is one of editor Adrienne So’s favorite hoodies; it’s made from 100 percent PFAS-free cotton. The cotton is a little thinner and the fit is boxier than the American Giant above.
Everlane Men’s Off-Duty Terry Hoodie for $98: Editor Adrienne So tried this hoodie. She likes the color selection, the relaxed fit, and the finished ends on the drawstring cords, but the price is too high for a hoodie that is thin, only 67 percent cotton, and has mostly unremarkable design details.
TheraHoodie for $158: Thera’s weighted hoodie is sadly too heavy to wear out while running errands, but it’s ideal for wearing around the house (especially after a stressful day). Our only gripe is that sometimes a few beads fall out of the pockets.
Paka Alpaca Hoodie for $149: Editor Adrienne So also tried this hoodie. The exterior is 70 percent baby alpaca with 30 percent Tencel, with a 100 percent organic cotton interior. In theory, it should be softer and lighter than the Arms of Andes hoodie above, but it’s not. She does like the moderate price, the pockets, and the scattershot textured woven color scheme.
Richer Poorer Recycled Fleece Hoodie for $82: Reviewer Nena Farrell notes that this hoodie nails the fit. It also saves approximately 40 bottles from the landfill with each purchase.
Branwyn Hoodie Pullover for $225: We love everything Branwyn makes, and this hoodie is exceptionally warm and soft, with extra features like thumb holes and a kangaroo pocket. However, for the same price, the Minus33 has a higher merino content and a wider range of sizes.
Multiple writers on WIRED’s gear team have contributed to this guide, but we test all hoodies by wearing them regularly for multiple activities, from walking the dog, going running, wearing them to the gym, and wearing them in at least seven Zoom meetings minimum per day. We also put all of our hoodies through several wash and wear cycles to test how the fabric will hold up over time. Does the material feel soft? Have the colors faded or the stitching come loose?
We also judge it based on fit, including how the cut and waistband fit along with the length of the sleeves. Most importantly, we make sure it’s comfortable and worth the investment. If it’s a hoodie we find ourselves constantly reaching for in our closet, then it’s safe to say it’s WIRED-approved.
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