The 8 Best Hoodies for Men of 2025, Tested and Reviewed

Jun 29, 2025

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From cozy fleece to luxurious cashmere, these hoodies are ready to keep you warm and styled on flights, road trips, and everything in between.

Travel + Leisure

While modern airline travel has its drawbacks, the casual dress code allows for what we like to call the human version of “Do Not Disturb Mode,” AKA putting on a pair of noise-canceling headphones and pulling up your sweatshirt hood. Instant bliss. Of course, to do that, you need the right hoodie. Hoodies are classic and versatile travel staples, but not all are created equal.

We tested 11 hoodies, looking for ones that fit well, felt comfortable, worked for different travel scenarios, and remained durable over time, and while we’re not done (testing is ongoing for a minimum of six months), we’re ready to share our initial list of all-stars. We wore them for international flights, multiday road trips, and for everyday activities. As a writer and professional gear tester in the outdoor and travel space, I personally took a few of these styles for long trail runs, rainy hikes, and the scariest gauntlet of all: meals with my three young children. These eight hoodies are the ones that emerged as the best in the field, ranging from casual zip-ups to elevated cashmere options.

Alo’s luxurious, heavyweight fabric and roomy, oversized fit make the hoodie an ideal choice for a long travel day.

While we love how thick Alo’s fabric is, that same thickness makes it difficult to stow in a small bag.

It’s no surprise that Alo tops a list of men’s hoodies. It’s the same reason you’ve likely seen the brand’s subtle, raised logo branding in your local gym and the third-wave indie coffee shop. Alo has a talent for selecting fabric, color, and silhouettes that lean toward everyday luxury. The Heavy Weight Hoodie is no exception. We loved the quality of the fabric, which was apparent as soon as we tried the garment on. The construction is burly in the best way, anchoring a heavyweight French terry with solid stitching, thick cuffs, and a big kangaroo pocket. The hood is large and double-thick, plenty big enough to pull over a pair of noise-canceling headphones and block out your noisy in-flight neighbors. The hoodie’s silhouette leans oversized in a way that reads intentional, not sloppy—the kind of hoodie that you can wear to a first-class lounge and not get a second look in. The quality construction does come with a downside: the hoodie takes up a lot of space in a personal item bag. But, fear not, you’ll be too cozy wearing it to need to take it off. And besides, we found that a thick hoodie like Alo’s Heavy Weight works as a plane pillow in a pinch, in case you forget to pack one.

There’s also something to be said about the almost ineffable qualities of weight, cut, and drape. This hoodie isn’t cheap, but it has the feel of luxury about it, and wearing it to accomplish the quotidian, everyday life tasks like running out to get the mail feels like a little treat while wearing it.

The Details: XXS-XXL | French terry cloth | Heavyweight | Boxy, oversized fit | 1 kangaroo pocket

Reigning Champ’s Midweight Zip hoodie throws back to the glory days of hoodies (and is easy to pack).

While the hoodie’s two-way zipper is high quality, more moving pieces means more work to zip it up.

Reigning Champ takes its inspiration from boxing's iconic styles. Think black-and-white photos of Ali and Foreman or Stallone’s Rocky running through downtown Philadelphia. We can’t promise you wearing this hoodie will make you a better boxer, but we can say it’ll make you feel like you can take on the world. Reigning Champ built this piece out of an ultracomfortable, 100 percent cotton terry with premium construction and an athletic-leaning slim fit. We found that this allowed for excellent mobility, whether on an early morning jog in a new city or running pell-mell through a terminal to catch a tight connection. We also liked that the slim fit and midweight fabric made it very packable, easy to layer for long travel days with varying temperature demands and not taking up much space in a backpack. The two-way zipper is also handy, we loved the adjustability it allows, even if it sometimes created a bit of a hassle to full zip. It comes in a dozen color options, none of the too bright.

The Details: XS-XXL | 100 percent cotton | Midweight | Slim fit | 2 front pockets

Patagonia’s earned a reputation for quality outdoor goods, and this Capilene gets gold stars for its technical features.

It retains odor, so you can’t get as much wear out of it before washing.

In outdoor circles, Patagonia is synonymous with performance and environmental activism, protecting the places that outdoor recreationalists play in. The brand uses its profits to fund conservation projects worldwide, but first and foremost, it makes hard-wearing gear designed for life outdoors. The Capilene Thermal Hoody is a newer addition to the outdoor performance line, but it carries on the legacy of performance. I’ve had issues in the past with Patagonia’s fit, but recent updates have corrected that. You no longer have to be an ultrarunner or skinny athlete to fit into its activewear styles. We found that this hoodie is neither loose nor constrictive. It has a high warmth-to-weight ratio for its light weight and is extremely packable.

I’ve taken it to Colorado for mountain trail runs and Florida to ward off Orlando’s extreme air conditioning, and it performs equally well for both. Style-wise, the hoodie is particularly suited to mountain towns and outdoor hubs where wearing Patagonia is practically a National Park version of black-tie formal. I have two minor issues with this hoodie. First, I’d love some thumbholes to keep my hands warm on cold morning runs. Second, the synthetic fabric retains odor. No problem if you have access to a washing machine, but something to note nevertheless. Neither of these small issues will stop me from packing this hoodie the next time I head West for some big mountain pursuit.

The Details: XS-3XL | Polartec Power Grid fabric, 92 percent recycled polyester, 8 percent spandex jersey | Lightweight | Regular fit | 1 kangaroo pocket | 8.6 ounces

J.Crew’s cashmere treatment of the hoodie is cozy, while also giving a little hint of luxury.

The hood is on the smaller side, and you’ll have to hand wash this hoodie.

Sometimes, when the occasion calls for a sweater, you still want the coziness of a hoodie. J.Crew comes to your rescue with a luxe cashmere option. Not only is it 100 percent cashmere, but that cashmere comes certified by the Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF) as responsible and connected to responsible agricultural development in Inner Mongolia. You can cozy up in a comfortable sweater while also cozying up to a responsible environmental ethic. Cashmere is renowned for its softness, lightness, and warmth, all of which J.Crew shows off here with a stylish cut and a choice of two muted natural colors. We loved it as a high/low dressy option for trips where you’re chasing Michelin stars and cozy room service mornings. One word of warning: we found the hood to be a bit too snug, which proved more decorative than functional. If you’re looking to actually employ the hood, we recommend sizing up for an oversized fit. It also has no pockets, and it’s hand wash only.

The Details: XS-XXL | 100 percent cashmere | Midweight | Regular fit

Carhartt’s weather-resistant hoodie is soft as a blanket but defies the elements.

The hoodie’s looser cuffs affected usability, and its bulk made it hard to pack.

There’s a reason Carhartt is found both at your local construction site and in your carry-on: the Michigan brand has deep workwear roots (as does the hoodie), and we weren’t surprised at how well this water-resistant version tested. We loved the hoodie’s extreme durability and warmth, finding the wind and water resistance to be ideal for outdoor hikes in variable weather, as rain will roll right off instead of absorbing into the fabric. Don’t confuse a weather-resistant outer treatment with discomfort, though: this hoodie is soft as a blanket inside.

It is heavyweight and runs larger than others on this list, making it somewhat bulky, but it comes in a wider range of sizes than other brands, including both regular and tall options. Also worth noting, the sleeves and cuffs are looser than the active fit hoodies like Patagonia and Reigning Champ. No big deal for casual use, but occasionally frustrating if you’re outside all day exploring a new destination. There is also a hidden security pocket inside the front kangaroo pocket to keep small items secure.

The Details: S-4XL (regular); L-3X (tall) | 75 percent cotton, 25 percent polyester with DWR treatment | Heavyweight | Oversized fit | 1 kangaroo pocket and hidden security pocket | 13 ounces

This hoodie excels at the basics of fit and fabric, providing a great fit-to-cost ratio.

The front pocket doesn’t keep belongings secure.

You may know Abercrombie & Fitch from the local mall or some moose-forward clothing in the mid to late aughts, but the brand has deeper heritage roots than that. Since 1892, it’s outfitted Americans in outdoor and at-home clothing. These classic Americana roots are evident in the brand’s more recent resurgence. Less focus on big graphics and shirtless models, more focus on executing high-level basics. Of my (embarrassingly extensive) wardrobe, I most consistently get compliments on the A&F pieces over its more expensive and bespoke counterparts. I like that the Popover Hoodie is soft and breathable, with a hood that stays in place and longer sleeves, ideal for taller folks like myself who sometimes experience the dreaded toddler fit: a garment that fits correctly in the shoulder but creeps up to the forearms, making the wearer look like, well, a 3-year-old outgrowing their clothes. We noticed that the kangaroo pocket has a tendency to dump valuables, so think twice before storing your phone and keys. Otherwise, you can’t go wrong with this well-priced and very cozy pick. It comes in the widest range of colors and patterns of all the hoodies on this list, with over two dozen styles to choose from, and it comes in both regular and tall sizes.

The Details: XS-3XL (regular and tall) | 70 percent cotton, 30 percent polyester | Heavyweight | Oversized fit | 1 kangaroo pocket

Simple and classic, this Gap hoodie is ideal for casual, all-day wear.

While the hoodie has comfortable fabric, it’s not as high-end as others on this list.

Sometimes, simple is better. This Gap hoodie is a great example of that. Like a throwback to the brand’s famed khaki ads, the hoodie is comfortable and functional without being flashy. In other words, an ideal utility player in your wardrobe. We found that the zip-up hoodie’s soft, plush interior and flexible fit made it ideal for casual, all-day wear. It ran true to size but was roomy enough to make layering easy. Best of all, we found that this was the least wrinkly of all the styles we tested, making it the perfect travel companion. Stash it in a bag or tote or even use it as an impromptu blanket without fear of looking disheveled once you pop it back on. We also loved the simple zipper and drawstring combo for adjustability. It’s not as luxurious or heavyweight as others on this list, but it boasts the best value of any hoodie we tested, with the most affordable price.

The Details: XS-3XL (regular); M-3XL (tall) | 77 percent cotton, 23 percent polyester | Midweight | Regular fit | 2 front pockets

The Wakefield has the feel of a great vintage find updated to modern proportions (and the skeleton graphic makes even strangers smile).

Imogene + Willie is a true slow fashion brand, and this hoodie has the price tag to back it up.

This Wakefield Hoodie is a demonstration of the Nashville brand’s commitment to made-in-America heritage and quality. I’ve had this hoodie for close to a year, and it’s wearing into the kind of quality you normally can only find at vintage markets. Its cotton hemp blend drapes beautifully, and the hoodie’s interior shows the warp and weft of the sewing process. I love the cheeky skeleton “Relax” graphic, which is also a favorite of my 2-year-old, who recently learned the word “spooky.” The color is somewhere in between true black and a faded gray—again, the type of lived-in color usually reserved for vintage feels. The price tag is not for the faint of heart, but it's a reflection of the intentionality (and living wages) paid through every step of the process. There’s also just an undeniable cool factor here—wearing this hoodie feels a little like wearing a work of art. It’s my road trip go-to, and it’s survived many, many wash cycles, looking better each time.

The Details: S-XXL | 50 percent cotton, 32 percent organic cotton, 18 percent hemp | Heavyweight | Slim fit | 1 kangaroo pocket | 11 ounces

Here are a few more options that we tested.

Tracksmith Trackhouse Sweatshirt: The preppy East Coast brand that arguably helped usher in the current running boom makes this faithful reproduction of old school, Ivy League sweats that just keep getting better with age. Also, there’s a clever hidden phone pocket within the larger front kangaroo pocket.

American Giant Classic Full Zip: We liked the quality of the fabric and pocket placement of this American Giant style, but we also found it a little stiff and hard to break in from the start, not quite justifying the price tag.

Buck Mason Welterweight Hooded Sweatshirt: Buck Mason had the best hood of all the hoodies we tried: roomy, comfortable, and sturdy. But we found sizing to be a bit tricky for larger builds, with not enough room in the shoulders and chest, and slightly awkward pocket placement.

For this article, Travel + Leisure intensely researched the best hoodies available and tried 11 styles from different brands, featuring a variety of fabrics, fits, and weights. We wore these hoodies over weeks of travel, exercise, and everyday use, trying them out in different types of weather and for different levels of activity. Along the way, we took extensive notes, photos, and insights from our weeks of living with the products, including putting them through the wash to see how they held up. Our favorites excelled when it came to fit, comfort, durability, and value. We will continue to wear and take notes on these hoodies over the next six months, at which point we’ll re-evaluate the rankings and inclusion based on our findings.

While hoodies are a pretty classic style, they have a wide range of available silhouettes. We’re living in a full hoodie renaissance, and many brands are translating the style through different lenses. This means one hoodie won’t fit like the other. Look for telltale fit descriptors—oversized, boxy, active, slim—and think about how you like your clothes to fit and how you plan on using the hoodie. A hoodie meant for lounging around the house will be different from a fitted cashmere option you may want to dress up for a nice dinner out. The one you’ll pack for a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Antarctica will need to fit differently than the one you kick around a cool coffee shop in Copenhagen. If you want great insulation for cold weather, look for fitted cuffs to trap in heat, and if you plan on layering, you may want it to be more oversized as a top layer that you can take on and off while hiking.

When looking for a hoodie, think about whether you prefer something with a full zipper or something that you have to pull over your head. A pullover will likely keep you warmer since it’s trapping heat in and is a more classic hoodie style, while a zipper gives you the flexibility to wear it open or closed and take it on and off more easily. A zip-up style may be better for layering since it’s easy to pull on over other clothing and quickly remove it as needed. Also keep in mind that these styles will have different pocket situations: a pullover will usually have one single kangaroo pouch in the front, while a zip-up will have two pockets separated by the zipper. Some hoodies have no pockets at all, which gives them a more streamlined look.

This question is mostly dictated by your intended location and activity. If you’re going on an active, adventurous trip full of hiking and trail running, you’ll want to look at a fabric that quickly wicks moisture, breathes well, and probably regulates odor. If you’re looking for more casual lifestyle adaptations, then an organic cotton or a hemp choice will be a cozy and worthwhile choice. Something that has spandex in it will be more stretchy than cotton, while cashmere is a more delicate fabric that will keep you warm but will not be the best choice for working out or hiking since it’s hand wash only. If you plan to wear your hoodie outdoors, the Carhartt hoodie has a water-repellent treatment to help keep you dry.

We love the versatility and comfort of wearing a hoodie for a long travel day. With the rise of trends like street style and gorpcore, it’s also becoming increasingly appropriate to wear a hoodie outside the realm of exercise or relaxing on the couch. The right cut and material can make a hoodie almost dressy if you look for one with a slimmer, pocketless silhouette, although pockets can be great for airport travel as they give you more space to stash snacks and quick-grab items. Hoodies are ideal for layering in environments with ever-changing weather. And for long-haul flights, there’s not much better than a hoodie for a good night of in-flight sleep.

Professional gear tester and menswear writer Matt Medendorp tested hoodies as part of this T+L test, adding some of his favorites that he’s owned for over a year and worn on international flights and long trail runs alike. In addition, the T+L team extensively coordinated hands-on testing of a large array of hoodies, and Medendorp used those testing results to guide this article.

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Jackie Cucco is a senior testing editor at Travel + Leisure, where she plans product tests and writes/edits travel-related product reviews based on in-depth product testing. She previously worked as a travel agent, has a degree in journalism, and has over eight years of experience covering products and gift guides. She has made over 100 TV appearances discussing consumer products and shopping trends.