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As the uniform of choice for surly football coaches and style-deficient technocrats everywhere, the humble hoodie gets a bad rap.
Just consider its versatility: mid-layer, jacket replacement, post-workout garment, makeshift travel pillow.
It’s the perfect article for an unpredictable and inclement season … like, spring.
So here our 13 of our favorites, from the eco-conscious to the fashion-forward to the activity-specific (running, yoga, long plane rides).
Stay comfy.
For eco-conscious style: The Big Sur Hoodie
Taylor Stitch’s update on their popular brushed hoodie now features a three-piece drawstring hood, side hand-warming pockets and a two-way YKK separating zipper. And it’s built from 100% recycled polyester. Cozy and forward thinking.
For extreme temperature fluctuations: Rhone Spar Full Zip Hoodie
Rhone is a master of tech-forward but still good-looking athletic gear. The Spar is full-zip, moisture-wicking, soft and features a nice bit of stretch. It’s the zip-up you’d throw on after an outdoor workout or if you’re moving from sweaty to cold and back again (see: subway platform to street to office). Note: The Spar is currently sold out, but you can sign up for restocking updates.
For looking ahead to summer: Everlane Lightweight French Terry
A pullover built for summer nights, this French Terry is built from a featherlight but tough 7-oz. cotton. Bonus: five colorways available, and it’s just $55.
For actual workouts: On Running
Crafted by a multiple-time Ironman winner and some Swiss engineers, On Running’s technical, breathable quarter-zip features hidden, zippered air vents and soft-stitched thumb holes
For elevated relaxation: The Apres Hoodie
Another winner from Taylor Stitch: This handsome layer (made from 100% organic cotton, also eco-friendly) features a brushed fleece interior, but it’s the grey-stripe exterior and leather pulls on the zipper that gives this cozy full-zip its sartorial edge and a nice, “we’re taking the boat out for a quick sail” vibe.
For longevity (and America): The 10-Year Hoodie
A classic from Flint & Tinder, the 10-Year Hoodie uses 23-oz. fleece sourced from South Carolina, heavy-duty zippers from Georgia and twill tape from Pennsylvania, before being put together in Los Angeles. It’s doubled-lined and reinforced at the seams; consider it an early spring jacket that’s neither too slim nor bulky.
For breezy affordability: Vuori
Based in a San Diego County beach hamlet, Vuori makes affordable athleisure wares that built from a lightweight polyester and spandex mixture. Each piece, like this stylish camo shell hoodie, is moisture-wicking, quick-drying, and anti-odor, and manages to retain a sense of nonchalance despite all that tech. Plus, it’s currently 25% off.
For yoga: Nike Dri-FIT Pullover Yoga Training Hoodie
Nike just dropped its first ever yoga-specific clothing line, where each piece is expressly engineered to manage how the body moves during yoga (longer hems, sweat-wicking jersey fabric, a wrapped hood, etc.).
For your comfy plane rides: Talus Mongolian Cashmere Hoodie
Naadam’s 100% cashmere layers are my favorite for travel — cozy, breathable, odor-free — but they’re damn expensive (around $300). Not currently, however: the Talus line is now 50% off, and, bonus, the brand’s silk-cashmere unisex hoodies top out at $175.
For your longer travels: Ably Robert
“I’ve worn this for two years and traveling to 20 different countries, and I’ve never washed it.”
A few months back we had a visit from Ably founder Raj Shah, who let me smell his well-traveled French terry hoodie. And it smelled like … nothing. While they started with a hoodie, Ably offers a full wardrobe of quick-drying, water-wicking, breathable, stain- and odor-repellent everyday wares, all built from an ingenious material called Filium.
For making a (laidback) statement: Faherty Reversible Terry
Faherty’s patterns are inspired by the American Southwest, so they tend to be colorful. With this new release, you can go bold with stripes or switch to an everyday light blue. Either way, it’s comfy French terry cloth with a big kangaroo pocket.
For subtlety appreciating sports: Reigning Champ x Atlanta United Pullover Hoodie
Wearing something with a team logo is dicey: you’re a grownup, we’ve moved beyond sports cosplay. That said, Canadian brand Reigning Champ makes sports fandom actually fashionable with this cool, minimalist pullover, featuring an embroidered monogram and ATL UTD screen print. Yep, that’s an understated shoutout to the 2018 MLS champs.
For having a story for fall: Evolution Hoodie
Coalatree’s colorful pullovers check all the right boxes: they dry quickly, wick moisture, they’re lightweight and odor-resistant, etc. And the front-zippered pocket is a nice, secure place for your valuables. The selling point here, though, is that they’re made from recycled coffee grounds and plastic bottles. Good price, too ($62) but not shipping until September.
For more elevated hoodies (and like-minded sweatshirts), check out our previous hoodies guides here and here.
Photos: Taylor Stitch (2); Rhone; Everlane; On Running; Taylor Stitch; Huckberry; Vuori; Nike: Naadam; Ably; Faherty; Reigning Champ; Coalatree
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