In the basic hierarchy of wardrobe needs, men's sweatshirts rank just behind T-shirts, underwear, and jeans. Over the decades, they've evolved beyond their origins as sportswear staples, becoming bona fide fashion items lusted after by your hypebeast cousin and his balding dad in equal measure. These days, men's sweatshirts can inject any outfit with enough juice to send you straight to Drip Town: Think Steve McQueen on his motorcycle in a greasy crewneck or Justin Bieber in a baggy-as-hell hoodie and slides. So it follows that in 2022, there are sweatshirts for literally every occasion. There are the sweatshirts you throw on for the morning dog walk, the sweatshirts you wear for heart-pumping, iron-throwing workouts (y'know, the sweatshirts you actually sweat in), even the sweatshirts you set aside to wear with a suit and dress shoes. Today, we're going to run through all of those versions and more.
From basic zip-up hoodies to lush designer interpretations, from heavyweight pullovers to featherlight sleeveless joints, these are the 12 absolute essential men's sweatshirts you need to know. No matter your budget, your taste, or your needs, there's a sweatshirt—maybe a handful of 'em!—included here that's right for you. Fleece yourself up and get your cozy on, folks.
The Best Men's Sweatshirts Shopping Guide
- Crewneck Sweatshirts
- Pullover Hoodies
- Zip-Up Hoodies
- Fractional Zip Sweatshirts
- Graphic Sweatshirts
- Basic Sweatshirts
- Elevated Sweatshirts
- Vintage Sweatshirts
- Turtleneck Sweatshirts
- Lightweight Sweatshirts
- Workout Sweatshirts
- Short-Sleeve Sweatshirts
Crewneck Sweatshirts
The crewneck sweatshirt was invented in the 1930s by Benjamin Russell Jr., a professional football player who wanted a comfortable alternative to his sport's scratchy wool uniforms. His solution, a soft cotton fleece pullover with a crewneck collar, wound up changing the world of fashion forever.
Noah classic crewneck sweatshirt
Goodlife terry crew
Champion Reverse Weave crewneck sweatshirt
Uniqlo long-sleeve sweatshirt
Pullover Hoodies
Another legendary silhouette that needs no real introduction. Hoodies are an off-duty staple, of course, perfect for bundling up on the couch for a long day of hardcore lounging. But they also bring a relaxed ease to just about any fit, and look right at home under a tailored topcoat or a puffy bomber.
Camber hoodie
J.Crew Heritage 14 oz. fleece hoodie
Russell Athletic Men's Dri-Power pullover fleece hoodie
Everlane felted merino hoodie
Zip-Up Hoodies
Like a loungewear cardigan, zip-up hoodies give you the flexibility to show off whatever you're wearing underneath—be it a killer graphic tee or a hardy flannel button-up—and don't require low-level gymnastics to pull on.
Hanes EcoSmart zip hoodie
Flint and Tinder 10-Year zip-up hoodie
Colorful Standard classic organic zip hoodie
Fractional Zip Sweatshirts
Those half-zips and quarter-zips your pops used to wear when coaching your childhood soccer team? They're cool as all hell right now. Leave ‘em unzipped to show off that wild new necklace you just copped, or zip up straight to the top when a cold wind blows in from nowhere.
Carhartt WIP half-zip American script sweat
Noah track hoodie
Nike Solo Swoosh oversize quarter zip sweatshirt
Comfort Colors 1/4 zip sweatshirt
Graphic Sweatshirts
When you want your sweatshirt to say more than just “I'm warm and stylish," these streetwear staples have got your back. Think of hoodies and sweatshirts as blank canvases—the only limit is the artist's imagination. Graphic hoodies and sweatshirts can incorporate classic collegiate-style lettering or screenprinted logos or trippy kaleidoscopic dye jobs—sometimes all three! They can give a peek into your own personality and rep everything from your hometown to your favorite band. And just like a good pair of blue jeans, the best graphic hoodies get even better with every wear as the prints crack and fade.
Noah St. Michael hoodie
Online Ceramics 'Fossil Fool' sweatshirt
Gucci sequin hoodie
Nike SB fleece Realtree allover print hoodie
Basic Sweatshirts
We know what you're thinking: Kind of redundant, GQ! Aren't all these sweatshirts basic? We hear you. But this category is our little love letter to the everyday sweatshirts you can stroll into any mall in America and stock up on for less than $50 a pop. The kind you have seven of in your drawer as we speak, that you can pull on anytime for any purpose, that you can always rely on. Basic sweats, we salute you.
Carhartt loose fit midweight sweatshirt
Gildan heavy blend full zip hoodie
Uniqlo sweat pullover long-sleeve hoodie
Fruit of the Loom crewneck sweatshirt (2-pack)
Elevated Sweatshirts
From upgraded materials to thoughtful design details, these not-so-basic basics are well worth the price of admission. We adore the cheap and cheerful crewneck, for sure. But upgraded materials like Supima cotton and cashmere, as well as next-level details like loopwheeled construction and flatlock seams, all add up to an experience that's totally distinct from anything under $100.
Reigning Champ mid weight terry pullover hoodie
John Elliott thermal lined hoodie
Lady White Co. '44 fleece
Handvaerk pima cotton sweatshirt
Vintage Sweatshirts
It can sometimes take years before a sweatshirt looks and feels just right. Buying vintage helps you sidestep that process completely, with hoodies and crewnecks that have gone through the ringer and come out looking incredible on the other side. It can sometimes be a bit of a crapshoot finding the perfect vintage model, but it's well worth the hunt.
Russell Athletic vintage hoodie
Champion vintage hoodie
Fruit of the Loom vintage crewneck
Healthknit vintage short-sleeve sweatshirt
Turtleneck Sweatshirts
Consider these a 2-piece scarf-sweater combo. When it's truly frigid outside, you'll want to protect your neck. These mock and turtleneck sweatshirts let you do just that in as cozy a form as possible.
Todd Snyder x Champion midweight turtlenck sweatshirt
Patagonia lightweight Synchilla Snap-T fleece pullover
Essentials relaxed sweatshirt
Oliver Spencer Calstock zipped organic-cotton terry track top
Lightweight Sweatshirts
You don't have to give up on your go-to sweatshirts when spring rolls around. Made from lightweight cottons, linen blends, and even modern synthetic materials, these are the ideal in-between layers for sunny-but-cool days.
Uniqlo stretch dry sweat pullover
Lululemon Lab fleece crew pullover
Faherty slub cotton hoodie
Alternative Apparel eco zip hoodie
Workout Sweatshirts
Whether you're training in inclement weather or simply doing battle with an overzealous air conditioner at the gym, these performance-minded sweatshirts will keep you in tip-top shape. They'll definitely feel different than the classic sweatshirts that Mr. Russell was churning out back in his day—athletic hoodies and sweatshirts are built with fast-drying materials and stretchy fibers to help you maximize those gains.
Rhone Essentials training hoodie
Lululemon Surge Warm half-zip
Nike Yoga Dri-FIT full-zip jacket
Adidas Essentials fleece 3-stripes full-zip hoodie
Short-Sleeved Sweatshirts
Because sometimes, you just gotta go full meathead. Short-sleeved sweatshirts have been around for decades, but they still remain a somewhat advanced move in the sweatshirt world. Layer up with a long-sleeve thermal for a rough-and-tumble look or rock it solo like a regular T-shirt.
Essentials V-neck vest
Todd Snyder x Champion midweight short sleeve sweatshirt
Polo Ralph Lauren USA fleece short-sleeve sweatshirt
3.1 Phillip Lim shirttail sweatshirt