Buying guide for Best men’s pullover fleece hoodies
Men’s casual fashion should be comfortable and functional. It should also be versatile and affordable. While not every garment falls into this category, there is one that checks all the boxes: the pullover fleece hoodie.
Once the leading apparel pick for jocks and college students, men’s pullover fleece hoodies are now a part of nearly every man’s wardrobe. The design is simple, but it satisfies everything one needs in outerwear and indoor leisurewear. With pockets and varying levels of weight, you can enjoy storage, warmth, and even a little bit of style. Best of all, hoodies match just about any outfit. If you’re hard-pressed for something to wear, you can usually rely on a pullover fleece hoodie to top off a look.
Key considerations
Fleece
Fleece makes up the lining of pullover fleece hoodies. It’s soft as well as insulating and gives the hoodie its sought-after comfort. Fleece also keeps you warm without adding bulk to the garment.
Hood
The signature feature of the hoodie, the hood itself is either lined or unlined. Unlined versions feature fleece, while lined versions can have layers of mesh or even sherpa. Hoods tend to be oversized to allow ample room for your head and neck area, leaving plenty of space for scarves, hats, and some helmets.
Kangaroo pocket
The kangaroo pocket is the pullover’s large outer pocket that covers the stomach area. It’s oversized to fit both hands comfortably. In some styles, the pocket is double-lined to function as a hand-warmer. Given the reinforced stitching and design, kangaroo pockets are ideal for storing keys and phones.
Drawstring
The hood’s drawstring is the only adjustable feature on most traditional hoodies. It’s normally made of rope or nylon webbing. Some drawstrings feature knots, whereas others have aglets, the plastic or metal tubes at the ends.
Cuffed waist and wrists
To improve fit and add warmth, hoodies have a cuffed waist and wrists. These have a bit of a stretch to them, either from the weave or the material blend. Without these cuffed areas, the wearer would be susceptible to drafts.
Material weight
Hoodies are classified as lightweight, medium weight, or heavyweight. Lightweight styles tend to have a looser weave and often feel noticeably thinner. Medium-weight and heavyweight hoodies have tighter weaves and often much thicker fleece.
Size range
Men’s pullover fleece hoodies come in sizes small through 5XL. Depending on the brand, certain sizes cost more, usually 3XL and larger.
Features
Design
Men’s pullover fleece hoodies most commonly come in solid neutral colors, particularly heather gray, charcoal, dark blue, and black. Many brands feature 10 or more colors to choose from, and some offer prints like camo or stripes. Hoodies manufactured by athletic apparel brands often feature enlarged logos across the chest area or down the sleeves.
Materials
Men’s pullover fleece hoodies are typically made of cotton and polyester blends. Generally speaking, the less cotton, the more expensive the hoodie tends to be. While polyester is a relatively inexpensive material, a cotton/polyester blend has better overall integrity, making for a better quality and more expensive hoodie. There are also some hoodies that feature blends that include nylon and other elastic materials.
Bonus features
Some men’s pullover fleece hoodies have bonus features, such as additional media pockets to hold phones or other electronics. Certain hoodies are manufactured to be odor-resistant and moisture-wicking, which are ideal for active individuals. Pre-shrunk is also a popular feature for hoodies with a high cotton content.
Men’s pullover fleece hoodie prices
Men’s pullover fleece hoodies cost between $20 and $100, mostly depending on the weight and brand.
Inexpensive: Budget-friendly pullover fleece hoodies cost between $20 and $30 and mostly consist of lightweight and medium-weight styles. They often have a larger cotton content in their blend, so they’re somewhat susceptible to shrinking.
Mid-range: These pullover fleece hoodies cost between $30 and $60. These come in all weights and include some styles manufactured by leading athletic apparel brands. They tend to feature better quality material blends that retain their shape and hold up to frequent washing.
High-end: Premium pullover fleece hoodies are priced between $60 and $100. They are made with the highest-quality materials and come in all weights. These styles often include features like moisture-wicking and odor control or feature brand logos sprawled across the chest.
Tips
- Wash logos inside out. Keep your hoodie’s logo looking its best by washing the hoodie inside out. Not only will this protect the logo, it also reduces fading of the hoodie’s exterior colors.
- Wash with bleach-free detergent. Stick to bleach-free detergent, especially if you’re washing dark or colored hoodies. Otherwise, you’ll end up with premature fading as well as tiny bleach spots.
- Pull the hood over your coat collar. If you need to wear a coat over your hoodie, pull the hood over the collar of the coat for a comfortable, bulk-free fit.
- Buy multiple hoodies. If you have a favorite hoodie, buy more than one. That way you can rotate or replace the hoodie when necessary.
FAQ
Q. What’s the best neutral color for a men’s pullover fleece hoodie? I want it to match the majority of my wardrobe.
A. Dark heather gray is one of the most popular options, followed by light heather gray, dark blue, and white. These colors match jeans, athletic apparel basics, and home leisurewear. They also tend to maintain fade-free color, even with frequent washing, which isn’t always the case with black and other colors.
Q. I accidentally pulled the drawstring out of my hoodie. Now what?
A. It’s easy to put it back inside in five minutes or less. All you need is a safety pin, and the larger, the better. Attach the pin to one end of the unknotted drawstring and insert it into the hood hole. Continue pushing it through, pulling by the pin, until it comes out the opposite end. Remove the pin and double-knot each side of the drawstring.
Q. Do I really need a hoodie, or can I just stick to a traditional sweatshirt?
A. There are some major perks to hoodies in terms of design features that traditional sweatshirts don’t have. For one, sweatshirts obviously don’t have a hood, so if you need protection in inclement weather, you’re out of luck. You’ll be missing out on the hoodie’s signature kangaroo pocket, too, so that means no options for storage or hand warmth. Sweatshirts also tend to have a square cut, which hits at belt level. If you want more coverage over your lower back and bottom, a hoodie is the way to go.
