The zip up hoodie is one of those pieces that most men own and almost nobody gets right. Too boxy and it looks like you grabbed it from lost property. Too thin and it collapses after three washes. The zip quality alone is enough to ruin an otherwise decent garment. What we’ve been looking for are hoodies that sit properly across the shoulders, have enough structure to layer under a jacket without bunching, and feel considered without looking like they’re trying to announce themselves. Colour matters here too. The ones worth buying work in the kind of muted, wearable tones that slot into a wardrobe rather than clash with it. We’ve looked at everything from midweight French terry to cotton and recycled blends that actually hold their shape over time. Some of these are elevated enough to wear with a decent trouser. Others are just the best version of a casual staple you’ll reach for constantly. All of them are better than what most men are currently wearing.