<p>For <a href=”https://www.esquire.com/style/mens-fashion/g13989996/cheap-sweaters-for-men/” target=”_blank”>winter</a> and <a href=”https://www.esquire.com/style/mens-fashion/g3307/best-shorts-spring-summer/#product-91feb209-6376-4f00-a0b7-dffa6a7aa77d” target=”_blank”>spring</a> the quarter zip is easy to layer, so feel free to throw on any <a href=”https://www.esquire.com/style/g1323/best-peacoats-for-men-2012/” target=”_blank”>coat</a> or <a href=”https://www.esquire.com/style/mens-fashion/a39225317/mens-jackets-coats-types/” target=”_blank”>jacket</a> atop it for your outdoor commutes. Worn solo, it’s a vibe, too; the style is classically collegiate, but these versions are a bit more <a href=”https://www.esquire.com/style/mens-fashion/g41955416/casual-blazers-for-men/” target=”_blank”>elevated</a> and adult (it helps that they aren’t stamped with the crest from some random university). You can zip ’em to your chin, or leave them slightly undone for a <a href=”https://www.esquire.com/style/mens-fashion/g45326889/best-white-oxford-shirts-men/” target=”_blank”>collar</a> effect. Either way, they look dope.</p><p>Here, we have the best styles for just about any setting. Under Armour and Adidas make <a href=”https://www.esquire.com/lifestyle/health/g32213300/best-home-workout-gear-subscriptions/” target=”_blank”>athletic-driven</a> quarter zips that keep you warm—but not <em>hot</em>—during a <a href=”https://www.esquire.com/lifestyle/health/a38684543/amazon-home-gym-workout-equipment-sale/” target=”_blank”>workout</a>. Polo Ralph Lauren, Mack Weldon, and Rag & Bone have chic, classy styles that you can totally <a href=”https://www.esquire.com/style/mens-fashion/g26414563/best-work-pants/” target=”_blank”>wear to work</a>, and if you just want something basic to throw on and go, Amazon Essentials, Alo Yoga, and Land’s End can certainly help with that. Here are the 12 best quarter zip sweaters to level up your layering this winter.<em></em></p>” data-next-head/>
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Every product was carefully curated by an Esquire editor. We may earn a commission from these links. Here’s how we test products and why you should trust us.
best classic quarter zip
Polo Ralph Lauren Estate-Rib Quarter Zip Pullover
Pros
- Timeless style
- Mock neck isn’t too high
Cons
- Buyers report the fabric is thinner than expected
PRL’s quarter zip gives distinct old-money vibes—can’t you just picture a suburban dad wearing it? It’s chic without being too pricey, with an embroidered logo that adds some flair. Plus, opting for a classic color and silhouette is the best way to do a quarter-zip. With a vented hem and soft, brushed feel, Polo Ralph Lauren does “classic” better than most.
best simple quarter zip
Mack Weldon Prime Cotton Half-Zip
Pros
- Anti-abrasion fabric
- Zippered pockets for security
Cons
- Buyers report it runs long
Mack Weldon has a midweight option for when you want something that performs and looks fantastic. With a French rib jacquard texture, this sweater feels—and looks—damn nice, and is just as easy to dress down with joggers and sneakers as it is to dress up with pleated pants and loafers. It’s the perfect in-between for a cold winter’s day; style it as you please, for work or for play.
best flexible quarter zip
Alo Yoga Conquer 1/4 Zip Reform Long Sleeve
Pros
- Soft, sueded finish
- Very breathable
Cons
- Runs slim
For seamlessly slipping between workouts and hangouts, I always look for something as versatile as Alo’s quarter zip. This is a thinner, slim-fitting style that’s basically like a chic second skin. It moves with you, and has an unmatched flexibility that allows you to wear it even during a workout or run.
best athletic quarter zip
Lululemon Steady State Half Zip
Pros
- Breathable, lightweight fabric
- Roomy fit is great for layering
Cons
- Buyers report it shrinks in the wash and recommend sizing up
Lululemon’s cozy athleisure pieces are some of the best out there, ’cause they work just as well for bingeing a Netflix show on the couch for a solid workout. With a deep zipper, six color options, and a relaxed silhouette, Lululemon’s take on the style is ready for anything.
best luxe quarter zip
Sunspel Half Zip Loopback Sweatshirt
Pros
- Insulating loop stitch
- Classic, comfortable fit
Cons
- No pockets
Every time I think Sunspel can’t possibly produce an even softer garment than its last, I’m proven wrong. Take this ridiculously comfortable, cozy quarter zip, for instance. Sporty, effortless, and cool, this sweater looks just as good with track pants as it does with raw denim or khakis. I wear mine pretty much all the time during winter, under blazers, with jeans, or with sweats.
best high-end quarter zip
John Smedley Tapton Merino Wool Half-Zip Sweater
Pros
- Easy to dress up or down
- Breathable and soft
Cons
- Fits slim for those with broad shoulders
My father, a certified king of quarter-zips, insists that John Smedley makes one of the best quarter-zips out there. And with a soft, lightweight merino wool construction that sits close to the body for a nicely tailored effect, I’m inclined to believe he’s right.
best versatile quarter zip
Patagonia Better Sweater Quarter Zip
Pros
- Raglan sleeve construction for mobility
- Easy to dress up or down
Cons
- Limited pocket storage space
Outdoorsy folks know all about the glory of Patagonia’s quarter-zip, but you don’t have to be a hiking fiend to get plenty of use out of this number. With its flat-seam construction, zippered chest pocket, and soft, knit fleece fabric, this quarter-zip is just as functional for your 9-to-5 as it is for your next outdoor adventure.
best non-mock neck quarter zip
Rag & Bone Clarkson Quarter-Zip Sweater
Pros
- Made from a warm wool fabric
- Roomy relaxed fit
Cons
- Dry clean only
If you prefer a more sweater-like feel on your quarter-zip, and no mock neck, this one from Rag & Bone fits the bill. The ribbed collar, cuffs, and waistband resemble your favorite knit pullover—and the suede trim around the sipper adds a more luxe touch.
How We Picked
Every time I try a new quarter zip, it has to pass some rigorous tests. Comfort is the first factor—if the fabric isn’t soft, it isn’t even coming home with me from the office. Next is cut, or fit—everybody has a different preference on this, so I look for styles that fit the way they claim to, and standout styles that just so happen to fit perfectly, with enough room for layering as the seasons get colder.
All quarter zips on this list are chosen because our picky editors love them. They meet our standards, and the standards of thousands of reviewers across the Internet, who all have different preferences and sizes, and love these options anyway.
Why You Can Trust Esquire
We’re not going to say something is great unless it’s actually great. Every product in Esquire’s round-ups is carefully curated by our fashion and e-commerce teams.
When it comes to quarter-zips, you can rest assured that we’re hand-selecting styles that we’ve personally tested, tried, and loved, along with styles that the rest of our stylish colleagues here at Esquire endorse. With endless options on the market, we’ve had to go through a lot of trial and error, and we narrowed it down to these quarter-zips that are simply the best.
Every pick on this list (and our other lists!) comes from years of wearing different things, seeing what we love and what we don’t, and going from there. No two tastes are the same, and no two men are the same. Your proverbial mileage may vary. But if you’re looking for the right place to start, with advice from folks who and care (possibly too much!) about this sort of stuff, this is the place to be.
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