The best crewneck sweatshirts for men are, if you’ll excuse the cliché, essentials. Plenty of fashion-minded outlets like to use that term pretty liberally, but when it comes to the gray crewneck it’s actually true—next to a plain white T-shirt and a pair of blue jeans, it really is about as essential as it gets. It’s basic in the best way—cozy as a camp fire on the beach, never not wearable, and an integral part of menswear (not to mention cinematic) history.
The Best Crewneck Sweatshirts Shopping Guide
The humble gray crewneck helped Steve McQueen evade capture in The Great Escape, cemented John Travolta’s heartthrob status in Grease, and made Eddie Murphy a badass in Beverly Hills Cop. Paul Newman, the patron saint of laid-back menswear, wore one religiously. And today, a roster of famous—and famously stylish—dudes still put their trust in it. The only difference now is that it comes in a rainbow of different colors and silhouettes, not to mention fabrics far beyond the staid French terry. But for our money, every-dependable gray is still the shade to beat.
The allure is equal parts form and function, a distinct mix of hard-earned ruggedness wrapped in the blanketed exterior of a fine cotton knit. But the style’s enduring popularity also means the market is flooded with spins on the athletic-inspired classic, and finding the right one can feel like more hassle than it’s worth. So to help you chase a menswear icon status of your own, we hunted down all the highest-quality, supremely versatile, absolute best crewneck sweatshirts for men available today. [Insert endlessly quotable movie line here.]
The Best All-Around Crewneck Sweatshirt
Chief among Todd Snyder’s talents is that he knows how garments should fit on actual humans, not stick-thin male models named Sven. This sweatshirt hugs in the right places (biceps, back) and is relaxed where you want it to be (neck, belly). Snyder also isn’t the type to phone it in; every detail on this crewneck, from the wider cuffs to the thicker waistband hem to the chest pocket to the “V” stitch under the collar to the raglan sleeve (the kind that’s attached on an angle to the neck rather than the shoulder), is culled from the kinds of standard-issue sweats guys wore in gymnasiums and on the weekend 50-plus years ago, just reimagined the right way for today’s tastes. Like most of our favorite sweatshirts, it’s crafted from a cotton-and-polyester blend (in this case 80/20) that provides the right mix of structure and softness (as nice to the touch on the outside as it spongy on the inside). All of that—coupled with a perfect shade of heather gray—makes for a sweatshirt that looks good in every situation imaginable, whether you’re hanging out in jeans and Chucks on the weekend or pairing it with an Oxford and tweed blazer at the office.
The Best Affordable Crewneck Sweatshirt
If your sweatshirt budget is decidedly smaller, your first stop should be Russell Athletic, the Alabama sportswear stalwarts who literally invented the crewneck sweatshirt way back in 1926. Almost a century later, they’re still turning out the best bang-for-your-buck fleece crew on the market. It’s got all the classic details that made Russell a household name: ribbing at the cuffs and hem, a V-insert collar, and a classic cut (size down if relaxed ain’t exactly your thing). The midweight 9 oz. fleece is pleasantly soft and warm, and it’s got moisture-wicking properties so if you run a little hot, it won’t emphasize the sweat in ‘sweatshirt’.
The Best Deceptively Dressy Crewneck Sweatshirt
At first glance, this cozy mid-weight crewneck might look like a regular sweatshirt, but upon closer inspection the subtle detailing—elegant dropped shoulders, a gently curved neck opening and smooth banded cuffs at the wrist, all in baby soft cashmere—give it away for the deceptively fancy sweater hybrid that it truly is. This Italian-made crewneck is like the fine leather goods of sweatshirts, meaning you can throw it over your most busted denim or pair it with your finest slacks and you’ll manage to look put together either way. It just has that effect. Oh, and did we mention it’s cashmere? Leave the regular sweats at home and throw this on when it’s time to flex your style muscle—quietly.
The Best Bonfire-Ready Crewneck Sweatshirt
Outerknown, the sustainably-minded California imprint founded by pro surf legend Kelly Slater, makes easy-wearing Angeleno staples that won’t make you look like a beach bum. (Or, for that matter, the beach bum.) Naturally, the brand’s best-selling sweatshirt is cut from a supremely cozy French terry fabric crafted from a blend of slubby hemp and plush, good-for-the-planet organic cotton. The Sur comes in over half a dozen sun-dappled colors, but the heather gray version you’re looking at here is the most versatile by a mile. Sure, you could throw it on with board shorts to keep cozy before an early-morning surf sesh, but it’s sharp enough to pull double-duty at the office when you swap the trunks for chinos, too. You know that warm and fuzzy feeling you get watching the sun set over the water after a long day in the sun? Pulling this guy over your head is like wrapping yourself in that feeling year-round, no beach necessary.
The Best Old-School Crewneck Sweatshirt
No list of the best crewneck sweatshirts would be complete without Champion’s reverse weave joint in the mix. While the Todd Snyder collab nails style and function for the new-school, the OG heavyweight pullover deserves a crown of its own. The sturdy cotton-poly blend is soft but will hold its shape after countless wash cycles (loungewear and pizza go hand in hand—the residual stains do not). Fabric aside, the fit is just right: not too slim, not too baggy, and with slightly dropped shoulders to make your neckline really pop. We pick quality over quantity any day, but with this classic sweatshirt you get the go-to year-round layering piece for the fewest amount of dollar bills.
The Best Crewneck Sweatshirt for Advanced Layering
It should come as no surprise that Fear of God whipped together a pullover that looks even better when layered. The new-school fashion juggernaut’s Essentials line churn’s out eminently wearable everyday basics, and this short sleeve sweatshirt is a prime example. The slightly higher neckline and 3/4 raglan sleeves come together to create a relaxed shape that’s completely chilled out but far more elegant than a typical sweatshirt, while the ample arm space provides prime real estate for your swerviest long-sleeve tees to come out and shine. Pair with matching joggers and you’ve got a certified banger on your hands.
The Best T-Shirt-Like Crewneck Sweatshirt
Not every crewneck sweater needs to be a beefier version of its predecessor. Sometimes, like when fall temperatures are at their most inconsistent, it’s best to decrease the beef, shall we say. Made from moisture-wicking viscose, this lightweight pullover from Lemaire looks and feels like your favorite long-sleeve T-shirt but it’ll keep you several degrees warmer than those cotton blends minus the added bulk. It’s a supremely comfy layer to wear alone while the sun is out and, when the evening chill kicks in, underneath a jacket and paired with pooling sweatpants.
Plus 18 More Crewneck Sweatshirts We Love
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