Best Heavyweight Hoodie: Camber 232 Cross-Knit Heavyweight Hooded Sweatshirt
Camber’s shored up a sizable following over the decades, even with months-long lead times that have become par for the course. Though the patience required to get your own Camber hoodie certainly adds to the lore, the proof is in the hoodie. The custom-developed cross-knit fabric is incredibly dense and impressively durable (we’re talking decades-long-wear-durable).
Not only does Camber produce all of its hoodies in its Pennsylvania factory, the brand does it using US-made materials. Each piece is cut with obsessive craftsmanship by sewers who have been with the company for longer than most people have been at multiple companies. The cross-knit hoodie was originally built off the inspiration of the iconic Champion Reverse Weave hoodie, but time and customer enthusiasm has proven that it has far exceeded its muse. Are there heavier hoodies on this list? Yes. Are there any that do it better? No.
Materials: 100% cotton | Fabric Weight: 12 ounces | Sizes: S-6XL | Colors: 11 colors
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What to Look for in a Great Hoodie
A hoodie is a hoodie is a hoodie, right? Not exactly. The details that separate the bad from the good from the great might seem inconsequential, but they add up fast. It all comes down to materials, construction, and fit. Mike Belgue, Brand Director for Reigning Champ says it all starts with the raw materials. “Superior cotton creates superior yarns, which are knit into the best terrys and fleeces.”
If you’re after a really warm hoodie, it’s all about the fabric. The warmest hoodies will use thick, heavyweight fabrics which normally start at about 12 ounces, or 400 GSM, and go up from there. Oftentimes, warmer hoodies are made of a brushed fleece which has made using an industrial comb that brushes one side of the fleece for a fluffy feel that also improves heat retention. For even better heat retention, some hoodies use a double-faced fabric, often with some kind of jersey or French terry for the exterior and a waffle-knit thermal fabric for the interior. But hoodies come in more materials than the usual cotton or cotton-poly French terry you’re used to seeing.
Designers are crafting hoodies from all kind of materials like cashmere, wool, fleece, even super technical performance fabrics, each with their own unique properties and advantages. Regardless of the material, high-quality fabrics use long staple fibers which are both strong and smooth.
The most sought-after hoodies will use extremely rare loopwheel machines which are famed for their particular knitting style which uses the natural tension of gravity to knit a fabric that’s unparalleled density and softness. Additionally, loopwheel fabrics are knit without any side seams which makes them more durable and comfortable.
After fabric comes construction. Belgium says details like gussets and flatlock stitching “create a garment that feels great from the inside out, while allowing freedom of movement, without any funny draping.” Flatlock stitching is often seen on higher-end hoodies since they’re produce a smoother, flatter seam that sits more flush and comfortably against the body.
Ribbing at the hem and cuffs should stretch and retain their shape after years of wear. Zippers should operate smoothly without jamming or snapping (obviously). Here, YKK zippers are a great option, but fancy hoodies will use zippers from brands like RiRi or Lampo. Grommets for drawstrings should be flush with smooth edges.
When it comes to fit, it’s all subjective. But generally speaking, the shoulder should sit at or just below your shoulder bones. The body should have room for range of motion and potential capacity for burritos. Classic lengths should fall right at the hips or just below your belt line. Belgue keeps it simple and says, “The fit is personal. It’s whatever feels best for what your vibe is.”
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