KOTIS PICKS / HOODIES
The best hoodies to elevate your branded merch
Has there ever been a more coveted apparel item that can balance both comfort and style? The hoodie is the Swiss Army knife of clothing– find your favorite one and you have something perfect for a Netflix marathon or a night out with friends.
After testing, washing, wearing, and living in over 40 of our best sellers and personal favorites, we created a list of the best hoodies in categories you request the most.
KOTIS PICKS / T-SHIRTS
The best t-shirts for branded merch
T-shirts – it doesn’t get any more quintessential to the branded merch scene than this piece of apparel we all wear daily. It’s a blank canvas that can have infinite decoration, messaging, and color possibilities for your brand. And there can also be infinite number of t-shirts to choose from. To help, we’ve researched and tested hundreds of tees over the years. Here are all the styles we recommend.
* Pricing based on 1 location, 1-color imprint
Marine Layer Sunset Hoodie
Lightweight and durable
Overwhelmingly the staff favorite, this absurdly soft hoodie slid right into home for Kotis’ overall pick. The fabric is breathable and lighter weight, made from 50/50 Supima cotton and Micromodal. It layered nicely over our T-shirts and under our coats, a perfect year-round garment. We wished that there were more than 4 standard colors, but it gets bonus points for offering a women’s option and it’s made in the USA.
as low as $79 *
Rhone Heritage Midweight Hoodie
The ultimate upscale hoodie
You get what you pay for, and this hoodie is no exception. Even before we tried it on, we could see and feel the difference in the fabric and construction. It’s loose enough to wear something under it, and fitted enough to feel fashionable. The stitching on the shoulders screams upscale retail, and the slight contrasting in the wrist and waist bands look sharp. 10/10, no notes, love this hoodie.
as low as $132 *
Legends Hawthorne Tech Hoodie
Premium design, gym-ready
We loved the scuba hood, the high-end construction, and the fit. It has a unique curved hem and it’s made from a moisture wicking material- perfect for those pickleball tournaments. Every detail was thought about and perfected- down to the rubber ends of the drawstring. We wish there was a ladies companion option, but if women size down, this hoodie should fit like a dream.
See what our CEO has to say about his fave hoodie >
as low as $169 *
Organic Allmade French Terry Pullover Hoodie
Responsibly created, start to finish
For the truly eco-conscious, this Allmade hoodie is not only a treat to wear, but it’s also got some big points in the sustainability category. Starting with the 100% organic cotton fabric, this product is made from the earth and will return to the earth when it’s time to say goodbye. Allmade is proud to report that this hoodie is carbon footprint neutral through the ClimeCo Certified Product Program.
as low as $47 *
District V.I.T. Fleece Hoodie
Price conscious without sacrificing style and comfort
Getting a hoodie on a budget doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice comfort and style, and we found one that offers both. Boasting an impressive 36 colors, and sizes from XS-4XL the VIT fleece is a little something for everyone. Compared to the other picks that we tested, this held up well to multiple washes and wears. There was some pilling under the arms that started showing after several wash cycles, but very minor compared to other budget picks we tested. Function, fun, and frugal.
as low as $26 *
Champion Reverse Weave Hooded Sweatshirt
Traditional looser fit
We tested a handful of our heavyweight top dogs, and Champion’s Reverse Weave was our favorite. It handled multiple trips to the laundry without shrinking, had a nice loose fit with a long torso and arms, and kept us warm during these cooler testing days. The knotted ends of the hood string leave a little to be desired, but all around this is a great fit, great brand, with a handful of really nice color options.
as low as $69 *
Independent Trading Co. Lightweight Fitted Zip Hooded Sweatshirt
Lightweight and durable
At 7.5oz, this lightweight hoodie was perfect on its own during a mild fall day or layered up with a vest for cooler days. We loved the modern color pallete, the double string hoodie pulls, the slimmer fit, and the durability after 10 washes. This garment will stand the test of time in both style and functionality. We wished there was a companion garment for women, but if ladies size down, this should be a fit for all.
as low as $32 *
Cut & Sew Zip Hoodie – Kotis Custom
A hoodie built from the ground up
Our Kotis custom hoodies are one of our favorite projects to take on with our more adventurous customers. If you have 3+ months from concept to wear, and a minimum order of 150 units, there’s a buffet of options waiting for you. Visit our custom hoodie page to see examples of past projects and unique options to outfit your team in something truly amazing.
as low as $36 *
Looking for more hoodies?
These are just our top picks, we can find whatever you need.
Additional info and FAQs
Pullover vs zip
We sell more pullover hoodies than we do zip, but it’s often a close race. People have their preferences, so how do you decide when ordering swag for your crew or customers?
Something to consider when purchasing pullover hoodies is they tend to be more economical in an apples-to-apples comparison. Many argue they offer a more streamlined, uniform appearance and better heat retention.
On the flip side, the zip up hoodie is favored among those who don’t want to mess up their hair or makeup. It’s easier to control temperature (pointed out by my MIL who frequently suffers from hot flashes), and easier to layer.
While both styles offer warmth and casual comfort, the choice between them typically depends on personal preference and the specific requirements of the wearer’s activities and climate
Sustainability
We often are asked to showcase sustainable apparel to our customers. Many brands will claim their garment made from recycled plastic bottles is eco-friendly, but is it truly?
Benefits to using recycled plastic:
1. Waste Reduction: They help reduce plastic waste by repurposing bottles that might otherwise end up in landfills or oceans.
2. Resource Efficiency: Producing recycled polyester uses fewer resources compared to virgin polyester, reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
3. Durability: Recycled polyester is durable and long-lasting, potentially reducing the need for frequent replacements.
Drawbacks:
1. Microplastic Pollution: Washing these garments can release microplastics into waterways, contributing to environmental pollution.
2. Energy Use: The recycling process itself requires energy and resources, though generally less than producing new polyester.
3. End-of-Life: Like most synthetic fibers, recycled polyester is not biodegradable, posing disposal challenges at the end of its lifecycle.
While recycled bottle shirts are a step towards sustainability, their overall impact depends on responsible production, usage, and disposal practices. We chose a 100% organic cotton hoodie as our sustainable pick because the garment was well made, and the fabric is biodegradable (among the many other things tentree does for sustainability). While you can argue that cotton production has its own downfalls, we believe the overall impact has a higher sustainability rating.
How we picked our winners
There are hundreds of hoodies we could choose from, so how do we even start? We start by asking great questions of our suppliers, Kotisans, and customers to narrow our search. Once we selected our contenders per category, the test was ready to begin.
The samples showed up at roughly the same time, and we tried them on to get a sense of the initial fit. Then, off to a nice warm bath they went. Each of them went in a warm water cycle and dried off in a low tumble- in accordance with most of the label instructions. Those that very noticeably shrank and changed shape, were out. If they came out with the beginnings of pilling, they were out. One didn’t make the cut because the neck opening was too small for my head to comfortably fit through after a few laundry cycles.
We tested these for over a month, cycling through the finalists until we were certain of the results. I personally took my hoodies skiing, hiking, out in town, and to work. Some categories had clear winners right off the bat, others had so many great options it was difficult to choose a winner.
Ultimately, the hoodie choice is yours and we’re here to help listen to your needs and wants and recommend the best option. We’ve done our homework and we’re here to be your expert.
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