Best Full-Zip Sweaters for Men
Upgrade Your Transitional Layering With These Full-zip Sweaters
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When spring finally rolls into town, bringing with it welcome warmth and the occasional (or more than occasional) breezy, blustery today, you need a full toolbox of men’s style essentials at your disposal. Sure, that includes a trusty trench coat and handy rain boots, but look to variety and versatility with the rest of your #OOTD: The best full-zip sweaters are a remixed version of the style you’ve been wearing all winter, with just as much form and function in the mix.
A full-zip sweater is a visual swerve from a crewneck or V-neck sweater, but works just as well in the same scenarios (at the office, out on a weekend park stroll or imbibing a happy hour Old Fashioned, for instance). It’s less formal than, say, a V-neck sweater, but not as rugged as the shawl collar cardigan: It’s assuredly another tool in your style toolkit this spring, and it’s also more polished than a hoodie.
The best full-zip sweaters aren’t quite jacket-weight, nor are they as lightweight as a linen cardigan — again, it’s a handy option when you want a slight departure from the norm. They can function as a grab-and-go layer atop a graphic tee or henley, but we say you should feel free to wear it with a crisp Oxford shirt at your 9-to-5 (or on your next Zoom call).
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Usually featuring stretch fabric and a few useful pockets, a full-zip sweater is also a reliable travel style move. Sold on another spring sweater? Here are some favorites to consider ASAP.
Todd Snyder Merino Full-Zip Sweater
Full-zip sweaters have both an easygoing sensibility and a touch of utility. Throw on one at home and you’re ready for your next virtual meeting, or wear one as a layer beneath a blazer for an evening outing. Find one that can do both, and that’s all the better — Todd Snyder has you covered with a refined take on the style, complete with hard-working, comfortable merino wool fabric. The double-layer neck should hold its shape over time, while the two-way zipper provides customized fit options.
$415 at ToddSnyder.com
Bonobos Refined Full-Zip Sweater
While most full-zip sweaters are a bit too lightweight to function as a jacket on its own through the most breezy of spring days, Bonobos ramps things up ever so slightly with a hybrid bomber-sweater. Recycled nylon and merino wool deliver both stretch and a soft handfeel, and ribbed wrist cuffs provide a secure fit. The bomber collar, with a contrasting stripe, is what separates this handsome sweater from the pack. Be sure to pair it with tan Bonobos chinos the next time you want an air of effortless spring cool.
$149 at Bonobos.com
Buck Mason Brushed Loopback Track Jacket
With the comfort of a gym-ready sweatshirt and the polished cool of an old-school track jacket, Buck Mason delivers on a super-soft variation on the full-zip sweater for spring. The brushed loopback fabric is perfectly faded, giving it the appeal of a vintage piece you’ve had for years, while the stand-up collar is a functional touch that protects your neck and frames your face. All that’s missing is a pair of expertly worn-in Buck Mason jeans and some high-top canvas kicks.
$95 at BuckMason.com
Capranea JATZ Sweater
The best full-zip sweaters are ever-so-slightly luxurious, like the kind you’d find at a sleek apres-ski bar in the Italian Alps. If that sounds like something your spring sweater rotation could use, you’re in luck with Capranea’s ridiculously comfortable, alpine-inspired full-zip sweater. The rib knit sleeves and collar complete what the brand calls an “elegant look,” while the shearling-lined collar delivers warmth and extra coverage. The best part? It’s made from temperature-regulating merino wool for blustery spring days.
$395 at Capreanea.us
Pendleton Shetland Wool Full Zip Sweater
In need of supreme warmth for your next spring ensemble? Translate your trusty wool sweater for winter into a dependable full-zip option for spring, and rest easy knowing Pendleton makes some of the best sweaters on the planet. This textured full-zip has a bit of throwback appeal, the sort of sweater you could easily see fitting in at a Western lodge after a long day in the field. In the meantime, it looks every bit as cool for weekend style back home alongside dark blue jeans.
$132.92 at Amazon.com
Amazon Essentials Full-Zip Fleece Jacket
Your favorite fleece half or quarter-zip sweater gets a slight upgrade, and at a highly affordable price via Amazon. Sometimes, you want a reliable full-zip sweater you can throw on for ultra-casual situations, all the while retaining warmth and comfort — this fleece jacket is the right move, and it comes in a vast array of colors and sizes. Of course, it’s also priced under $30.
From $18.14 at Amazon.com
Icebreaker Merino Full-Zip Athletic Sweater
The great thing about the best full-zip sweaters is the versatility of the style, especially when it comes to active pursuits. The front-zip design provides full coverage and yet mobility on the go, particularly as you hit the trail or pound the pavement on an early morning spring run. Icebreaker has a penchant for delivering highly functional pieces, as evidenced by the performance-focused merino wool, plus offset shoulder seams to reduce friction with other training layers.
$200 at Amazon.com
ASKET Merino Zip Cardigan
ASKET is built around the sustainable idea that you should be able to effortlessly mix and match pieces in your wardrobe, a capsule approach that argues for a “less is more” way of getting dressed. In that sense, the versatile merino zip cardigan — available in a trio of colors meant to be paired with anything — is the perfect full-zip sweater for spring. The chunky ribbed texture gives it some visual (and actual) weight for seasonal layering, while the merino wool is soft, moisture-wicking and antimicrobial.
$230 at ASKET.com
The North Face Full-Zip Jacket
No layer should go unconsidered as you pack up for your next outdoor excursion, including a mid-layer like a fleece jacket. The North Face has the experience and technical know-how to design a jacket that’s both lightweight yet warm, durable yet soft, and outfitted with handy touches like zip pockets for your everyday carry. Don’t hit the trail without it this spring.
From $74.25 at Amazon.com
Sport-Tek Full-Zip Sweater Jacket
Quality and comfort is the name of the game with this stretch-filled sweater jacket, complete with a simple stand-up collar and the sort of go-anywhere versatility you need when on the move. The simple gray color and front slash pockets provide easy going travel style and utility, while the sub-$45 price is practically unmatched as far as the best full-zip sweaters are concerned.
From $35.18 at Amazon.com
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