The Best Crewneck Sweatshirts

What To Look For

While doing our research for this list, we did our best to seek out crewnecks that exceeded our expectations in terms of comfort, insulation, and durability. Any sweatshirt worth a spot in your closet should provide you with those three things in spades. With all of this in mind, we’ve decided that Champion’s crewneck is the cream of the crop. Its durable polyester-cotton fabric blend offers softness, while its stylishly relaxed fit exemplifies what a sweatshirt should be at the peak of its comfiness. On the other hand, if you’re looking for something a little more colorful, it’d be hard to go wrong with Gildan’s affordable crewnecks. With this many eye-catching colors to choose from, there’s bound to be an ideal choice to suit your taste. Keep reading to find out what we love about the rest of our favorite sweatshirts.

Champion Crewneck Sweatshirt

Gold medalist

With a durable fabric blend and a tastefully relaxed fit, this crewneck looks just as good as it feels.

Best Overall

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If you haven’t yet seen Champion’s crewnecks on the market, where have you been? Equal parts understated and iconic, these crewnecks are seemingly ubiquitous. That’s because their universally appealing design lets them fit into the wardrobes of virtually anyone’s wardrobe, whether you’re a hip fashionista or an everyday Joe. The fabric is durable, the fit is comfortable, and the price is right — what else could you ask for in a basic crewneck sweatshirt?

Pros:

• Wide selection of colors
• Sizes go all the way up to 4XL
• The ribbed cuffs keep their elasticity well

Cons:

• Some might find the fit to be a little boxy

Carhartt Crewneck Sweatshirt

Comfy and casual

This simply stylish crewneck utilizes a midweight construction that feels breathable and insulative.

Runner Up

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As the workwear favorites, Carhartt rarely misses when it comes to offering a solid, utilitarian article of clothing at a good price. This crewneck sweatshirt is no exception. Featuring a practical blend of cotton and polyester, this midweight number is cozy, handsome, and easy to care for since it’s machine-washable. We love the neutral colors it is offered in, too, as they can easily fit into any wardrobe.

Pros:

• The wrist cuffs and waistband are reinforced with spandex to ensure their elasticity
• Doesn’t restrict movement
• Considering the economical price, the fabric seems comparatively high in quality

Cons:

• It does have a Carhartt logo sewed onto the exterior, but it’s small enough not to be garish

Hanes EcoSmart Crewneck Sweatshirt

Warm when it counts

This fleece sweatshirt features pill-resistant fibers that keep it feeling soft and looking nice for longer.

Best On A Budget

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When it comes to crewneck sweatshirts, some of us just want one that’ll get the job done without costing us much money. That seems to be exactly what Hanes intuited when they designed this no-frills crewneck sweatshirt. It isn’t the most striking sweatshirt we’ve ever seen, but in our humble opinion, it looks pretty darn good considering how affordable it is. And as far as comfort is concerned, it’s hard to make any complaints. That’s because, despite its humble price tag, this sweatshirt features Hanes’ EcoSmart fleece.

Pros:

• Doesn’t pill as easily as some sweatshirts
• Decent stitching, so it won’t fray quickly like cheap sweatshirts
• Tearaway tags make it easy to wear without dealing with any lingering itchiness

Cons:

• May not last as long if you put it through the washing machine in a hot water cycle

Nike NSW Club Crewneck Sweatshirt

Ooh la la

With its ultra-soft feel, this premium crewneck can make a worthy addition to anyone's wardrobe.

Premium Pick

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If you’re willing to splurge on a crewneck sweatshirt, it’s tough to beat this one from Nike. Designed with higher-quality material than most, this sweatshirt offers comfort and warmth in spades, especially thanks to the luxurious brushed-back fleece. Thanks to that fleece, the interior feels deliciously soft against the skin, and it retains warmth effectively, too. The colors on offer here are impressive, ranging from bold and vibrant hues to more neutral, understated tones to complement any gent’s wardrobe.

Pros:

• High in quality despite its simple look
• Tends to fit true to size
• An excellent gift for a loved one

Cons:

• May shrink a bit in the dryer unless you run it on a gentle cycle; consider air-drying it

Gildan Crewneck Sweatshirt

Stand out from the pack

This supremely comfortable polyester-cotton crewneck is available in an eclectic array of vibrant color options.

Best Colors

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Gildan has been a reliable producer of crewneck sweatshirts for ages, and there’s good reason for that. People love their low prices, decent quality, and their consistency. But that’s not all that we love about this particular crewneck sweatshirt for Gildan. What sold us here was the enormous range of colors on offer, especially the more unconventional ones. While we think a black, blue, or grey sweatshirt is a must-have in anyone’s wardrobe, we also like being able to choose more unusual colors like gold or purple.

Pros:

• Tends to fit true to size
• Doesn’t shrink easily in the wash
• Its lighter weight makes it great for use in mild temperatures

Cons:

• May not last many seasons

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly does “crewneck” mean?

The designation is used to describe a certain type of neckline on a garment. A crewneck is round and collarless, and it fits snugly around the base of the neck. Compare this to other types of necklines, like V-necks, turtlenecks, scoop-necks, and more.

Why do so many crewneck sweatshirts use polyester in their fabric blends?

The number one reason is an economic one — polyester is cheaper than cotton despite having similar properties. But aside from the cost of producing polyester, the fabric contains other unique benefits which complement cotton nicely. For example, polyester has a silky feel, so it can help the garment feel softer than it would if it was made entirely of cotton. One of cotton’s weaknesses is its tendency to shrink in the wash, but polyester doesn’t suffer from this affliction. By blending some polyester into a fabric material, the resulting mix ends up being cheaper to produce, softer, and more shrink-resistant.

About the Author

If style and fashion tips are what you're after, Duddy is your man. He spent his formative years studying the works of artists, designers, stylists, and curators to learn what pleases the eye. But he isn't just interested in aesthetics — he also seeks out products that balance form with function. Thanks to his many years of reviewing products, he has a keen understanding of what makes a great buy.

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