10 best men’s half-zip jumpers — and what to look for when buying one
INCREDIBLY adaptable and easy to wear, the best men’s half-zip jumpers perfectly bridge the smart-casual divide.
You can dress one up with a shirt and tailored trousers, or go casual with jeans and trainers, but regardless of what you pair with it, a half-zip will look stylish and refined.
Available in a range of fabrics from knitted wool to loopback cotton and fleece, this is a style that’s ideal on its own or worn as part of a layered look.
From key buying considerations through to the best men’s half-zip jumpers on the market, here’s everything you need to know.
Best men’s half-zip jumpers at a glance:
- Best half-zip jumper for hiking: Berghaus
- Best value half-zip jumper: Amazon Essentials
- Best preppy half-zip jumper: Gant
- Best high street half-zip jumper: M&S
- Best premium half-zip jumper: Nudie
- Best half-zip fleece: Lululemon
Berghaus Men’s Prism Micro Polartec Half Zip Fleece
- Berghaus Men’s Prism Micro Polartec Half Zip Fleece, £43 from Amazon – buy here
If you’re after a half-zip with a hiking-inspired design, turn to this Berghaus style.
Made from the brand’s 100% polyester fleece, it comes with a handy zipped pocket at the chest and is finished in a deep blue shade, which pairs especially well with stone or olive green trousers.
Amazon Essentials Men’s Long-Sleeved Quarter-Zip Sweatshirt
- Amazon Essentials Men’s Long Sleeved Quarter-Zip Sweatshirt, £17.10 from Amazon – buy here
Amazon Essentials can be relied upon for its basics, which are often made with minimal detailing and easy, regular fits.
This half-zip is no different, with soft fleece-like fabric and ribbed cuffs giving it a laid-back feel.
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Gant Original Half-Zip Sweatshirt
- Original Half-Zip Sweatshirt, £95 from Gant – buy here
Known for its preppy staples, Gant produces some of the best half-zip jumpers out there.
This one is made from a cotton-polyester blend and comes with a sturdy metal zip which can be done up for warmth or left open for a more relaxed look. It’s also available in a range of six equally wearable colours.
Crew Clothing Classic Half Zip Sweater
- Classic Half Zip Sweatshirt, £65 from Crew Clothing – buy here
In a mid-grey shade and with a soft, brushed inside, this half-zip by Crew Clothing is perfectly suited to casual, off-duty wardrobes.
Made from a cotton/polyester blend and coming with subtle branding at the chest, try wearing it with black jeans and a white tee underneath, and you can’t go wrong.
Cos Half-Zip Sweatshirt
- Half-Zip Sweatshirt, £59 from COS – buy here
COS is always worth heading to for slightly more directional takes on classic items, as shown by this half-zip.
Finished in bottle green and coming with a pointed collar and a relaxed fit, it’s an ideal alternative to a hoodie or regular sweatshirt.
M&S Collection Pure Cotton Half Zip Sweatshirt
- M&S Collection Pure Cotton Half Zip Sweatshirt, £30 from M&S – buy here
M&S can always be relied upon for staple pieces, from its outerwear through to its well-made denim jeans.
Its sweats are also consistent, as evidenced by this deep red, pure cotton sweatshirt.
Nudie Jeans August Zip
- August Zip Racing Green, £185 from Nudie Jeans – buy here
Nudie Jeans produces some of the best denim on the market, but that shouldn’t mean the rest of its range should be overlooked.
Take this half-zip sweater as an example. It comes in a soft, 100% organic wool with a ribbed texture, and is finished with a metal zip for a subtle flash of gold.
Gap Rib Half-Zip Jumper
- Rib Half-Zip Jumper, £38 from Gap – buy here
If you’re going to buy just one half-zip jumper, this Gap version would be a great shout.
Finished in a deep navy and cut in a ribbed 100% cotton, it’s warm, stylish and comfortable.
Superora Knitted Half-Zip Pullover
- Superora Mens Long-Sleeve Sweater Knitted Half Zip Pullover, £29.99 from Amazon – buy here
For a half-zip with a difference, look to this Superora design, which has a thin cable knit stitched finish, giving it plenty of texture compared to regular, flatter fabrics.
Made with a slim fit and a short, quarter zip, it’s a comfortable, smart casual design that will work with jeans or chinos.
Lululemon Oversized Fit Fleece Half-Zip
- Oversized Fit Fleece Half-Zip, £128 from Lululemon – buy here
If you’re in the market for an oversized half-zip, this Lululemon number will do the trick.
Made from a soft fleece fabric, it’s cut in a loose, relaxed fit that makes it ideal for layering while remaining exceptionally comfortable.
How to style a half-zip sweater
The beauty of a half-zip is in its versatility. While an oversized, colourful cotton number will look great with a cap, jeans, and trainers for a casual spring outfit, it’s also perfectly easy and acceptable to integrate one into a smart outfit; you can even wear a slim-fitting grey, black or navy half-zip over a shirt and tie with a suit.
For outfit inspiration, it’s always worth looking at how clothing brands style their own half-zip sweaters. For example, we love how GAP pairs its navy jumper with a cap, a green shirt, indigo denim, cream socks and chunky loafers.
Buying considerations
Fabric
Fabric largely dictates the overall look and feel of the half-zip, so it should be one of your first considerations when it comes to investing in one.
Of the many fabric offerings, look out for merino wool, which is both lightweight and soft, and gives the half-zip an easy, smart casual look. This is a style best worn with similarly smart casual pieces like Oxford shirts, chinos and leather shoes, for a versatile, preppy-inspired fit.
Another fabric to look out for though is loopback cotton. This is the same fabric found in classic hoodies and sweatshirts, so it instantly dresses down the half-zip, making it better suited to laid back looks consisting of denim jeans, tees and trainers.
Colour
The half-zip is a great way to introduce a bit of colour to your wardrobe. Whether you opt for the smarter merino wool styles or something made from cotton, look for rich colours of red, green and burnt orange for an instant dose of vibrancy.
If you’d rather stay neutral though you can, as half-zips are commonly available in navy, grey or black, which are three of the easiest shades to wear.
Fit
Fit is an important consideration with any garment. For the half-zip, you don’t want it to be too slim, as that will make it difficult to wear anything underneath it.
The half-zip is best worn above a base layer, whether that’s a shirt, polo or tee, so ensure you find one with a fairly regular fit that is neither too slim nor too boxy.
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