I personally like to turn to Carhartt for my work hoodies. I use several, and they fit different temperatures and different weather. I like the Carhartt midweight hoodie as my standard hoodie, but I use the Carhartt Rain Defender Heavyweight Hoodie for the cold and rainy days. And I also use that Carhartt Rain Defender Hoodie as a base layer under my work jacket on the brutally cold, wet winter days.
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These are our choices for the best work hoodies:
- Carhartt Men’s Midweight Hooded Sweatshirt (click here to view)
- 1620 USA Pullover Work Hoodie (click here to view)
- Carhartt Men’s Rain-Defender Paxton Heavyweight Hoodie (click here to view)
- Dickies Men’s Pullover Fleece Hoodie (click here to view)
- Filson Heavyweight Prospector Hoodie (click here to view)
- Carhartt Men’s Sherpa-Lined Rain Defender Hoodie (click here to view)
- Caterpillar Men’s Trademark Banner Hooded Sweatshirt (click here to view)
- Hanes Men’s Pullover Ecosmart Fleece Hooded Sweatshirt (click here to view)
- *Big & Tall* Kingsize Fleece Pullover Hoodie (click here to view)
- *Women’s* Carhartt Clarksburg Midweight Graphic Pullover Hoodie (click here to view)
- *Women’s* Carhartt Sherpa-Lined Zip-Front Hoodie (click here to view)
If you are looking for quick information, at the bottom of the article I have a 90-second video where I compare my favorite Carhartt hoodies. As I mentioned above, I like to wear the Carhartt midweight hoodie as my standard hoodie. I think it is perfect to throw in a work truck and use whenever the weather gets a bit colder than expected.
Here’s what my Carhartt midweight work hoodie looks like
I also own several Carhartt Rain-Defender Hoodies that offer more warmth and are also water-repellent. These are not hoodies you want to use on a mild spring day. You will sweat right out of them.
These Carhartt Rain-Defender Hoodies keep me warm in most all temperatures except the bitter cold. Here is a look at my Carhartt Rain-Defender Pullover and my Carhartt Rain-Defender Zip-Front Sherpa Hoodie:
I know not everyone likes a zip-front hoodie, but one thing I really like about Carhartt’s Zip-Front Rain Defender Hoodies is they zip all the way to the base of the chin to provide extra weather protection around the neck.
In this article let’s take a closer look at the best work hoodies. Most workers are just looking for something simple and reliable that they can slip-on when the weather turns bad, but you’ll need to decide if you want a mid-weight hoodie or a heavyweight hoodie for work.
Best Work Hoodies to Wear On-the-Job
Carhartt Men’s Midweight Hoodie
These mid-weight hoodies are probably Carhartt’s most popular type of hoodie. They offer them in several different designs and colors. Here’s a look at my Carhartt midweight pullover hoodie:
This is the current price of the Carhartt mid-weight hooded sweatshirt available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). I personally ordered my normal sizing and it fit perfectly.
This hoodie is made with a cotton/poly blend which helps reduce the amount of shrinking (although mine still shrunk a tiny bit). The fabric is a 10.5-ounce mid-weight fabric.
I use this as my go-to hoodie for work because it is warm enough to take the chill out of a cool day, but isn’t so warm that I sweat out of it within 10 minutes. This is a hoodie that will get you through those 40-50 degree cool spring and fall days (or mild winter days).
That’s personally what I’m looking for in a work hoodie. If it is any colder than that, I’m probably wearing a work jacket anyway. I will also use this hoodie as a base layer under my work jacket, but for extreme cold conditions, I use the Carhartt heavyweight hoodie I own as a base layer instead (we cover it next).
Think of this hoodie as your typical standard hoodie. Not too warm, but warm enough to matter. As I said earlier, I also own some cheap Hanes and Gildan hoodies, and this Carhartt hoodie, even though it’s a mid-weight and not a heavyweight hoodie, is noticeably warmer than those cheap hoodies.
My general advice on this hoodie is to expect it to keep you warm in a cool breeze, but anything under 40-45 degrees you’ll probably either want to turn to a heavyweight hoodie, or to a work jacket.
My size medium weighs 1.62 pounds:
I own the pullover version, but Carhartt also offers the mid-weight version in a zip-front style. Click here to view the zip-front version of this hoodie at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com).
What’s not to like about this hoodie? Well, it’s not made in the USA. I try to wear as much USA-made workwear as possible, but for hoodies I make an exception. There aren’t a lot of hoodies made in the USA, and those that are made in the USA just cost more than what I’m looking to spend on a hoodie (we cover a USA hoodie later).
In my opinion, this Carhartt mid-weight hoodie is a perfect balance – it takes away the chill, but doesn’t make me sweat buckets while working. That’s why to me, it is the best hoodie for work.
Click here to buy this Carhartt mid-weight hoodie available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). Again, in my experience, these fit true-to-size. To read more about sizing, visit our article about Carhartt hoodie sizing.
Carhartt Men’s Rain-Defender Paxton Heavyweight Hoodie
Now we are on to a heavyweight hoodie. This is best used, in my opinion, when temperatures are somewhere between 35-45 degrees. Below that, give me a coat or jacket. Above that, give me a mid-weight hoodie instead.
Here’s what my Carhartt Rain-Defender Paxton Heavyweight Hoodie looks like:
This is the current price of the Carhartt heavyweight hooded sweatshirt available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). I personally ordered my normal sizing, and it fit fine.
Okay, so what’s the difference between this hoodie and the Carhartt mid-weight hoodie we covered first? First of all, being a heavyweight hoodie, this hoodie is warmer.
This isn’t one of those things where if you think about it long enough you can notice a slight difference. No, this heavyweight hoodie is noticeably warmer than the mid-weight hoodie.
Depending on how you use a hoodie, that may be a good thing or a bad thing. To me, I consider the mid-weight (which is still warm in its own right) to be the perfect warmth for a standard work hoodie.
This heavyweight hoodie is so warm, you’ll sweat out of it on a fall day. But, depending on climate, maybe that’s what you need. If you need an ultra-warm hoodie, this is probably your best option.
I don’t use this heavyweight hoodie as much because I use the mid-weight hoodie as my go-to hoodie. But I will use this heavyweight hoodie on those cold, rainy days where it’s not cold enough for a jacket, but the mid-weight hoodie isn’t warm enough.
This heavyweight hoodie I just use to bridge the gap between by standard hoodie, and my winter work jacket. I also like to use this hoodie as a base layer for the middle of winter.
Not only is it very warm, but it also has a water repellent finish. When the weather turns really nasty, this is a nice layer to help keep you warm and dry. If you want to do a deep dive on this hoodie and the other Carhartt Defender Hoodies, visit my article which compares all the Carhartt Rain Defender Hoodies.
I live in Kansas, and although we do see very cold winters, our winters aren’t like the winters in the northern US, etc. If you live in the northern US, this might be a better option for you than the mid-weight hoodie. It comes down to personal preference on warmth.
The heavyweight hoodies use a 13-ounce poly/cotton fabric blend. My size medium heavyweight hoodie weighs 1.98 pounds:
Click here to buy this Carhartt heavyweight hoodie available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). Again, in my experience, these fit true-to-size. To read more, visit our article about Carhartt hoodies.
Carhartt Men’s Sherpa-Lined Rain Defender Hoodie
This is the current price of this Sherpa-lined Carhartt Hoodie (affiliate link takes you to Dungarees.com). This hoodie is very warm, and keeps me warm in basically everything except the bitter cold. This is not for mild temperatures.
The Sherpa lining is very warm and comfortable, but it does make this hoodie bulkier and heavier than other options. My size medium weighs 2.70 pounds and measured at 6.280mm thick, which made this the heaviest and thickest Carhartt Hoodie that I have tried.
What I really like about this hoodie compared to a lot of work hoodies on the market today, is this hoodie zips all the way to the base of my chin. This helps add extra weather protection around my neck.
Regarding design, this hoodie has an internal chest pocket that my phone fits in. It also has the two flap-covered hand-warmer pockets, and there is a small media pocket inside the right hand-warmer pocket.
Overall, this is another very warm hoodie that keeps me warm in most all conditions except for the extreme bitter cold. Yes, calling this a Carhartt insulated hoodie may be a tiny stretch because it uses a lining for warmth, but if you are looking for the warmest Carhartt hoodie, this has to be included.
Choosing between this Sherpa-lined Carhartt Hoodie and the quilt-lined insulated Carhartt hoodie we discussed first might just come down to personal preference on how you like a hoodie to feel. This Sherpa-lined hoodie is warm and soft to the touch, whereas the quilt-lined hoodie feels more like a jacket.
Click here to buy this Sherpa-lined Carhartt Rain Defender Hoodie (affiliate link takes you to Dungarees.com). Again, in my experience this hoodie fits true to size. To read more about this hoodie, visit my Carhartt Sherpa Lined Hoodie review.
Other Work Hoodies to Consider
1620 USA Pullover Work Hoodie
1620 is a workwear company that specializes in making USA-made work clothing using premium materials and construction so that their products hold up longer in comparison to the imported competition.
As I mentioned earlier in the article, I love wearing USA-made workwear, but it can also be a bit pricey. A hoodie for work is just one item that I personally do not want to spend up for. If you prefer American made, 1620 is a nice option.
Click here to view the entire selection of 1620 work hoodies available. Their hoodies have a water-repellent finish and other cool features like a helmet-compatible hood and an internal phone pocket.
Caterpillar Men’s Trademark Banner Hooded Sweatshirt
Caterpillar is another well-known name in industrial equipment and workwear. They have a medium-weight hoodie that is quite popular.
This is the current price of this Caterpillar hoodie for work available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). This is a 10.3-ounce cotton/poly fabric that gives you something to price compare to the medium-weight Carhartt hoodie I recommended at the top.
Filson Prospector Heavyweight Hoodie
Filson is a clothing company based in Seattle WA that has a deep-rooted tradition in providing heavy-duty dependable workwear. Their founder, C.C. Filson, opened shop in 1897 and, at that time, specialized in making ultra-tough, ultra-dependable clothing for stampeders heading north for the Klondike Gold Rush.
This Filson Prospector Hoodie is made using a heavyweight cotton/poly blend that is warm and durable. The hood is oversized so it can fit a wide range of needs on the job. Click here to view this Filson hoodie for work (affiliate link takes you to Filson.com).
Best Women’s Work Hoodie
Most workwear companies also make hoodies specifically for women. This may vary a bit depending on brand, but there are several options to choose from. I’d recommend considering the Carhartt Women’s Clarksburg Hoodie. Here’s what it looks like:
This is the current price of this Carhartt’s women’s work hoodie available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). This is a medium-weight 10.5-ounce cotton/poly fabric (how warm are cotton hoodies).
5 Things to Consider When Buying Work Hoodies
Water-Repellent Hoodie
Do you need a water repellent hoodie? Some hoodies are treated with DWR to provide protection against light precipitation. No, they won’t protect your from a monsoon, but they can help keep you dry during a light rain or snow shower.
Above is a picture of how my Carhartt Rain Defender Hoodies bead up water and prevent it from soaking in. To read more, visit my article about the best Carhartt Rain Defender Hoodies.
Insulated Work Hoodies
Do you need something that is warmer than a simple midweight pullover? I like to use Carhartt’s Insulated Rain Defender Hoodies for colder weather. They keep me warm in everything except the bitter cold.
I mentioned this earlier in the article, but one thing I love about these hoodies is they zip all the way to the base of my chin. Here’s a look at my Carhartt Quilt Lined Rain Defender Hoodie:
You can buy these Carhartt Insulated Hoodies in several styles, including a quilt-lined version, a Sherp-lined version, and a thermal-lined version. If you want to understand the differences, visit my article about the best insulated Carhartt Hoodies.
If you are looking for a summer-friendly hoodie, visit my article about the best lightweight pullovers.
Budget Friendly Hoodies
If you are on a tight budget, this Hanes Ecosmart hoodie is a great option. I actually have owned several of these over the years. I use it more for an around-the-house hoodie, but if you are trying to save some money, this hoodie covers all the basics.
Here’s what mine looks like:
This is the current price of this Hanes Ecosmart hoodie available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). This is a 7.8-ounce fabric so although it is still considered a “medium-weight” this won’t be as warm as some of the other medium-weight hoodies on this list.
But having owned several of these hoodies over the years, again, this hoodie checks all the basic boxes for a hoodie. Easy on and off, front hand-warmer pocket, attached hood, etc. This Hanes hoodie will work just fine as a spring/fall hoodie, or as an additional layer in winter.
Work Hoodie Alternatives
If you don’t like any of the hoodies you see, a shirt jacket is another great option for fall and spring weather. For example, I like the Legendary Whitetails Hooded Flannel Shirt Jacket below:
If a shirt jacket is something you might be interested in, visit our resources linked below to find an option that fits your needs:
- Best flannel lined shirt jackets
- Best Sherpa lined shirt jackets for warmth
- Best wool shirt jackets for fall
- Best durable canvas shirt jackets
- Best zip up shirt jackets
- Best hooded flannel jackets
- Best snap up flannel shirts
Comparing Carhartt Work Hoodies
If you want a quick understanding of Carhartt hoodies, and how they compare, then watch my video below. If you like the video, please subscribe to my YouTube channel by clicking the button below. Thanks!