Blog - Live Life Big

Written by Leo Reed in Clothing & Accessories last updated December 2021 LiveLifeBig.net may earn a small commission when you use one of the links on this page to purchase. Whether you're a man of size or a skinny dude, a great hoodie is an essential part of any wardrobe. Even though you can't make a hoodie work for a formal event or a business dinner, one of your trusty hoodies will be with you almost daily during the cooler months. So it's critical that fat guys get a hoodie that looks great, feels amazing and doesn't break the bank. Despite being one of the simplest garments you can own, there are still some key factors to consider when it comes to picking out the perfect hoodie. We're going to break down everything fat guys need to know about finding their new favorite hoodie but if you want to skip ahead and just see what made the list you can check out our top picks here: Best Overall: KingSize Men's Big & Tall Fleece Zip-Front Hoodie Fleece Jacket Best On A Budget: Gildan Men's Fleece Zip Hooded Sweatshirt Best Pullover Hoodie: Hanes Men's Pullover EcoSmart Hooded Sweatshirt Best Flannel Hoodie: Legendary Whitetails Men's Camp Night Berber Lined Hooded Flannel Shirt Jacket Best Heavy Duty Cold Weather Hoodie: Carhartt Rutland Thermal Lined Hoodie Best Lightweight Hoodie: Cottonhood Long Sleeve T-Shirt Zip Hoodie Most Stylish Hoodie For Big Guys: Levi's Men's Washed Cotton Hooded Military Jacket Best Water Resistant and Rain Ready Hoodie: Charles River Apparel Wind & Water-Resistant Pullover Rain Hoodie Just a quick note that our best overall pick from Kingsize is available up to 9XL, so if you're looking for something with plenty of sizing options that's a good place to start. All the other hoodies on this list are available up to 5XL with one other option (from Carhartt) that only goes to 4XL. Now let's get into it! What Should Fat Guys Consider To Find The Best Hoodie? Before we start looking at reviews for individual hoodies, let's do a quick breakdown of what big guys should look for in a hoodie. I know it's a simple garment but there's still more to finding a match than just ordering the first one you see in your size. What Kind Of Weather Are You Dealing With? Before we even look at a hoodie, we need to have a good idea of the kind of weather we're going to be dealing with. Your standard hoodie is built for cool but not exactly freezing temperatures. You can layer it to brave colder weather or you can look at heavy-duty options and I've included a few of these on the list. You can also pick up a hoodie that's designed to resist the rain and for some folks that may be critical depending on the weather where you live. But for most guys, the lightweight hoodie is best. Not only can this keep you warm, but it also won't make you feel like you're in a sauna as soon as you go inside. Most of the hoodies on this list will be lightweight to medium-weight hoodies that will work for mildly cold weather. If you need something a little warmer, consider our list of the best sweaters for fat guys. Not Too Big, Not Too Tight...But Instead Just Right Whether we're talking about jeans, khakis, tank tops, or any other garment most fashion faux pas for fat guys fall into one of two categories: they either go way too tight or they overcompensate and go way too big. Neither is a good look, especially for bigger guys but if we had to err on one side or the other, it would be in favor of a looser look. When not overdone, a loose hoody can be a great casual fashion option for big guys. We're going to look at a mix of big and tall brands and more traditional brands that offer 4XL+ sizes. If you have an especially big belly, stick with the big and tall brands that will have more room in the waist and chest to help you avoid a tight-fitting look. Pullover Or Zip Style Hoodie? Personally, I'm a big fan of zip-style hoodies over pullovers. Zip-up hoodies allow me to open up and let my belly breathe so even if my hoodie has gotten tighter since last winter I can still make it work. Zip-ups also allow me to easily remove the hoodie without taking off more than I intend or showing the world my gut. Despite a complicated shirt tucking process, I can't seem to remove a pullover hoodie without also lifting my shirt up to my chest. The only exception is when I'm wearing a pair of suspenders but I only break those bad boys out for special occasions. So either option can work, and we'll include a few of each on this list, but I'll be focused on zip-up hoodies as I think they're a better option for fat guys. Material The three main materials you'll find in hoodies are fleece, cotton, and polyester. Fleece is actually a type of polyester, but certainly has a different feel to it. There are cotton fleeces but they're a bit less common. In general, if comfort is your number one criteria then cotton or a cotton blend is a good choice. That includes hoodies for light fall weather or just hanging out around the house. But if you need performance in cold weather, then polyester is a better choice. Not only will it be warmer in most situations but synthetic fibers like polyester do a better job at wicking moisture. Picking out a cotton and polyester blend is a good way to get the best of both worlds and save a little cash too. Best Hoodies For Big Guys and Fat Dudes Now that we have the basics out of the way, let's get into the reviews of our favorite options starting with our best overall! Best Overall: KingSize Men's Big & Tall Fleece Zip-Front Hoodie Fleece Jacket 2,685 Reviews KingSize Men's Big & Tall Fleece Zip-Front Hoodie Fleece Jacket Available up to 9XL 17 colors and unique styles to choose from More than 1,900 five star reviews Simple, classic zip-up design Check Today's Price on Amazon For the best overall spot, you'd expect to see something that does everything we want and all at a reasonable price... And that's exactly what we have with this hoodie from the folks at KingSize. KingSize is one of my absolute favorite big and tall brands but don't let the "tall" part of that mislead you. These folks make great clothing for big guys of any height and this hoodie is no exception. Because it's a big and tall brand, these hoodies have extra room in the waist and chest as compared to clothing of the same size from a non-big and tall brand which means fat guys don't have to worry about extra tightness on your belly. You also don't have to worry about being stuck with just one color since this hoodie covers all the classic shades with heather charcoal being my go-to. But if you want to get a little wild with it, you also pick from unique patterns to level up your fashion. When it comes to sizing, fat dudes of any size are covered with size options up to 9XL including big or tall add-ons at almost every size. As if that wasn't enough, there are also more than 1,900 five-star reviews on Amazon from other big guys that are backing up this hoodie. You can read more reviews, check out all 17 colors, and check today's price on Amazon by clicking here. Best On A Budget: Gildan Men's Fleece Zip Hooded Sweatshirt 31,005 Reviews Gildan Men's Fleece Zip Hooded -Sweatshirt, Style G18600, Black, Small Sizing available up to 5XL More than 23,000 five star reviews Easy on the budget 20 colors to work with Check Today's Price on Amazon One of the many great things about hoodies is that you don't have to break the bank to get a great one. That's even more true with this budget option from Gildan which not only has budget-friendly pricing but also more than 23,000 five stars to back it up. Even though Gildan isn't a big and tall brand but they do offer sizes up to 5XL which is a lot more than you would expect from anything off the rack. While you may not get the benefits of extra room in the waist that you would with a big and tall cut, many fat guys will be able to size up for the extra room they need. If you do find that this hoodie works for you, then you have 20 colors to pick from so you can easily stock up on a few. There's nothing flashy here but you can expect all the classic hoodie colors with some brighter options mixed in too. Overall, it's hard to go wrong with this super simple and affordable hoodie. You can read some of those five-star reviews, check out all 20 colors, and see today's price on Amazon by clicking here. Best Pullover Hoodie: Hanes Men's Pullover EcoSmart Hooded Sweatshirt On Sale ($14.50 OFF) 107,143 Reviews Hanes Men's Pullover EcoSmart Hooded Sweatshirt, ash, Small Size options up to 5XL More than 77,000 five star reviews Easy on the budget 23 vibrant colors to choose from Check Today's Price on Amazon Even though I usually prefer zip-up hoodies over other options, I can't completely ignore the classic pullover hoodie! That's why I've included this awesome option from Hanes that comes in a perfect balance of both bright and subtle colors so everyone can find exactly what they're looking for. And it seems like just about everyone has found what they're looking for with more than 77,000 five stars! That's more five-star reviews than any other clothing product we've ever reviewed on this site! It may not have the same size options as our best overall pick but you can still find up to 5XL in most colors which makes it a great hoodie for big guys. The blend of cotton and polyester also strikes the perfect balance of keeping the price down and the comfort up. There's nothing fancy about this hoodie but the dozens of color options give you a chance to make a fashion statement if that's your thing. This hoodie isn't a good option for freezing temperatures but it's perfect for knocking around in fall weather or just getting comfortable at home. You can check out all 23 color options along with today's price on Amazon by clicking here. Best Flannel Hoodie: Legendary Whitetails Hooded Flannel Jacket 3,776 Reviews Legendary Whitetails Men's Camp Night Berber Lined Hooded Flannel Shirt Jacket Up to 5XL sizing available More than 2,500 five star reviews Awesome color combinations to choose from Stylish and warm Check Today's Price on Amazon Even though a hoodie and a flannel are usually thought of as two separate things, this stylish garment doesn't play by those rules. Instead, you get the style of a hoodie with the warmth and look of a flannel. With sizing up to 5XL big, fat guys aren't left out either. I'm a big fan of this jacket for casual nights out on the town in colder areas. If you're having a few drinks with friends, you probably don't want to break out your favorite cashmere sweater but you also want to step things up a level and go with something other than the hoodie you just worked out in. That's where this hybrid hoodie comes in. Flannel isn't formal but it's still a big step up from our best on a budget option and sits comfortably in the casual wear category. If the local brewery is your idea of a good time, then you'll be right at home rocking this flannel. Additionally, this hoodie has a little extra lining to keep you warm and super comfortable. If you're trying to stay warm in freezing weather, I'd still suggest the Carhart hoodie (just scroll down bit) but this hoodie is still a step up from the thin budget hoodies we've looked at and can certainly deal with some cold. You'll also like the Berber interior which is more comfortable than just about any other polyester fabric you can find. In fact, a lot of folks are surprised to find that Berber is a type of polyester at all. Overall, this hoodie is a little bit of everything: warmth, style, and comfort. With more than 2,500 five-star reviews on Amazon, I'm also not the only one who's happy with it. You can read some of those reviews and check the latest price on Amazon by clicking here. Best Heavy Duty Cold Weather Hoodie: Carhartt Rutland Thermal Lined Hoodie 3,093 Reviews Carhartt mens Rd Rutland Thermal Lined Zip Front Hooded Sweatshirt, Carbon Heather - New, Small US Available up to 4XL with big and tall options 2,500+ five star reviews Extra lining keeps guys warm Classic zip-up design Check Today's Price on Amazon If you live in a colder climate, you're going to need a hoodie that can keep up. Especially if you're working outdoors. This hoodie from Carhartt can not only keep big guys warm but also looking good with its simple style. Just because you need a heavy-duty hoodie doesn't mean you want it to look heavy duty and this zip-up hoodie looks almost like any other. But it's the extra layer of heat-trapping fabric that helps this hoodie stand out from the rest. Extra layers offer extra warmth without turning this hoodie into a parka. In other words, it has a more subtle look but plenty of warming power for big guys that are working outdoors. While this hoodie looks good, you're not going to win any style awards with it and there are only a handful of basic colors to pick from. This hoodie also features a combination of polyester and cotton that really does give you the best of both worlds. While many hoodies blend these two fabrics in one, this hoodie has a 100% polyester interior that keeps you warm and dry. They've combined that with a 50/50 blend of polyester and cotton on the outer layer to keep this hoodie lightweight, affordable and comfortable. If you need something that can fit big bodies and hold up to freezing temperatures, then this is a solid choice. You can read more reviews from other big guys and check out the latest price on Amazon by clicking here. Best Lightweight Hoodie: Cottonhood Long Sleeve T-Shirt Zip Hoodie 199 Reviews Cottonhood Long Sleeve T-Shirt Zip Hoodie (X-Small, Heather Grey) Available up to 5XL sizing Super lightweight Jersey or t-shirt style hoodie is great for layers or warmer climates Classic looks and solid color choices Check Today's Price on Amazon It can be very difficult to find a lightweight hoodie for fat guys since most of these are marketed as slim fit. Not only do big guys need to avoid slim-fit cuts, but thinner or jersey-style hoodies can sometimes highlight man boobs instead of blending with your body. This can be less of a problem with smart layering but you can also solve this problem by opening up a zippered hoodie and rocking the open look. That's why if we're going to go thin, we absolutely need to go for zippered. But when styled correctly, the lightweight hoodie can feel great and look even better. It's a great way to layer without getting too hot since jersey-style hoodies (like this one) are similar in weight and thickness to a t-shirt. They're also perfect for mild climates where fall and winter may get cool but still never cold enough to justify something thicker. Even better, this hoodie could be worn year-round in many parts of the world if you just like the look of a hoodie. You can also avoid the man-boob problem by getting the right size with a looser fit and with sizing up to 5XL, this thin hoodie makes that a possibility. There aren't as many colors to pick from as we've seen with some of our other options but the choices you do have cover a lot of ground. From classic charcoal to royal blue there's still a lot to work with. You can check out all the color choices, read more reviews and see today's price on Amazon by clicking here. Most Stylish Hoodie For Big Guys: Levi's Men's Washed Cotton Hooded Military Jacket I know that style is subjective but it's hard to say that this comfortable layered hoodie isn't a level up from your standard pullover. It's designed with built-in layering and that sets your fashion to easy mode. However, it's important to clarify that the inner layer isn't removable even though it does look like it could be. Instead, the only portion that's removable is the hood on the hoodie. Everything else is designed to give the appearance of two separate garments while actually being one hoodie and jacket combination. I know, that can sound a little strange but it really is nice to have the perfect layering set up ready-to-go right out of the box. Even though this jacket looks heavy-duty, and it is quite warm, because it's made from 100% cotton it's not something you'd want to wear as part of your workwear. Instead, it's better suited for a focus on style and comfort. So if you're just going out on the town this hoodie is a good choice but avoid any kind of hard labor while rocking this combo. The front pockets on the jacket also add a little more style without getting formal and they're also quite functional with plenty of pockets across this entire jacket. The underlying hoodie is gray in all variations but you can choose from more than a dozen colors for the outer layer including camo if that's your thing. Levi isn't known as a classic big and tall brand, but they have included big and tall cuts for this hoodie/jacket combination with sizing up to 5XL available as well. That's great for fat guys or any dude with large shoulders especially. You can check out more reviews from big guys, all the color combinations, and the latest price on Amazon by clicking here. Best Water Resistant and Rain Ready Hoodie: Charles River Apparel Wind & Water-Resistant Pullover Rain Hoodie 4,495 Reviews Charles River Apparel Wind & Water-Resistant Pullover Rain Jacket (Reg/Ext Sizes) Available up to 5XL and runs big which is perfect for big guys 3,300+ five star reviews Comfortable flannel lining with solid nylon shell for water resistance and comfort 20+ color combinations and a stylish cut so big guys can look good Check Today's Price on Amazon Okay, an outer shell isn't exactly what folks think of when they imagine a hoodie but I wanted to include at least one option for guys in rainy climates. I also wanted to throw this on the list because I know that finding a great water-resistant hoodie is hard for anyone- let alone a big guy so I thought this could be a welcome addition for some of my fat friends. Of course, you need the right size and you want to look good but you also don't want to turn yourself into a walking sweat lodge in order to dodge the rain. That's exactly what happens with so many rain-resistant hoodies that are made entirely out of nylon or some other water-resistant but not breathable material. To combat this, the folks at Charles River have added a layer of cotton flannel inside this jacket. Not only does that comfortable cotton layer make this feel more like a traditional hoodie but it also prevents extra sweating. Even though cotton isn't known as a moisture wicking fabric, it's still way better than having nylon pressed directly against your skin. If you're ever worn a cheap poncho without a short sleeve shirt underneath then you know exactly what I'm talking about. That little extra flannel avoids all this and can help keep you dry outside and inside. When it comes to specific benefits for bigger guys, these hoodies are available up to 5XL and they run big which is a perfect combination for fat guys. They may not have the full front zip that I usually recommend but the waist is still roomy enough for big bellies. These jackets also have a nice look to them and while some big guys may avoid the big strip on the front, it's a look I'd actually recommend. Finally, you have more than 20 colors to work with including variations on color and stripe so you can find something that works for you. The classic black is always my go-to pick but there are plenty of brighter colors too if that's more your style. You can check out all the available colors, the latest reviews, and today's price on Amazon by clicking here. Closing Thoughts The hoodie isn't exactly the most complex garment on the planet but when you're fat every garment becomes a little more complicated. You need a good fit but you also need a cut that's catered to your body and not the body of the average Joe. My goal was to help you find those diamond in the rough hoodies without spending hours researching (like I did). What do you think? Did you find your new favorite hoodie?