"Heavyweight" gets slapped on a lot of hoodies. Here's what it actually means — and how to pick one that will still be your favourite in five years.
What "heavyweight" means: GSM
Fabric weight is measured in GSM — grams per square metre. (More in our Field Guide.)
- Around 250–300 GSM — a standard sweatshirt. Light, soft, drapes more.
- About 350 GSM and up — what most brands call heavyweight. Holds its shape.
- 400–450 GSM — dense and structured. Warmer, blocks wind better, and lasts.
Higher isn't automatically better — it's about use. A 450 GSM hoodie is excellent at a cold trailhead and too much for a summer evening.
Fleece vs French terry
The inside matters as much as the weight.
- Brushed fleece — the inside loops are brushed into a soft nap that traps warm air. Warmer, cosier. (More on heavyweight fleece.)
- French terry — flat loops on the inside. Breathes better, dries faster, great for active use and milder weather.
Cotton vs blends
- 100% cotton — soft, breathable, ages well. Can shrink a little and takes longer to dry.
- Cotton-poly blends — more stable size, faster drying, more resistant to wrinkles. Can feel less natural and pill more over time.
- Ring-spun cotton — cotton yarn twisted and thinned before knitting, so it's softer and stronger.
Getting the fit right
- Check the chest measurement, not just the size letter. Lay your favourite hoodie flat, measure armpit to armpit, and compare with the size chart.
- Decide on fit: regular for layering under a jacket, oversized for the relaxed look.
- Shoulders and sleeves: dropped shoulders give room; sleeves should reach your wrist with cuffs on.
- Length: the hem should cover your waistband when you lift your arms.
Details that separate good from great
- Ribbed cuffs and hem that snap back after stretching.
- A lined hood that holds its shape.
- Reinforced seams at the shoulders and pocket corners — the first places hoodies fail.
- A pocket that doesn't sag when you carry a phone.
Care that makes it last
- Wash cold, inside out.
- Skip fabric softener on fleece — it flattens the nap.
- Air-dry or tumble low.
- Don't hang a heavy hoodie wet — dry it flat so it doesn't stretch.
Our take
We built the Seek First Heavyweight Hoodie and the Navy Command Hoodie around exactly these principles — heavyweight cotton fleece, reinforced construction, and Matthew 6:33 at the core. See every hoodie, and read why our gear is made the way it is.
Gear should earn its place. So should the reminder you carry in it.
Seek first. Stay ready.