Hoodies are a wardrobe staple for many people. Their soft, cozy fabric makes them perfect for lounging around the house or running errands on a chilly day. But have you ever wondered exactly how much a hoodie weighs?
The weight of a hoodie can vary quite a bit depending on the fabric, size, and design. In this complete guide, we’ll look at the factors that determine hoodie weight and provide a breakdown of typical hoodie weights. Read on to finally get answers to the question – how much does a hoodie weigh?
Table of Contents
What Factors Determine Hoodie Weight?
Several key factors impact the weight of a hoodie:
Fabric
The fabric is the biggest determinant of hoodie weight. Thicker, heavier fabrics like fleece or wool will weigh more than lighter fabrics like cotton or polyester. Here’s a quick breakdown of how hoodie weight typically compares by fabric:
- Cotton: 4-10 oz
- Polyester: 3-7 oz
- Fleece: 7-15 oz
- Wool: 10-16 oz
So if you’re looking for a lightweight hoodie, cotton or polyester are good options. For maximum warmth and comfort, fleece or wool provide more heft and weight.
Size
It’s obvious that a size XXL hoodie will weigh more than a size XS. The more fabric used, the heavier the hoodie will be. Most hoodie weights are based on a standard men’s size L. Going up or down a size will increase or decrease the weight accordingly.
Design Elements
Design details like pockets, lining, ribbing at the cuffs and hem, and drawstrings can also impact the total weight. A basic pullover hoodie will be lighter than a full-zip hoodie with multiple pockets. Similarly, a hoodie with a fleece lining and thick ribbed cuffs will weigh more than an unlined hoodie with no ribbing.
Average Weights by Hoodie Type
Now let’s look at the typical weight ranges for some of the most popular hoodie styles and designs:
Pullover Hoodie
A basic pullover hoodie without any extra design details will weigh:
- Cotton: 7-10 oz
- Polyester: 5-8 oz
- Fleece: 10-14 oz
The weight can increase slightly for an oversized or heavyweight pullover hoodie.
Full-Zip Hoodie
A full-zip hoodie tends to weigh a bit more than a pullover:
- Cotton: 8-12 oz
- Polyester: 6-10 oz
- Fleece: 12-16 oz
The zipper and metal hardware add extra weight. A hoodie with multiple zippered pockets will weigh even more.
Athletic Hoodie
Athletic hoodies meant for workouts are usually made from lightweight moisture-wicking fabrics and minimal features. Typical weights are:
- Polyester: 5-7 oz
- Cotton: 6-8 oz
Oversized Hoodie
Oversized and boyfriend-fit hoodies use more fabric for an ultra roomy silhouette. This pushes up the average weight into the ranges of:
- Cotton: 10-14 oz
- Polyester: 8-12 oz
- Fleece: 14-18 oz
Lined Hoodie
Hoodies lined with soft fleece or sherpa can weigh:
- Fleece: 14-20 oz
- Sherpa: 16-22 oz
The plush lining adds a significant amount of weight and warmth.
Weight by Hoodie Brand
The fabric and construction quality also varies widely among retailers and brands. Here are some typical weight ranges for popular hoodie brands:
| Brand | Weight Range |
|---|---|
| Champion | 7-14 oz |
| Gildan | 5-10 oz |
| Carhartt | 11-17 oz |
| Patagonia | 7-15 oz |
| American Giant | 9-16 oz |
| Reigning Champ | 7-13 oz |
| Rag & Bone | 9-12 oz |
| Lululemon | 7-11 oz |
| Abercrombie & Fitch | 5-10 oz |
| Hollister | 4-8 oz |
| Uniqlo | 5-10 oz |
| Hanes | 4-8 oz |
| Adidas | 7-12 oz |
| Nike | 4-10 oz |
As you can see, weights can vary significantly even among hoodies of the same fabric and style based on the brand’s material choices and quality.
Weight by Hoodie Color
Lighter hoodie colors like white, yellow, or light gray will typically weigh 1-2 oz less than darker colors like black, navy, red, or forest green. The dyed fabric of darker colors weighs more.
Do Hoodies Shrink When Washed?
Most hoodies will shrink slightly the first time they are washed, depending on the care instructions. Here are some general guidelines:
- Cotton: Shrinks 2-5%
- Polyester: Minimal shrinkage
- Fleece: Shrinks 5-8%
- Wool: Shrinks 3-6%
To minimize shrinkage, wash hoodies in cold water on a gentle cycle and either lay flat or tumble dry on low heat.
Hoodies may continue to shrink slightly with each subsequent wash. The weight will remain similar, but the fit will get tighter.
How Hoodie Weight Changes By Size
Hoodie weights are typically based on a men’s size L. But you can expect the weight to increase or decrease by approximately 1-2 ounces for each size up or down.
Here are the estimated weight ranges by standard men’s sizing:
| Size | Weight Range |
|---|---|
| XS | 2 oz less |
| S | 1 oz less |
| M | Approximate base weight |
| L | Base weight |
| XL | 1 oz more |
| XXL | 2 oz more |
So if a size L cotton hoodie weighs 10 oz, a size M would be around 9 oz and a size XXL would be approximately 12 oz.
For women’s hoodies, the weight differences follow similar patterns as women’s sizes run smaller than men’s. A women’s L is comparable to a men’s M.
What Is The Heaviest Hoodie?
The heaviest hoodies are typically oversized styles or those made from thick wool or double layered fleece. Here are some of the heaviest hoodies you can find:
- Wool: A men’s wool hoodie can weigh 16-20 oz
- Sherpa Lined: Lined hoodies weigh 16-22 oz
- Oversized: An oversized or boyfriend-fit hoodie can weigh 14-20 oz
- Double Fleece: Some fleece hoodies use a double layer for extra warmth and weight over 20 oz
So if you’re looking for a hoodie with maximum weight and warmth, focus on wool, sherpa, oversized, or double fleece hoodies.
What Is The Lightest Hoodie?
For a lightweight hoodie, look for the following features:
- Polyester or cotton fabric: Weighs 3-8 oz
- Athletic or running style: Minimal features weigh 5-7 oz
- Women’s cut: Runs around 2 oz lighter than a men’s
- Size XS or S: Drops 1-2 oz from base size L weight
The lightest hoodies you’ll find weigh around 3-5 oz and are usually polyester athletic hoodies in women’s sizes.
How To Figure Out Your Hoodie’s Weight
If you want to know exactly what your hoodie weighs, here are two easy ways to weigh it at home:
Use a Food Scale
Food scales designed for kitchen use can accurately weigh hoodies in ounces or grams. Simply place the hoodie on the scale and take a measurement.
Use a Bathroom Scale
Step on your bathroom scale while holding the hoodie to measure your weight. Then step on without the hoodie and subtract the difference. This will give you the approximate weight.
Knowing your hoodie’s exact weight can help when deciding if you need add or remove layers. Or you may just be curious to see how it compares to the averages for style, fabric, and brand!
Key Takeaways: Typical Hoodie Weights
To recap, these are the typical weight ranges for hoodies by fabric, style, and size:
- Fabric: Cotton (7-10 oz), Polyester (5-8 oz), Fleece (10-14 oz), Wool (10-16 oz)
- Style: Pullover (7-14 oz), Full-Zip (8-16 oz), Athletic (5-8 oz), Oversized (10-20 oz)
- Size: XS & S (2 oz lighter), M & L (base weight), XL & XXL (1-2 oz heavier)
- Heaviest: Wool, Sherpa, Oversized & Double Fleece (16-22 oz)
- Lightest: Polyester Athletic in Women’s Sizing (3-5 oz)
So now you know what typical hoodie weights are and what affects the weight. Use this as a guide when choosing your hoodies!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why do hoodies weigh different amounts?
Hoodies weigh different amounts primarily based on the fabric, size, and design features. Heavier fabrics like fleece or wool weigh more than lightweight cotton or polyester. Larger sizes use more fabric and weigh more. And details like zippers, pockets, and linings add weight.
2. What’s the weight difference between men’s and women’s hoodies?
For the same fabric and size, there is little weight difference between most men’s and women’s hoodies. However, women’s hoodies run smaller so a women’s L is comparable to a men’s M and will weigh around 1 oz less.
3. Do hoodie weights include the hood?
Yes, the weights listed for hoodies include the full garment with the hood. Removing the hood would only reduce the weight by 1-2 oz at most.
4. How can you tell a heavyweight hoodie?
Check the fabric content and look for descriptors like “oversized,” “double layer” or “extra heavyweight.” Hoodies over 14 oz are considered heavyweight. Fuller, draping cuts also indicate more weight.
5. Why do darker hoodies weigh more?
The dyed fabric of darker hoodie colors weighs 1-2 oz more than lighter colors like white, yellow, or gray. The dyeing process slightly increases the density and weight.
