Best Hoodie Materials – Fabric Guide & Selection Criteria

Let us learn about each one of the fabrics for a hoodie, one by one:

Cotton

Cotton is one of the most widely used and trusted fabrics for hoodies, loved for its natural softness, breathability, and comfort. As a natural fibre, it’s gentle on the skin, making cotton hoodies a great choice for daily wear, especially for people with sensitive skin or allergies. Its absorbent properties help wick away sweat, keeping you dry and comfortable during light activity or casual use.

Available in both regular and organic varieties, cotton fabric provides options for those seeking sustainable clothing. Organic cotton, in particular, offers the same benefits as traditional cotton but with reduced environmental impact. Whether it’s 100% cotton or blended with other fibres like spandex or polyester, cotton hoodies maintain a balance between softness, flexibility, and durability.

Cotton hoodies are also ideal for customisation. The smooth surface of cotton makes it an excellent canvas for vibrant DTG prints and high-quality embroidery, allowing for unique, personalised designs. While cotton doesn’t perform as well in wet or cold-weather conditions as synthetic fabrics, it excels in breathability and all-season wear. With proper care, cotton hoodies retain their shape, comfort, and appearance, making them a timeless staple in any wardrobe.

Fleece

Fleece is one of the most popular and reliable fabrics for hoodies, offering a winning combination of comfort, warmth, and practicality. Available in a variety of types, such as polar fleece, slub fleece, and even eco-friendly options, fleece gives wearers plenty of choices depending on style, season, and purpose.

One of its standout qualities is exceptional softness. Fleece hoodies feel incredibly gentle against the skin, making them perfect for daily wear, lounging, or layering. The fabric’s heat-trapping ability also makes it ideal for chilly conditions. Thanks to tiny air pockets within the material, fleece provides outstanding insulation without needing heavy layers.

Despite its thermal performance, fleece remains remarkably lightweight, so you won’t feel weighed down or restricted. It also offers a level of moisture resistance, keeping you dry in light rain or mist, and dries faster than many natural fabrics. Some fleece textiles even boast absorbent properties and a smooth, pleasant surface that enhances overall comfort.

What makes fleece even more appealing today is its sustainability potential. Many fleece hoodies are made using recycled polyester, including plastic bottles, contributing to eco-conscious fashion choices. Natural fibre variants are also available for those seeking more organic options.

Whether you’re after a hoodie for warmth, breathability, or everyday comfort, fleece ticks all the boxes. It’s durable, low-maintenance, and suitable for year-round wear, depending on the weave—looser weaves provide better warmth and breathability, while tighter weaves offer a cooler, sleeker feel. These features make fleece a top-tier fabric choice for anyone wanting a hoodie that’s as practical as it is cosy.

Terrycloth

Terrycloth is a unique and versatile fabric that has found its way into hoodie design thanks to its comfort-focused and functional properties. Traditionally known for its use in towels and loungewear, terrycloth has become a popular fabric for casual hoodies, especially those made for relaxation, post-gym wear, or warmer climates.

Characterised by its looped texture on one or both sides, terrycloth offers excellent moisture absorption. This makes it ideal for hoodies designed to handle sweat or provide a breathable barrier after a workout. It feels soft and plush against the skin, delivering a gentle touch that enhances everyday comfort.

One of terry cloth’s biggest advantages is its breathability. Unlike heavier fabrics, it allows airflow, helping to regulate body temperature and keep you cool. At the same time, it provides just enough warmth for transitional weather or indoor lounging without causing overheating.

Terrycloth hoodies often feature a relaxed, slightly textured aesthetic, making them a great pick for laid-back or coastal-inspired styles. Durable and washable, the fabric holds up well over time, making it a practical option for repeated wear.

With its absorbent, breathable, and ultra-comfy profile, terrycloth is a top fabric choice for those who want a hoodie that feels as good as it looks—perfect for both rest days and active recovery.

Corduroy

Corduroy is a thick, textured fabric known for its distinctive vertical ridges, called wales, and is woven in a twill pattern that adds both strength and visual appeal. Typically made from cotton, corduroy is durable, warm, and structured, making it a solid fabric choice for fashion-forward hoodies that stand out.

Though traditionally used in jackets, trousers, and workwear, corduroy has gained traction in streetwear and casual fashion, especially for hoodies that blend comfort with a vintage edge. Its cozy feel and heavier weight make it ideal for cooler climates or outerwear-style hoodies.

Corduroy hoodies also offer distinct customisation potential. Embroidery works especially well, giving designs added dimension and texture. However, due to its ribbed surface, DTG (Direct-to-Garment) printing is less effective, as the texture can disrupt print clarity.

If you’re looking for a hoodie that combines retro charm, warmth, and rugged style, corduroy is an excellent choice, particularly for statement pieces and layered winter looks.

Stretch Fabric

Stretch fabric is a blend that typically includes elastane, spandex, or Lycra, giving hoodies superior flexibility and shape retention. It allows the fabric to move with the body, making it an excellent choice for hoodies designed for activewear, sports, or fitted styles.

This fabric’s key advantage is its freedom of movement—ideal for workouts, travel, or daily errands where comfort and range are essential. Despite its stretchiness, it holds its shape well and resists sagging or losing form over time.

Hoodies made from stretch fabric offer a sleek, body-contouring fit without restricting comfort. Whether worn on their own or layered, these hoodies combine performance and practicality, perfect for people on the move.

Bamboo

Bamboo fabric is a luxuriously soft and eco-conscious choice for hoodies, offering a unique blend of comfort, breathability, and sustainability. Naturally hypoallergenic and moisture-wicking, it keeps the skin dry and irritation-free, making it ideal for sensitive skin or daily wear.

This fabric retains warmth while still allowing airflow, making bamboo hoodies suitable for year-round use. It also drapes beautifully and feels silky against the skin, offering a premium feel without the environmental cost. Since bamboo grows rapidly with minimal water and no pesticides, it’s a highly sustainable option in the world of custom hoodie fabrics.

Denim

Denim is a strong, woven cotton fabric known for its durability and rugged appeal. While traditionally used for jeans and jackets, denim has made its way into hoodie fashion, offering a structured silhouette and streetwear-inspired edge that stands out from softer, more casual options.

Denim hoodies are ideal for those seeking a heavier, long-lasting layer that holds its shape and adds a bold, stylish look. Though not as flexible as knit fabrics, denim offers excellent wind resistance and a distinct texture that pairs well with both casual and elevated outfits.

If you’re after a fashion-forward, durable hoodie that breaks away from the norm, denim is a standout choice that blends practicality with personality.

Knitted Cotton Hosiery Fabric

Knitted cotton hosiery fabric is a soft, stretchable, and breathable fabric made entirely from cotton. Known for its natural comfort and up to 25% stretch, this material is a fantastic choice for hoodies that require both freedom of movement and breathability, making it ideal for everyday wear or active routines like yoga, cardio, or gym sessions.

Thanks to its cotton composition, it’s easy to wash, quick to dry, and suitable for machine laundering, making it low-maintenance for daily use. The fabric is also widely available, cost-effective, and doesn’t require excessive yardage, which adds to its practicality for hoodie production.

For hoodies and sweatshirts, a fabric weight between 250 gsm to 300 gsm is considered ideal, providing the right balance between lightness and insulation. Knitted cotton hosiery delivers on both performance and comfort, making it a versatile go-to for casual and athletic hoodie styles alike.

French Terry Fabric

French terry—also known as loopback cotton—is a premium knit fabric prized for its soft feel, moisture-wicking loops, and versatile wearability. It features a smooth, flat outer surface and absorbent looped underside, offering a comfortable balance between structure and flexibility. This unique construction makes it a go-to for hoodies designed for lounging, light activity, or transitional weather.

Primarily made from 100% cotton, French terry may also include a small percentage of elastane to enhance stretch and mobility. The fabric is breathable, flexible, and excels at absorbing perspiration, which makes it suitable for post-workout hoodies or casual daily wear. While it’s less insulating than fleece, it’s more breathable, making it ideal for mild to moderate temperatures.

French terry is considered a higher-end material, often more expensive and slightly harder to source than polyester-based alternatives. However, its superior comfort, dyeability, and customisation flexibility—allowing for both embroidery and printing—make it a valuable choice for hoodies with a premium look and feel. For those seeking a stylish yet functional fabric that works across seasons, French terry remains one of the top hoodie fabric options.

Polyester

Polyester is a strong, synthetic fabric that’s highly valued for its durability, moisture control, and ease of care, making it a top choice for hoodies built for active lifestyles and long-term wear. Known for its resistance to shrinking, stretching, and wrinkling, polyester hoodies maintain their shape and appearance wash after wash, ideal for frequent use.

Thanks to its moisture-wicking properties, polyester draws sweat away from the skin, helping wearers stay dry and comfortable, especially during workouts or outdoor activities. It also retains vibrant colours extremely well, so bold prints and logos stay sharp and fade-resistant even after repeated washing.

Polyester hoodies are often lightweight and quick-drying, which adds to their functionality in both athletic and casual settings. With options like 100% recycled polyester made from plastic bottles, it also offers an eco-friendly alternative for sustainability-focused buyers. Whether for performance wear, uniforms, or branded gear, polyester delivers reliable comfort, visual appeal, and long-lasting wear.

Cotton-Poly Blend

Cotton-polyester blends combine the natural softness and breathability of cotton with the strength and resilience of polyester, making them one of the most practical and popular fabric choices for hoodies. This hybrid fabric offers the best of both worlds—comfortable enough for everyday wear, yet tough enough to handle frequent use and washing.

The cotton component ensures a soft feel against the skin and promotes airflow, keeping the hoodie breathable and wearable throughout the day. Meanwhile, polyester boosts the hoodie’s durability, shrink resistance, and colour retention, helping it stay in shape and look fresh over time.

Cotton-poly hoodies are also low-maintenance, wrinkle-resistant, and less prone to pilling, making them great for casual, active, or workwear collections. Whether you’re dressing up or down, these blends deliver versatile style and long-lasting performance, making them a top-tier choice for hoodies that need to work as hard as you do.

Tri-blend

Tri-blend fabric is a refined combination of three fibres—typically cotton, polyester, and rayon or elastane—crafted to offer an exceptionally soft, breathable, and resilient hoodie material. One of the most popular blends, 50/25/25 cotton-polyester-rayon, delivers a lightweight drape and luxurious softness that’s ideal for casual wear and layering, while blends like 70/27/3 polyester-cotton-elastane offer extra stretch and structure, perfect for colder weather or performance-focused designs.

Tri-blend hoodies are praised for their shape retention—the mix of fibres resists sagging or warping, maintaining a sleek fit over time. They’re also highly durable, standing up well to frequent washing without fading or fraying, and are often chosen for their fashion-forward silhouette and stylish flow.

From moisture-wicking capabilities to fade resistance, tri-blends combine the best properties of each material. Plus, they offer versatile customisation options—with rayon blends supporting DTG printing and elastane blends suiting sublimation techniques. Whether you’re after everyday comfort, gym-ready flexibility, or modern design, tri-blend hoodies deliver on all fronts with performance, aesthetics, and all-day wearability.

Rayon

Rayon is a semi-synthetic fabric made from wood cellulose, prized for its silky texture, breathability, and graceful drape. Often blended with cotton, polyester, or spandex, rayon adds a lightweight and luxurious feel to hoodies, making it an excellent choice for fashion-forward, everyday wear.

Its moisture-absorbing properties enhance overall comfort, helping regulate body temperature while keeping the fabric soft and dry. Rayon hoodies are known for their smooth finish and elegant flow, offering a more polished look than traditional knits without sacrificing comfort.

While rayon is not as rugged as some other fibres, it excels in style and wearability, making it perfect for light layering, travel wear, or relaxed urban looks. For those wanting a hoodie with a sleek feel and elevated aesthetic, rayon delivers quiet luxury in a casual silhouette.

Nylon

Nylon is a synthetic fabric known for its strength, smooth finish, and lightweight durability, making it a solid choice for hoodies designed for occasional wear or outerwear functionality. Its lustrous appearance gives hoodies a sleek, modern look, often favoured in fashion-forward or partywear styles.

One of nylon’s standout benefits is its water resistance, making it ideal for rainy weather or outdoor use. Nylon hoodies repel light moisture, keeping you dry and comfortable during unpredictable conditions. The fabric also dries quickly and resists wrinkles, adding to its practicality for travel or on-the-go wear.

Often used in blends, nylon enhances hoodie fabrics by improving stretch, durability, and resistance to tearing or abrasions. While not the coziest on its own, when paired with other fibres like cotton or elastane, it creates functional, long-lasting hoodies that perform well in both urban and active environments.

Wool

Wool is a natural textile fibre known for its exceptional insulation, moisture-wicking properties, and breathability, making it a standout choice for winter hoodies. While not as commonly used as fleece or cotton in modern hoodie fashion, wool offers superior warmth and a soft yet strong structure, especially when high-quality types like lambswool or alpaca wool are used.

This fabric is fire- and water-resistant, naturally durable, and resilient against wear and tear. However, some wool can feel itchy or cause skin irritation, which is why it’s often blended with other fibres like rayon or cotton to enhance softness, drape, and shape retention. Blending also helps reduce common concerns like shrinkage or loss of structure during washing—wool hoodies typically benefit from hand-washing or dry cleaning for longevity.

While wool doesn’t suit DTG printing due to its dense, textured surface and sensitivity to heat, it works well with embroidery, especially when using more robust wool types. For those seeking a premium, cold-weather hoodie with natural warmth and durability, wool remains a timeless and reliable option.

TENCEL™

TENCEL™ is a branded fibre derived from sustainably sourced wood pulp, typically from eucalyptus, beech, or spruce trees. It’s produced through an environmentally responsible, closed-loop process that recycles water and solvents, making it a biodegradable and eco-conscious choice for hoodie fabrics.

TENCEL™ is celebrated for its silky-smooth texture, giving hoodies an ultra-soft, luxurious feel against the skin. It’s naturally moisture-wicking and highly breathable, which keeps you cool and dry whether you’re lounging, commuting, or working out. The fabric is also hypoallergenic, making it ideal for sensitive skin.

In terms of durability, TENCEL™ offers good strength, resists wrinkling, and holds dye well for vibrant, long-lasting colour. It blends seamlessly with other fibres like cotton or elastane to enhance flexibility and performance. For hoodies that combine sustainability, comfort, and style, TENCEL™ is one of the most forward-thinking fabric choices on the market.

Jersey Knit

Jersey knit is a soft, lightweight, and flexible fabric that’s perfect for casual and active hoodies. Made using a single-knit technique, it offers a smooth texture and natural elasticity, allowing the hoodie to move comfortably with your body. This makes the jersey ideal for everyday wear, whether you’re running errands, lounging, or going for a light jog.

Jersey fabric can be made from cotton, wool, polyester, or blends such as cotton-spandex or cotton-polyester, depending on the desired stretch and performance. While cotton jersey feels incredibly soft, it may shrink or stretch out of shape over time. To improve shape retention and durability, a jersey with polyester content is recommended.

Jersey knit’s subtle stretch creates a form-fitting, relaxed silhouette, although it doesn’t hold structure as well as heavier fabrics like fleece or French terry. Its lightweight nature (typically 113–170 g/m²) also makes it ideal for layering or warmer climates.

When it comes to customisation, jersey fabric performs well with DTG printing and embroidery due to its even surface, especially higher-density variants that yield sharper prints. While it may be prone to pilling, proper care and quality blends can extend its lifespan. For a breathable, low-maintenance, and versatile hoodie fabric, jersey knit is a top pick.