What to look for in a heavyweight hoodie

"Heavyweight" is one of those words clothing brands use a lot without committing to a definition. A hoodie sold as "heavyweight" by a high street fast fashion brand is often what a serious heavyweight brand would call midweight — and at the top end, prices climb quickly without much explanation of why.

This is a quick guide to the four numbers that actually matter when you're buying a heavyweight hoodie, and how to use them to compare brands fairly.

1. GSM (grams per square metre)

This is the single most useful number, and most reputable brands publish it. GSM measures fabric weight per square metre — higher means heavier and warmer.

200–300 GSM: Lightweight. T-shirt territory. Common in sportswear "tech" hoodies.
300–400 GSM: Midweight. Most everyday hoodies. Fine for moving around, not enough for sitting still in a cold room.
400–500 GSM: Heavyweight. Properly warm. The sweet spot for cold-weather wear without becoming a coat.
500+ GSM: Ultra heavyweight. Niche territory. Often what streetwear collectors are paying for. Heavy on the body, slow to dry.

If a brand doesn't publish a GSM number, that's usually a tell — it's probably under 350.

2. Cotton percentage

Most hoodies are cotton-polyester blends. The cotton percentage matters for a few reasons:

Higher cotton = softer feel, better breathability, slightly heavier, better thermal regulation, slower drying after washing.
Higher polyester = cheaper, faster drying, holds shape after washing, but feels more synthetic against the skin and tends to retain odour.

For a hoodie you'll wear for warmth (not gym training), aim for 80% cotton or higher. Pure cotton is great but more prone to shrinking. 80/20 cotton-polyester is the practical sweet spot.

3. Brushed vs unbrushed interior

This is what makes a hoodie feel warm against the skin. Brushed fleece has a soft, slightly fuzzy interior face — created by mechanically pulling fibres up from the woven fabric. That nap traps air and creates an insulating layer between you and the world.

Unbrushed (or "loopback") fleece is the alternative — flat-faced, lighter, but significantly less warm. Most fashion-led hoodies are loopback, even when sold as "heavyweight." If a hoodie's product page doesn't explicitly say "brushed interior" or "brushed fleece," assume it's loopback.

4. Construction details

The seemingly minor things that separate a properly built hoodie from a cheap one:

Ribbed cuffs and hem. These should grip without cutting in. Loose cuffs let warm air escape.
Double-layer hood. A two-layer hood drapes properly and adds real warmth around the neck. Single-layer hoods feel papery and look thin.
Reinforced stitching at stress points. Look at the seams under the arms and around the hood. Tight, even stitching means it'll survive frequent washing.
No raw hem on the inside. Cheap hoodies often skip the inside finishing. It's a small detail that becomes obvious after a few washes.

How Hüdíe stacks up

For full transparency, since we're asking you to compare:

Signature Heavyweight: Heavyweight brushed fleece. 80% cotton / 20% polyester. Double-layer hood. Ribbed cuffs and hem. £79.99.

Eclipse Panel: Midweight brushed fleece. 80% cotton / 20% polyester. Single-layer hood. Ribbed cuffs (95% cotton, 5% elastane). £79.99.

Signature Core: Premium midweight fleece. 80% cotton / 20% polyester. £79.99.

If you compare those numbers to anything you're considering elsewhere — same price tier or higher — you'll know what you're getting.

The point isn't to convince you to buy from us specifically. It's to give you the framework so you can buy a properly warm hoodie wherever you end up. Most disappointing purchases at this price tier come down to one of these four numbers being lower than expected. If you check them upfront, you'll be a lot happier with what arrives.