The Best Men’s Quarter-Zip Sweaters To Wear This Season
The humble zipper may not seem like a miracle of the modern age—but prior to its invention in 1851 and popularization in the early 1900s, adjusting just about any piece of clothing could be quite a chore. That goes doubly for bags and camping gear, where water-resistant zippers have revolutionized the industry.
So if you want to make it fast and easy to adjust your comfort and temperature levels with your outdoor gear and clothing, look to the zipper. This curated list of sixteen of the best men’s quarter-zip sweaters (and one half-zip sweater) will have you looking great, and feeling even better this winter and spring.
Barbour Nelson Quarter Zip Sweater
Stay warm and look your absolute best in this stylish, structured sweater. The Barbour Nelson Quarter Zip Sweater is shaped to accentuate your shoulders while hiding anything extra around your midsection, and the pure lambswool is sturdy enough it’ll hold its shape for wear after wear, year after year.
The fabric is beautifully soft to the touch and nicely lightweight but offers excellent insulation against the cold. Wear it as a top layer on chilly autumn days or a middle layer beneath a parka or overcoat during the winter. You’ll love the classy look of the ribbed funnel neckline, the metal pull ring zipper, and the contrasting inner collar. It’s the all-use sweater you’ll be glad you have in your closet every time.
Price: $150
Faherty Movement Quarter Zip
For those days you want to move fast and train hard, the Faherty Movement Quarter Zip should be your go-to. The sweater is made from a blend of tough recycled polyester, sweat-resistant Tencel, and just enough elastane to give it plenty of stretch and flex to keep up with your active lifestyle.
The fabric is also wonderfully soft and smooth against even sensitive skin. It’s got room enough that it’ll be comfortable over a long-sleeved shirt or thermal base layer in the winter, but the addition of tapered sleeves and stand collar make it suitable to wear out to social events when you want to look your most stylish.
Price: $148
Peter Millar Perth Mélange Performance Quarter-Zip
Take to the links in style and comfort with Peter Millar’s Perth Mélange Performance Quarter-Zip. This handsome, sleek quarter-zip sweater is crafted using a velvety loop terry fabric that’s soft against your skin but tough enough to take out on the golf course. The four-way stretch provided by the integrated Spandex ensures it’ll never interfere with your golf swing.
Thanks to its moisture-wicking properties, you’ll stay cool and dry even when the sun is shining down hot. With the classic fit, mock collar, and banded cuffs and hem, it’ll pair perfectly with your favorite golfing slacks and polo.
Price: $135
Johnnie-O Carlson Merino 1/4 Zip Pullover
Strut into the office in full confidence when you wear this casual yet professional quarter-zip pullover. The Johnnie-O Carlson is made using a blend of sturdy Merino wool, versatile acrylic, and just enough cashmere to give it both a sophisticated appearance and a cloud-soft texture.
The Merino will hold up to more active use without getting sodden or stinky, and it’ll add a layer of moisture-repelling both inside and out to ensure your sweater stays clean and looking good no matter how busy or fast-paced your day. Details like the baseball stitching, faux suede contrast piping, split tail, and one-of-a-kind zipper pull make it a true standout from the crowd, guaranteed to turn heads at the convention, conference, or office party.
Price: $248
Fair Harbor Larchmont Seawool Quarter Zip
For those who care about the environment and want a more eco-friendly, sustainable clothing choice, the Fair Harbor Larchmont Seawool Quarter Zip is my top pick. Each sweater is made using 40% “Seawool”, a fabric that uses the plastic from recycled bottles, along with recycled polyester and oyster shells. The addition of cotton into the blend keeps it lightweight and breezy, making it the ideal late spring and early autumn sweater to throw on when the days get cool (but not cold). It’s moisture-wicking, anti-static, anti-microbial, wrinkle-free, thermoregulating, breathable, and itch-free—everything you could ask for in a daily use sweater.
Price: $98
Line of Trade Reed Quarter-Zip Sweater
Form meets function in this gorgeous yet ultra-durable sweater. The Line of Trade Reed Quarter-Zip Sweater is patterned after 20th century military styles, but given an upgrade by integrating modern fabrics. The soft jersey knit fabric blends sturdy, heat-regulating wool with versatile nylon and acrylic to ensure this sweater can stand up to anything from hunting to hiking, farming to friends’ nights out.
The anorak-shaped neck panel, saddle shoulder, and drop back yoke give it that rugged look and structure you’ll absolutely adore, but the sleek and eye-catching finish ensures you can wear it in any business setting, too.
Price: $88
Tommy Bahama Coastal Shores Half-Zip Sweater
For those easy, breezy days when you’ve got nothing to do but lounge at home and chill with friends at your favorite watering hole, the Tommy Bahama Coastal Shores Half-Zip Sweater is the garment of choice. Everything from the relaxed cut to the signature color to the pattern on the front screams “casual gentleman around town”, and the blend of synthetic fabric into the cotton blend ensures it’s useful for everything from playing pool to throwing darts to working a yardarm.
The three-tone stitching on the body and the two-tone plaited jersey stitching on the raglan sleeves accentuates the “chill” vibe of the sweater while still making it suitable to wear at the country club or yacht party. Combine it with your favorite chinos or slacks and a pair of loafers or deck shoes to complete your relaxed outfit.
Price: $148
Trumbull Vintage Wash Quarter-Zip Sweatshirt
For those who love a throwback look, you can’t go wrong with this Trumbull sweatshirt. Patterned after mid-century sportswear, this sweater is cut in a relaxed, loose fit and given a garment-dying treatment to wash down the colors enough to give it that “vintage” appearance you’ve been wanting.
The addition of ribbing at the collar, cuffs, and waist and the ribbed detailing on the side maintains that classic look while keeping it comfortable and versatile. The fabric is made in Detroit using a pure USA-grown-and-sourced cotton, the perfect choice for those who care about supporting local businesses. Wear it with cargo pants or dark jeans to complete the look.
Price: $138
Peter Millar Excursionist Flex Quarter-Zip Pullover
Looking for a more elegant sweater to wear to the country club, golf course, or to a yacht party? The Peter Millar Excursionist Flex Pullover was made just for you. It’s made from primarily Merino wool, which is naturally tough, odor-resistant, temperature-controlling, and moisture-wicking, and which holds its colors well through repeated washes.
The addition of just a hint of nylon and Spandex makes it “performance-rated” so you can trust it’ll hold up on hot, sweaty, and active days. The soft interior is complemented by the smooth exterior, tailored fit, and the casual-yet-classy style. Pair it with chinos and boat shoes or loafers to strike the perfect balance between upscale and down-to-earth.
Price: $350
Land’s End Bedford Rib Quarter Zip Sweater
The Land’s End Bedford Rib Quarter Zip Sweater is built for comfort first and foremost, with practicality coming in a very close second. The cotton and polyester blend is soft and light, but offers excellent protection from the early spring or late autumn chill.
The French rib construction gives it a more elegant look, great for pairing with slacks or chinos and a collar shirt, but the smooth interior won’t rub or catch on your shirt buttons. The fabric has good structure and feels solid without being stuffy or heavy. Wear it out on the town or for a day spent lounging on your couch—it’ll serve you well indoors and outdoors.
Price: $75
Toad & Co. Kennicott Quarter Zip Sweater
The Toad & Co. Kennicott Quarter Zip Sweater is built to serve you well in any active lifestyle, be it filled with adventure, travel, or social engagements. The wool (and reclaimed Italian wool) used in its construction makes it highly versatile and sturdy, providing natural thermoregulation, odor-controlling, and moisture-wicking properties. The addition of polyester adds structure and extra durability.
The interior is cloud-soft and itch-free, great for guys with sensitive or irritation-prone skin, while the outside is velvety to the touch and features an eye-catching, sophisticated finish that makes it the ideal date night sweater. Pair it with your favorite stone-washed or faded jeans and a pair of Chuck Taylors or white leather shoes.
Price: $135
Billy Reid Diamond Quilt Half Zip Sweater
The title may say half-zip, but it wears closer to a quarter-zip sweater. Light yet surprisingly warm, this is the ideal cool-weather sweater for those chilly early spring and late autumn nights. The fabric blends cotton and polyester to make the sweater sturdy as well as versatile, and the relaxed fit allows for great freedom of movement whether you’re walking, hiking, or working.
Details like the quilted pattern, the ribbed cuffs and waist, and the antique brass zipper make it a stylish choice you’ll love wearing as a top layer, but it’s thin enough you won’t feel constricted or stuffy when wearing it beneath a coat or parka during the winter. Pair it with your favorite slacks or chinos to dress it up, or wear it with jeans or running pants for a more laid-back vibe.
Price: $198
Kuhl Interceptr 1/4 Zip
Some guys may accuse Kuhl of being overbuilt, what with their dozens of proprietary fabrics and constant addition of details you won’t find in any similar garments. But as far as we’re concerned, there’s definitely a place from Kuhl’s clothes in our closets—because in addition to their crisp looks, each piece of Kuhl clothing performs with amazing reliability in a wide variety of activities and weather conditions.
Their Intercept ¼ Zip is true to this rule, with a performance fleece fabric that’s both incredibly warm and always breathable, articulated sleeves for great range of motion, and specialized stitching for low-bulk seams and a slimmer look and feel.
Price: $135
L.L. Bean Men’s Organic Cotton Quarter Zip Sweater
L.L. Bean is pretty close to being the original American outdoor wear company, and their outerwear continues to impress year after year. Their Organic Cotton Quarter Zip Sweater follows suit—and it’s the heaviest weight zip sweater on this list. A thick waffle-knit structure provides year-round warmth and top notch durability, and the ribbed collar, cuffs, and hem ensure that it will keep its shape admirably. Better yet, it’s one of the few sweaters on this list that’s entirely machine washable, too.
Price: $89
Patagonia Men’s Better Sweater 1/4-Zip Fleece
We’ve saved the Better for last. And lest you think that Patagonia’s being overly confident in naming their Better Sweater ¼-Zip Fleece, one day of wearing it will change your mind. You’ll find these cult classic fleece sweaters everywhere that people love the great outdoors, thanks to their finely tuned blend of comfort, style, warmth, and durability. And since this sweater is made entirely from recycled polyester in Fair Trade Certified factories, it’s not just better for you—it’s also better for the environment, and for the people who make your clothes.
Price: $139
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