Hoodie, crewneck or zip. They look like close cousins, but they do very different jobs.
Most wardrobes end up with a bit of everything, and most of us reach for the same one every time without thinking about why. Each of these three layers has a place it performs best. Knowing which is which makes getting dressed on a cool morning a lot simpler, and helps you work out what to add next.
The crewneckCrewneck: the clean, layerable one
A crewneck sweatshirt is the simplest of the three: a round neckline, no hood, no hardware. That simplicity is its strength. It sits flat under a coat or overshirt, it pairs easily with a collared shirt underneath, and it reads a touch smarter than a hoodie in most settings.
What it gives up is coverage. With nothing at the neck, a crewneck leaves you more exposed on a windy morning, and there is no hood to pull up when the weather turns.
Best for: layering under jackets, smart casual settings, milder days.
The zipZip hoodie: the adjustable one
A zip-through hoodie is the most flexible for temperature. Open it up when you warm up, close it when the wind picks up, wear it over a tee like a light jacket. It is easy to take on and off, which makes it a strong choice for travel and for days that swing between cold and warm.
The trade-off is that the zip changes the way the fabric falls. The front has a seam and hardware running through it, so it tends to sit less smoothly than a pullover, and it can feel more casual and sporty.
Best for: travel, variable days, wearing open over a tee.
The pullover hoodiePullover hoodie: the one that holds the warmth
The pullover hoodie gives you the most coverage of the three. A continuous front panel with no zip, a kangaroo pocket for your hands, and a hood for when the wind comes up. In a heavyweight fabric it is the warmest and most enveloping of the three, and it has the cleanest drape because nothing interrupts the front.
What you give up is quick venting. You cannot unzip a pullover halfway through the day, so the fabric weight needs to suit the weather you actually have. That is why the weight matters so much, and why we built the Cloud Hoodie at 460gsm. We explain the reasoning in why 460gsm is the right heavyweight for Australian weather.
Best for: cold mornings, evenings, weekends, and the days you want one layer to do the whole job.
Side by sideHoodie vs crewneck vs zip: which layer for what
| Layer | Warmth and coverage | Temperature control | Looks best | Reach for it when |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heavyweight pullover hoodie (sft. Cloud Hoodie) | Highest, with hood and pocket | Push the sleeves, hood up or down | Clean front, structured drape | It is cold and you want one layer to do the job |
| Crewneck sweatshirt | Moderate, open at the neck | Limited | Under coats, over collars | You want a smarter, layerable look |
| Zip hoodie | Moderate to high when closed | Best of the three | Worn open over a tee | The day swings between warm and cool |
None of these is the wrong choice. A good wardrobe has room for all three. But if you are only going to own one serious cool-weather layer, a heavyweight pullover hoodie covers the widest range of days with the least thought.
Why we started with the hoodieWhy sft. started with a pullover
When we designed the Cloud Hoodie, we wanted one piece that could handle a cold start, a mild afternoon and a quiet evening without being swapped out. A pullover was the answer, with a few decisions to make it sharper than the usual hoodie: a cord-free hood so the neckline stays tidy, dropped shoulders for an easy oversized drape, and ribbed cuffs and hem that hold where you push them.
The fabric is a 460gsm cotton and polyester blend, fleece-lined inside and smooth outside. The blend is not a compromise on quality. It is what makes the construction work. Every detail and the reasoning behind it is in The Make.
460gsm heavyweight pullover. Cord-free hood, kangaroo pocket, oversized fit.
Frequently asked questions
Is a hoodie warmer than a crewneck?
In the same fabric weight, generally yes. The hood adds coverage at the neck and head, and the kangaroo pocket gives your hands somewhere warm to go. A crewneck leaves the neck open.
Is a zip or pullover hoodie better?
It depends on your day. A zip is easier to vent and take on and off, which suits travel and changeable weather. A pullover holds warmth better and has a cleaner, smoother front.
Can you wear a heavyweight hoodie under a jacket?
Yes. An oversized heavyweight sits best under a relaxed or longline coat with room in the shoulders. For slimmer jackets, a crewneck is usually the easier layer.
One layer. The whole day.
The sft. Cloud Hoodie. 460gsm heavyweight pullover in Moss, Sky Blue, Black and Mocha. $148 AUD.
Shop the Cloud Hoodie