The Most Comfortable Men’s Wool Sweaters
As the weather starts to turn colder, it is a perfect time to do a round-up of a few of the most comfortable men’s wool sweaters.
Beyond the obvious benefit of wool when it comes to warmth, a good woolen pullover can also look great for all different types of occasions. You can pair a lightweight merino style with khakis or under a suit when you want to look polished and professional. If you are looking for a heavier knit for a rugged casual look, there are many fantastic options for outdoor pursuits.
Wool sweaters never go out of style and are the perfect long-sleeve top to pull out once the temperatures drop. If you are unsure where to start looking for the ideal one, we have searched the Internet for the most comfortable wool sweaters for men on the market for your shopping pleasure.
Whether you’re hunting for that perfect style for yourself or someone you love, you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for right here. Just keep reading.
The Pendleton Shetland Crew Neck is a great sweater to start our list. It is 100% Shetland Wool from New Zealand, so this is kind of an old-school style. Shetland wool is itchy for most people when worn directly against the skin. You can get around this by wear a long sleeve undershirt, or if you don’t mind the feel which some people don’t, you can just wear a t-shirt.
This particular design can be machine washed and lightly machine dried, although air drying is probably the safer option. It has a classic look to it and features all of the benefits of wool, including naturally wicks away moisture, stays clean longer, and is naturally fire-resistant. It is also great to regulate your body temp because it’s breathable but holds in your heat. This pullover is a classic fit, so it shouldn’t be tight in any area. It’s a medium weight, which makes it substantial enough for cold weather, but it can also be worn inside.
Available from BackCountry
This Uniqlo Merino Wool Crewneck is an easy-to-wear wardrobe staple that comes in many colors. It is perfect for business casual or a more relaxed look at the weekend. Like most of Uniqlo’s clothes, this essential crew is great quality for a very reasonable price.
Available from Uniqlo
If you are looking for a ski pullover, look no further than the 100% Virgin Wool Dale of Norway Vail Sweater. This is the style you get when you want to be WARM as it is made from three-ply 33-micron combed Norwegian wool. It has a handy quarter zipper closure that makes it easy to get on and off.
This Dale of Norway style has a distinctive design with traditional eight-petal rose-patterned shoulders that make it perfect for looking great during apres-ski activities. It also has the notable features of a fleece-lined mock neck and a drawcord hem to help keep you even warmer.
This is a pricey option, but men who own this style love the high quality, thick feel, and the look. Some men find the sizing to run a little bit large, so keep that in mind if you are ordering online.
Available from Amazon
Goodthreads Men’s Lambswool Sweater is a budget-friendly pick that works perfectly as a winter staple. It is 100% mid-weight lambswool that can be hand washed or dry cleaned. This style is known for being comfortable, versatile, and perfect on its own or as a layer under a blazer or jacket.
The fit is slightly on the slim side, so if you like a looser fit, it might not be a good option for you. It is a popular pick for those who are looking for excellent quality at a great price.
Available from Amazon
The Fjallraven Lada is another lambswool sweater, but it has the trendy shawl collar for a little bit of a different look. The wool is 80% lambswool blended with 20% polyamide, which gives it a smoother, less itchy feel. It has a medium weight feel that is soft and warm.
It comes in four different lovely marled color options. If you are looking for a well-made and good-looking design that is just a bit out of the ordinary, the Lada is worth checking out.
Available from Moosejaw.com
If you are looking for an environmentally sustainable pullover from an ethical company, you will want to check out Patagonia Recycled Wool Sweater. It is made from a blend of 70% recycled wool (presumably lambswool) along with 26% recycled nylon and 4% other fibers.
Some men find this pick to be a little bit scratchy, but it works great as a layer and is very durable and warm.
Available from Patagonia.com
Aran sweaters are a kind of timeless design that never goes out of fashion and always looks pretty good. Aran designs are traditionally made on the Isle Of Aran, off the west coast of Ireland, and have cabling down the front along with a crewneck.
The pullover pictured above from the Irish Store is a well-reviewed Aran design that is made from soft merino wool. Although a real Aran sweater is supposed to be an off-white color normally, it comes in lots of lovely colors. What is great about this pick from the Irish Store is that it is super warm and thick but feels light and breathable.
Available from The Irish Store
Some men consider the Filson Crewneck Guide Sweater the perfect wool sweater. It only comes in navy, and it is relatively pricey, but it is American-made from premium 100% Merino wool. It is soft against the skin, breathable, natural water-resistance, and easily dressed up or down.
Available from Filson.com or Moosejaw
This Banana Republic Responsible Merino Sweater is an easy-to-wear versatile crewneck that goes with almost anything. Banana republic is known for its excellent merino styles. They have a few different types of merino (Responsible, Italian, and All-season), with all of the types being very well reviewed and known for being soft and comfortable.
Banana Republics’ merino sweaters are a particularly good option for the office when you want to stay warm but don’t want a lot of bulk under a jacket or if you are wearing it as a layer.
Available from Banana Republic
The last pick on our list is the Bonobos Washable Merino V-Neck Sweater. This is an easy-care design that can be machine washed. It comes in lots of great colors and can get it in a modern slim fit or a looser standard fit. This is a perfect business casual option that will keep you warm and comfy and looking professional and put together.
Available from Bonobos
What to Look for:
The wool sweaters of today are much different than what you grew up with unless you are super young. You can still get scratchy lambswool styles, but there are also softer, less itchy alternatives. The following are a few things to keep in mind when you are shopping for a wool sweater.
Types of wool:
- Merino – Has a soft, finely woven, and somewhat stretchy feel. It doesn’t pill much and is warm but not quite as warm as other wools.
- Donegal – Has a soft, heavyweight feel and is commonly flecked with different colors. Usually quite thick and warm.
- Lambswool – Can be super soft and comfortable, but lower quality lambswool can be itchy and is more likely to pill.
- Shetland– One of the more scratchy yarns, it isn’t as soft as lambswool but is very warm, and if you wear it with a long shirt layer, you won’t notice the itchiness.
Fit– In terms of comfort, you will also want to think about what type of fit you want in your sweater. There are many designs available if you feel best in a slim fit, from Bonobos to Uniqlo. The more traditional looser fits are useful because they can be easier to layer and move around in.
Cleaning- There are a few machine washable options, but generally, you will want to hand wash or dry clean unless stated otherwise from the manufacturer. Never put a wool garment in the dryer (unless stated otherwise from the manufacturer as there is a good chance it will shrink.
Design– The most popular pullover designs are v-neck or crew necks. You can also get chunky cable knits, turtlenecks, quarter knit zip, and fair isle styles that make stylish options that will keep you warm and comfy.
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