The Best Wool Sweaters for Cold Weather

When winter rears its frozen head, you’d better be well-prepped with some warm layers. For that, a good wool sweater needs to be a part of your defense.

How We Tested

Whether it’s a wintry gift for a loved one or yourself (hopefully you count yourself as a loved one, too), the bales of wool to comb through are, as far as we can tell, endless. But along the woolen way, our search has led us to some fine and superfine wool options you can and should consider.

To find the best wool sweaters, we used a combination of in-house knowledge, personal experience and brand reputation, and included a wide array of pieces that range in fabric, fit and style. We also consulted other guides and user reviews with confirmed hands-on experience to determine if a wool sweater is worth including or not.

To learn more about our testing methodology and how we evaluate products, head here.

Everlane

Best Overall Wool Sweater: Everlane The Grade-A Cashmere Crew

• $170.00 at Everlane

• Country of Manufacture: China
• Fit: Slim
• Colors: Black, charcoal, navy, gray, dark navy donegal
• Sizes: XS to XXL

Everlane’s offering of cashmere sweaters may be the best thing they make. Each one is made using 100 percent Mongolian cashmere, which sits at the upper echelons of both fineness and length. I.e., they’re really soft and really durable. Several reviewers say this sweater is incredibly soft and silky, and it’s flattering with just about any fit –– though some say it’s snug in the body, which is to be expected.

Courtesy

Best Upgrade Sweater: J. Press Shaggy Dog Sweater

• $245.00 at jpressonline.com

• Country of Manufacture: Scotland
• Fit: Classic
• Colors: Black, navy, gray, orange, green, purple
• Sizes: S to XXL

J. Press’ has become synonymous with its shaggy wool sweaters, aka Shaggy Dogs, and for good reason. They’re made in Scotland from 100-percent hand-brushed shetland wool in a handful of gnarled colorways, including light green, purple and orange.

If you can swing the price, you’ll experience some of the best merino wool produced in the world; Shetland sheep are highly sought after for their resilient and warm wool and take intense measures to produce.

Uniqlo

Best Affordable Wool Sweater: Uniqlo Extra Fine Merino Wool Sweater

• $50.00 at Uniqlo

• Country of Manufacture: China
• Fit: Classic
• Colors: 15+
• Sizes: Unisex XS to XXXL

You can always rely on Uniqlo to deliver the goods at a suspiciously low price. Its range of merino wool sweaters is endearingly soft, comes in plenty of colors beyond the usual navy and gray (although good still), and costs just a pittance, which is about $50.

Take heed that although affordable, users say its construction may be more fragile. Some report their sweaters attaining holes after wash, despite Uniqlo claiming it can handle a gentle cycle.

End Clothing

Best Heritage Wool Sweater: Jamieson’s of Shetland Crew Knit

• $145.00 at End Clothing

• Country of Manufacture: Scotland
• Fit: Classic
• Colors: 10+
• Sizes: XXS to XXXL

This sweater uses 100 percent pure new wool fibers by a family-run business that produces each garment in the Shetland isles of Scotland, and has been doing it for over a century. . The collar and cuffs are ribbed for better structure while the sweater itself sports an excellent fit. Grab it in a blank color, stripes or even snowflakes for the season.

Knickerbocker

Best V-Neck Wool Sweater: Knickerbocker Alpaca Wool Check V-Sweater

• $325.00 at

• Country of Manufacture: Portugal
• Fit: Classic
• Colors: Charcoal, navy, brown
• Sizes: XS to XXL

Made with 50 percent super fine alpaca and 50 percent recycled polyamide, Knickerbocker’s Alpaca Wool Check V-Sweater is one fine top. This smart piece is available in charcoal, navy and brown, and with a large checkered pattern that adds some casualness to this overwise dressy piece.

Its polyamide blend adds some durability to this wool garb, increasing its strength during its eventual wash. That same synthetic compromises some natural properties of wool, namely, its flame resistance and natural feel.

J Crew

Best Cable-Knit Wool Sweater: J. Crew Cashmere Cable-Knit Sweater

• $198.00 at J Crew

• Country of Manufacture: China
• Fit: Classic
• Colors: Birch, fushia, green, gray, navy, black
• Sizes: XS to XXL

You shouldn’t expect top-of-the-line quality — at least when compared alongside others on this list — from J. Crew, but we can guarantee you won’t be let down by this sweater, especially since it’s made from the brand’s newly upgraded imported cashmere.

It’s a go-to piece for women who want a slouchy menswear look and those who need a silky smooth top to smarten up their fit in the cooler months. It runs smaller than most on this list, with users saying it’s too tight in the arms, so sizing up is recommended.

Huckberry

Best Merino Wool Sweater: Flint & Tinder Nordic Merino Wool Crewneck Sweater

• $158.00 at Huckberry

• Country of Manufacture: Vietnam
• Fit: Classic
• Colors: Bourbon navy, navy alpine
• Sizes: S to XXL

Made with a jacquard weave for a textured feel, this merino wool sweater from Flint & Tinder is cut with 20 percent nylon for extra reinforcement. Its ribbed cuffs and neck are made with lycra, which is extra stretchy but also slightly itchy. Still, it’s a roomy sweater with plenty of slack for layering or wearing on its own.

Taylor Stitch

Best Yak Wool Sweater: Taylor Stitch Lodge Sweater in Black Pine

• $44.00 at taylorstitch.com
  $168.00 (74% off)

• Country of Manufacture: China
• Fit: Classic
• Colors: Gold, camel, charcoal, oat, black pine
• Sizes: S to XXL

Made from yak, which, unlike cashmere or lambswool, can be harvested after the animal naturally sheds, Taylor Stitch’s The Lodge Sweater is thus more animal-friendly. It’s just as soft as the other stuff, too. This fit, though, is slightly slim. User reviews also say this may be too fragile, as some say they’ve blown their elbows and collar out within months of use.

Naadam

Best Color Variety Wool Sweater: Naadam Original Cashmere Sweater

• $98.00 at Naadam

• Country of Manufacture: Mongolia
• Fit: Classic
• Colors: 10+
• Sizes: S to XXL

As I said, it isn’t hard to find a nice cashmere sweater for under $100. Hell, this one’s only $98, and it’s just about as nice as Everlane’s — the fit is better on the latter, though — and $72 less. It’s insanely soft, and it comes in over a dozen colors. Users say it pills extremely fast, however.

Spier & Mackay

Best Turtleneck Wool Sweater: Spier & Mackay Chunky Cable Turtleneck

• $1.00 at spierandmackay.com
  $158.00 (99% off)

• Country of Manufacture: Canada
• Fit: Classic
• Colors: Navy, cream, gray, camel
• Sizes: XS to XXL

Spier and Mackay’s cable turtleneck is classically chunky, covering up your neck and body in a warm layer of Australian merino wool. It’s also treated to resist pilling, reinforcing that style for years to come. Its cable design is super thick, creating a 3-D-esque texture on the wearer, which is a nice modern spin.

Bespoke Post

Best Water-Repellent Wool Sweater: Peregrine Hudson Aran Sweater

• $170.00 at Bespoke Post

• Country of Manufacture: England
• Fit: Classic
• Colors: Navy
• Sizes: Unisex XS to XXL

Originally knit for fishermen, Peregine’s Hudson Aran Sweater is made in England from 100 percent British wool. Not only is it warm — it really is — but it’s naturally water-repellent too.

Todd Snyder

Best Basic Crewneck Sweater: Todd Snyder Cashmere Crewneck

• $348.00 at Todd Snyder

• Country of Manufacture: China
• Fit: Classic
• Colors: 10+
• Sizes: XS to XXL

Fresh off its 10th anniversary, Todd Snyder’s eponymous brand continues its streak of sartorial successes with this all-new, olive-colored Cashmere Crewneck. It’s mid-weight, so you won’t melt in it, but it’s heavy enough to trap plenty of heat. It’s made with a 12-gauge knit and sports a tubular hem, which means it has no side seams.

Patagonia

Best Recycled Wool Sweater: Patagonia Men’s Recycled Wool-Blend Sweater

• $104.00 at Patagonia
  $149.00 (30% off)

• Country of Manufacture: Vietnam
• Fit: Regular
• Colors: 6 colors, 2 patterns
• Sizes: XS to XXL

Recycled fabrics typically have a more broken-in feel, giving a vintage vibe to otherwise new garbs. This wool-blended sweater from Patagonia uses a makeup of recycled wool and recycled synthetics to craft an ultra-soft top with utility.

It’s got armholes for your outdoor needs and is made with a 7-gauge jersey knit. And, thankfully, it’s also not as slim as most sweaters on this list. Some users, however, say the synthetic blend makes the sweater feel itchier than virgin wool.

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