Being admittedly one of the coziest clothing items around, the popularity of hoodies is understandable. The problem is most are made from synthetic and petroleum-based fibers, which means they’ll be hugging landfills for hundreds of years. Brands that offer more sustainable hoodies and sweatshirts are worth supporting.
The brands we’ve curated in this list prioritize responsible materials, fair labor and low-impact dyes. Many of them are working in their communities to go beyond business and most consider the broader impact of their operations and are taking steps to address that impact.
Our new Brand Rating System assesses brands against 22 different sustainability related criteria. Look out for the hoodie brands on the list below who have opted in to be rated and are bravely choosing transparency over perfection. You can learn about our new system here.
We independently research all featured brands and we ask them to confirm their claims. In many cases we personally review recommended products. This post contains affiliate links which means we may earn a commission if you buy something. Learn more here.
Our Top Picks For Ethical Hoodies & Sweatshirts
Organic Basics make minimalist and stylish hoodies and sweatshirts predominantly from GOTS-certified organic cotton. All their suppliers are audited annually by WRAP and Betterwork and they’re now Carbon Neutral. Organic basics has been extensively rated on their sustainability credentials by us here.
We can’t take Paka’s ethical hoodie off! The traceable alpaca wool is lightweight, and odor-resistant yet its performance as an outer layer for outdoor trekking (something we love doing) is second to none. Additionally, Paka go above an beyond to uplift the communities they work in. Paka has been comprehensively rated by us on their sustainability credentials – find the full rating here.
For size-inclusive recycled hoodies (and sustainable sweatpants, for that matter) Girlfriend Collective is another SJ favorite. We love how buttery soft the recycled fabric feels, making them one of our go-to brands for sustainable activewear that’s comfy enough to snuggle up in on those not-so-active days.
Index: Sustainable Hoodie Brands
- Organic Basics Jump to brand
- Paka Jump to brand
- Girlfriend Collective Jump to brand
- Happy Earth Jump to brand
- Outerknown Jump to brand
- Pact Jump to brand
- tentree Jump to brand
- Patagonia Jump to brand
- Boldwill Jump to brand
Organic Basics
Carbon Neutral
Brand has been certified as Carbon Neutral.
Ethical Sourcing
Raw materials have been sourced ethically with people and planet in mind.
Organic
Products are made from organic materials.
Recycled materials
Some or all products are made with recycled materials
Sustainable Materials
Either all or most products are made with sustainable materials
Thoughtful packaging
Product packaging has been designed and created with the end of life outcome in mind and can be easily recycled or composted.
1% for the planet
Better Work
FSC
GOTS
GRS
OCS
OEKO-TEX 100
REACH
WRAP
1% for the planet
Certified Environmental Giving — Businesses give 1% of their annual sales directly to vetted environmental partners.Carbon neutral Organic Basics lives up to its name with timeless, minimalist staples—including ultra-comfy hoodies and sweatshirts for lounging or layering.
Their highly rated hoodies range features relaxed, gender-neutral designs in solid, wear-anywhere colors, made with comfort and durability in mind. While the women’s range is more extensive, men will also find plenty of options
Hoodies and sweatshirts are made primarily from GOTS-certified organic cotton. Though some include other materials like recycled synthetics.
They have several certifications in place for their products including GOTS, Organic Cotton Standard (OCS), and/or Global Recycling Standard (GRS). Annual factory audits are performed by WRAP and Better Work and they give back via 1% for the planet.
Organic Basics has been rated & reviewed by Sustainable Jungle. Find the full rating here.
Paka
Compostable
All or some products are compostable, either in an industrial facility or at homeEthical Sourcing
Raw materials have been sourced ethically with people and planet in mind.
Handcrafted
Products have been made by hand, typically by an artisan or group of artisans.
Locally Made
Products are made local to the brand's headquarters.Recycled materials
Some or all products are made with recycled materialsThoughtful packaging
Product packaging has been designed and created with the end of life outcome in mind and can be easily recycled or composted.
B Corp
GOTS
OEKO-TEX 100
Founded in Peru, Paka produces, in our opinion, arguably the most comfortable zip-up hoodies and pullovers from ethically sourced Alpaca wool.
Paka produces its catalog of hoodies from primarily alpaca wool, but many garments contain a bit of recycled nylon, Pima organic cotton, and TENCEL™. With OEKO-TEX-certified dyes, you can rest assured you’re purchasing a non-toxic hoodie.
Paka introduced the first Traceable Alpaca garments, each containing a source certificate from their partners in Peru, where they dye and weave each hoodie, too.
They’re partnered with the Ministry of Vulnerable Populations (MIMP) in Cusco, a state-backed non-profit organization helping to guarantee single mothers work. Paka works with these women to provide them with a stable income and aims to substantially multiply each weaver’s daily income.
They currently utilize solar energy for 50% of their entire wool-spinning process and package everything in fully biodegradable and compostable packaging.
Paka works with numerous organizations to better communities in Peru, like Peruvian Hearts, International Alpaca Association, SeaLegacy, and more.
Paka has been rated by Sustainable Jungle. Find the full rating here.
My Personal Review of Paka’s The Hoodie & Zip Hoodie:
“As hoodies go, The Hoodie from Paka is, quite frankly, next level. It’s insanely soft, light, and odor-resistant, making it perfect for both outdoor adventures and Netflix marathons. If you want a hoodie that’s stylish and sustainable, this one nails it. It’s super cozy and easily one of the most comfortable pieces I own. Note that the alpaca wool isn’t as hard-wearing as some types of wool, so it’s important to wash and dry it gently. I’ve kept mine in excellent shape by not washing it too often, and it’s still looking awesome after a year. For something that feels a little more durable and less like a sweater, I’d recommend Paka’s Zip Hoodie. It has all the softness one would expect from cashmere, but the weave isn’t quite as soft and delicate as The Hoodie, which means I can confidently wear it in a greater variety of situations.”
Reviews by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
Girlfriend Collective
Girlfriend Collective has not been rated.
Price Range: $90-$100
Girlfriend Collective is a size and budget-inclusive brand that offers leggings, sports bras, swimwear, dresses, hoodies, and more that are equally at home in the gym, on the yoga mat, and just lounging around the house.
Girlfriend Collective crafts sweatshirts from sustainable and organic materials—Texloop™ RCOT™ Primo Recycled Cotton, organic cotton, and recycled polyester (rPET). Some pieces contain spandex (less than 10%) for a bit of stretch. All low-impact dyes have an OEKO-TEX certification.
The brand’s primary sewing partner in Vietnam is SA80000 certified.
Girlfriend Collective ships everything in 100% recycled and recyclable materials. Through the ReGirlfriend program, customers can send back their gently used items for recycling into new recycled hoodies and receive store credit toward their next purchase.
Girlfriend Collective carries women’s sustainable hoodies in sizes XXS–6XL, making them one of the best sustainable plus-size clothing brands.
My Personal Review of Girlfriend Collective’s Moss ReSet Hoodie
“One of my favorite GFC pieces that I own is the Moss ReSet Hoodie, made from 91% recycled plastic bottles and 9% spandex for a stretchy and flowy fit that borders on being cropped while still providing full tummy coverage. You’d never guess it’s a recycled hoodie, though, with how buttery soft the fabric is!”
Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
Happy Earth
Happy Earth has not been rated.
Price Range: $120-$130
Happy Earth supplies basics, dresses, bottoms, tops, and, of course, sweaters and hoodies—all made from cushy organic cotton.
Happy Earth crafts its sweatshirts from ultra-plush organic cotton dyed using safe, non-toxic dyes compliant with the ZDHC Manufacturing Restricted Substances List.
Over 95% of Happy Earth’s products are made in Fair Trade-certified factories, and some are WRAP-certified, and all adhere to their Code of Conduct based on principles set by the ILO.
Happy Earth is Carbon Neutral Certified and offsets carbon emissions through low-energy solutions, sea shipping, and lightweight packaging. Their factory uses some solar energy, while their office is powered by renewables, reducing GHGs.
Upon checkout, HE allows you to select a charitable contribution, including removing one pound of trash, averting 150 pounds of greenhouse gasses, or planting five trees. Happy Earth also offers 100% post-consumer, recycled plastic or 100% paper shipping materials.
My Personal Review of Happy Earth’s Rainbow Mountains Hoodie:
“The Rainbow Mountains Hoodie provides a snug fit with gender-neutral sizes. I tried it and can confirm this fuzzy organic fleece-lined piece is one of my favorite winter hoodies for its durability and warmth. I also especially love how large the hood space is on Happy Earth Hoodies, which, not going to lie, makes me feel a little like a Jedi when wearing! ;)”
Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
Outerknown
Outerknown has not been rated.
Price Range: $120-$300
Surf legend Kelly Slater turned his passion for ocean conservation into Outerknown. In addition to their range of year-round-wearable men’s and women’s tees, jeans, and activewear, Outerknown also makes layerable hoodies for “laid-back comfort and style wherever you wander”.
All their fair trade hoodies are made of blends of organic cotton and recycled polyester made from plastic bottles—all bluesign® approved.
OK partners with a range of manufacturers and suppliers across the globe (namely in Peru, Mexico, and China). They all abide by a strict code of conduct, and many of them are Fair Trade-certified. OK was the first brand to bear a certification by the Fair Labor Association.
Pact
Pact has not been rated.
Price Range: $68–$84
Pact uses only Fair Trade and GOTS-certified organic cotton, at least in the sweatshirts.
Pact sources most of its organic cotton from India, which is also where they have its Fair Trade USA-certified factories.
Pact offers the option to offset the carbon footprint of your delivery. It’s shipped in a box made from 98% post-consumer recycled materials and includes a biodegradable plastic bag to keep your fair trade hoodie safe.
Through Pact’s Give Back. Wear Forward, you can turn your Magic Box into a Give Back Box. Just return the packaging from your order filled with gently used clothing. Then, Pact sends it to non-profits.
My Personal Review of Pact’s Brushed Fleece Zip-Up:
“I own Pact’s Brushed Fleece Zip-Up, a versatile, all-around hoodie designed for all-season (and all-style) wear. I definitely do wear it all year round! It’s light enough to be a summer layer or become a non-bulky mid-layer in the winter.”
Review by Aarron Lopex, SJ Writer
tentree
tentree has not been rated.
Price Range: $80-$150
Canadian tentree calls its ethical hoodie range: “The second-layer you never want to take off.” If it were a tree, it would be a redwood; that’s how big and diverse it is.
With so many different options, there are a few different sweatshirt fabric combos, usually consisting of GOTS-certified organic cotton, recycled polyester, TENCEL™ Lyocell, and minimal spandex in some designs.
tentree manufactures globally but tells you which country each product comes from. A transparent factory ledger and code of conduct assure us these factories are all certified by one or more entities and held to strict labor standards.
Thanks to these efforts, tentree ranks in B Corp’s top 1% for manufacturing ethics.
My Personal Review of tentree’s hoodie
“I love this hoodie, it’s great for wearing out and about, being active but also at home lounging around. I love the cork detail on the drawstrings and it’s of course very comfortable. Sizing is spot on for me.”
Review by Lyall Mabin, SJ Co-Founder
Patagonia
Patagonia has not been rated.
Price Range: $45–$299
Patagonia makes zip-up hoodies, sweatshirts, and anything else you need for outdoor activities. Designed with a cropped casual fit, the Regenerative Organic Certified™ Cotton sustainable women’s hoodie is perfect for layering or casual everyday wear.
Many of Patagonia’s crewneck sweatshirts, hoodies, and zip jackets utilize cotton and recycled polyester blends. Other options feature certified organic cotton, hemp, recycled cotton, recycled wool, and recycled cashmere.
Every fabric is colored with PVC-free and phthalate-free inks.
As a Certified B Corp with most of their factories Fair Trade Certified, Patagonia adhere to strict guidelines ensuring a living wage, healthy working conditions, and respect. The brand also documents where each item is made through The Footprint Chronicles no each page.
Patagonia’s green business initiatives include piloting the first certification program for regenerative agriculture. They also make it easy to recycle old clothes through the Worn Wear program. Patagonia co-founded 1% for the Planet and they make it easy for every customer to have an impact through Patagonia Action Works, an easy-to-use tool allowing you to look up social initiatives in your area.
Boldwill
Boldwill has not been rated.
Price Range: $115
Boldwill (previously Iron Roots) is a small, sustainable activewear brand with a catalog of synthetic-free garments. Founded by three friends who found it absurd that 90% of sportswear contains microplastic-releasing polyester fibers, this brand brings fitness back to its roots in nature.
Their [PF80.Wood] Hoodie (available for men and women) is a blend of TENCEL™ Lyocell and GOTS certified organic cotton, making it soft, antibacterial, warm yet breathable, and, of course, fully biodegradable.
Their hoodie is produced in a factory in Greece and it is both GOTS and SMETA certified.
Thanks for this guide; great to have it all in one place for gift shopping 🙂 One correction though: rayon (AKA viscose) is made from plant fibres, not petroleum. However, it is a synthetic material — the plant fibres are broken down, kinda ‘melted’ using chemicals, then spun into new fibres similar to polyester. Whenever you see ‘bamboo’ textile, it’s actually rayon.
As far as I can tell, it’s still wise to steer clear of rayon for the most part. The chemicals are pretty harsh and toxic. The only exceptions are Lyocell and Tencel branded fabric, because they do something clever in their processes to dramatically reduce the amount of nasty chemicals. I’d argue that, especially when the feedstock is bamboo, these fabrics are closely approaching purely natural fabrics for greenness.
Thanks Paul, that is a good point and I’ve fixed that sentence, we have written multiple articles on rayon so we are across how it’s made, this was a mistype – apologies!
I don’t know why people keep referring to PACT. Their clothes fall apart, and their customer service is crap. I have several pieces from them, from underwear to t-shirts, to pajamas. A lot. And none of them preform well, and there is no way to write a review on their website to warn people. SO I am doing that here, since you are suggesting PACT as a product. Just look elsewhere. Their stuff has no standard, and you will have zero recourse.
I just want to order a number of hoodies for my husband and its not clear how to do so
Hi Esther, we’re not a retailer ourselves so you can’t buy from our site. Instead you need to click through to one of the brands on the list – see where it says “available” at the end of each listing. This will take you through to the brand’s site where you can buy the hoodies.
How do i shop for these items?
Hi Susan, simply click on the link next to where it says “available” for any of the brands you like the sound of. This will take you to an e-commerce site where you can buy the items. Cheers, Joy