15 Best Wool Sweaters For Men You’ll Want To Wear Year-Round 2024

Never has an article titled The Best Wool Sweaters for Men are Dead been written. That’s because it has never happened and will never happen. That’s a bold claim. If the wool sweater has proved so popular throughout the years, then which is the best men’s wool sweater available right now? That’s the premise of this incredibly pro-wool article.

There are a number of reasons the wool sweater is one of the most steadfast pieces in the modern male’s autumn/winter wardrobe. Wool is a magical material sourced conventionally from sheep, though other mammals across the planet also produce wool. We’ll get to that. Scientists have tried and failed to synthetically reproduce the most ancient and natural of fibers. Dumb scientists.

Essentially, it’s a keratin-based fiber, and its list of natural attributes is about as long as mohair fiber. Biodegradable, highly insulating, absorbs water while also water resistant, anti-odorous, anti-bacterial, durable, and even flame retardant. Just think about the last time you saw a sheep in a field on fire. It doesn’t happen.

The men’s wool sweater is a perfect winter compadre not only for the practicality just pointed out but for the versatility and stylishness, it brings. Either as lightweight knitwear, a cardigan, a sleeveless sweater-vest, a thick knit, or some fluffy graphics, the men’s wool sweater is the ultimate winter choice (when done right).

We’re here to show you how to do it right. With these best men’s wool sweaters, you’re just one wool sweater away from peak winter style.

Key Takeaways 

The best men’s wool sweater is constructed from high-quality or considered materials. Take the soft, insulating pure Scottish lambswool crew neck by Sunspel. Or the durable blend of alpaca and wool, as in the case of our Drake’s selection. You also want a piece that is both versatile and achingly stylish. We believe the Axel Arigato Clay Sweater fulfills all these promises, making it the crowned best men’s wool sweater.

Overall Best Wool Sweater For Men: Axel Arigato Clay Signature Sweater

Material: 90% Wool, 10% Cashmere | Sizes: XS-XL | Colors: 2 | Care: Hand Wash Only

What is the best men’s wool sweater? For this article, I’d suggest it’s something that can do it all. Casual, smart, warm, lightweight, stylish, and versatile. The boiled wool material gives it a compact and quite unique feel you may not have experienced before. The boiling process tightens the fibers, adding a little heft and ensuring better wind-proofing than conventional wool.

Secondly, this sweater comes in two extremely versatile colors – a pale beige and this all-around black one. Each one will be endlessly applicable to casual, smart-casual and even touching into the formal range if worn with tailoring.

Lastly, the simple collegiate-branded style with a simple “A” at the chest brings a slight point of difference that blends conventional cotton sweater style with knitwear. So, in answer to the question: which is the best men’s wool sweater overall? This is it.

Best Wool Zip-Up Sweater For Men: L’Estrange The Easy Zip Sweatshirt Navy Merino Wool

Material: 100% Extra Fine Merino Wool  | Sizes: XS-XXL | Colors: 3 | Care: Machine Wash Inside Out At 40°C Wool Cycle Using Mild Detergent

The subtle pressed collar and metal half zip take this sweater away from being a functional warming device to being a Fresh Prince of Debonair.

Instead of a real shirt, opt for this merino wool sweater. It’s perfect for the office—adaptable to warm climates (office heating) but also cold climates (no office heating). It’s breathable. It comes in three formal color variations. Plus, it has anti-bacterial and anti-odor properties, meaning you won’t be that stinky guy next to the water cooler. (Do they have water coolers anymore?)

Best Cotton and Wool Sweater (Blend): Closed Knitted Jumper

Material: 53% Wool, 47% Cotton | Sizes: XS-XXL | Colors: 2 | Care: Hand Wash or Dry Clean

A “rib knit” is not a little parasite that gets stuck in your ribs. It’s a traditional knitting method that retains a classic and handsome aesthetic. Closed has opted for a cotton-wool blend in only black and white. The addition of cotton lends extra durability and lessens the stretch and malleability of the sweater over time. This ensures the sweater stays the way it was when you first bought it.

The two-tone color choices and linear style mean this sweater can achieve a wonderful smart-casual aesthetic with smart black trousers, a long overcoat, and black derby shoes.

Best Bright Wool Sweater For Men: Brooks Brothers Brushed Wool Raglan Crewneck Sweater

Material: 100% Wool  | Sizes: XS-XXL | Colors: 5 | Care: Hand Wash

Wool is a material with great attributes (natural, flame-retardant, breathable, insulating, and anti-bacterial). But in some circumstances, it can be a somewhat run-of-the-mill design. Thankfully, with just a little imagination and some slight deviations from the norm, wool can be made cool again.

Brooks Brothers knows this. Of course, it does. Here the fabric has a slightly brushed finish, making it look like vintage mohair (very trendy right now). As a fine contender for the best men’s wool sweater, Brooks Brothers shows us how to do wool right.

Best Turtleneck Wool Sweater For Men: Aran Turtleneck Sweater

Material: 100% Merino Wool | Sizes: S-XXL | Colors: 5 | Care: Hand Wash Only

Fisherman knit sweaters have a long history of keeping people warm. Traditionally, the intricate patterns or stitches on a fisherman knit sweater had meaning specifically to the family (all the way back to Aran Islands in Ireland), now it’s just a sign of warmth and good taste.

If you’re looking for a classic turtleneck look then look no further than this take on the classic Aran cable sweater. If you like the style but want something less all-encompassing, they also make the sweater in a crew and cardigan version. Either way, you’re going to look great and make it through any storm.

Best Thick Wool Sweater For Men: L.L. Bean Classic Ragg Wool Sweater Full Zip Flannel Lined

Material: 100% Lambswool Outer, 100% Cotton Flannel Lining | Sizes: S-XXXL | Colors: 4 | Care: Hand Wash

There is nothing like the warm hug of a flannel-lined Bean sweater. If the best men’s wool sweater is all about comfort and soul-soothing warmth, this is flying high up there. The thick insulation comes from the outer knitted lambswool and tartan flannel inner lining. It’s rare for a sweater to come with extra insulation, but L.L. Bean isn’t taking any chances.

To be frank, it isn’t the coolest wool sweater you’re going to own or lay eyes upon, but it’s not bad by any stretch. It’ll bring a smile to your face and joy to your body. It’s important to note it’ll be bulky, so don’t try to attempt too many layers.

Best Cashmere and Wool Sweater For Men: Naadam Cashmino Honeycomb Crewneck Sweater

Material: 90% Wool, 10% Cashmere | Sizes: XS-XXL | Colors: 3 | Care: Dry Clean

You know when everyone’s like, “Lionel Messi is the GOAT,” or “ Serena Williams is the GOAT,” or “Michael Jordan is the GOAT?” People think it’s because it means Greatest Of All Time, but you know it actually refers to the cashmere goat, right? Cashmere is the most luxurious, most expensive, softest, and most insulating wool fabric. That, my friends, is why people say: the goat.

Okay, so maybe the theory needs some work, but this Naadam sweater needs no work whatsoever. Its easy draping style, super-soft fabric blend, and timeless fashion make it the GOAT… I mean, the goat.

Best Mohair and Wool Sweater For Men: Thom Browne Mohair Tweed 4-Bar Classic Pullover

Material: 70% Wool, 30% Mohair | Sizes: XS-XXL | Colors: 2 | Care: Hand Wash

“Mohair, please,” is what I say when I see my hairline in the mirror and when I’m in Thom Browne purchasing my winter essentials. This sweater is the highway by which you shall take to elevate your winter outfits. Even though it’s furry and fuzzy, it has enough panache to bring formality to your smart-casual evening outfits. Thom Browne uses a blend of traceable wool and mohair. Meaning you get both wool’s properties and mohair’s blur and verve.

Best Lambswool Sweater For Men: Sunspel Lambswool Crew Neck Jumper

Material: 100% Merino Wool | Sizes: XS-XXL | Colors: 17 | Care: Gentle Wash at 30 Degrees C

This sweater has been delicately designed to bring about air-light softness. Plus, it’s infused with the love of Scotland. The lightweight lambswool yarn has been sheared from the lamb’s first coat when the wool is at its softest. Then made into yarn by one of the world’s oldest spinners in Fife, Scotland. Finally, it’s knitted and washed in the mineral-rich water of Scottish springs.

The material is a little sheer, so be wary of t-shirt logos worn underneath. I recommend wearing it without anything underneath. The fabric feels incredible on the skin, plus lambswool has anti-bacterial properties, so there’s no need to worry about odors. I wore this very sweater in Ecru with loose green pants, off-white socks, cream/green/purple Adidas, and a beige wale cord jacket. And it looked good… if I do say so myself.

Best Polo Neck Wool Sweater For Men: Charles Tyrwhitt Merino Polo Jumper

Material: 100% Merino Wool | Sizes: XS-XXXL | Colors: 6 | Care: Machine Washable

This Merino men’s wool sweater drips with smart-casual panache. It has a chic polo neck finish, but what’s lovely about this sweater is its thin construction and sensual soft feel. I have worn my Charles Tyrwhitt polo sweater while perusing the streets of Porto. It was perfect for a climate that fluctuated from cool to warm at a moment’s notice.

Plus, it’s one of the few items on this list that is machine washable, making it practical. Being merino wool, it should last, but if it doesn’t? You’ve got a six-month quality guarantee, so no sweat (because it’s merino…right?).

Style with a puffer jacket, smart pants, and a pair of chunky derbies.

Best Graphic Wool Sweater For Men: Etro Multicolour Wool Blend Jumper

Material: 50% Alpaca Wool, 30% Polyamide, 20% Wool | Sizes: S-XL | Colors: 1 | Care: Dry Clean

Sweaters don’t get much more in your face than this. They also don’t get much more glorious than this. Etro created a sweater that’s a work of artistic design. And it has function thanks to the insulating properties of its alpaca wool, polyamide, and wool blend. But screw practicality when there is a mural of leaves and flowers firing across it. It’s stunning.

Despite that, you can see how the fibers of the alpaca wool give it a calming blur to the graphic print. Pair with black trousers, chunky black leather shoes, and a black jacket or coat if you’re going to need the thermal aid. Most of all, put this sweater on display and let the design do the talking.

Best Alpaca Wool Sweater For Men: Drake’s Norwegian Birdseye Wool Alpaca Jumper

Material: 70% Wool, 30% Alpaca | Sizes: S-XXL | Colors: 1 | Care: Hand Wash Only

Drake’s is a wonderful British brand providing rustic workwear. They use some of the most durable, quality materials in intriguing ways. This crew sweater is a great example.

Native South American alpaca wool is luxurious due to the fine diameter of the fiber. This makes it soft, insulating, tough, and better than sheep’s wool at water resistance. Here, Drake’s uses alpaca in conjunction with wool. This creates a super-blend of softness, strength, durability, and insulation. The Birdseye weave of this sweater is a one-of-a-kind, rarely-seen tone and style. So, if it’s individuality you’re going for, this is your wool sweater.

Best Wool Blazer Sweater For Men: Reiss Forbes

Material: 100% Wool | Sizes: XS-XXL | Colors: 6 | Care: Hand Wash Only

Here’s a little curveball for the “best men’s wool sweater” title race. This is knitwear but in the style and shape of a blazer. Reiss has tailored the design to its new material, opting for a Mod-like button front and point collar, giving it more of a cardigan-like feel. And as you can see, it works well.

I can vouch for the material excellence of the Reiss knitwear, as I own a lambswool/nylon sweater in an oatmeal color. It’s lightweight, warm, and a nice shade to style. While the navy will be equally as easy to style, the dark green shade offers a tantalizing prospect, which would go well with black trousers, dark green leather shoes, and a black t-shirt.

Best Wool Multi-Knit Sweater For Men: Ader Error Multicolor Patchwork Hoodie

Material: Wool, Polyester, Nylon, Acrylic, Cotton, Elastane | Sizes: S-XL | Colors: 1 | Care: Dry Clean

Can’t decide what sweater you want to wear? How about wearing a sweater constructed from every single other sweater in the world? With this Ader Error patchwork cable knit sweater, you can have every color, weave, pattern, and style all in one. How practical. But this isn’t purely about pragmatism.

Of course, it’s not about pragmatism. Just look at the thing; this is all about pure sweater-y stylishness. It has a nonchalant oversized fit and a decorous neckline guaranteed to make knitwear aficionados swoon and pass out. Style with beige or off-white cotton twill trousers, ecru jeans, and Timberland boat shoes for a powerful autumn or spring look.

Best Merino Wool Sweater: ISTO Merino Wool Sweater

Material: 100% Extra-Fine Merino Wool | Sizes: XXS-XXL | Colors: 4 | Care: Hand Wash Cold

I recently went away on a three-night trip to The Lake District, a notoriously cold part of England. I own a Paul Smith blue/brown chunky knit, which effectively makes me look like a large sheep. I thought this would be perfect for the trip. But, it was awful for packing. I barely had space for other clothes, let alone books, toiletries, chargers, a laptop, etc.

This ISTO sweater is made from extra-fine, lightweight merino wool. The fabric is extremely soft, has luster, and aids temperature regulation in both the heat (a sweaty Pendolino train) and the cold (the wind-whipping mountains in the Lakes). If I was a thoughtful traveler, this is the wool sweater I should have packed.

What To Look For When Buying The Best Wool Sweaters For Men

Material Weight

The weight of the material is going to affect how you style it, use it, and its general aesthetic. Thin wool sweaters make for excellent layering pieces and have a simpler look. Thick wool sweaters (my personal favorites) see a more exciting aesthetic and can be the centerpiece of an outfit. Plus, they warm up your very cockles through their weight. Obviously, different wools have different attributes, so read below in the FAQs section.

Color

Sometimes I wished I only dressed in black, it would be easier. But it would also make my job extremely boring. So, color is going to dictate with which other clothes you style it. Just know that a plain Merino wool is going to give a strong color, compared to a softer tone of shaggy mohair, just owing to the length and fuzziness of fibers. Sunspel gives a great color variation on their sweaters.

Style

Consider the neckline. Crewneck is conventional, stylish, and easy to style. V-neck can be formal, or if it comes with a thick neckline, quite vintage feeling. Then there’s the folded collar, funnel neck, or roll neck. Next, consider fit.

Oversized is bad for layering and great for style. The regular fit is great for layering; it doesn’t necessarily need to be that cool. Consider, too, whether you want sleeves or no sleeves. As for fastening, your choices are a button-up, pullover, cardigan, or zip-up. Each with its own quirk.

Final Verdict 

The Axel Arigato Clay Sweater has been anointed as the finest men’s wool sweater. The boiled fabric gives it a unique feel with excellent insulation value. The sweater also combines a sense of daily wearability and versatility with a very relaxed and self-assured sense of style. Insulation, versatility, and desirability. These are the attributes of the best men’s wool sweaters.