A heavyweight hoodie feels different from the moment you pick it up. It hangs with more structure, holds its shape, feels denser in the hand and traps more warmth. Most hoodies on the market are cut from fabrics between roughly 280 and 400 GSM. Our Lined Hoodie is 580 GSM and weighs over a kilo when finished, which is unheard of for a hoodie.

This guide explains what makes a hoodie heavyweight, what that weight gives you and what to look for beyond the number.

What counts as a heavyweight hoodie?

Fabric weight is measured in GSM, grams per square metre. As a rough guide, fabrics above about 300 GSM are considered heavyweight, and anything well above 400 GSM sits at the very top of the range. If the unit is new to you, our guide to what GSM means in clothing explains it in detail.

Weight is a property of the fabric, not the finished garment, so the same cloth can produce hoodies of different total weights depending on cut and size. A 580 GSM fabric, however, will always make a substantial piece.

What a heavier hoodie gives you

Structure

Heavy fabric drapes rather than clings. The hood stands up, the body keeps a clean line and the garment looks considered rather than slouchy.

Warmth

Denser fabric traps more air, so a heavyweight hoodie can replace a light jacket on dry autumn days and works as a warm mid layer under a coat in winter.

Durability

A dense, well-knitted fabric resists thinning, stretching and holes. Heavyweight hoodies tend to improve with wear, softening while keeping their shape.

Weight is not everything

A heavy hoodie made from poor fibres or loosely constructed can still pill, sag or overheat. Three other factors matter as much as GSM:

• The fabric. Long, fine fibres and a tight knit create a fabric that is heavy but smooth. Ours come from Italian mills; see why we source our fabrics from Italian mills.
• Breathability. A heavy piece should still let your body breathe. Knit construction and lining choices make the difference.
• Construction. Heavy fabric puts strain on seams, cuffs and the hem. Ribbing and stitching must be designed for the weight.

Inside the 580 GSM Lined Hoodie

The idea behind the Lined Hoodie was to make the wearer feel cocooned while still maintaining breathability.

• The fabric: a 580 GSM cloth supplied by one of our favourite Italian mills. Finished, the hoodie weighs over a kilo.
• The lining: a silky smooth lining made from recycled plastic bottles, which makes the hoodie easy to slip on and adds to the cocooning feel.
• The ribbing: to match such a thick fabric, we had to create a specific type of ribbing, so cuffs and hem hold their shape.
• The making: like every Parhela garment, it is crafted in London.

It comes in Raven Black. Find it in our black hoodies, alongside the Staple and the Wild Window.

Our hoodies by weight

• The Lined Hoodie: 580 GSM, lined, our heaviest piece.
• The Celestial Hoodie: 445 GSM needle punched Italian wool blend, with a 100% silk lining. Read needle punch fabric explained.
• The Snoodie: 375 GSM Italian loopback, our take on a roll neck and a hoodie. See what is a snoodie.
• The Staple Hoodie: 345 GSM flagship Italian loopback, part of a full tracksuit set.
• The Wild Window Hoodie: 345 GSM loopback with 227,000 threads of embroidery on the back.

Compare them all in our hoodies collection.

How to wear a heavyweight hoodie

• As outerwear on dry, cool days, with joggers or trousers.
• Under a coat in winter; the structure of a heavy hoodie sits neatly under an overcoat.
• Over a shirt, with the collar showing, for a smarter casual look; see how to wear a silk shirt in winter.

How to care for a heavyweight hoodie

Always follow the care label. Wash inside out at a low temperature, and dry flat: a wet heavyweight hoodie is heavy, and hanging it can stretch the shoulders. Avoid the tumble dryer to protect both the fabric and the lining.

In short

A heavyweight hoodie is cut from fabric above roughly 300 GSM, giving more structure, warmth and durability than standard hoodies. Weight alone is not enough: fibre quality, breathability and construction matter just as much. Our Lined Hoodie is 580 GSM, weighs over a kilo, has a lining made from recycled plastic bottles and ribbing designed for its thickness, and is crafted in London. Discover it in our hoodies.