Bamboo sweatshirt and when to choose a zip
Short answer: A zip turns the sweatshirt into a layer you can adjust. A closed style holds warmth better. If you move between warm and cold during the day, the zip wins, while the closed style is best for days of steady cold.
Adjusting over insulating
With a zip you can open up when the room gets warm without taking the sweatshirt off. That does more for comfort than a thicker fabric, because you can adjust in small steps rather than choosing between on and off. It helps most on days when you go in and out a lot. See sweatwear.
Closed holds warmth better
With no opening at the front, there is no cold gap down the chest. In cold rooms and outdoors, a closed style is warmer at the same weight, because the air under the sweatshirt stays put. It is also simpler to pull over your head and has fewer parts that can break. See bamboo sweatshirts for men.
Under a jacket
A zip adds bulk at the neck under a jacket and can press against your chin when both are closed. If the sweatshirt is meant as a mid layer, a crew neck is better, because it lies flat under the jacket collar. A hoodie adds warmth around the head, but the hood must sit neatly over the jacket. See bamboo hoodies for men.
Which zip
A full zip turns the sweatshirt into a jacket you can put on and take off without pulling it over your hair. A half zip at the neck gives some adjustment, but the top still goes over your head. Choose a full zip if you take it off often, and a half zip if you mainly want to open the neck.
The ribbing matters most
Whatever the fastening, it is the ribbing at the cuffs and hem that decides whether the sweatshirt keeps its shape. Firm ribbing holds it in place at the hips and stops the sleeves sliding over your hands. Pull the rib gently before you choose: it should spring back straight away. See bamboo sweatshirts for women.
Fit and length
A zip sweatshirt should close without pulling across the stomach. If it is too tight, the zip ripples. A closed style can fit a little looser, because there is no zip that needs to lie straight. The length should reach past the waistband, even when you raise your arms.
When to choose which
If you work somewhere with changing temperatures or cycle to and from work, the zip is the practical choice. If you sit still in a cool room or the sweatshirt goes under a jacket, the closed style is better. Many people own both and choose by the day.
Wash with the zip closed
An open zip snags other clothes and the sweatshirt itself. Close it before washing and turn the sweatshirt inside out, so the teeth do not rub the outer fabric. Wash at a low temperature and hang it to dry, so the ribbing keeps its stretch. See washing and care.
In short
A zip is for adjusting, a closed style is for warmth. If you often move between indoors and out, the zip is best. If it is cold all day or the sweatshirt goes under a jacket, the closed style is better. Either way, the ribbing decides how long it keeps its shape.
Frequently asked questions
Is a zip better than a closed sweatshirt?
On days with changing temperatures yes, because you can open and close as needed. In steady cold, a closed style is warmer, because there is no opening at the front.
Can you wear a zip sweatshirt under a jacket?
You can, but the zip adds bulk at the neck and can press against your chin. A crew neck works better as a mid layer, because it lies flat under the jacket collar.
Should the zip be closed before washing?
Yes. An open zip snags both the sweatshirt and other clothes in the machine. Turn it inside out as well, so the teeth do not rub against the outer fabric.
See our range of men's bamboo sweatshirt.
