Last Updated on February 24, 2026 by Ewen Finser
Ever wondered why a hoodie you just bought starts showing little fuzzy knots after only a couple of wears, even though it looked brand new just a minute ago?
Ever since the hoodie was first invented, pilling has been a common frustration among wearers. Pilling depends on a few different factors, which we’ll get into later in this article, and there are ways to prevent or minimize pilling through choosing the right fabric types and knowing the proper care.
Luckily, brands have caught onto this issue and today there are many models of hoodies you can choose from that are made to be pill-resistant through high quality fabrics and innovative blends.
Choosing a pill-resistant hoodie becomes even more important when you plan to add custom designs, since the surface quality of the fabric directly affects both the quality and longevity of the print.
Before we look at non-pilling hoodie picks, let’s take a look at what causes pilling in the first place and consider characteristics to look for that make hoodies pill-resistant.
What Causes Pilling in Hoodies
Pilling happens when fibers loosen from the fabric, get tangled, and cause little knots that sit on the fabric surface. This happens because of several factors:
- Fabric composition: Hoodies are often made in brushed fleece construction, where the inside is brushed to create that soft touch that hoodies have. This causes fibers to escape the yarn and create knots.
- Short or low quality fibers: Cheap fabrics consisting of short fibers break loose more easily, making pilling easier.
- Friction and wear: Repeated rubbing from inner arms, cuffs, and backpack straps creates friction on the fabric surface, damaging the fibers and leading to pilling.
- Improper washing and care: Heat, friction with heavier items, and harsh chemicals can all cause damage to the fabric yarn, making the fibers more prone to break.
How to Look for a Hoodie that Doesn’t Pill
There are a few key factors to take into account when trying to find a hoodie that won’t pill after just a couple of wears.
Material
You’ll often hear conflicting advice about whether 100% cotton or cotton/poly blends pill less. The truth is that neither is automatically better on its own. Pilling depends more on fiber quality and fabric construction than on material alone.
- Cotton fibers are naturally shorter and tend to break away from the yarn more easily under friction. However, these loose fibers usually fall off the fabric instead of clinging to the surface, which helps limit the formation of visible pills.
- Polyester fibers are longer and more durable, making them less likely to break. When pilling does occur from repeated wear or abrasion, the longer fibers tend to remain attached to the fabric, which makes the pills more noticeable and harder to remove.
- Cotton/poly blends can be highly pill-resistant when made with high-quality fibers and tight construction. In lower-quality blends, however, the shorter cotton fibers break loose and become tangled around the stronger polyester fibers that stay anchored in the fabric, leading to persistent surface pilling over time.
This explains why two hoodies made from the same materials can perform very differently depending on yarn quality and knit density.
Construction and Fiber Quality
Look for hoodies made with:
- Combed cotton
- Air-jet yarn
- Ring-spun yarn
- Dense knit structures
- Long-staple fibers
These features indicate higher-quality construction with longer, stronger fibers and finishing processes that reduce loose fuzz, making the fabric more resistant to pilling over time.
Fabric Weight
Fabric weight plays an important role in how a hoodie holds up long term. Lightweight hoodies tend to have looser knit structures and thinner yarns, which allows fibers to move more easily and increases the likelihood of pilling.
Heavier fabrics usually mean a denser knit and more stable surface. Hoodies in the midweight to heavyweight range are generally more resistant to abrasion and better able to maintain a smooth appearance after repeated washing and wear.
For those looking to create branded hoodies for teams, events, or merch, companies like BlueCotton make it easy to take a high-quality, pill-resistant hoodie and add custom designs. Their in-house production, rush options, and attention to print quality mean you can get durable, smooth-surface hoodies that hold up just like the top picks listed below, but personalized for your business, school, or organization.
As a general guideline:
- Lightweight hoodies pill more easily
- Midweight hoodies offer a good balance of comfort and durability
- Heavyweight hoodies tend to be the most resistant to pilling
Fabric weight alone does not guarantee quality, but when combined with good fiber selection and construction, it significantly improves long-term performance.
Now with all that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the most popular hoodies that are known to be pill-resistant.
Hoodies that Don’t Pill: Our Picks
1. Gildan 18500 Blend Pullover Hoodie
This classic heavyweight hoodie has been a staple for many years thanks to its simple, reliable build and print‑friendly surface. Made from an 8 oz midweight 50/50 cotton/polyester blend, it strikes a balance between softness, durability, and versatility for regular wear and custom graphics. Its brushed interior gives cozy warmth without a bulky feel, while the dense construction works well for layering or lounging.
What makes it pill-resistant: Gildan uses air jet yarns in the fleece, which are spun to reduce loose fibers and create a smoother surface that resists early pilling. The blend of cotton with polyester also stabilizes the yarn so it doesn’t break and form pills as quickly as cheaper knits might.
2. Jerzees 996M NuBlend Hoodie
The NuBlend hoodie from Jerzees is made from the brand’s signature pill‑resistant fleece, designed to give you a smooth, clean surface that stays consistent after multiple washes. Its 50/50 cotton/poly blend and preshrunk construction help maintain its shape and feel over time. The NuBlend fabric is also known for its uniform texture, which provides a flatter, less fuzzy surface ideal if you intend to add prints or logos that need to stay clear and sharp.
What makes it pill-resistant: Jerzees specifically markets preshrunk, low‑pill NuBlend fleece that resists fuzz formation and creates a smooth knit face. The consistent stitch density and balanced cotton/poly blend further support long‑lasting wear.
3. Independent Trading Co. IND5000P Legend Premium Heavyweight Cross-Grain Hoodie
For those who want something more substantial, the IND5000P “Legend” hoodie holds a premium heavyweight build that can withstand heavy use with excellent durability and a rich hand feel. The fabric is a 13.5 oz heavyweight fleece knit from a ring‑spun cotton/poly blend with cotton face yarns, giving it stability and a resilient surface ideal for screen printing or everyday wear.
What makes it pill‑resistant: Its heavyweight, ring‑spun cotton face yarns create a stable, dense knit that doesn’t release fibers easily. Reverse coverstitch construction and cross‑grain panel cutting also help limit shrinkage and fabric distortion, which in turn reduces friction points that lead to pilling.
4. Champion S700 Eco Fleece Pullover Hoodie
Champion has long been associated with hoodies that age well; their Powerblend fabric was developed to reduce shrinkage and keep the knit stable even after repeated washing. The S700 Powerblend Eco Fleece hoodie is designed for everyday use with durability in mind. Made from a heavyweight cotton/poly blend (~9 oz), including recycled polyester, it’s brushed for softness inside while maintaining structure outside.
What makes it pill‑resistant: Powerblend’s balanced cotton/polyester construction and cover‑stitched seams give it structural integrity that resists distortion. The blend reduces fiber breakage and shrinkage, two major contributors to pilling. Many reviewers note these hoodies hold their surface better than cheaper fleece equivalents.
5. Port & Company PC90H Essential Fleece Pullover
Port & Company’s PC90H is a classic, straightforward fleece hoodie that balances affordability with quality and performance. Built from a roughly 9 oz cotton/poly fleece with a cozy two‑ply hood, it offers a simple but robust knitting that works well for everyday wear and custom printing.
What makes it pill‑resistant: Like Gildan’s Heavy Blend, the PC90H uses air jet‑spun yarns that are softer and reduce surface fiber ends, making it less prone to pilling than other loosely spun fleece. Its balanced blend and staple knit weight help the surface stay smooth through multiple washes.
6. Hanes F170 Pullover Hoodie
The Hanes F170 Ultimate Cotton Pullover Hoodie is a heavyweight classic that’s become one of the most popular blank hoodies for custom printing and everyday wear alike. It’s built from a substantial ~9.7 oz fleece that blends mostly cotton with a bit of polyester, giving you warmth without feeling bulky. The two-ply jersey-lined hood, roomy front pouch pocket, and ribbed cuffs and hem offer a comfortable, timeless fit, and it works well layered over tees or under jackets.
What makes it pill-resistant: The F170 uses Hanes’ PrintPro® XP low-pill, high-stitch-density fabric with a soft cotton face that limits loose fibers. Its heavyweight knit also helps reduce abrasion on the fabric surface, contributing to a smoother finish and less pilling.
Preventing Hoodies from Pilling
In addition to choosing a good hoodie made from pill-resistant fabrics, it’s important to care for your hoodies properly to preserve their quality over time. The following habits will help minimize fabric damage and reduce the likelihood of pilling.
- Wash inside out: Turning your hoodie inside out protects the outer surface from rubbing against other garments in the wash. This reduces abrasion on the fabric and helps prevent loose fibers from forming pills.
- Avoid heat: Use cold or low-temperature settings when washing and drying. High heat weakens and softens fibers, making them more likely to break free and tangle into pills.
- Hang to dry: Whenever possible, let your hoodie air dry instead of using a dryer. This places far less stress on the fibers and helps the fabric maintain its structure for longer.
- Avoid harsh chemicals: Strong detergents, bleach, and fabric softeners can damage fibers and strip away their natural strength. Choose mild detergents and skip fabric softeners, as they can increase surface fuzz and accelerate pilling over time.
Choosing a Hoodie that Lasts
Pilling is one of the most common reasons a hoodie stops looking new long before it should, but it is far from unavoidable.
By understanding what causes fibers to loosen and tangle, you can make smarter choices both when buying a hoodie and when caring for it afterward. Hoodies that hold up best over time are built with intentional material selection and thoughtful construction that prioritize durability, surface stability, and shrink control.
The models highlighted in this guide show that pill-resistance is not limited to premium or luxury brands, as many established blank apparel manufacturers now engineer their fleece specifically to maintain a smooth, consistent finish through repeated wear and washing. These design choices are a strong indicator of long-term quality and help extend the usable life of the garment.
Ultimately, a hoodie that resists pilling is not only more attractive but also more sustainable. When clothing lasts longer, it reduces the need for frequent replacements and lowers overall waste. By choosing thoughtfully and caring for your garments properly, you can keep your favorite hoodies looking smooth, clean, and wearable for many years.