Which is better for hiking?

The North Face. Its stretch polyester blend dries fast, and the zip pockets keep keys and a phone secure. The Hanes cotton holds sweat and has open pockets.

Is the North Face worth the extra money?

If you wear it for activity, yes. You pay about $51 more for stretch, zip pockets and faster drying. For lounging, the Hanes does the job at $20.00.

The North Face is heavier at 14.8 oz and denser at 225 g/m², so it traps more warmth. The Hanes is a lighter 9.7 oz cotton blend.

The North Face's polyester blend resists shrinking and pilling better than cotton. The Hanes cotton can shrink and stretch out with washing over time.

Does the Hanes come in extended sizes?

Hanes sells this hoodie in standard men's sizes. The North Face lists XS through XXL.

The North Face Performance Fleece Full Zip Hoodie vs Hanes Men's Ultimate Full-Zip Hoodie

Buy the North Face Performance Fleece if you want a technical layer for hiking, running or cold-weather workouts. Buy the Hanes Ultimate Full-Zip if you want a cheap everyday cotton hoodie for errands and lounging. The North Face is $71.50 at Backcountry.com as of November 4, 2026, and the Hanes is $20.00 at Amazon as of the same date, so the gap is about $51.

Today the Hanes Men's Ultimate Full-Zip Hoodie costs $51.50 less at its best price.

Ask our shopping agent

It checks today's price at every store, compares the alternatives and answers in about a minute.