Best Quarter Zips for Men to Buy Online 2026: Brooks Brothers, Quince

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Once the Lyst Index, a trusted trend forecasting authority, named the Polo Ralph Lauren quarter zip the hottest product of Q4 2025, there was no question about it: These zipper-clad pullovers, dressier than a sweatshirt and more laid-back than a suit jacket, have an absolute chokehold on the way men of all aesthetic sensibilities and occupations dress in our day and age.

The driving forces behind this development? Per Lyst Index, “streetwear-leaning dressers are aesthetically maturing and entering the workforce with a desire to look the part.” The quarter zip movement has been specifically fueled by Gen Z, who are using the classically leaning style to gain a sense of respectability. The quarter zip has long been associated with “finance bro” culture — think 80-hour work weeks at Blackstone and slop bowls for lunch — and now it’s being reclaimed by men who might have nothing to do with that line of work (or its stereotypes, for that matter).

At a Glance: Best Quarter Zips for Men 2026

Case in point: “Buy U a Drank” singer T-Pain posed for an Instagram photo in a quilted, navy quarter zip last November and captioned the image “401k and a quarter zip.” He’s joined by fellow rappers like Central Cee, who are going viral for swapping their Nike Tech full-zip jackets for more elevated threads.

Whether you’re busy building a career on Soundcloud or Sallie Mae, one thing is for certain — quarter zips, with mock-neck collars ideal for layering over dress shirts or polos and zippers that hit at the mid-chest, will earn you major style points this season (often coming in lightweight compositions that dole out breathability for spring).

The Best Quarter Zips for Men to Shop in 2026

To demystify the process of buying a quarter zip, as well as round up the best places to shop for a quarter zip online, I (a fashion editor) employed the help of my boyfriend (a real estate investing associate in New York) to test out 10 distinct pieces from top menswear destinations like Peter Millar and Brooks Brothers, plus hot-right-now affordable luxury retailers such as Quince.

For reference, my boyfriend, captured below in his pre-quarter-zip-testing state, clocks in at five foot eight. His job requires him to look sharp Monday through Thursday, occasionally permitting jeans instead of the usual chinos or dress pants. In other words: Quarter zips are right up his alley, but he owned exactly zero before I swooped in to remedy the situation. Sam tested out the products for a whole month — wearing the men’s sweaters from work meetings to midday lunches to weekend date nights with yours truly.

Only five quarter zips from three brands made the cut, based on criteria including material quality, a balance of stretch and shape retention, a comfortable yet tailored fit, colorway versatility, and proper ventilation on even the warmest of spring days. Below are the best quarter zips for men that you should be spending your money on in 2026 (and exactly why they’re worth buying).

Always seeking to distinguish itself from the crowd, the circa-2001 luxury lifestyle label Peter Millar ships all of its quarter zips with candy, as if they weren’t already treats themselves. Sam tested the Stealth Performance Quarter Zip bestseller in Blue Frost (which the style editor in me knew would aptly play off his darker pairs of pants); right away, he called out how lightweight and sporty-casual it was, aligned with the item’s “performance” categorization.

The fabric blend Peter Millar’s Stealth Performance Quarter Zip is made of is the real draw here. Moisture-eliminating, stretchy, odor-banishing, and UV ray–blocking (rare to find in this type of apparel), it’s a match made in heaven for days when the temps pass the 60-degree mark. Sam found that the quarter zip’s inherently breezy nature also let it layer seamlessly under his go-to Patagonia fleece vest. Odor-wise, I was able to confirm the brand’s claims personally, as Sam consistently came home from his nine-to-seven sans B.O. or sweat stains. And that stretch helped my live-in tester feel unrestricted in his movements all day long, whether he was taking a quick walk around the block to clear his head or hanging on to a subway pole on the commute home.

Despite the quarter zip’s tailored, shoulder-flattering fit — which structures them and thereby makes the wearer look more “swole,” desk job notwithstanding — it does run large, fitting looser around the torso and arms, so don’t forget to reference Peter Millar’s size chart and size down if you’re still on the fence.

Since launching in 1818, Brooks Brothers — the oldest apparel brand in continuous operation in the United States — has been synonymous with timeless style and impeccable craftsmanship. Legions of tasteful men from John Legend and Justin Timberlake to John F. Kennedy and Abraham Lincoln have turned to the brand for its formalwear, coats, and everything in between. Similarly, thousands of 21st-century trend chasers are relying on Brooks Brothers to fuel their “quarter zip eras,” seeing as how it’s stocked with a plethora of options across materials like cotton and cashmere, not to mention diverse styles (striped, cable-knit, diamond-quilted, you name it).

Sam was probably most excited to test drive the Brooks Brothers Ultimate Merino Wool Quarter Zip Sweater: a suave, classy number that successfully got him through the last dregs of winter this year. If you live in a cold climate, don’t think twice about buying this baby. Its 100% wool makeup ensures excellent insulation and durability, after all, while keeping moisture control and thermoregulation top of mind. It’s made up of a thicker wool versus a light polyester blend, so this quarter zip did feel heavier, according to Sam. It was also the furthest thing from coarse: boasting a sumptuously soft underhand texture that I was tempted to caress many a time. This perk allowed Sam to wear the selection without anything underneath on sunnier days, bypassing the associated chafing and discomfort.

Donning its navy iteration (dark enough to be perceived as black in certain lighting), Sam received multiple compliments in the office. Currying favor with the boss by shopping from the same high-end fashion houses as him? Brooks Brothers is the way to do it right.

Torn between seeming put-together and repping your collegiate pride? Thanks to Peter Millar, you no longer have to be. The brand’s Collegiate collection is chock-full of performance polos, belts, vests, and cashmere V-necks. Its pièce de résistance? The Perth Performance Quarter Zip, which is available in styles that nod to most American colleges under the sun. My boyfriend is a loud-and-proud Domer and will go to bat for the Fighting Irish whenever needed, no exceptions. Naturally, he couldn’t contain his glee when this special-edition quarter zip arrived at our door — proceeding to relish in its athletic appearance, supreme air circulation, and silky-smooth terry materiality.

This is the quarter zip Sam wore most out of the five on our list, given that it meshed well with everything from Levi’s 501s to the suitable-for-work ABC Slim-Fit Trousers from Lululemon. In fact, I often spotted him chilling on the couch with the Perth Performance Quarter Zip still on or else taking it on weekly runs through Central Park — as good a testament as any to the quarter zip’s all-occasions wearability and coziness alike.

That college logo embroidery at the chest truly sealed the deal for Sam, letting him utilize the quarter zip during official Notre Dame reunions or last-minute bar hangs with former roommates. To this day, he and the Peter Millar gem are inseparable, and I’ve learned not to intervene in their special relationship.

Suspicious of its $62 price tag, I was at first a bit reluctant to order Quince’s 100% Organic Cotton Quarter Zip Sweater for my boyfriend to sample. The wallet-friendly buy is less than half the price of top-shelf alternatives from labels like J.Crew and Ralph Lauren (along with the models spotlighted above), but low-cost luxury marketplace Quince promises that its quarter zip is loaded with enough bells and whistles to sway any man. This was the case with Sam, who became enamored with the pullover’s thick, supple, and midweight organic cotton, breathability, itch-proof stand collar, and attractively ribbed cuffs-slash-hem: that last element making it look more upscale than other quarter zips he had already tested.

Worn over a polo, this Quince favorite was a touch too stuffy for Sam’s taste, but he considered it a no-brainer outfit booster during chillier weeks or workdays that had serious meetings on the agenda (and therefore demanded more polish than usual, which the Organic Cotton Quarter Zip Sweater guaranteed). My suggestion? Go with the sweater’s Heather Charcoal shade, which flaunts subtle grain and reads more quiet-luxury than a comparable light blue.

Last but not least, this Supima Cotton Pique Quarter Zip Sweater, courtesy of Brooks Brothers, came out on top, and it’s much more appropriate than the brand’s merino wool quarter zip for year-round use. Immediately, Sam was drawn to its tactility: secured by extra-long-staple cotton fibers woven in a high-texture way and complemented by ribbing at the neck, cuffs, and hem. As a result, the sweater not only entered into fluent conversation with his smooth pant styles in solid hues but took on a kind of lived-in quality that can easily serve as a backdrop for hot-ticket accessories like Rolexes or Cuban link bracelets.

Yes, the Brooks Brothers top seller has more tightness and tension in its weave, but this doesn’t make it any less porous and airy for the warmer months. Indeed, its Supima cotton is lauded for letting air pass through, combined with marvelous color retention and a resistance to pilling. To gauge the legitimacy of the quarter zip “wear[ing] better over time” and after every wash, I threw it into the washing machine on laundry day: turning it inside out, zipping it all the way up, and making sure to turn on the cold setting. Lo and behold, Brooks Brothers’ Supima Cotton Pique Quarter Zip Sweater didn’t shrink, stretch, or snag; instead, it draped even nicer over my boyfriend’s shoulders and proved to be a good sport.

Looking to show off some personality? Score the quarter zip in the eye-catching Red Heather. To achieve a more “stealth wealth” vibe while playing around in the (spread)sheets, go for the pictured Camel. (JFK Jr. would approve, too.)

What to Look for When Buying Men’s Quarter Zips Online

Considering the fact that, between late 2025 and early 2026, searches for quarter zips spiked by 132%, it’s no wonder dozens of known-and-loved fashion brands for men are either coming out with all-new quarter zip sweater styles or perfecting already-existing ones. Amidst this industry noise, it can be tough to hone in on “the one,” but the following parameters will get you well on your way.

Fabric: Today’s most popular quarter zip materials include cotton, wool, polyester-based performance blends, and cashmere. If you’re interested in a quarter zip that’s breathable — for more active pursuits like golf, say — cotton (and especially 100% cotton!) will be a safe bet. The cashmeres and wools of the world, meanwhile, win big in the “luxe looks” department, specializing in both softness and structure. Performance synthetics, on the other hand, are often backed by moisture-wicking, sun-protecting, and odor-eliminating properties. Being on the thinner side, they’re easy to layer under light jackets or vests.

Fit: A quarter zip will usually be labeled “classic fit” or “tailored fit.” The former is roomier, with a straight cut and a relaxed style, while the latter offers more contouring by way of a tapered, slimmer silhouette — particularly in the context of the chest and waist. That being said, don’t believe every fit description you read online. Sam’s tailored-fit Peter Millar Stealth Performance Quarter Zip in medium still had looseness to it, even though he wears a size large in shirts. Left feeling stumped? Most leading menswear brands like Peter Millar have dedicated chat support to answer questions regarding what size of quarter zip to grab from their online shelves.

Versatility/special features: To make a visual impact on your upcoming yacht trip or corporate offsite, picking a brighter-and-lighter quarter zip (read: coral, emerald, baby blue) is key. To stay in the realm of the classy and timeless, however, we recommend versatile colorways like navy, grey, black, or beige, which will avoid clashing with your other workwear, footwear included. An overabundance of special features can also detract from a quarter zip’s wear-everywhere appeal. Contrast zippers, pronounced ribbed trims, and in-your-face logos might be big no-nos for when the CEO flies in for his biannual check-in, so choose accordingly.