If This Isn’t the Perfect Gray Hoodie, It’s Damn Near Close

Todd Snyder and Champion turned to a family-owned mill to make their best hoodie yet.

Published January 27, 2025

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Updated January 27, 2025

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Todd Snyder and Champion have been in business together since 2013, releasing dozens of elevated takes on old-school American knitwear. But the pair’s latest collaboration sets a new bar for quality and craftsmanship. In fact, it might just be the single best hoodie Champion has ever made.

a man wearing gray Champion hoodie and sweatpants — The Champion Canadian Fleece Hoodie from Todd Snyder only comes in one color. But who doesn’t like gray?

A proud history and fall from grace

Legend has it that Champion invented the hooded sweatshirt in the 1930s. Soon after, it became one of America’s most popular athletic apparel companies after inking deals to make apparel for the University of Michigan and Notre Dame.

vintage champion reverse weave graphic — Champion invented the reverse weave fabric to prevent athletic apparel from stretching out.

Like many companies, however, Champion began offshore production in the 1990s, leading to a drop in quality and reputation. It lost its deals with the NBA and NFL, and became a shell of its former self.

Then Todd Snyder came along. Not long after Snyder parted ways with J.Crew to establish his eponymous brand, he partnered with the century-old sportswear manufacturer on a premium line of hoodies, crewneck sweatshirts and sweatpants, manufactured the old-fashioned way.

A family operation

For most of the collaboration’s history, Todd Snyder and Champion have sourced fabric from Canadian mills. The Great White North is home to a handful of mills that produce some of the world’s best cotton jersey and terry fabrics. However, the new Canadian Fleece collection called for a more meticulous operation.

The fabric for the Champion Canadian Fleece collection comes from WS & Company Ltd. and it represents Champion’s most ambitious offering in decades. The family-owned and operated factory mills the pure cotton French terry fabric and then cuts and sews it all in-house.

a gray Champion hoodie — The Champion Canadian Fleece collection is produced from start to finish in one facility.

Using a vertically integrated factory, with fewer hands touching each item, the garments meet, if not exceed, the vintage Champion beloved by collectors who pay top dollar for sweats from the heyday of the 20th century.

The hoodie itself lacks a drawstring, which is a callback to the initial hoodie design that Todd Snyder and Champion made together in 2013.

The collection also includes crewneck sweatshirts and sweatpants, all defined by a relaxed, almost baggy fit. The 20-ounce fabric is sturdy and breathable but the loose fit maximizes comfort without stretchy fibers. What is lost in flexibility with the pure cotton fabric is more than made up for in durability.

a man wearing a blue sweatshirt and sweatpants holding a jacket — The Champion Canadian Fleece collection also includes crewneck sweatshirts and sweatpants.

Availability and pricing

The Champion Canadian Fleece Relaxed Hoodie is available exclusively from Todd Snyder for $168. It only comes in one color — a heather white, dubbed silver mix, that’s neutral without being boring.

The accompanying crewneck sweatshirt and sweatpants come in the same silver mix, as well as navy and off-white.