Men's zip jumpers

Men's zip jumpers earn their place through practicality — a half-zip or full-zip neck that adjusts to temperature and occasion without a single button to manage.

Half-zip versus full-zip construction

A men's zip jumper at Hackett London comes in two builds: a half-zip that opens to roughly the chest, leaving the rest as a standard pulled-over knit, and a full-zip that opens completely like a lightweight cardigan. A reinforced zip placket, with an extra layer of knit stitched behind the zip tape, stops the surrounding wool from stretching or puckering around the teeth over repeated use. Solid brass zip pulls, rather than plastic, are used across the range for both durability and weight.

A rib-knit stand collar, sitting slightly higher than a standard crew neck, gives half-zip styles a cleaner finish at the throat when worn zipped to the top.

Why a zip changes how a jumper wears

Temperature regulation is the real advantage of a zip jumper over a standard crew neck — unzipping halfway vents heat during a warm office or a train carriage without needing to remove the whole layer. This makes zip styles particularly practical for anyone moving between indoor and outdoor temperatures across a working day.

A half-zip navy jumper worn zipped to the collar under a field jacket with dark denim, for a commute that needs warmth without bulk.
The same jumper unzipped over an open-collar shirt with chinos for an office day that shifts between meeting rooms and a warmer afternoon.

Choosing gauge for a zip jumper

A finer gauge suits a men's zip jumper worn under a jacket, since a chunkier knit adds bulk around the zip that can catch or bunch under tailoring.

What's the difference between a half-zip and full-zip jumper?

A half-zip opens only to the chest and is put on over the head like a standard jumper, while a full-zip opens completely down the front. Half-zip styles tend to sit closer to the body and layer more like tailoring; full-zip styles function more like a light cardigan. Both share the same wool quality across the range.

Can a zip jumper be worn under a jacket?

A fine-gauge half-zip in merino sits closely enough to avoid bulk under a blazer, provided the collar doesn't rise above the jacket's own collar line. Full-zip styles are generally too bulky at the front for this pairing. Keeping the zip fully closed under a jacket gives the cleanest line.

How durable are the zips on wool jumpers?

A solid brass zip with a reinforced placket behind it typically outlasts the wool itself under normal wear, provided it's kept free of lint and closed fully during washing. Plastic zips are more prone to snagging and breaking teeth over time. Washing a zip jumper inside out protects both the zip and the surrounding knit.