Most hoodies fail in the same three places: the hood goes limp, the cuffs stop gripping, and the body loses shape. All three are visible in the product details before you buy, if you know what to look at.
Fabric weight
This is the single most useful number. Under 250 g/m² is a light layer for indoors. Around 300 to 350 g/m² is the standard weight most people mean by "hoodie". Above 400 is heavyweight — warm, slow to dry, and it will hold its shape for years.
Weight alone does not equal quality, but a heavy hoodie that has lost shape is rare, and a light one that has kept it is rarer.
The hood itself
A three-panel hood keeps its shape when down. A two-panel hood collapses flat against the back of your neck, which is the most common giveaway of a cheap garment. Check the product details — three-panel construction is usually mentioned because manufacturers know it matters.
Double-layer hoods are warmer and drape better. They also take noticeably longer to dry.
Cuffs and hem
Ribbing needs elastane in the mix to recover its shape. Ribbing that is pure cotton stretches out permanently within a season. If the spec lists something like "97% cotton, 3% elastane" for the ribbing, that is a good sign.
The face fabric
Cotton on the outside takes print well and feels better against the skin. A brushed fleece interior is what makes a hoodie warm. A cotton face with a poly-blend fleece back gives you print quality outside and warmth inside, which is why that construction is so common.
Pocket and drawstrings
A front pouch pocket should be stitched along the bottom edge, not just the sides, or it will sag once you put anything in it. Flat drawstrings stay tied; round cords work loose and disappear into the channel in the wash.
Where to look
Our hoodie range lists fabric weight and construction in the Materials section on each product page. If you are deciding between a hoodie and something lighter, hoodie vs sweatshirt covers the difference, and the sizing guide deals with fit.
Further reading: Wikipedia: Hoodie