Last month, a friend who collects Lodge 49 memorabilia asked me how to find the right hoodie fit. She'd already guessed wrong on a medium from another shop, and it hung on her like a curtain. I've spent the past six years designing and print-testing apparel, so lodge 49 hoodie sizing is something I've studied from both the production side and the customer side. In this guide, I'll show you how to measure your chest, sleeves, and length, explain the difference between unisex and women's cuts, and share tips from fans who've ordered more than a few hoodies themselves.
Why Hoodie Sizing Is Tricky for Lodge 49 Fans
The Lodge 49 merch store fulfills each hoodie to order, which means the base garment can vary slightly between production runs. A black pullover and a navy pullover of the same listed size may not share the exact same dimensions because the blank supplier switched suppliers or the fabric batch differs. It's not a flaw in the design; it's just the reality of print-on-demand apparel.
Fabric blend is another variable. Most Lodge 49 hoodies use a cotton-polyester blend, usually 80/20. Cotton provides the soft hand-feel, while polyester helps the garment hold its shape. But cotton still shrinks when exposed to high heat. Dry a hoodie on high and you can lose around 5% of its length. That's the difference between a perfect fit and a crop that rides up.
Here's a quick list of what affects hoodie size:
- Fabric blend and shrink rate
- Unisex vs. women's cut
- Print-on-demand blank variation between colors
- Whether you prefer a snug, regular, or relaxed fit
Step-by-Step: Measure Your Chest, Sleeve, and Length
You don't need a tailor. A flexible tape measure and 10 minutes are enough to get numbers you can trust.
Step 1: Use a Flexible Tape Measure
Use a soft fabric ruler, not the metal one from your toolbox. It needs to wrap around your body without digging in. If you don't have one, wrap a piece of string around yourself, mark the meeting point, and lay it flat against a regular ruler.
Step 2: Measure Your Chest
Wrap the tape around the widest part of your chest and back, right under your armpits. Keep the tape level with the floor. Slide one finger between the tape and your skin to avoid pulling it too tight. Write down the number in inches. For example, a 38-inch chest usually lands you in a medium or large on the Lodge 49 unisex chart, depending on how much room you like.
Step 3: Measure Your Sleeve Length
For a pullover hoodie, measure from the center of the back of your neck, over your shoulder, down to your wrist bone. For a zip-up, measure from the shoulder seam to the wrist. If you have a long-sleeve shirt that fits well, lay it flat and measure from shoulder seam to cuff - that number works for most hoodies too.
Step 4: Measure Overall Length
Start at the highest point on your shoulder, right where the neck meets the shoulder, and measure straight down to the bottom hem. This matters more than you think. A hoodie that's cut too short rides up when you sit or reach overhead.
Step 5: Compare to the Size Chart
The Lodge 49 merch store lists chest and length for each size. For unisex sizes, a medium typically has a 38-40 inch chest and a 27 inch length. For women's cuts, a medium runs about 34-36 inches around the chest. When you're between sizes, size down for a closer fit or size up for a relaxed one.
Step 6: Account for Shrinkage
Most cotton-poly hoodies can shrink 3-5% in the first wash if you dry them on high heat. If you want your new Lodge 49 pullover to stay the same length, wash cold and hang it to dry. If you plan to use a dryer, order a size up and expect it to settle into a truer fit.
For the Standard Lodge 49 Pullover, I'd follow the chest measurement closely. The Gnarly Tides Zip-Up Hoodie runs about a half size smaller in the sleeves, so measure your arms carefully before you add it to your cart.
Unisex vs. Women's Cuts: Which Should You Pick?
Lodge 49 hoodies come in two main cuts. Unisex is boxier, with wider shoulders and a straight ribbed hem. Women's has a narrower shoulder line, a slightly longer torso, and a subtle taper through the waist. Choose unisex if you plan to layer over a flannel or just want a classic hoodie shape.
Choose women's if you prefer a more fitted profile without side seams bunching. On the size chart, a women's medium chest is 34-36 inches, while a unisex medium is 38-40 inches. That difference is why many women order a unisex small and get the same chest as a women's medium but with extra room in the body.
- Unisex: roomier chest, straight cut, best for layering
- Women's: tapered torso, shorter sleeves, more fitted
- If in doubt, measure a hoodie you own and compare
Common Sizing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
- Ordering your usual size from a different brand. A "medium" in one line can differ by 2-3 inches across the chest. Always measure yourself against the Lodge 49 size chart before you order.
- Ignoring shrinkage and tumble-drying. A 100% cotton hoodie can lose half a size in the wash. That's why the Lodge 49 hoodies use a cotton-poly blend and why you should dry on low or air dry.
- Forgetting that zip-ups fit differently than pullovers. The zipper takes up width on the front, so a zip-up often needs one size up if you want the same ease as a pullover.
- Picking the wrong cut because you didn't read the product description. Some Lodge 49 designs are women's only, and if you order a unisex size to compensate, you'll get a very different fit.
Pro Tips from the Community
I asked repeat Lodge 49 buyers what they've learned, and a few patterns showed up.
- If you want the "Lounge 49" look, a relaxed, slightly oversized vibe, go one full size up and wash in cold water. The roomy chest stays comfortable, and the length doesn't shrink into a crop.
- Measure a hoodie you already own that fits perfectly, then compare those numbers to the size chart. This works better than measuring your body because the existing garment already accounts for your preferred ease.
- For tall buyers, length matters more than chest. Look for hoodies with a 28-30 inch length on the chart, or size up just to gain that extra inch.
- If you're between sizes, order the larger one. You can always layer a tee underneath, but you can't add fabric to a hoodie that's too snug.
The Lodge 49 Alumni Hoodie runs about a half size smaller than the standard pullover, so keep that in mind if you find yourself on the edge of two sizes.
Recommended Gear & Products
If you're ready to grab a Lodge 49 hoodie, these three fan-favorite designs are a solid place to start. Each uses the measurements above, but the fit differs slightly.
- The Standard Lodge 49 Pullover - classic unisex fit, 80/20 cotton-poly blend, and a soft fleece inside. It's the one to order if you want a reliable, everyday hoodie that matches the size chart.
- The Gnarly Tides Zip-Up Hoodie - a full-zip version with slightly narrower sleeves. Measure your arms before ordering, and consider one size up if you want room to layer.
- The Lodge 49 Alumni Hoodie - this one runs about a half size smaller, so size up if you're on the edge. The heavier fabric drapes nicely but leaves less stretch.
Browse the Lodge 49 hoodie collection and find the fit that matches your measurements.
Hoodie Sizing FAQ
What size should I order if I'm between chest sizes?
If your chest measurement falls between two sizes on the chart, decide how you want the hoodie to fit. Choose the smaller size for a snug, fitted look, or the larger one for a relaxed, layered vibe. Most fans at the Lodge 49 community prefer sizing up because a roomy hoodie feels more comfortable over time.
Do Lodge 49 hoodies shrink after washing?
Yes, some shrinkage is normal, but it depends on the fabric blend and how you dry it. The 80/20 cotton-poly hoodies can shrink about 3-5% in length if you use high heat. Washing in cold water and air drying keeps the fit close to the size chart.
Are the sizes the same for pullover and zip-up hoodies?
Not exactly. Zip-up hoodies have less stretch in the front because of the zipper, and the sleeve measurements can differ. Compare the product-specific size chart before ordering. The Gnarly Tides Zip-Up, for example, runs about a half size smaller in the sleeves.
What does the women's cut change compared to unisex?
The women's cut has a narrower shoulder, a tapered waist, and a slightly longer torso. It also has shorter sleeve lengths. A women's medium chest is around 34-36 inches, while a unisex medium is 38-40 inches. If you prefer the roomier feel, unisex works well.
How accurate are the size charts on the Lodge 49 merch store?
The size charts are generated from the base blanks used by the print-on-demand supplier, so they're accurate within a small tolerance. Because fabric and manufacturing can vary slightly, measure yourself and compare each product's dimensions rather than assuming your usual size is always right.
Key Takeaways
- Measure your chest, sleeve, and length with a fabric tape measure before ordering.
- Compare your numbers to the product-specific size chart, not your usual brand size.
- Cotton-poly blends shrink 3-5% on high heat, so wash cold and air dry if you want a true fit.
- Zip-ups run tighter in the sleeves for some Lodge 49 designs.
- If you're between sizes, go up for a relaxed fit or down for a snug one.
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