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The Best Men’s Flannels of 2024

Flannel up this fall to hike, operate the tailgate grill, or tame the fall foliage. We've found the best classic wool, cotton, and technical flannel shirts for men.
Best Men's Flannels HeroThe best flannels are made for hard work, and cuts from Pladra make the grade; (photo/Erika Courtney)
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Ask the GearJunkie staff what their favorite season is, and it would undeniably be flannel season — doing fall chores, warming up by the fire, and simply working from home. As hot days give way to cool mornings, we’re all looking forward to jumping into the best flannels out there.

To find the perfect cuts for 2024, we combed through stores, scoured the internet, and spoke with brands to find the best options available. To test the flannels, we wore them at work, hammered through weekend chores, brought them camping, and occasionally shouldered them as we tossed our legs over a bike.

What makes the perfect flannel? We looked at materials, cut, and construction, excusing color and patterns. Color schemes are more personal, and we’ll let you pick what looks best in your wardrobe. From the do-it-all Pladra Every Day Elite to the ‘buy-three’ Legendary Whitetails Buck Camp Flannel, we’ve got something to recommend to most everyone.

To find the best flannels for men, scroll through to see all of our recommended buys. Once you’ve done that, check out our comprehensive Buyer’s Guide to unravel what makes a flannel a flannel, our Comparison Chart to see how our choices stack up against one another, and our Price & Value section for any lingering questions.

Editor’s Note: We updated our Best Men’s Flannels guide on September 24, 2024, to add our whole new lineup of award winners for the season, with a particular bent toward winter-ready cuts, as well as flannels that won’t bankrupt you to get there.

The Best Men’s Flannels of 2024


Best Overall Flannel

Pladra Every Day Elite

Specs

  • Materials 100% Portuguese cotton
  • Fabric Weight 268 g/m² 
  • Garment Weight 14.5 oz. 
  • Fit Slim 
  • Best for Every Day use, with a bias for non-hard work
Product Badge The Best Men’s Flannels of 2024

Pros

  • Soft lofty cotton
  • Durable buttons
  • Bar tacked reinforced pocket
  • Fully flat-felled
  • Plaid matching seams

Cons

  • True to the name, the Every Day is styled more formally than a work shirt
  • On the pricier side
Best Budget Flannel

Legendary Whitetails Buck Camp Flannel

Specs

  • Materials 100% cotton
  • Fabric Weight 144 g/m²
  • Garment Weight 14 oz.
  • Fit Relaxed
  • Best for Spring to fall everyday flannel for yard work and camping
The Best Men’s Flannels of 2024

Pros

  • Fantastic construction at this price
  • Double pleat on the back for extra flexibility
  • Corduroy-backed sleeves and collar
  • Work-oriented cut
  • 45 different patterns available

Cons

  • The collar loses form easily
  • Not the most premium-feeling flannel
Best Heavyweight Flannel

MuskOx Grand Flannel

Specs

  • Materials 100% BCI approved cotton
  • Fabric Weight 300 g/m²
  • Garment Weight 1 lb., 3.5 oz.
  • Fit Appropriately roomy
  • Best for Wear it for chores or to the bar. If you just want one flannel to punch up your wardrobe, the MuskOx Grand will land it with a TKO
The Best Men’s Flannels of 2024

Pros

  • High-quality Egyptian and US sourced BCI cotton
  • Milled and sewn in Portugal
  • Built like a tank
  • Fat loop to hang the shirt in the nape of the neck
  • 22 solid and plaid patterns to choose from

Cons

  • Too much flannel for some
  • Cotton weft shows early pilling around the wrist
Best Lightweight Flannel

The Vermont Flannel Co Lightweight Flannel

Specs

  • Materials Certified Organic cotton
  • Fabric Weight 140 g/m² 
  • Garment Weight 9 oz. 
  • Fit Slim 
  • Best for A great choice to keep flannels running into summer
The Best Men’s Flannels of 2024

Pros

  • Stiff shirt placket adds structure
  • Great pedigree from farm to factory
  • The lightweight material breathes well
  • Oversized buttons are easy to use
  • Reinforced sewing keeps buttons on the shirt

Cons

  • More long threads than usual, and you may need to trim them
  • Partnership with Lone Pine Brewery on our model is patched large and conspicuously on the lower left front panel, but it tucks out of sight
Best Synthetic Flannel

Poncho Outdoors Original Flannel

Specs

  • Materials 99% polyester, 1% spandex 
  • Fabric Weight 175 g/m² 
  • Garment Weight 13.5 oz. 
  • Fit Slim 
  • Best for Great synthetic flannel with utility; the slim fit version is a good choice for more formal occasions like work
The Best Men’s Flannels of 2024

Pros

  • Offered in slim or regular
  • Synthetic fabric is durable
  • Well constructed
  • Touch of stretch
  • Practical pockets

Cons

  • Three closure styles on a shirt can be confusing (snaps, magnets, traditional buttons)
  • Magnetic chest pocket magnets are weak
  • Polyester can hold stench
Best of the Rest

&SONS Yukon Field Flannel Shirt

Specs

  • Materials 100% BCI cotton
  • Fabric Weight 290 g/m²
  • Garment Weight 14.5 oz.
  • Fit Fits normal
  • Best for Tasks where functional and fashionable intersect
The Best Men’s Flannels of 2024

Pros

  • Impeccable craftsmanship
  • Burly BCI cotton fabric
  • Attention to detail is top shelf
  • Work-ready weave

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Heavy buffalo plaid options aren't for everyone

Jetty Breaker Flannel

Specs

  • Materials 100% organic cotton
  • Fabric Weight 220 g/m²
  • Garment Weight 13 oz.
  • Fit Relaxed
  • Best for Everyday flannel for fall through spring
The Best Men’s Flannels of 2024

Pros

  • Great value at less than $100
  • Nice details like bar tacking and gussets
  • Durable organic cotton twill fabric
  • Collar backed with nylon

Cons

  • Cuff buttons are snug even when buttoned with the outer button
  • No pattern matching on pockets or flannel sides

Minus33 Sportsman Guide Shirt

Specs

  • Materials 80% merino wool and 20% recycled polyester
  • Fabric Weight 385 g/m²
  • Garment Weight 1 lb., 12 oz.
  • Fit Appropriately oversized
  • Best for Hardwearing tasks outside in mixed conditions
The Best Men’s Flannels of 2024

Pros

  • Comfortable against the skin
  • Impeccable craftsmanship
  • Good mobility

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Cuffs are snug when buttoned with the inside button
  • Runs a touch large; buy down a size if you are in between sizes

ANIÁN Berlino Flannel

Specs

  • Materials 80% recycled wool, 20% nylon
  • Fabric Weight 500 g/m²
  • Garment Weight 1 lb., 4 oz.
  • Fit Slim
  • Best for A deconstructed work shirt that looks and wears great around town; too refined for hard labor
The Best Men’s Flannels of 2024

Pros

  • Quality craftsmanship
  • Environment-friendly process
  • Well-priced for what you get
  • Weather resistant

Cons

  • Itchy
  • Chest pockets are small
  • Too refined for hard work

Iron and Resin Sunshine Lightweight Cotton Flannel Shirt

Specs

  • Materials 100% cotton
  • Fabric Weight 254 g/m² 
  • Garment Weight 14 oz. 
  • Fit Slightly oversized 
  • Best for Wonderfully comfortable shirt for relaxing on weekends
The Best Men’s Flannels of 2024

Pros

  • Great pattern way
  • Oversized metal buttons
  • Soft, comfortable flannel
  • Good return and repair policy

Cons

  • Sewing is solid, but sloppy in places
  • Gusset bar tacking is a bit bulky

Devium Boca Flannel Shirt

Specs

  • Materials 100% US cotton
  • Fabric Weight 220 g/m²
  • Garment Weight 14.5 oz.
  • Fit Fits normally
  • Best for The Boca is tough-wearing flannel that’s American enough to make a bald eagle shed a tear of Miller Lite
The Best Men’s Flannels of 2024

Pros

  • Entirely made in the USA
  • Durable weave
  • Horn buttons made in Pennsylvania and notched to protect against abrasion
  • Twin chest pockets

Cons

  • Expensive, but the price reflects the backstory
  • A pencil slot would put the final nail in the shirt
  • Cuffs could use a 45 degree notch to reduce catching

Filson Alaskan Guide Shirt

Specs

  • Materials 100% cotton
  • Fabric Weight 275 g/m²
  • Garment Weight 1 lb., 4 oz.
  • Fit Fits normal if you size down
  • Best for The provenance of western American workwear, it is up for any task and wears casually around town
The Best Men’s Flannels of 2024

Pros

  • Durable cotton and construction
  • Classic styling
  • Pleated chest pockets
  • Several color options available

Cons

  • Expensive; there are better options in this price range
  • Would like to see the armholes flat-felled
  • Sizing is one size too big

Proper Cloth Jackson Country Shirt

Specs

  • Materials 100% cotton
  • Fabric Weight 210 g/m²
  • Garment Weight 13.5 oz.
  • Fit Fits normal
  • Best for Casual dress day at the office and looking sharp on weekends
The Best Men’s Flannels of 2024

Pros

  • Beautiful cotton weave
  • Great color options
  • Customized fit
  • Attention to detail

Cons

  • On the expensive side
  • Not a heavyweight flannel for winter

Fjällraven Singi Heavy Flannel Shirt

Specs

  • Materials 100% organic cotton 
  • Fabric Weight Unknown g/m² 
  • Garment Weight 1 lb., 1.5 oz. 
  • Fit Regular 
  • Best for Classic cotton flannel that wears in well over time
The Best Men’s Flannels of 2024

Pros

  • 100% organic cotton
  • No PFAS
  • Long-lasting durability that gets better with age
  • Safari straps keep the sleeves rolled up all day

Cons

  • Trending towards expensive
  • Long hem feels too long when wearing untucked

Pendleton Burnside Flannel

Specs

  • Materials 100% cotton 
  • Fabric Weight Unknown g/m² 
  • Garment weight 12.5 oz. 
  • Fit Regular 
  • Best for Work-inspired looks for casual use
The Best Men’s Flannels of 2024

Pros

  • Incredibly soft
  • Well constructed
  • Oversized buttons
  • Durable craftsmanship with bar tacked seams at every high-stress point

Cons

  • Soft cotton shows early signs of napping and pilling
The author testing flannels at Oktoberfest in Munich; (photo/Steve Graepel)

Men’s Flannels Comparison Chart

FlannelPriceMaterialsFabric WeightGarment WeightFit
Pladra Every Day Elite
$139100% Portuguese cotton268 g/m² 14.5 oz. Slim
Legendary Whitetails Buck Camp Flannel $35100% cotton144 g/m²14 oz.Relaxed
MuskOx Grand Flannel$154100% BCI approved cotton300 g/m²1 lb., 3.5 oz.Appropriately roomy
The Vermont Flannel Co Lightweight Flannel
$89100% Egyptian cotton, milled in Portugal140 g/m² 9 oz.Slim
Poncho Outdoors Original Flannel
$9599% polyester, 1% spandex 175 g/m² 13.5 oz.Slim
&SONS Yukon Field Flannel Shirt$190100% BCI cotton290 g/m²14.5 oz.Fits normal
Jetty Breaker Flannel
$70100% organic cotton220 g/m²13 oz.Relaxed
Minus33 Sportsman Guide Shirt
$20080% wool and 20% recycled polyester385 g/m²1 lb., 12 oz.Appropriately oversized
ANIÁN Berlino Flannel
$14880% recycled wool, 20% nylon500 g/m²1 lb., 4 oz.Slim
Iron and Resin Sunshine Lightweight Cotton Flannel$90100% cotton254 g/m² 14 oz. Slightly oversized 
Devium Boca Flannel Shirt
$158100% US cotton220 g/m²14.5 oz.Fits normal
Filson Alaskan Guide Shirt
$145100% cotton275 g/m²1 lb., 4 oz.Fits normal if you size down
Proper Cloth Jackson Country Shirt
$140100% cotton210 g/m²13.5 oz.Fits normal
Fjällraven Singi Heavy Flannel Shirt
$120100% organic cottonUnknown g/m²1 lb., 1.5 oz.Regular
Pendelton Burnside Flannel
$100100% cotton Unknown g/m²12.5 oz.Regular
Best Men's Flannels — Pladra 1
This isn’t tank-top work — and we tested each flannel thoroughly to ensure that they had what it takes; (photo/Erika Courtney)

How We Tested the Best Men’s Flannels

At GearJunkie, flannels are an extension of our everyday lifestyle. A shirt, a sweatshirt, a jacket — flannels are the most flexible garment we own. Unlike a tent, camp stove, or a pair of boots, we shoulder flannels daily, allowing us to put the brushed twill through the paces. We tested flannels at the office, and through the weekend, grinding through chores like cleaning the garage, raking leaves, or simply walking the dog on cool summer mornings.

Cozy in coach and a fashionable way to layer up, we always pack at least one flannel for travel. They’ve had our backs on flights to Germany, Italy, France, Slovenia, and Japan, as well as transcontinental flights across the States. In warmer climates, we’ve flanneled up on cool nights on the Dariense Isabelia ridge in Nicaragua and high up on the Colombian Coffee Triangle.

Field Testing

During real-world consideration, we aim to wear flannels for what they were made to do. For example, hard work-oriented flannels are worn doing tasks that are hard on a shirt. Specifically, we want to know how it accommodates range of motion and if it holds up.

We want to know if we can swing a hammer or reach boards from the top shelf without exposing our torso or restricting motion in the arms. We also test it for snagging and durability. Does the flannel catch on wood, metal edges, or granite shards? Does it collect a lot of dust and grime?

Finally, we shoulder the flannels and evaluate them for fit. The best material and construction can’t fake a good fit. We test it for mobility and proper length. Does the shirt bind under the arms? Are the pleats and gussets appropriate? Does a straight-cut work without pleats? Are the arms or hem cut at a proper length or do they ride up when reaching? How does the shirt taper in the torso and arms?

Bench Testing

To test flannels, we always start with how the material feels in the hand. We rate it for plushness, softness, and durability. We look at the fiber material, weave, and brushed finish. The material choice and finish are indicators of how the manufacturer envisions the flannel should be worn and used, and it points us in the direction of how they should be sewn and in the end, how we should test the shirt. We want to see if the two align and how they stack up to the marketing story told online.

Best Men's Flannels — Work
Material durability scores were weighted just as much as fit and mobility in our testing; (photo/Erika Courtney)

Why You Should Trust Us

Steve Graepel has been leading the men’s flannel buyer guide since 2015. Over the span of 9 years, Graepel has seen over 200 flannel shirts, rigorously testing 94 flannels. Graepel has worked at GearJunkie as a contributing editor since 2009, testing everything from packrafts, to bike bags, sleeping bags, winter boots, and trail runners. His latest beat is travel pants and flannels. Before his time as a fashion blogger, he wrote for Travel Idaho, National Geographic Adventure, Patagonia’s Tin Shed, Trail Runner, and Gear Patrol. 

Graepel has researched and tested flannels extensively — traveling, working, and camping in the high alpine desert of Idaho, Montana, and Utah and traveling abroad in a variety of environments, including Europe, South America, and Asia. He continues to long-term test flannels year-round and searches for anyone who will listen to his yarns testing the brushed twill.

In 2020, we saw 47 flannels and listed 15 flannels on our men’s buyers guide. In 2021, we tested an additional 20 flannels, highlighting nine new flannels on our list. In 2022, we saw an additional 20 flannels, adding 12 new flannels. 2023 was a big year, where we created a newly minted seasonal heavyweight edition of our flannels buyer’s guide, adding nine new flannels. For fall of 2024 we saw 20 new flannels, adding six new flannels to our fall buyer’s guide.

Each year introduces new styles and materials, and we try to reflect the best on the market of that year. Some stalwart flannels remain on the list, year after year. They are either so good, or so good of a deal, that they are tough to topple.  

Flannels aren’t hard, but their simplicity makes it important to understand the details of a standout shirt. To keep a finger on the pulse, we read reviews from top sites and contact manufacturers directly. Steve Graepel has the owners of several companies on speed dial, and has had conversations with manufacturers and mills from around the world. It’s not uncommon for manufacturers to reach out to GearJunkie before they release a flannel to get a sense of the new lineup.

These relationships allow us to stay up to date on what makes flannels better every year, and keep an eye on sleeper flannels that just don’t have the marketing budget to get mass attention.

There are plenty of flannels on the market, and we shouldered a number of them to find the best flannel of 2024; (photo/Steve Graepel)

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose a Flannel Shirt

Materials

Wool used to own the flannel scene, and it has a lot of merits. It retains warmth when exposed to moisture, resists odors and UV light, and can block the wind. We love ANIÁN’s heavyweight Berlino overshirt, which delivers all of these qualities with its heavy wool material.

While the Berlino weaves some nylon into the fabric, it still feels scratchy. For a softer wool, consider merino wool blended with synthetic. Minus33 weaves Polyester with their merino and feels very wearable against the skin and pumps up the durability. But there are other materials worth considering.

Cotton can be buttery soft and an obvious choice to wear next to skin. Pladra, MuskOx, and Pendelton all use high-end cotton. But not all cotton flannels are brushed to this extent. &SONS Yukon Field Flannel is lightly brushed and feels rougher. This makes it better for hardwearing activities in the yard or at the shop.

Some cottons are sourced from organic or Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) approved cotton fields. No synthetic pesticides or chemical fertilizers can be used in the cotton to achieve the rank of “organic cotton.” The Vermont Flannel Company’s Lightweight Flannel and Fjällraven’s Singi both use organic cotton.

BCI-approved cotton meets sustainable standards that minimize pesticides, boost water conservation, and support better working conditions for farmers. Our top choice heavyweight flannel from MuskOx sources BCI cotton. Either way, meeting either of these standards costs more money to achieve and the cost is passed onto the buyer. Expect to pay a little more for shirts that list either of these certifications.

If you break a sweat in flannel — say mountain biking, skiing, or running — we recommend a synthetic flannel. They are easy to care for and can be thrown in the washer and tumbled in the dryer. Poncho’s Original Flannel is lightly brushed without sacrificing plush. It is our top pick for a synthetic flannel.

Best Men's Flannels — Outerknown Blanket Shirt
The Outerknown Blanket Shirt is made from 100% organic cotton, and is luxuriantly soft for it; (photo/Erika Courtney)

Fit

Like any shirt, flannels are offered in a variety of fits, from athletic and tailored to grandpa-style. If you prefer a tidy look with a slimmer athletic fit, Proper Cloth’s Jackson will be a good choice. But it can be a tradeoff with mobility. Without Lycra woven into the fabric, gussets, or mechanical weave, a tight, form-fitting flannel can bind behind the shoulders. Shirts like Filson’s Alaskan Guide get around this by adding a pleat between the shoulders.

On the other end of the spectrum, MuskOx is oversized and has no pleating. The roomy cut still allows great mobility to reach and work without feeling too big.

When making a purchase, let your use case guide you to the right flannel fit. And if it’s a work shirt, consider sizing down for everyday wear. As an example, Filson work shirts are typically sized just short of Arnold Schwarzenegger. We always have to buy one size down when looking at Filson. &SONS Yukon Field flannel shares a lot of the same merits we like about Filson, but unlike Filson, the off-the-shelf fit is spot on with &SONS.

Note that this review covers the best flannel shirts for men. Looking for a women’s flannel? We have another flannel buyer’s guide specifically for women.

Ranging from 150 to >300+ g/m², the fabric weight of flannel can vary widely, and the use profile varies with it; (photo/Steve Graepel)

Fabric Weights

Short for grams per squared meter, g/m² is the weight of one square meter of fabric. Generally the heavier the weight, the thicker the material will be, the warmer that flannel will likely be. We generally follow the same ratings as we use in base layers.

  • Lightweight flannels fall under 150-190 g/m²
  • Midweight flannels sit between 200-250 g/m²
  • Heavyweight flannels weigh over 250 g/m²

For fall, we share a range of flannel options. As we enter the dark days of winter, our flannel guide shifts on mid- and heavyweight flannels. At just under 140 g/m², The Vermont Flannel Company sits as our lightest-weight shirt. As you might guess, it is best for mild temperatures and casual wear. We’ve even dressed it up with a jacket and worn it to work. On the other end sits ANIÁN’s Berlino, which uses a stout 500 g/m² wool blend and is supremely warm.

The numbers game isn’t hard and fast. Counter to the listed weights, Helly Hansen’s Classic Check (as seen on last year’s list) used a whopping 375 g/m² cotton material but weighs as much as Proper Cloth’s Jackson, a 200 g/m² cotton shirt. If you have doubts and can’t find evidence in the reviews, it is always best to try a shirt on and get a feel for the material.

A heavier fabric doesn’t imply the material will be softer — which the Berlino, woven with nylon, is not. That soft, velvety feeling comes from brushing the material, giving it that lofty plush nap. A fabric with more nap can also be warmer than a fabric without it. The raised fibers trap air warmed from your body and work best as an insulator when worn under a jacket that can keep that warm air from flushing away.

Our top flannel from Pladra takes a heavyweight flannel and brushes it until it almost achieves a shaggy nap. While you can see some traces of light pierce through the shirt, it wears really warm under a jacket.


Buttons never go out of style, but there’s a difference between a cheap plastic button and a brass button. Some flannels, like Minus 33 (left), uses fat, oversized buttons. Iron and Resin (second from the right) uses oversized metal buttons; (photo/Steve Graepel)

Closure Style

Flannel closure is a contentious debate at GearJunkie, and many editors have a soft spot for snaps. Often seen on Western-style shirts, snaps hold well and are quick and easy to get in and out of. Granted, we are an active crew of reviewers who wear our flannels on runs and rides. The Western-style flannel from Poncho closes with pearl snaps.

While we love the usability of snaps, they can be problematic. Snaps disrupt the material by punching holes through the placket — that strip of material that runs dead center down the shirt. In rare cases, snaps can pull through, which we’ve experienced with a snap-style shirt. To add durability, most snap-style shirts punch through doubled-over fabric.

“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” — the button has been tried and true for some 5,000 years. Most buttons are constructed from hard plastics, though Devium and &SONS use horn. Iron and Resin closes their Arbor flannel up with metal buttons. Regardless of materials, we prefer big buttons for heavier materials, which is one more reason to consider Devium’s Boca. Their horn buttons are custom-made in Pennsylvania and are the size of a penny.

The author testing flannels in Japan, the epicenter of high fashion, high-priced flannels; (photo/Steve Graepel)

Construction

While quality materials matter, the construction of the shirt is what often defines a quality shirt. The best will have flat-felled seams that roll the opposing material together and tack the seam down with a double stitch. The result hides all the cut edges, leaving a clean-looking, durable shirt inside and out. These shirts will often be double- or triple-stitched in high-stress zones, like the shoulders and sides.

While more durable, flat-felled seams can make a shirt bulkier, not every mill can pull off this level of construction. So flat-felled flannels tend to be more expensive.

Proper Cloth, &SONS, Pendelton, and Pladra use a flat-fell seam and vary the stitch count for extra durability where you need it most.

Many shirts use a more common overlock or surge stitch, where the two opposing panels are butted together and stitched down, leaving the seam’s edge raw on the inside. Using an overlock stitch is a much easier construction method, and since most sew houses can do it, the cost is (usually) reflected in the affordable price.

&Sons Yukon (left) flat-fells the entire shirt, while Iron and Resin (middle), flat-fells the body, but flat-sews the overstitched armholes. The Vermont Flannel Co. (right) matches the lightweight material with more flexible overstitched seams; (photo/Steve Graepel)

The downside is some overlock stitches are left unfinished. Exposed, they can rub against the body, snag, and fray, which eventually will pull on the surrounding stitching.

Seams are both art and science, so don’t read these a hard and fast guidelines. Overlock stitching can also be a valid choice for lighter weight fabric. The seams allow stretch and pair well with lightweight fabrics and it makes sense in The Vermont Flannel Company’s Lightweight Flannel.

A good compromise is to flat-lock the overstitching. It doesn’t hide the seams, but the overstitching is tacked down out of the way. This makes the seams less bulky than fully felled seams and costs less to sew. More importantly, it’s much more comfortable and practical when joining heavy-weight fabrics that creep over 300 g/m². Outerknown, Iron and Resin, ANIÁN, and MuskOx overstitched their flat-locked seams in the armpits.

When buying a shirt, look at the construction details. A well-constructed shirt will cost more in the short term but will last for years.

While flannel is often plaid, they are available in solids, too; (photo/Steve Graepel)

Price & Value

With a general range between $35 and an eye-watering $200, there’s a wide spread when it comes to flannels and a good bit of nuance in between those figures. Not only do different materials demand higher price tags, but we’d argue that construction methods augment the price just as much — if not more in some cases. Knowing what you’ll be wearing the flannel for the most will go a long way in choosing the best option for you.

Budget

Like everything these days, the price of flannels has been creeping up over the last few years. But you can still get into a flannel without having to spend a lot of cash. At just under $40, Legendary Whitetails is an affordable entry price point to give flannels a go without sacrificing quality construction. For a few bucks more, Jetty offers a mid-weight deal in the Breaker at $70, which is a great choice for more casual, everyday wear.

Mid-Tier

The mid-price of flannels seems to fall in around $90 (though we acknowledge we have a bump in shirts listing between $100-140). Just below will get you into most mountain-style flannels from the big stores, but there can be a swell of uninspiring shirts in this range that lean on its brand recognition, bright patterns, and color schemes to take your cash.

Here too, you get what you pay for, and it’s a good place to start looking at materials and construction to ensure you are indeed getting good value. Premium construction methods, like hand-sewn, double or triple stitching, and eco-conscious product development, start to tack onto the bottom line. The Pladra Every Day Elite ($140) is at the upper end of this range, and we find it to be one of the best things going in flannels at the moment.

Premium

Better materials and pedigree start to pry the wallet open. Unless there’s a backstory to support that extra cost, shirts priced over $150 leave you wondering if you are paying for someone’s mortgage. Topping out just over $200, we do feel that the attention to detail &SONS brings is of exceptionally high quality and warrants the expense. As does the beefy warmth you get with Minus33’s Sportsman Guide.

Best Men's Flannels — Sleeve Detail
Premium cost equals premium trim, and nylon backing in the cuffs (and fun prints) is one sign of a high-quality flannel; (photo/Erika Courtney)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is flannel?

Traditionally a brushed twill made from wool, the original flannel was woven to keep Welsh sheep herders warm while tending the flock on temperamental winter days. Nowadays, the term flannel has expanded into cotton, synthetic, hemp, and blends with stretchy fibers. What unequivocally defines flannel is the brushed surface that lofts the yarns into a heat-trapping nap that gives it that super soft feel to the touch.

True flannels start from twill — a diagonal pattern like you find in jeans. Either the front or back can be brushed, giving it a soft insulating nap. To give a flannel that lofty fluffy feeling, a metal brush works the material’s surface, mechanically teasing the fibers until lofted into that fuzzy surface that traps air.

What flannels are most durable?

Flannel is achieved by brushing the fabric to tease fibers out, which act like an insulator. The rub is it can compromise durability. In short, the fibers are broken and become more prone to catching dust and grime, which can continue to break down the fibers. Contrastingly, lightly brushed flannels tend to be more durable. They don’t collect as much grime or catch as easily on wood splinters or metal edges.

Flannel comes in all forms these days. It’s unfair to box a shirt in or out of the flannel club. It might help to think of the base material sitting on a brush scale. At the far end is a smooth-faced, durable shirt. On the other is a soft and plush shirt.

Our top heavy flannel pick from MuskOX is a buttery soft flannel made from 300 g/m² organic cotton. The shirt is brushed on both sides and exudes flannel. The fabric is so thick that it will retain durability year after year. For mid-weight, lightly brushed fabrics, like those found in Devium’s Boca or &SONS Yukon, will serve as better work shirts over, say, Proper Cloth’s Jackson flannel, which brushes loosely woven yarns that get caught on sharp edges.

What is the difference between flannel and plaid?

Flannel is a lofted fabric — regardless of the pattern. That fabric can come in a variety of solids and patterns, including the cross-hatched patterns, originally dating back to the Scottish culture to distinguish families and clans, we call plaid.

How do I choose a flannel?

Start with how and where you want to use it. If you intend to wear your flannel outside or as a jacket, consider a wool or insulated flannel. Minus33’s Sportsman Guide is great at blocking wind and light rain. We liked Devium’s front pockets and the low nap is very durable, but the cotton flannel is best worn on cool, dry days. Proper Cloth’s Jackson is great for around town but lacks durability for hardwearing tasks.

We love Proper Cloth’s Jackson for its overall softness, quality, and general easy-wearing approachability. For more active pursuits, we liked how Poncho’s synthetic wicks moisture and has utility pockets that are user friendly. But neither are as durable as Filson’s Alaskan Guide’s nearly bulletproof cotton flannel. The hard-tack surface is also the least plush shirt on our list.

Some work flannels, like those offered by Filson, can be oversized. We found the work-inspired Boca from Devium fit spot-on. In general, you will be happier if you try them on before you buy. If you can’t, it’s worth sizing down for a more tailored fit — especially when buying anything from Filson, which generally runs one size larger.

Like a tool in your toolbox, the best flannel will be the flannel that meets your needs. Take stock of how you want to use it, and then use our guide to find the best option for you.

What’s the warmest flannel?

We update our flannel buyer’s guide for winter with more robust options. The warmest shirt on this season’s list is Minus 33’s Sportsman Guide. The wool is blended with Nylon (which is more durable than Polyester) and is brushed to trap heat like down. Of course, this is an overshirt that doesn’t wear casually at work.

For a more work-friendly warm shirt, we like Pladra’s Every Day Elite. The 260+ g/m² is athletically fitted and wears well either tucked in or out and is lofted to trap heat. The cotton 300 g/m² found in MuskOx is plush and comfortable, but we like to wear it untucked. It’s a lot of fabric to tuck in your pants.

If you want to stay warm in wet weather, reach for wool or synthetic, and that’s where the Minus33 Sportsman Guide Shirt shines.

On the other end of the spectrum, we loved what we saw from The Vermont Flannel Co. The 140 g/m² Lightweight cotton flannel keeps the sun off and the body and feels cool in summer.

What’s the most comfortable flannel?

With it’s über-soft brushing both inside and out, we loved Pendelton’s Burnside. It became the benchmark to test all other flannels for softness.

A less expensive option is Iron and Resin’s Sunshine flannel. The fit is more relaxed and the quality isn’t quite on par with Pendelton, but the material is more durable, plus you can get it on sale now for under $70 now at Huckberry.

How long do flannels last?

How long a shirt lasts is a combination of materials, construction, and use.

If taken care of, quality materials sewn together with flat seams will last for years. MuskOx, Devium, &SONS, and even the stylishly tailored Proper Cloth are all highly durable shirts. Any of these shirts are solidly constructed and will serve you well.

How often should I wash my flannel shirt?

How often you wash it depends on how you wear it. Using it daily as an overshirt, where you aren’t sweating directly against the fabric, gives you a few wears before you need to wash it. If you work out in it or are putting it to task with a shovel on a pile of dirt, you should wash your shirt.

Follow the instructions on the garment. While synthetics can be washed and dried on low, we recommend air-drying cotton shirts. They can shrink.

Wool shirts might need special care, like dry-cleaning. Never dry a wool shirt in the drier. The fibers can shrink significantly making it essentially unwearable.

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