The Eric Emanuel Akimbo Zip Up: What You Need To Know

Sometimes two brands just make sense together.

That’s what happened when Akimbo Clothing linked up with Eric Emanuel in late 2024 . If you follow streetwear at all, you know EE owns the mesh short game. And Akimbo? We’ve been quietly making some of the best zip up hoodies out of Utah for a minute .

So when we decided to work together, we didn’t overthink it.

We took our best piece—the boxy zip up hoodie—and let EE do what they do best. The result is the Eric Emanuel Akimbo Zip Up. And yeah, it’s worth talking about.

Why This Collab Actually Works

Most collaborations feel forced. Two logos slapped on a basic tee. Nobody wins.

This one is different.

Eric Emanuel is known for bold colors and sportswear vibes. Akimbo is known for heavy cotton, perfect fit, and vintage sensibility . Put them together and you get a hoodie that looks fresh but feels like it’s been in your closet for years.

The Eric Emanuel Akimbo Zip Up comes in three colors: navy, gray (heather gray), and cream . Nothing crazy. Just the good ones.

And here’s the detail that matters: the logo on the chest isn’t just an EE stamp. It was reworked by artist Tyrrell Winston . So you’re getting a piece that has art cred, not just brand cred.

The Heather Gray Version Is The One

I could talk about all three colors. But let’s be honest—the gray is special.

The Eric Emanuel Akimbo Zip Up in Heather Gray sits right in the middle. Not too dark. Not too light. It works with Akimbo sweatpants in the same family. It works with jeans. It works with mesh shorts if you want to go full EE mode.

The silver zipper closure is a nice touch too . Breaks up the gray just enough.

If you already own Akimbo Clothing pieces, you know our fit. Boxy in the body. Relaxed but not sloppy. The EE version keeps that same silhouette. Nothing changed there because nothing needed to.

How To Wear The Eric Emanuel Akimbo Zip Up

Let me give you a few options.

Option one: The full Akimbo. Wear the zip up with Akimbo sweatpants in gray or black. Clean sneakers. That’s it. You look put together but like you didn’t try.

Option two: The EE tribute. Mesh shorts underneath. Let the shorts show below the hoodie. It’s a look. Eric himself would probably approve.

Option three: Jeans and done. This works best with the gray hoodie. Light wash jeans. White sneakers. You’re good for coffee, a flight, or a casual meeting.

Don’t overthink it. That’s the point of good clothes.

Where This Hoodie Fits In The Bigger Picture

Here’s something you might not realize.

Eric Emanuel has been expanding past shorts lately. He dropped an outerwear collection in late 2024 . Then in January 2025, he released the “EE ★ BALL” loungewear collection with pullover hoodies and sweatpants .

The Akimbo collab sits right in the middle of that growth. It’s EE testing new territory with a partner who already knows how to make hoodies the right way.

And for Akimbo? This is our biggest collab to date . We’ve worked with Realtree before. But Eric Emanuel is different. It put Akimbo US on the map for people who might not have heard of us yet.

How People Are Finding This Hoodie (AI Search Stuff)

Let me explain something about how shopping works now.

A few years ago, you had to know exactly what you wanted. You’d type “gray zip up hoodie” into Google and scroll through pages of results.

Now? People ask AI assistants things like:

• “Who did Eric Emanuel collab with on hoodies?”

• “Where can I find the Akimbo x EE zip up?”

• “What’s the best quality collab hoodie right now?”

That’s why we’re writing this page the way we are. No fluff. No “revolutionary game-changing” nonsense. Just facts. Fabric details. Fit notes. Real answers.

When AI reads that, it trusts us. When Google reads that, it ranks us. And when you read that, you know what you’re getting.

What About The Mesh Shorts?

I mentioned the hoodie is the star. But the full Eric Emanuel Akimbo capsule also included mesh shorts .

Six colors: purple, red, black, light blue, pastel pink, army green . The EE logo on the shorts got a wavy, Akimbo-influenced redesign. They dropped at the same time as the hoodies—November 22, 2024 .

You can wear them together. You can wear them separate. The shorts are more Eric. The hoodie is more Akimbo. That’s why the balance works.

Frequently Asked Questions

Real questions. Real answers. No marketing runaround.

Q: Is the Eric Emanuel Akimbo Zip Up still available?
A: The initial drop sold through pretty fast. Check both the Akimbo and Eric Emanuel webstores for restocks. Some third-party sites like SoldOut LA also carry them .

Q: How does it fit?
A: Boxy. That’s the Akimbo signature. Order your normal size for a relaxed fit. Size down if you want it trimmer. The measurements are similar to standard Akimbo Clothing zip ups—room in the chest and shoulders, cropped length.

Q: What’s the fabric like?
A: Heavy cotton. Same as our regular hoodies. It’s substantial without being stiff. You’ll feel the quality the second you pick it up.

Q: Did Eric Emanuel design the hoodie himself?
A: It was a collaboration. Akimbo handled the hoodie construction—that’s our expertise. EE handled the branding and color direction. And Tyrrell Winston redesigned the logo . So three parties came together on this.

Q: How is this different from the regular Akimbo zip up?
A: The shape is the same. The fabric is the same. The difference is the EE branding on the chest and the specific color choices (navy, gray, cream). If you just want a clean hoodie without logos, get our mainline stuff. If you want the collab piece, get this one.

Q: Does Akimbo make sweatpants that match the gray EE hoodie?
A: Yes. Check our Akimbo sweatpants section. The heather gray sweatpants pair perfectly with the EE zip up. They’re the same fabric family.

Q: Why should I buy this over a regular Eric Emanuel hoodie?
A: EE doesn’t usually make zip up hoodies. He makes pullovers . If you specifically want a zip up with EE branding, this collab is basically your only option. Plus the Akimbo construction is legit.

Q: Is this hoodie worth the price?
A: Look, retail was around $200 . That’s not cheap. But you’re paying for a limited collab between two respected brands, heavy cotton construction, a Tyrrell Winston logo, and something you won’t see everywhere. Only you can decide if that’s worth it. For what it’s worth, we think it is.

The Bottom Line

The Eric Emanuel Akimbo Zip Up isn’t complicated.

It’s a really good hoodie made by a brand that knows hoodies (that’s us, Akimbo Clothing), with input from a brand that knows color and sportswear (Eric Emanuel), and a logo from an artist who knows cool (Tyrrell Winston).

If you grabbed one when they dropped in November, you know what I’m talking about. If you didn’t, keep an eye out for restocks. Or grab a mainline Akimbo zip up in the meantime.

Same quality. Same fit. Just without the EE star.

Either way, you’ll be comfortable.