Gear Review: A Sleek, Swanky Hoodie For Men

By National Geographic Adventure Contributing Editor Steve Casimiro, editor of The Adventure Life

A few years ago, an outdoor apparel manufacturer was showing me a line of tops for men and women. All the chickie pieces had hoods available, but none of the men’s. “We can’t sell hoodies to guys in outdoor shops,” he said, which was a head scratcher to me because at the time surf companies couldn’t make enough guy’s hooded sweats.

Times have changed. Or guys have changed. Or apparel makers have changed. Because one of the swankiest hoodies I’ve ever worn is just hitting stores, the Boulder Hood from Icebreaker. Made of organic merino wool and lined with stretch-woven polyester, it features a polyurethane laminate that blocks water but still breathes. It’s at once a dressy coat and a performance garment.

By some measures, the Boulder Hood is a strange beast. The wool outer fabric feels like what you’d find on a high-end woolen coat. But the hood gives it a decidedly modern, hip silhouette while adding an extra bit of functionality. In some coats, the hood might not work. But with Icebreaker’s subtle attention to details, it does.

And forgetting about how it looks for a minute, when worn it’s super comfortable—roomy without being huge, soft on inside and out, and warm but not stifling. The hood might not play on Wall Street, but for just about everywhere and everything else—work, travel, going out, primary autumn jacket or layered winter coat—this Icebreaker sells itself ($400; www.icebreaker.com).

Comments

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[debt relief]

I would rock that it looks rather comfortable

[asbes]

nice post

[plantillas web]

Gr8 information for this season! really cool! It will be more cute if they place some graphics in it..

[anuncios clasificados]

Really useful post.. I will soon bye this one and write a post after that.. he he! ;)

[impresoras cd]

Cool! look like a cute Robert!!!

[alubias]

Nice Jacket.. Can we use this in rainy day? That means, is it a multipurpose jacket? Please let me know..

[verdura a domicilio]

Really useful post, also we can use this while riding.. So Am looking for the same in spain..

[Reciclar Cables]

Nice jacket, really looks good, and I liked it bcoz it is a body fit too.. Thank you, Steve Casimiro for the info..

[linea erotica]

Thanks Steve for the useful information with photo.. keep posting like this..

[Cloud Computing]

Thanks for the useful information, I liked it and searching for buy this item!

[essential oils]

I am very comfortable wearing this one. Thanks for giving us information.

[fruteros]

Yeah! good post, suitable jacket for this time and it is nice looking too..

[donricho123]

Nice post

[rajeshpawar1]

Really nice post

[Call Center Companies]

I love everything about this hoodie. Is this available online? I want to buy one for my bf as a Christmas gift.

[gashaard]

i want this one, cool!

[houtkachel]

really cool hoodie!

[Lipoflavinoids]

This is just not your average "hoodie". Looks terrific and I think it will catch on

[stop panic attacks]

really a cool cool huddie..

but i really want to know is it tuf enuf?

i mean m not dat gentlemen kind f guy..so k for rough use?? :P

[8ft trampolines]

Not sure about if it is a hoody or a hoody + jacket mixed. It looks good I might just get one to try it out.

[Amy Brett]

I've been looking for a good quality jacket for my husband for Christmas. I think this is the one thanks.

[ganesh]

Really what a wonderful post....

[Learn how to sing better]

I'm sooo loving the hood. wish I could have one.

http://www.ilearnhowtosingbetter.com/

[Special Effects Contact Lenses]

A hoody is a great back country piece of survival clothing. Wool is the way to go.