I had been looking for a light hoodie, something much thinner than your typical terry hoodies. Most of the time a normal hoodie ends up being too much in temperature and bulk for me. I’m at about 5’10” and 190lbs, athletic but getting soft, and I’m not looking to add more padding when I throw on another layer!
After browsing around my favorite retailers, review sites, and forums, I found two that I ended up purchasing. Both were merino wool blends and I chose two different colors to help justify the spend.
Proof 72 Hour Merino Ultralight Hoodie
The first hoodie was from the Proof label at Huckberry. I’ve been a fan of Mission Workshop styles, and I’ve purchased more than a few items from Huckberry over the years, including a Proof jacket and some of the 72-hour lineup socks and t-shirt. I was familiar with the brands and made it easy to stumble on them. There were more than a few others I looked at from Patagonia, Arcteryx, and some other outdoor brands, but one reason or another I passed.
After a fall and winter in Chicago, I have zero regrets with the Proof hoodie. This is my favorite piece of clothing right now and I’m kind of bummed they’re out of stock, perhaps even production! Hopefully they’ll make more, I’ll need a spare for the long haul.
To me this is the perfect hoodie. The weight is just right for someone who runs hot, and it regulates temperature well so you can wear it inside and out.
This hoodie is very ultralight, which does raise some concerns on the longevity it can offer. The cloth is very thin which is the main benefit for the temperature comfort, perhaps it’s a trade-off to risk wearing out the elbows or underarms if this becomes a near daily wear.
One extra feature that I love is that he sleeves have thumb loops sewn into the ends, making it easy to hold on when you’re slipping a coat on or want to tuck the sleeves into your gloves.
On the flip side, the lack of any pockets, if simply for a set of keys, cash or credit card is unfortunate but understandable when considering we’re looking for something so light.
At $138 originally, this was expensive but not cost prohibitive for me. I’ve used it as daily wear, as well as camping and a skiing mid-layer. A very versatile piece for me, and it’s important to take care of your things, and this was going to be something I knew I’d use often and so I wanted quality that I could trust. At this point, money well spent, and I would highly recommend checking one out if they come back in stock.
Unfortunately, the Huckberry site lists this as completely out of stock, and I don’t know anywhere else we can get it from. Fingers crossed they’ll bring it back: https://huckberry.com/store/proof/category/p/71692-72-hr-merino-ultralight-hoodie
Mission Workshop – Faroe : MC Hoodie
The other hoodie I picked up was from Mission Workshop, the Faroe was something I had my eye on for a while and was waiting on an opportunity to pick one up with a coupon or sales event. At $230 this is a high-end piece and definitely a splurge.
This hoodie feels like it maintains the shape a little more than the Proof counterpart, which feels like it stretches out a little more when worn.
This hoodie does have the extended tail, purposefully built for bike riding to keep your rear covered. The sleeves do feel a bit longer, again likely a purposeful decision when reaching out for your handlebars.
While this hoodie doesn’t have the convenience of the thumb loops to secure the sleeves, it does have a single zip pocket on the back where you can store a key, bill fold, or both. This one is crucial for someone like me, I like to ride my bike often and a secure pocket gives me a little more confidence and space to store a valuable.
While both hoodies perform well, I still favor the Proof hoodie a bit more. The Faroe feels a bit tight for the size, perhaps just the brand leaning on more slim physiques. I do enjoy wearing it, but the price is hard to swallow.
