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The Coolibar Sun Block Hoodie UPF 50 couldn't of arrived at a better time. Higher temperatures than normal and sunny days have produced exceptional testing weather. The hoodie arrived with the Sun Hat that I will also be testing and additional bonuses of both a full size bottle (5.0 fl oz/150 ml) and 5 individual sample packets of Blue Lizard Sunsreen SPF 30 and an AllSport Hat with sun guards. Coolibar does make a full line of sun protection products that are represented in the catalog that was provided. This report will only focus on my initial impressions of the hoodie.


Size

I requested the Sun Block Hoodie in a Size Medium Unisex even though I ordinarily wear a Women's Medium Size. The web description did suggest ordering a size smaller than a women's equivalent size but because it also described the garment as having a trim athletic look, I decided that I didn't want to risk having it fit tight. My measurements were at the high end of the Size Small Unisex chart so I decided that it was best to go with the Medium. The hoodie fits just fine. It is slightly oversized on me but I don't feel that it is an issue as it fits more like a tunic style garment. I would rather have it loose than have the hoodie be too tight especially in the hip area. This could allow for additional clothing worn underneath the hoodie that might be required by the end of the test period (temps will certainly take a plunge). The chest measurement on the Size Medium Unisex is 38 in (97 cm). The circumference measurement underneath the arms is 48 in (122 cm) and it slightly flares to the bottom edge measurement of 49 in (124 cm). In other words, this garment is very straight and not really tapered enough to notice from the underarms to the bottom edge. The bottom edge features a vent at each side seam measuring 4 in (10.16 cm). The vents are bar-tacked at the upper ends for reinforcement.


Fabric

My first thoughts when I touched the fabric of the hoodie is that it felt like a very soft bed sheet and that it would be soothing next to my skin. I wasn't disappointed when I tried the hoodie on my body as it felt great against my skin. The hoodie is made of SUNTECT fabric. That fabric is actually 100% Nylon with enhanced titanium dioxide added to it. Regardless it still feels like very soft cotton to me. According to a hangtag on the hoodie, Coolibar fabrics were developed and independently tested in Australia for their "UltraViolet Protection Factor or  "UPF". A UPF rating for fabrics is similar to SPF ratings on sunscreens. A UPF of 30 means the garment is certified to block 97% of the sun's UV radiation. The fabric is supposed to provide UVA and UVB protection for the life of the garment. On the website the hoodie is rated at blocking 97% (UPF 30) while on the hangtag it is rated at 98% (that correlates to UPF 50).


More Details

The Coolibar Sun Block Hoody that I received is in the color of White. Although the website featured a lot of attractive colors that were hard to not covet, I generally prefer a very light color for sun clothing. Other colors available include Cobalt, Hibiscus, Teal, Kiwi, and Mandarin. The shirt is adorned with a chest emblem in matching thread of a Coolibar Tree. According to a hangtag that came with the hoodie, the Coolibar tree is an eucalyptus tree in the Australian outback that provides welcome relief and protection from the sun's damaging rays.

The hoodie has integrated mesh ventilation inserts beneath each underarm on the front side that measure 14.75 in (37.47 cm) down the underarm seams and 5.5 in (13.97 cm) down the front shirt seams. A CoolMax mesh panel measuring 11.5 in (29.21 cm) in height lies beneath a vented back panel that is essentially layering the entire top of the back of the hoodie.The overlapping back SUNTECT panel measures 14 in (35.51 cm) in length and features an 8.5 in (21.29 cm) opening on each shoulder for ventilation.

A huge double entry pocket is located on the front of the hoodie measuring 15 in (38.10 cm) in width and 9 in (22.86 cm) in height. Elasticized cuffs have an 8 in (20.32 cm) circumference. Three plastic snap closures are hidden beneath an unadorned front placket on the center front of the hoodie. The placket provides an 6.5 in (20.32 cm) opening for ease of pulling the hoodie over my head. The hood has a self-fabric drawcord and the hood measures 12 in (30.48 cm) in height from the neck seam to the top of the hood. Although the hood isn't tight it isn't quite as roomy as I would prefer. 

The weight of the garment wasn't mentioned on the website and it is  truly more than I thought it would be. I wear similar types of shirts without hoods and they weigh about 5 oz (140 g). The sun block hoodie weighs almost twice as much at 8.6 oz (244 g). I realize that the extra features on the product add to its weight. They include the hood, large front pocket, the fabric itself and the roominess of the garment. Whether the extra weight of the garment will be a factor in my overall style of backpacking will be determined in the testing period.

The hoodie appears to be finished nicely. Most seams are double top-stitched for reinforcement and the stitching is neat and evenly spaced. There are bartacks at the few stress points and I only found a few loose strings inside of the front pocket. The inside edges of this pocket are not finished off in any manor. Washing instructions that are located inside the hoodie indicate that it should be washed in warm water, then tumble dry.
 

Pros

• Easy snap front placket
• Soft fabric
• Roomy
• Ventilation vents
  

Cons

• Hood fits a bit trim
  

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Coolibar Sun Block Hoodie--Test Plan

Locations/Conditions

The majority of my backpacking trips are in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan where evenings are mostly on the cool side. During the projected four month testing period of August through November the average lows during those months are consecutively 52 F (11 C), 44 F (7 C), 34 F (1 C) and 22 F (1 C). August historically being the hottest month of the test period has an average high of 73 F (23 C). The following months have average highs of 63 F (23 C), 51 F (17 C), and 35 F (11 C). Rapid drops in temperatures and much precipitation is created by the Great Lakes weather systems. Precipitation averages for this time period add up to almost 14 in (36 cm). All of these trips are to hilly boreal or deciduous forest and wilderness river systems. All testing conditions will be at low elevation or low altitude 600 ft (183 m) to 2000 ft (610 m) with mostly semi-warm to cool conditions and mid-to-high range humidity (70-95 percent).
 
 
I will test the Coolibar Sun Block Hoody with the following considerations in mind:

Function/Comfort:

-Will the hoodie be versatile enough to both wear over another garment such as a long sport top or is it sized to just be worn with undergarments only?
-Will the hoodie that comes in Unisex sizing adapt to a women's body or will there be excess fabric in some areas?
-Will the chest placket with snaps be easy to work with to ventilate the hoodie or to take the garment off and on my body?
-Will the hoodie protect me from a long day in the sun or will I also have to wear sunscreen as a back-up measure?
-Will the hoodie with mesh inserts ventilate well?
-Does the "hood" of the hoodie cover my entire head? How far can I pull it down over my forehead? Is the drawstring easy to work with?
-Will I be able to use the hoodie feature as sort of a neck gaiter to protect my neck when I am wearing it in combination with the Coolibar Hat?
-How well do the mesh inserts of CoolMax fabric work to ventilate the sleeves and upper back area?
-Will I find the deep pouch pocket to be useful or will it cause irritation under the belt of my backpack?
-Are the elastic cuffs adjustable? If not, is the elastic flexible enough to push the sleeves slightly upwards on the arms if necessary?
-Will the hoodie be comfortable to wear in hot weather or humid weather? It would be subject to both if tested here in the Midwest region of the US.
-Will the hoodie "stick" to my skin if the weather is humid or if I am sweating a lot? If the Hoodie does become damp how long will it take to dry?
-Will the hoodie be stylish enough so that I will consider it for everyday wear in addition to backpacking?


Materials/Durability/Care: 
 
-Will the hoodie fabric hold up to extreme use? Will the fabric pill, snag or fade easily?
-Will the fabric weaken with constant sun exposure and perhaps lessen the sun protection - This would be hard to measure but will I see any thin spots?
-Will the CoolMax mesh areas hold up to repeated use? 
-The hoodie is stated to be machine washable but how easy is it to wash in the field? How long will it take to dry in the field?
-If the hoodie becomes stained will it be easy to clean the stains off of the garment by simple scrubbing?
 

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I will gladly address all these issues and any additional pertinent concerns as I test the Coolibar Sun Block Hoodie. Thanks to Coolibar and BackpackGearTest for this great opportunity during the next four months.