Wearing the Coolibar Women's Sun Block Hoodie while backpacking in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming USA

Product Description

"Fashion meets function in this comfortable, stylish Sun Block Hoodie. The hood frames your face in bright colors and offers protective shade. CoolMax® mesh ventilation on the sleeves and upper back keep your body temperature under control. A deep pouch pocket and elastic cuffs complete the trim, athletic look. Machine wash, lite SUNTECT™ fabric. Rated to block 97% UV." The manufacturer states that the Sun Block Hoodie is a classic (functional and fun) garment that is perfect for an active lifestyle. The woven fabric provides UVA and UVB protection for the life of the garment. The fabric is lightweight and breathable. The garment is durable, quick drying and has easy care. The hoodie is constructed of hidden plastic snaps, a comfortable protective hood, elastic cuffs, double entry pouch pocket, and CoolMax® mesh ventilation to make the garment cool and comfortable.      My initial impression of this product can be viewed on my Initial Report.

Photo obtained from the manufacturer website

Field Testing Locations Uinta and Wasatch Mountain Ranges, Utah USA:  15 days Elevation:  9,480 ft to 10,354 ft (2,890 m to 3,156 m) Average Daytime Temperature: 75 F (24 C) Weather on various days: Sunny, rain,  partly cloudy and mostly cloudy. City of Rocks National Reserve, Idaho USA: 2 days  Elevation: 6,183 ft (1,885 m) Daytime High Temperature: 97 F (36 C) Nighttime Low Temperature: 59 F (15 C) Weather: Partly cloudy with rain sprinkles Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming USA: 4 days Elevation: 4,250 ft to 11,100 ft (1,295 m to 3,383 m)  Daytime Temperature: low 70's F (21 C) to 89 F (32 C) Nighttime Low Temperatures: mid 20's F (-7 C) Weather: Sunny all four days

Protecting myself from the sun while wearing the Sun Block Hoodie in the Wasatch Mountain Range in Utah Salt Lake City, Utah USA: 10 plus days Elevation: 4,600 ft (1,402 m) to 7,416 ft (2,260 m) Daytime High Temperatures: ranged from 66 F to 85 F (19 C to 29 C)  Weather on various days: Sunny, mostly sunny, partly cloudy, some rain sprinkles

Testing Performance

During the testing period I wore the hoodie in the above listed locations while car camping, backpacking, biking, rock climbing, running errands around town, and on picnics. 

The hoodie does not fit me with a trim athletic look as suggested by the manufacturer. The hoodie fits me comfortably and is not restricting to my movement in any way. I followed the size chart the best I could when selecting size that would fit me. The hoodie is unisex so the sizing was somewhat confusing. I referenced the sizing information on the manufacturer's website. I initially utilized the women's sizing chart to determine the size I would require. I then read that for the unisex sizing I was to select one size smaller than the women's size I would need. I then looked at the men's/unisex size chart and I determined that this size would be too small. So I used the chest measurements on this chart to determine my needed size. The garment fits me with a slight baggy look but, not oversized. My arms are not restricted and thus I can move them in all planes of motion. Even though they are not adjustable, the elastic cuffs have prevented the sleeves from migrating up or down my arms. There has been no stretching of this elastic noted.

I have worn the hoodie while biking and the sleeves remained in the initial desired position. I do not particularly like wearing the hoodie while biking. I like a trimmer fitting top/jacket while biking. While backpacking the hoodie does tend to ride up under my backpack hip belt. This was uncomfortable and a nuisance at times. I found myself readjusting the bottom of the garment frequently while wearing a backpack. I did not encounter this issue while wearing a small Camelbak day pack.  

The hood does provide adequate shade on my face to protect me from the sun. My view is sometimes restricted when wearing the hoodie. My peripheral and upper quadrant field of vision is occluded if the hoodie is pulled too far forward on my head. My neck nor face get sunburned while wearing the hoodie. In a minimal breeze I can wear the hood over my head without the need to tie the drawcord to hold the hood snug. I found that in high wind gusts and a moderate wind I need to tie the drawcord snug to hold the hood in place. 

I did store some items (lip balm, tissues, sunblock packets) in the front pocket and most of the items remained in the pocket during movement. However, my large Maui Jim sunglass case did fall out while scrambling. 

The hoodie provides excellent sun protection. I have high blood levels of Vitamin D and when I am exposed to prolonged sunlight I fatigue more easily and at a more rapid rate. I found the hoodie protected me from too much Vitamin D due to exposure to sunlight. I must say that I have experienced less fatigue on hikes while wearing the hoodie. I was told by a physician the only way to lessen my fatigue was to limit my sun exposure. The hoodie fabric does an excellent job protecting my skin from exposure to sunlight. My skin has not burned nor tanned in areas that have been covered by this garment. 

I find that the fabric breathes well. I noticed that I did not encounter a soaking wet spot on my back while wearing my pack. The fabric was just damp. When the fabric becomes wet it dries quickly. I did encounter rain and rain sprinkles while wearing this garment. It does wet out in the rain but, the manufacturer does not state that this item has water resistant qualities. I was protected against rain drizzle until I could seek shelter. I found that the fabric does dry quickly. I did not sweat excessively in temperatures below 85 F (29 C). I found that in temperatures above 85 F (29 C) I became uncomfortable and I needed to remove the garment. I have worn the hoodie in temperatures as low as 50 F (10 C) without the need to add an additional layer. Below 50 F (10 C) I needed to wear additional layers of clothing. The hoodie does not offer good wind protection nor does it claim to. The wind seems to pass through the fabric.

The care directions on the care tag inside the garment state to wash in warm water (105 F/40 C), non-chlorine bleach, tumble dry (105 F/40 C), touch up hand iron, low heat setting, no steam, and no dry cleaning. The hoodie washes well. I was able to remove all the stains that were embedded in the fabric with a mild detergent. I dried the hoodie in my dryer and it came out wrinkle free. The fabric is still soft after several washings. When I pack the hoodie or fold it I noticed that it wrinkles easily. The wrinkles do disappear after wearing or hanging the garment. The fabric of the hoodie has not torn and all the stitches are intact. I did rub a portion of the hoodie against some rocks while scrambling and rock climbing and I did not notice any break down of the fabric materials. I did notice that the mesh under one of the arms became pilled. I am wondering if this is from rubbing against the strap of my backpack. 

I find the hoodie to be stylish to wear around town. I have worn it running errands and to work on a few occasions.

I love the Coolibar Sun Block hoodie for sun protection while enjoying outdoor activities. I will continue to test the durability of this garment during the remaining test period. I will also continue to test if the elastic stretches on the cuffs, if the sun protection remains in the fabric, and if any more pilling results on the mesh. I plan on primarily testing this in desert climates during the remaining test period. This will enable me to have a better assessment of the moisture wicking properties of the fabric.

Things I Like

• The soft fabric
• The sun protection
• It is comfortable

Things I Do Not Like

• The hoodie rides up under my backpack hip belt
• The garment wrinkles easily