Wearing the Coolibar Women's Sun Block Hoodie while backpacking in the Paria River in Utah 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

Long Term Testing Locations Please refer to my Field Report for details on my field testing locations during the initial two months of testing this product. I did not have the opportunity to test this hoodie in the Grand Canyon as indicated in my testing plan. During the last two months I did have the opportunity to test the hoodie in desert climates in the state of Utah.  Continued Testing Locations (during the last two months) Wasatch Mountain Ranges, Utah USA: 6 days (on day hikes) Elevation:  6,000 ft to 10,000 ft (1,800 m to 3,000 m) Average Daytime Temperature: varied greatly on various days 45-65 F (7-18 C) Weather on various days: Sunny, partly cloudy, mostly cloudy and light rain showers. Zion National Park, Utah USA: 2 days  Elevation: 4,900 ft to 7,200 ft (1,500 m to 2,200 m) Average Daytime Temperature: 50-64 F (10-18 C) Weather on various days: Sunny, partly cloudy, rain, and snow.

Wearing the Coolibar Women's Sun Block Hoodie while backpacking in the Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming USA Snow Canyon, Utah USA: 2 days (on day hikes) Elevation:  3,200 ft (975 m) Average Daytime Temperature: 75 F and 50 F (24 C and 10 C) Weather on various days: Sunny and partly cloudy. Paria River/Buckskin Gulch (Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument), Utah USA: 3 days Elevation:  4,100 ft (1,250 m) Average Daytime Temperature: 60 F (16 C) Weather on various days: Sunny and partly cloudy.

Testing Performance

During remaining two months in the testing period I wore the hoodie in the above listed locations while backpacking and day hiking. During the entire four month testing period the hoodie was worn for a total of at least 44 days while 
backpacking, biking, rock climbing, running errands around town, and on picnics. 

I found that the hoodie fits me comfortably and does not restrict my movement in any way. It 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. The non-adjustable elastic cuffs have prevented the sleeves from migrating up or down my arms. There has been no stretching of this elastic noted or fraying of the fabric on the ends of the sleeves.

While backpacking the hoodie does tend to ride up under my backpack hip belt with only one of my backpacks. The hip belt on this backpack is lightly padded and narrower than the other packs that I did not encounter this issue with. This was uncomfortable and a nuisance at times. I found myself readjusting the bottom of the garment frequently while wearing this particular backpack. I believe the issue of the hoodie riding up while wearing my backpack is partly due to the pack design since I only encounter this issue with one of my packs. 

The hood does provide adequate shade on my face to protect me from the sun. My view continued to be restricted sometimes while wearing the hood. My peripheral and upper quadrant field of vision is occluded if the hoodie is pulled too far forward on my head. I found my self extending my neck to see objects that were located in my upper quadrant field of vision. 

In a minimal breeze I can wear the hood over my head without the need to tie the drawcord to hold the hood snug. In a high wind gust I did not have the hood very snug and it did blow off my head. I found that when I have the drawcord pulled snug the hood stays in place in light to moderate wind gusts. 

The hoodie fabric does an excellent job protecting my skin from exposure to sunlight. My skin has not burned (including my neck and face) nor tanned in areas that have been covered by this garment. I have not noticed a diminishment in the sun protection capabilities of the fabric after four months of testing. I have issues with maintaining my levels of Vitamin D. Since wearing the hoodie I have encountered a decrease in my Vitamin D levels and an increase in my energy levels (that were compromised due to high Vitamin D levels). 

I found that the fabric continued to breathe well. I did not encounter a soaking wet spot on my back while wearing any of my packs with the hoodie. The fabric was just damp. When the fabric becomes wet it dries quickly. It does wet out in the rain but, the manufacturer does not state that this item has water resistant qualities. 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.

After laundering the hoodie at least 12 times the fabric is still soft to the touch. Some stains are difficult to remove and I needed to scrub them lightly with detergent. I found that tree sap and red dirt were the most difficult stains to remove. The hoodie still wrinkles easily when folded for storage, sleeping in it, or when it is packed in my backpack or day pack. The fabric of the hoodie has not torn, all the stitches are intact, and there is no abrasion of the fabric noted. The mesh under one of the arms that became pilled did not worsen. I do believe this is from rubbing against the strap of my backpack. 

I love the Coolibar Sun Block hoodie for sun protection while enjoying outdoor activities. I found the hoodie to be comfortable, a decent carry weight, and provided me with excellent sun protection. I need to monitor my Vitamin D levels and how much sun exposure I allow myself. The hoodie enabled me to enjoy outdoor activities for a longer period of time while being exposed to the sun. This is refelcted in the decrease of my Vitamin D levels and the increase in my energy levels. I will continue to wear the Sun Block Hoodie when appropriate for backpacking and day hiking. 

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 (only with one of my packs)
• The garment wrinkles easily
• Stains can be difficult to remove