I’m sure it’s something we all realize when the warm weather hits – we need to stay protected from the sun. As runners, we are mostly hitting the streets and trails outside, and Oregon is about as beautiful a place in the country to do so. When my dad first was diagnosed with cancer 11 years ago, there was a small epiphany that I needed to be better about this. But, I was 26 at the time and though I had a child, I was still youthfully invincible. Now at 37, with my dad passing from cancer in 2019, it hit home that I actually need to be serious about this. As a result, we have been highlighting some items that assist in protecting us from the sun – this time with a long sleeve top from Howler Brothers.
It may or may not be news to anyone, but its still important to protect yourself from the sun even in the winter time. Without diving deep in to scientific details, simply put there are two UV Rays – UVA & UVB. Only one of these, UVB (the sunburning kind), is actually reduced by clouds. Though UVB are reduced, UVA rays are present the entire year. Thus, sun protection items aren’t just a summer need.
Loggerhead Hoodie
One of their newest additions to their lineup is the Loggerhead Hoodie, released in the Fall of 2020. It is an expansion of their long popular Henley of the same name. These hoodies are made with 50% recycled content, and UPF 35+ protection. The Fall 2021 collection showcases (among other things) some fun new prints – one of which we recently checked out.
When I review apparel items, I generally look at three different categories – style, construction, and comfort/fit. The Loggerhead Hoodie has multiple styles that work both in your metro landscapes, but also can crossover into a style that isn’t embarrassing while hiking Larch Mountain or climbing up the dune at Pacific City. The Blue Fade (pictured) is more tropical in visual, but not overtly so. There are also a variety of other styles available if you are looking for more solid color schemes.
As far as the qualities in the top, it’s pretty simplistic – it is a hoodie after all – an item that doesn’t really need to be reinvented. It is made from 100% polyester fabric (with 50% recycled content), making it lightweight and breathable. It’s not the warmest hoodie you will ever own, but it seeks to be a more outdoor active and warmer weather top rather than a heavy dense cotton one anyways. It has a reinforced kangaroo pocket on the front and adds a zipped pocket on the back side that is lined with microfiber and is great for items that need actual holding (hoodie pockets across the board are always large, yet often not great at feeling secure with your important items).
The Loggerhead Hoodie fits really well. Again, while it’s not the most plush hoodie you will have, the desire of its functionality (being viable for activity and sun protection) doesn’t really call for that level of “cozy comfort”. The polyester is comfortable in its own right and I really appreciated the more regular fit. While I appreciate a more tailored fit in my clothes, to me a hoodie should provide a lot more looseness and flexibility, and this hoodie really nailed the middle ground between slim and baggy.
If there is one drawback in this top for me, it would be the sleeve-length. I will couch this up front by saying that I have pretty long arms and I am constantly looking to find sleeves that match. It can be a challenge at times, but I also realize that many will not have this same problem and find the length perfect. I found these sleeves to be just a tiny bit short – making it so the thumb holes in the cuffs were not really usable without feeling like a Frankenstein monster. That being said, they are not tight, making it super easy (and stylish actually) to roll them up on my forearms.
Overall, we really like this hoodie, even with just the sleeves falling a liiiiiiiiiiittle short. The style is nice, the fit is generous without being baggy, and the comfort and quality are spot on – not to mention that it feels breathable enough to wear in warmer temperatures without succumbing to heat exhaustion.
Kudos to Howler Brothers!
Howler Brothers
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Products:
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Loggerhead Hoodie ($69)
- 100% polyester made with 50% recycled content
Colors:
- Tropicale
- Blue Fade (pictured)
- Smoke
- Sand
- Orange
- Jungle Green
More About Howler Brothers.:
Howler Brothers clothing designs honor the soul, passion and timeless style of sports such as surfing and fly fishing but update historic garment ideas with modern influence from waves, water, geography, fashion and art. Every garment and accessory is crafted with functionality and attention to detail at the forefront. We avoid trendy or overly traditional ideas and use small batch production and collaborations with artists and craftsmen to create original, alternative offerings. Our base of operations, Austin, Texas, is miles from the nearest ocean but provides daily inspiration with its vibrant and diverse creative culture.
Thank you to Howler Brothers for providing us with a sample item. Please read our transparency page for info on how we do our reviews.
