BPL Hoody

Mine came today. Material and quality are very nice but the fit is off for me so I'm sending it back.

It looks nice, I'm not sure I wouldn't rather have another R1 Hoody instead though?

Unless RJ is mad skinny it looks waaay too floppy to be a next-to-skin layer.

To the people who have bought theirs already, how is the fit? Chris, you mentioned that you exchanged it due to the fit (or mis-fit). Was it too big or too small?

Also, how is the hood? I'm familiar with 2 hood designs: the Patagonia R1 (off-center zipper, face coverage), and the Icebreaker Nomad (center-oriented zipper that stops under chin). The Paty R1 hood is, imo, perfect; but the Nomad hood is not, due to the fact that the zipper slips beneath my chin and puts pressure there. It looks like the BPL Hoodie hood is designed like the Icebreaker's, but you can't tell from the photo whether that's necessarily a bad thing. The zipper on the Icebreaker is stiff, and thick due to several layers of fabric being sewn around it, which is what causes it to put pressure beneath the chin. How does the zipper feel on the BPL Hoodie? Is it supple enough that you don't feel it when it slips beneath your chin?

>Unless RJ is mad skinny it looks waaay too floppy to be a next-to-skin layer.

Really? Are we looking at the same picture?

It looks to me like it's pretty tight around his torso, does it not? Maybe the sleeves aren't skin tight, but loose sleeves are a good thing.

Art-

It was too big. It fit well in the lower torso but the shoulders were about 4 inches wider than I'm used to and the hood had a lot of extra space behind my head and in the neck width. I'm pretty sure you could easily wear a helmet under it, maybe even a full face. The sleeves were also slightly longer than I'm used to but not enough to return it only for that reason. The zipper is up the center like the Icebreaker you mentioned and the area is loose enough to slide down frequently. I ordered a medium so a small might fit ok in the shoulders but I think the neck and hood would still be too big and I wanted something that would fit the face more like a balaclava (cover my mouth and the bottom of my nose). Ryan wore one on our WT3 trip and from what I can recall his fit much better even though we're pretty close to the same size (maybe he was in a small….).

-Chris

Art, I find baggy sleeves totally unacceptable in a n-t-s layer. Makes adding other layers problematic, collects snow, not as warm, etc. I'm also looking at the big loop of slack across RJ's chest, and the fact that he looks pretty barrel chested (by my standards).

>>Unless RJ is mad skinny it looks waaay too floppy to be a next-to-skin layer.

>Really? Are we looking at the same picture?

I agree it looks pretty floppy (in the promotional photo) to wear as a base layer, but I imagine sizing down one size would fix some of that??? Is the sizing anything like the UL merino hoodless tops? It *looks* looser.

RJ is not what I would call skinny if that helps.

Hey everyone,

Note that the shirt I'm wearing in the photo is a preproduction sample that was one size too big for me.

I'm not real skinny, but I'm not exactly broad shouldered either. I'm 5'8" and about 162 lb on a good day, and I have skinny arms.

The shirt I was wearing in the photo was an acceptable size and fit, but the production version has a much better fit in the same size for me.

I'm 5'10", 162 lbs, and the BPL UL merino tops in a M fit me perfectly in the shoulders and sleeves, the hoody seems to fit about 2 inches wider in the shoulders, and 2-3 inches longer in the sleeves. The sleeves are long enough to bring all my fingers inside while using the thumb loops. When used in this way, the sleeves fit me like a tight base layer, when not using the thumb loops the sleeves look slightly floppy.

I really like the weave of this material, it is very comfortable.

I have a long sleeved base layer top that's a little loose in the arms. I've found that to be good though I didn't think much of it at first. It allows me to roll up or slide up my sleeves for some added cooling. When the sleeves are too tight I'm stuck at long length and can't cool down much. That's a bit frustrating when it's easy to design to allow for this.

Some clarification:

The production version of the Beartooth Hoody does not have baggy sleeves like the one shown in the photo.

Also, the effect you see in the photo is due primarily to stretching of the fabric because the thumb loops are in use.

When the thumbloops are not in use, the fabric (which has quite a bit of stretch in it) contracts and fits trim (not skin tight) to the sleeves. They are not baggy at all.

I'm a size M, the new production version of the M hoody fits me great, and the sleeves are not baggy. Again, the photo is a preproduction sample and the fit was modified from the shirt that I'm wearing to trim it up.

>Also, the effect you see in the photo is due primarily to stretching of the fabric

This is also a 'problem' with the BPL UL black merino tops. If you push the sleeve up or otherwise stretch them, they do not rebound much. I have modified my LS top by adding a touch of elastic to the wrists.

If, it was available for 48"+ chests and in an OD or forest green, I would buy two and buddies of mine would, as well.

The thumb loops explain a lot and that's a pretty good idea for this type of gear IMO. I was considering the other day that my own wicking layer shirt would have been better if it had thumb loops. So… +1 for the BPL hoody!

I am heading overseas in January and am looking for this hoody exactly. Problem is I need a 2XL Tall. These type of shirts are very hard to find for us bigger folks. Anyone else out there? Speak up! Maybe we could get enough people together to get these made?

Dewey and Jason,
I asked about this right after they were made available. I don't recall the quote, but to paraphrase, there is no intent to provide anything beyond XL. This sucks as I have a Cocoon Hoody in XXL that I bought here.
Check out the Icebreaker Nomad. It's offered in XXL and looks to be thicker and warmer. I have the Tornado in 320EXP wool and love it.
Best of luck,
Chris

Christopher, Dewey, Jason, other talls: don't despair. There will be an XXL in the next production run. I can't tell you when that will happen, however. It might depends on how our little ole' economy shapes up between now and Spring '09…

On the twelfth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Twelve drummers drumming,
Eleven pipers piping,
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a BPL Hoody and pants!

My BPL Hoody size XL is much larger than my XXL Icebreakers.

I have now had my hoody for about a week, after having to get a size smaller than I originally thought based on the chart. This is definitely the biggest size small that I own, including all my Patagonia tops, which have always been the biggest. I am liking the fit more and more though, at 5'9" and 150 lbs it fits closely but not superhero tight…and I too like a little room in my sleeves so I can push them up without my hands turning purple! This had been a great garment to trail run in, layered over either a UL merino or synthetic tee, and under a Patagonia Traverse jacket if cold/windy to warrant. I also own an R1 Hoody, and I think these two stacked together will be a sweet combo for the winter here in the Northeast.

If you try the R1 hoody/BPL hoody combo, let me know how it goes. I've always had a hard time with two base layer hoodies keeping the hoods aligned.

The Backpacking Light Beartooth Merino Wool Hoody

The need for a single, functional, highly versatile garment that minimized layering changes during the Arctic 1000 expedition inspired Ryan Jordan to create the Beartooth Merino Wool Hoody. The man is a genius! The Hoody is divine.

I ordered both the Hoody and Backpacking Light Merino UL Long John Pant late Tuesday and received them Friday. That’s fantastic service. I used the free shipping coupon. Happy Holidays!

After a test this morning, the Backpacking Light Beartooth Merino Wool Hoody instantly became one of the most versatile pieces of my clothing system. As claimed, I found it to be warm, comfortable and provide excellent functionality. The neck zipper regulates temperature well, the balaclava-style warmth-retaining hood is superb, and the thumb loops are quite nice.

I’m 5’11” and about 185 lb. The fit was not tight, and not loose. Was quite comfortable for me. I have long arms so I really like the thumb loops.

It was 27 degrees F when I started and 33 at end. Slight wind. I wore the Hoody, Long John Pant, synthetic shorts, warm socks, and Terrocs. I headed out with a Coolpix and snotrag in my pocket. It was a great sensation – so light – so warm – so comfortable. I walked fast. After about 30 minutes I lowered the zip a bit. Later it got a bit sunny and I pulled back the hood. During the last 15 minutes, I slowed down and pulled the hood back over my head. It is definitely well worth its price. Beg, borrow or beg more to get one. Go hungry, go homeless, but get the Hoody!

Afterward, because I was in a euphoric merino state of mind, I made a quick, hot Trapper’s Mug of African Red Bush tea (caffeine-free South African rooibos) using the Trapper’s Mug Caldera Cone. A simple but great morning. It’s nice when great, innovative gear allows you to just walk without a fuss. I’m looking forward to taking the Hoody out into the wild with my backpack in the not too distant future.

Backpacking Light Beartooth Merino Wool Hoody Size Large 8.7 oz.

Backpacking Light Merino UL Long John Pant Size Large 3.8 oz.

Trapper’s Mug 1.3 oz.

Trapper’s Mug Caldera Cone 4 oz.