ultralight hoody that’s casual?

Serge posted this one while ago:
http://www.mountainhardwear.com/Men%27s-Integral-Pro™-Long-Sleeve-Hoodie/OM5558,default,pd.html&colorID=015

Well, I guess it's my day to sound like an undercover Ibex sales rep…honestly, though, no relation to the company. :)

I can't speak to the men's version, but I have an Ibex Indie hoodie that I received last winter as a warranty replacement. The sleeves on my 3-year-old one had completely unraveled at the cuff, so they sent me a new one–I totally wasn't expecting that; I just wanted to find out if they had a recycle program for worn-out gear! I don't know of many merino manufacturers who guarantee their products, and Ibex has impeccable customer service.

The replacement felt about half a size smaller than my original; it seems like they've moved towards a more athletic/baselayer fit with their Indie line. Exchanged up a size and the cut is great. I've been wearing it regularly since January and have no complaints about durability. All merino tends to be pretty fragile…

I don't remember Icebreaker having this hoody before:

http://us.icebreaker.com/Oasis-Long-Sleeve-Hood/100478001L,en,pd.html?start=3&q=hoody

No listed weight, if that matters.

Cabelas has Power Dry (like R1) pullover hoodies on sale

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabelas-ECWCS-Military-Polartec-Power-Dry-Polar-Weight-Hoodie-150-Regular/1207951.uts

What size BTW?

Michael… Then why not the indie itself? Seems casual enough to me. Did you mean with hand pockets?

Though I suppose you might have meant "casually priced" in which case I'd be with you on that!

Does it have to be Merino?

I'll get a large or xl because I like stuff to fit loose. I don't want anything next to skin.

The cabelas hoodie looks decent plus there is one by my house. Thanks for the input.

Merino or fleece.

The MEC T2 seems like it's what I want because the half zip would be nice.

+1 Icebreaker – I have an Icebreaker Quantum full zip hoodie that I love and wear all the time.

The best deals I've found on Icebreaker, as an aside, is on Steep and Cheap. Retail on Merino is ridiculous. S&C usually has some good deals, if you're patient.

My Large Melanzana Microgrid hoody weighs 10.2 ounces. It's got a roomier fit that I think looks pretty casual. I wear it to work quite a bit.

Adam

Check out the Nau M2 hoody. I often wear an ibex indie when backpacking, but the nau has a more normal (less form fitting) cut that I prefer when around other people.

Thanks for the new suggestions. And yeah I would rather have a relaxed fit.

Ike, the Nau M2 looks great, what does it weigh?

i couldn't hike with a hoodie that didn't have a deep chest zipper to help regulate temperature, especially if layered under a windshirt. the zipper going up and down, hood on and off and sleeves up and down are my thermostat.

if you are going to use it for serious active use … as mentioned you want a zipper … 1/2-3/4 zip …

also remember that tigher fit gives better wicking for high intensity applications

;)

Totally stupid question, but… is there such a thing as a formal hoodie?

Dont need no zipper

If you are wearing a light weight hoody, and you get warm, its not time to unzip, its time to take it off. A thin hoody will breathe well,you will feel the breeze blow thru it , a zipper doesnt do anything but add weight.

zipper has a place on a baselayer you dont want to remove.

+1 on the Melanzana. I own two and carry one of them with me all the time.

I like the flexibility of the hood design and the grid fleece.

The grid fleece works real well in wet environments when combined with a wind or rain shell.

Michael,
My Nau in size medium weighs just under 8.5 oz. It is a relatively light weave, and I have not found the lack of a zipper to be a serious detriment. It feels like a lightweight long sleeve T. The material is significantly lighter than my Ibex indie hoodie. I’ve typically used it for normal daily wear, but have started integrating it more into adventure travel/backpacking. If your goal is mostly motorcycle riding/social situations and you will sometimes be using it for backpacking, I think it will work out well. I don’t know about you, but I personally don’t like the long john/tech zipper look in public.

You can see it in action
here

If you are wearing a light weight hoody, and you get warm, its not time to unzip, its time to take it off. A thin hoody will breathe well,you will feel the breeze blow thru it , a zipper doesnt do anything but add weight.

theres a reason why most cap4/R1 style products have a big zip … you know the ones that are used by cutting edge climbers and other such

;)