I was in a local mall with a The North Face store and ran across the Borod hoodie (seeĀ https://www.thenorthface.com/shop/mens-borod-hoodie-nf0a2vdz#hero=0). I’m a fan of grid fleece midlayer garments for use in my local damp cool climate and this caught my eye. Grid fleece is good stuff for active use when hiking uphill in cool humid conditions, where moisture management is a challenge and drying without the aid of direct sunshine is vital.
TNF slipped out of favor a few year ago, leaning more to street style stuff, but it looks like they are getting back to good hiking and climbing items.
Specs:
Fabric: 216 g/mĀ² 95% polyester, 5% elastane grid fleece
Scale weight: 14.25 oz, men’s large
Basic measurements: 23″ across the armpits, 27.5″ back length (base of hood to hem), 37″ from the center of the neck to the cuff and 24″ from the armpit to the cuff.
Features: full front zip, very large zippered hand pockets, welded vertical zip chest pocket, lycra bound cuffs and hood, rolled hem. All zippered have extended pulls.
Colors: green, gray (2), black, blue, red
Pricing: MSRP $99US ; $59-$99 online. I asked the clerk (the general manager) for a price match and got it at $59 :)
The grid is smaller than the R1 style power dry (see photo) The fabric is not labeled as Polartec so I assume it is not (Patagonia R1 specs areĀ 6.3-oz PolartecĀ® Power Gridā¢ 93% recycled polyester/7% spandex). I have an R1 jacket (no hood) and it weighs 14.5oz in the same men’s large size. The TNF fabric does feel lighter and more breathable. It seems to bridge the gap between the R1 and Patagonia Thermal Weight and MEC T3 fleece tops (and MEC T3 XL pullover hoodie is 9oz). Fit is just slightly snug with the stretch making it a good midlayer fit for me at 5’10” and 200lbs; TNF describes it as an “active fit.”
It looks like a perfect spring/summer midlayer to use with windshirt or rain shell or just with base layer for sleep and “camp sweater.” It is certainly soft and comfortable enough to wear on the skin while your base layer is drying. It is highly breathable and will need some sort of shell in the wind. I like the hood and neck zipper area, with lots of room around the chin. I have a big neck and head and many hoodies and jackets are to snug to zip all the way up comfortably. Bottom line: it’s a keeper. Caveats: Im curious to see how it holds up to abrasion and laundering— the litmus tests for proprietary fleece fabrics. I like hem drawstrings but can get by with out when the fabric is snug and stretchy.
The hand pocket zips are 8.5″ long. You could stow a kitten :)
Great hood and lots of chin room.Ā 
Well worn (circa 2012) R1 above, unworn TNF Borod below.
