Smartwool

Merino Sport 150 Hoodie - Men's

Honest Review

Familiarity:

I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions

I read every review I could find on the Internet before purchasing three of these merino hoodies. I've been wearing 3 long-sleeve 150 weight Ibex shirts for daily exercise for almost 4 years now. So, this is more of a comparison review. My Ibex long-sleeves (no hood) are 87% merino wool. They breath very well. They only smell a little bit after 4 days of exercise and they still look brand new after hundreds of washings (always line dry only). And although they're long-sleeve, they're my go-to for any summer activity. You just roll up the sleeves on really warm days; it's not rocket science. In short, Ibex makes incredible quality products. But I digress. Now, let's talk about the new Smartwool Hoodies at 56% merino wool. I like them, but they're slightly warmer than my Ibex shirts. I'm also a little concerned that the weave of the Smartwool isn't as reliable as the Ibex. The 44% polyester should add to the durability, but only time will tell. The zippered pocket is cool, but I don't think I'll ever use it. They also retain more smell than my mostly merino Ibex shirts (my arm pit smells after a single 45 minute walk, which is disappointing). Hopefully this will encourage me to shower more often. I appreciate the hoodies on the Smartwool. They're not too big and appear to have a well-thought-out design. I don't however like the fact that they're a little too long (I bought an extra large). I'm 5'10'' with a 32'' waist and prefer the loose fit for exercising and added breathability. Since they're an athletic fit, I first went with all larges. But they were a little too form fitting. So Backcountry was generous enough to provide me with a free return label when I decided to exchange them for extra larges. So, a recap. I like them, but they're slightly warmer than my Ibex's with 87% merino. They're also an athletic fit, so size up if you don't like form fitting. If you're my size and prefer a medium, be ready for a snug fit (without a t-shirt as a base layer). They're a little too long at the bottom for an extra large, but the sleeve length is fine. The athletic fit will also make you feel warmer, so size up if you want to stay cool (I'm wearing these with nothing underneath). The hood is great and an added benefit on cooler days. Verdict? Well, since I had difficulty finding another long-sleeve merino hoodie at 150 weight, this was one of my only options. I also bought them on sale, which helped a lot. I would have considered Ibex again if money wasn't an option, but in my case it was (I bought my Ibex on Sierra at a deep discount when the company was downsizing in 2017). If you've bought Smartwool products in the past and know what to expect, then this may be a great option. But I still like my 87% merino wool shirts from Ibex. I had to choose between 3-stars (adequate for the job) and 4-stars (almost perfect). Since there was no in-between option, I chose 3 stars. There's a big jump between 3 and 4 stars. Provided that it lasts for years, I'll give it 3.5 stars. Hop this helps you make an informed decision.