GEAR | Men’s Hudson Trail Fleece Hoodie from Smartwool – Review

February 21, 2023 Mark Stuart

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The Hudson Trail is a recycled merino wool fleece from Smartwool that does a great job of regulating the body temperature and makes an ideal choice for layering. Read on for our full review…

Smartwool Men's Hudson Trail Fleece Hoodie

What is it?

Smartwool Men’s Hudson Trail Fleece Hoodie RRP £149.99

Overall Rating (4.5 / 5)

Stockists

Smartwool

Features

Super soft reclaimed wool construction
Two front welt pockets designed to keep hands warm
Secure zippered chest pocket
Lightweight
Regular fit, intended to give you room to move, without additional bulk

What we thought?

The Hudson trail fleece hoodie had been a part of my wardrobe for some time before I got out for a decent walk to really put it to the test. Ever since arriving, it has been my go-to hoodie for throwing on around the house on chillier days (when steadfastedly refusing to put the heating on) or when popping out to the shops.

On a recent 8K walk around the Tittersworth Reservoir the hoodie really came into its own. It was a particularly cold day with patches of snow still on the ground, and I layered up with the hoodie on top of my thermal base layer, and my usual walking jacket on top.

I’m fairly skinny, but broad, and I chose a size medium. I found the fit perfect for me – comfortable with enough room to move around without feeling restricted.

The jacket is made from 45% recycled wool which was really effective at keeping me warm, though at the same time, I didn’t overheat when wearing it.

The chest pocket was the perfect place to keep my phone as I often suffer from ‘lost phone panic’ and the chest pocket is the first place I check, so rather than fumbling around each time I wanted to take a snap of the scenery, my phone was in my hand in seconds.

The faux leather zip toggles made gripping the zips easy even with chilly fingers, one slight downside for me was that the main zipper is the opposite way around to what I am used to, with the zip pull located on the right.

The hood is roomy enough even for me. I have rather a large noggin, so hoods can sometimes be a problem, but no problems here, and with the hood down, it provided added protection against any nippy drafts around my neck.

Despite loving the hoodie, I do need to mention that if you have pets you may need to invest in a few lint rollers! We have two long-haired Persian cats and the hoodie can be a bit of a fur magnet, so watch out if you have pets and will be wearing this around the house.

The Smartwool Hudson has proven itself over the past couple of months and has become my go-to mid layer thanks to its versaility and good looks.

Pros

Looks good
Recycled wool
Lightweight
Good pocket design
Versatile, I can wear this any time
Perfect mid-layer

Cons

Zip on the opposite side to usual
Attracts fur

The verdict

Our Rating

Fit 5/5

Practicality 4.5/5

Looks 5/5

Value 4.5/5

Overall Rating (4.5 / 5)

If you are looking for a great mid-layer that keeps your core at a regular temperature, this is definatly a great choice. The jacket is stylish enough for casual urban wear, for throwing on when chilly at home and of course it’s ideal for walking and hiking.

At the time of writing, this jacket is on sale at half price, making it a fantastic buy. Buy from Smartwool.

DISCLOSURE | Thank you to Smartwool who supplied the featured product to us to test. We were not paid to write this review.

Mark Stuart

Features Writer at Camping with Style

Mark is the newest member of the Camping with Style team and likes to spend as much time as possible in the great outdoors. A big believer in the healing power of nature, Mark feels at home amongst the trees and when not being all zen-like, you can often find him climbing up things.