Nothing’s quite as cozy.
Patagonia Performance Better Sweater Hoodie ($159)
Meet the garment that inspired this page: the Performance Better Sweater. The heathered, lightweight polyester fleece is stylish enough to wear to the office (at least if you work in New Mexico like us), while the Polartec side panels add stretch and breathability. We wore it all day at work, then took it out for hikes on local trails.
Kari Traa Women’s Kristina ($80)
We took the seamless, loose-fitting Kristina from morning yoga to lunch in the park to movie night. The nylon body has a touch of stretch, and the cushy polyester dries quickly. Plus the elastic hem won’t ride up during downward dog.
Myles Elements ($88)
The sleek and no-frills Elements hoodie is the valedictorian of our wardrobe. Its looks are pure classic and it’s good at damn near everything, from warding off rain on a short hike—thanks to its water-repellent outer made from treated cotton—to snuggling on the couch. A hidden, zippered back pocket keeps wallet and keys safe when on the move. Throw it on over a white T-shirt and you’ve got a class-ready, surprisingly outdoor-capable outfit.
RYU Ethos Pullover ($147)
There’s something about this hoodie that elicits lots of attention and lots of compliments. It’s got a clean look, in part because of the bonded (rather than stitched) seams, which minimize bulk. The tightly woven cotton-nylon blend is comfy, with just a breath of stretch, and even after a year of weekly wear, it resisted pilling. Our leaner testers appreciated the tailored shoulders and athletic cut.
Voormi Eleven.9 ($149)
When creating the Eleven.9, Voormi designers decided that their standard Rocky Mountain merino wasn’t tough enough. So they bonded nylon fibers to the wool and bathed the stuff in a DWR treatment. After a winter of slinging freshly sharpened skis over our shoulders and sitting too close to campfires, we can officially attest to its durability. Men and women loved the unisex fit, but guys: we recommend you size up to be safe.
Howler Brothers Shaman Pullover ($95)
Despite the Southwestern flair, the Shaman really yearns for a dark, rustic après bar in the mountains. The soft cotton-polyester blend begs to be thrown on after a day of skiing, and the relaxed fit is comfortable and unrestrictive. We appreciate details like the pouch pockets and woven zipper pull cords with leather tabs.