I gravitate to hoodies. And, jackets should all have hoods, in my opinion. The North Face has several options when it comes to a little more technical hoodie and their Wander Sun Hoodie came just in time for travel and adventures this summer.
The North Face Wander Sun Hoodie Features:
- Soft double-knit fabric
- FlashDry™ materials offer enhanced moisture management to help keep you comfortable
- Three-piece hood for added protection from the elements
- Raglan sleeves for mobility
- Shaped hem for extra coverage in back
- Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) 40+
- Left chest logo
- Standard fit
- Size medium in deep grass green (as tested)
- MSRP: $55
Sun hoodie or cool-weather champion?
The North Face Wander Sun Hoodie is a little bit of both, actually. It’s good for sun protection in the summer and added warmth on cool days elsewhere. The double-knit fabric provides sun protection and the hood adds coverage for both sun, weather and insects. After a trip to Alaska and some time here in Utah, this budget hoodie has a lot going for it.
For starters, the Wander Sun Hoodie offers a great overall fit. It’s called “standard” by The North Face, so it’s not athletic or overly-tight. I have found it to be comfortable and roomy enough to wear a light layer underneath, if needed — all without suffocating myself in the process. It’s definitely true-to-size and fits as a medium should. Sleeve length is thankfully, a little long. That extra length comes into play with the thumb holes without stretching them uncomfortably to use them. In a pinch, the added warmth is nice to have.
With a form-fitting hood, I can comfortably pull it on alone or on top of a running hat. It stays put nicely and doesn’t flap around in the wind when used. However, as with any hoodie, the hood itself does flop around somewhat when not in use. But, there’s not a ton of excess, so only on rare occasion do I find the need to reposition it from off my shoulder or something. The front of the collar doesn’t come up very high when the hoodie is used, so don’t plan on tucking your chin inside when needed.
I appreciate the raglan sleeves for added comfort and have found The North Face Wander Sun Hoodie to also be a great option for cold-weather trail running. For temperatures in the upper 40’s and into the 50’s, it provides just the right warmth while breathing well. Moisture seems to move away from the body very quickly and FlashDry does its job of drying in a hurry after a 6 mile run. In fact, during my testing, I’ve been very impressed by how well it continues to breathe — even during intense trail runs.
As an added bonus, I did bring this hoodie along with me on a trip to Alaska. I loved the added versatility that the Sun Hoodie provided during both rainy and cold conditions and sunny and warm conditions alike. Wandering around the streets of Skagway, I appreciated the breathability as well. However, calling this a “sun hoodie” is somewhat misleading because I did find it to be a tad warm as temperatures increased. The double-knit fabric doesn’t offer the cooling that other summer-optimized hoodies provide. And, the interior of the hoodie isn’t as comfortable next-to-skin as I’d like. I never experienced chafing issues, but it’s definitely not buttery-soft in my opinion.
Fit: I”m 5’11” and 173 lbs., wearing the size medium. I feel like it fits perfectly overall.
The Good:
- Breathes really well under intense activity
- Raglan sleeves add comfort
- Hood size and shape is optimized for use with or without a hat, and it’s just the right size
- Extra sleeve length allows the thumb ports to actually be used (huzzah!)
- Great overall value
- Awesome for traveling
- Extra hem length in back provides added coverage
- Keeps odors at bay very well
The Bad:
- Fabric is a little thick for a summer sun hoodie
- Scratchy next-to-skin
The Bottom Line: The North Face Wander Sun Hoodie
The Wander Sun Hoodie is a versatile hoodie for adventures and travel. I’ve found it to be comfortable for moderate temperatures and varying conditions, but as temperatures approached 90-degrees, there are more comfortable options. It does dry in a jiffy and the overall fit is fantastic. Plus, it’s a killer deal at the regular price, but even more when you can find it on sale.
Buy Now: Visit The North Face Amazon Store
