Backside Line
The Cotopaxi Abrazo Half-Zip (males’s / ladies’s) is a flexible, colourful pullover that we like for trail-to-town outings. With its true-to-size match, it may possibly comfortably be worn over a long-sleeve shirt and underneath backpack straps. Its half-zip design makes it simple to tug over your head, even with a hat on. It additionally gives some air flow must you generate some physique warmth in your walks. The fleece is that dreamy degree of soppy and comfortable that everybody and every thing needs to cling to it (together with nature particles, canine hair, and so forth.).
Sadly, the chest pocket will not be positioned for optimum use for girls, making it a bit awkward to stash objects there. It feels extra prefer it’s there for the aesthetic. The kangaroo-style pocket is good for preserving our arms heat. Nonetheless, this pouch design will not be best for carrying objects on the path, as a result of lack of a zipper and the way in which the fabric would sag and bulge within the entrance when weighed down.
Total, the Cotopaxi Abrazo pullover is a high-quality fleece greatest for informal use and day hikes. On account of its bulkier packed dimension and tendency to cling to mess, this might not be our go-to for backpacking. Nonetheless, it’s a nice worth possibility for these looking for a flexible and comfy pullover. To check this fleece to our different favorites, take a look at our just lately up to date information to the most effective fleece jackets.
How We Examined
We examined the Cotopaxi Abrazo on the coastal trails in Northern California, round Mt. Tamalpais State Park, to find out its relative heat, sturdiness, consolation, performance, and packability. We additionally examined the way it match beneath a day pack to find out its versatility for mountaineering.
Fast Specs
Cotopaxi Abrazo Fleece Half-Zip Jacket
Finest Pullover Fleece
CleverHiker Ranking:
4.3/5.0
Value:
$120
Measured Weight:
13.9 oz.(Males’s M)
Execs
- Stylish model
- 1/2 zip
- True to dimension
- Layers over a protracted sleeve simply
Cons
- Chest pocket location (for girls’s solely)
- Kangaroo pocket is not best for carrying necessities on the path
- Fleece collects particles
- Cumbersome/heavy
Heat
When mountaineering within the Northern CA redwoods in Mt. Tamalpais State Park, our gear analyst discovered this pullover to offer midweight heat. It adequately lower the coolness on her day hikes, offering a noteworthy steadiness of breathability and insulation.
The pullover is the right thickness, permitting it to be layered over a long-sleeve shirt or underneath a puffy outer shell for added heat. We love the half-zip design on the pullover – when totally zipped up, it retains us heat and comfortable with the lined excessive collar across the neck. When unzipped, it gives further air flow and breathability.
Consolation
The Cotopaxi Abrazo Half-Zip suits true to dimension and was snug when worn over a long-sleeve shirt and beneath backpack straps on our day hikes. We didn’t observe any motion restrictions within the materials when lifting or reaching with our arms.
Whereas the outer layer of the sweater was made with cozy, brushed fleece, the inside lining was made with thinner, less-soft polyester. Our gear analyst would have most well-liked the supplies to be reversed, as this might have made the outer layer of the pullover extra sturdy and fewer prone to mess cling. In distinction, a thicker brushed fleece inside lining would have made the jacket really feel hotter and cozier. With that being stated, we recognize how the within of the collar is lined with that thicker brushed fleece, preserving the neck hotter to chop the coolness.
Sturdiness
The fabric of the Cotopaxi Abrazo feels high-quality and sturdy. One downside is that the plush, brushed fleece outer layer of the pullover collects vital particles when it rubs in opposition to moss, rocks, branches, or bushes on the path. Whereas we didn’t discover any put on and tear on the material, we discovered it tough to take away particles that had develop into embedded within the sweater. The pullover lacks water resistant options, making it prone to absorbing vital quantities of water when uncovered to moist environments.
The collar and cuffs function an elastic binding, which gives further reinforcement and sturdiness. There are additionally no particular washing directions listed, making it a easy and straightforward product to scrub after use.
Weight
At over 13 ounces, the Cotopaxi Abrazo isn’t attempting to be backpacking-worthy when it comes to weight or packability. It’s the right fleece for brief and chilly walks, automotive tenting, or fireplace hangs. Primarily, we aren’t attempting to interrupt a sweat on this layer, or must shed it and stuff it right into a backpack.
Options
The Abrazo Half-Zip has restricted options, a few of which we love, whereas others might use enchancment. We recognize the half-zip pullover design, which makes it simple to tug the fleece over your head and permits for custom-made air flow and breathability when it’s totally unzipped. Whereas the zippered chest pocket is giant and roomy, it’s situated in an inconvenient spot on the chest for girls, which impacts its usefulness on the path.
The Abrazo Half-Zip contains a single kangaroo-style hand pouch, reasonably than two separate zippered hand pockets. Our gear analyst discovered that the kangaroo-style design made it cumbersome and awkward to stash away path necessities on her hikes in Northern California – all of the objects would create a sagging impact within the entrance of her sweater. Whereas the pouch works nicely to maintain your arms heat, it’s not designed successfully for pocketing a telephone or snacks.
Ought to You Purchase The Cotopaxi Abrazo Half-Zip Fleece?
The Cotopaxi Abrazo Half-Zip is a superb possibility for these searching for a flexible, easy, and comfy pullover for a mixture of informal and outside use. It’s made from high-quality recycled polyester and is a superb alternative for layering. It’s trendy sufficient for trail-to-town ventures and gives midweight heat.
Nonetheless, the Abrazo will not be for everybody. If you’re searching for a fleece with pockets to stash necessities whereas on the path, we recommend you search for jackets with separate hand pockets. The Kangaroo-style pouch on the Abrazo will not be the simplest design for stowing away snacks, keys, or a telephone.
Backpackers could discover the brushed fleece not sturdy sufficient or packable sufficient for multi-day backcountry adventures. The price of this fleece might also be a barrier for some, and there are different manufacturers that are available a cheaper price level.
What Different Fleeces Ought to You Contemplate?
To check the Cotopaxi Abrazo Half-Zip to different top-performing fleece jackets, take a look at our favorites in our just lately up to date gear information for each women and men.
Patagonia Higher Sweater Assessment: It is a traditional from Patagonia that may be very heat (albeit a bit cumbersome). It comes with a chest pocket and a pair of zippered hand pockets, which we choose over the kangaroo-style of the Abrazo.
REI Trailmade Fleece Assessment: The Trailmade gives light-weight heat with elevated packability, making it a fantastic possibility for backcountry and frontcountry adventures, whereas the Abrazo pullover is healthier suited to trails nearer to house.
Patagonia Synchilla Snap-T Assessment: That is one other highly-rated pullover possibility that’s smooth and comfortable, with a partial snap closure that’s shorter than the lengthy ½ zip on the Cotopaxi Abrazo. The Snap-T options buttons reasonably than zippers and lacks hand pockets.
