KUHL Interceptr Full-Zip Jacket | CleverHiker

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On the subject of all-around versatile fleece jackets, The KUHL Interceptr Jacket is one in every of our favorites. It’s a nice informal choice for individuals who wish to costume comfortably and have some avenue model on the similar time. The athletic match, articulated sleeves, and zippered pockets are good-looking and technical. It’s a well-built sturdy fleece that ought to final you for years, not only a few seasons. 

This comes at a value within the type of added weight. Its heft and spectacular heat are additionally higher fitted to on a regular basis use. If it will get actually stormy, the Interceptr additionally layers properly beneath a winter coat or a rain jacket. The articulated sleeves make motion straightforward. Its heat and breathability come from a 305 gram Alfpaca material for the core, whereas 210 gram Kashmira facet panels present extra core heat and improve breathability with out including bulk. KUHL additionally incorporates Dynamik stitching to create low-profile seams.

Whereas it doesn’t pack down as small as some others and is barely heavier, the KUHL Interceptr stays a favourite for its all-around efficiency and nice worth in comparison with comparable full-zip jackets. Its cheaper price tag makes it straightforward to like and more likely to see loads of use. The Interceptr is so beloved, it is usually accessible in a vest, quarter-zip, and hoodie.

Heat

The KUHL Interceptr Jacket is likely one of the greatest fleeces on our checklist for heat. We examined the Interceptr Jacket throughout cool fall hikes within the Rocky Mountains and on snowy winter days round city. It was the “just-in-case-fleece” that at all times stayed within the truck for many of the fall in Colorado. 

The 305 g Alfpaca materials on this fleece offers the additional heat you get right here. It’s paired with 210 g Kashmira facet panels to assist with breathability. This materials provides weight, just a little bulk and reduces breathability, however heat is the trade-off. This jacket could possibly be used comfortably right down to 30° F days. Under 30, we might add a shell and put on this as a mid-layer.

The micro-soft inside collar and chin guard present some face and neck heat in excessive chilly or wind, however it doesn’t have a hood. The 2 zippered hand-warmer pockets are clutch for holding gear and holding your palms protected.

Consolation

The KUHL Interceptr Jacket is a really snug fleece, however it doesn’t come from the basic fuzzy materials you typically consider. It’s extra of a knit sweater kind of consolation due to the mushy materials composed of 78% acrylic, 22% polyester, and 30% polyester within the facet panels. 

The Alfpaca materials makes the jacket each snug and sturdy. To check the consolation stage of the Interceptr Jacket, we wore it for a number of weeks straight, each inside and out of doors, and by no means discovered it uncomfortable. We wore it mountain climbing round Aspen within the fall, and it was the perfect all-day fleece. From chilly mornings to chill excessive alpine day hikes to strolling round city at evening, we had been glad to have it on. The match for this fleece is on the slim facet, so sizing up is likely to be the suitable transfer, relying in your construct.

Sturdiness

We discovered no flaw in its sturdiness whereas bushwhacking via the woods. It’s a well-constructed, very robust fleece that ought to stand as much as harsh trails and final for years. Combining Alfpaca materials with Kashmira facet panels and Dynamik stitching produces a powerful, sturdy fleece. Throughout our time testing this on a wide range of hikes the place it brushed and scraped in opposition to branches, thorns, and rocks, there was no signal of damage on the fleece, and it nonetheless appears to be like pretty much as good as new. 

Weight

The KUHL Interceptr Jacket is simply over a pound. Whereas it will not be thought-about an ultralight fleece, it’s nonetheless mild sufficient to put on on a hike. It doesn’t compress down and can take up lots of area in a pack. The majority is the tradeoff right here for sturdiness and heat, each of which rating excessive on the Interceptr. Whereas the Interceptr is a heavyweight fleece, we by no means seen it on or off the path. It was at all times snug and moved freely with us, even whereas fly fishing. That is thanks, partially, to the articulated sleeves that present free motion with the arms.

Options

The primary function is a left and proper zippered chest pocket. We steadily used it for simply stashing cellphone or pockets. With two hand pockets on both facet, there may be loads of storage on this fleece.

The KUHL Interceptr Jacket doesn’t have a hood, however it does have two of its signature thumb loops hidden contained in the cuffs of the sleeves to make sure they keep hooked in place whereas shifting about or placing on layers.

The micro-soft inside collar and chin guard are a pleasant function once you zip the fleece up all the way in which and are mushy and heat in your face.

Ought to You Purchase The KUHL Interceptr Full-Zip Jacket?

If you’re searching for a flexible and sturdy fleece, the KUHL Interceptr Jacket is an efficient choice. It’s a good life-style fleece for mountain climbing, tenting, and simply working round city. It could not work effectively for backpacking lengthy distances or extra technical actions like climbing. Since it’s heavier and bulkier than most fleeces on our checklist, it is a nice all-around heat fleece for on a regular basis actions.

What Different Fleeces Ought to You Contemplate?

Patagonia Higher Sweater Overview: Just like the KUHL Interceptr Jacket, the Patagonia Higher Sweater is a heat and versatile fleece which you could put on for a wide range of actions. Each have comparable builds, weights, and pockets. 

Columbia Steens Mountain 2.0 / Benton Springs Overview: The Columbia Steens Mountain 2.0 / Benton Springs is a stripped-down model of the KUHL Interceptr. It’s cheaper, but in addition much less sturdy and has far fewer options.