REASONS TO BUY
Durable face fabric
Good wind protection
Fun colors and style
REASONS TO AVOID
Stiffer fabrics don't stretch well
Tight through arms and chest
Ortovox Fleece Hoody - Women's Review
A decent jacket that just isn't worth the cost
Credit: Ortovox
Our Verdict
The Ortovox Fleece offers decent performance across all metrics, making it an excellent choice for outdoor endeavors. We like the use of bright colors and the cool style it dons. However, we're not a huge fan of its massive price tag. While it's somewhat warm and cozy, its performance lacks luster. The materials, while passively breathable, aren't very stretchy, so the fit is finicky. Since the jacket is narrow through the chest and shoulders, it works best for those with slim profiles. The pockets are functional, but super shallow, which we found less than pleasing. It's slick, but we were left wondering if the cost was worth the performance it delivers.
Editor's Note: We updated this review on April 25, 2022 with information on the current version of the Ortovox Fleece.
Our Analysis and Test Results
Product Update Note — April 2022
The version of the Ortovox Fleece we tested (shown above on left) has been updated with different seamlines and pockets cut on a slight bias. The material ratios have changed, with 2% more elastane and wool in this version and 4% less polyester. Otherwise, the new jacket (above, right) is very similar to the version we initially tested.
The version of the Ortovox Fleece we tested (shown above on left) has been updated with different seamlines and pockets cut on a slight bias. The material ratios have changed, with 2% more elastane and wool in this version and 4% less polyester. Otherwise, the new jacket (above, right) is very similar to the version we initially tested.
The Ortovox Fleece hosts bright colors and a sleek looking style that'll have some heads turning. Performance-wise, this full-zip merino wool-polyester jacket isn't anything special. Its warmth level is good, while the fit is best for those with a slim body profile. It's relatively breathable, but far from the first fleece we choose when getting out to explore. For the high price, it's simply not worth the cost — in our humble opinion.
Performance Comparison
While the Ortovox Fleece Hoody is a great companion on colder days in the winter, it simply doesn't cut it when you look at the price it goes for. Jack the dog, however, is the best companion and a source of laughs and joy constantly.
Credit: Amber King
Warmth
This thin fleece features a continuous face fabric with a combination of wool, polyester, and elastane. It provides good warmth while you're on the move in cold weather, and is relatively lightweight. It doesn't feature a whole lot of loft and feels colder in comparison to fleeces with thicker materials. Use it for the shoulder seasons or when chugging out miles in the winter. It will perform for most weather, but only in a layered system.
The merino wool isn't particularly lofty and quite thin. This is far from a warm layer. But with a solid base layer and jacket, it'll offer the insulation you need when on the move.
Credit: Amber King
Comfort and Fit
This jacket offers an average level of comfort, but the fit feels tighter and slim. If you're waffling on size, we'd recommend sizing up. We do love the thumb loops, garaged zippers, and the hood that articulates well under a helmet.
The thumb loops are cool, but not the coziest we've tested. We love how they're color coordinated!
Credit: Amber King
However, its rigid fabrics are restrictive and don't give much room or give for sizing. In addition, our wider chested testers felt the jacket was constrictive around the base of the armpit. Our narrower testers didn't notice this as an issue and preferred the fit to other models that aren't as slim fitting.
The hood is fleece-lined and soft, offering additional warmth and coziness on the trail.
Credit: Amber King
The materials are soft against the skin and do a good job of wicking away moisture. While the pockets are plentiful, they are shallow and not as large as we'd like them to be. Overall, comfort and fit are average, without anything to really write home about.
We find the pockets to be relatively shallow, but enough to get your hands into.
Credit: Amber King
Breathability
The Ortovox is thin and relatively breathable. While it doesn't incorporate any unique patterns in the fabric to help aid in breathability, the merino wool and polyester offer a decent amount of ventilation. It's not our top choice for a warm trail run, but it does well in colder temperatures for skiing or winter running.
The material is, no doubt, thin and porous. But it's far from the most breathable...even for a thinner jacket. This is largely attributed to the density of the pores being so close together.
Credit: Amber King
Layering Ability
Layering this full-zip jacket over a base layer is easy. The interior fleece isn't “grabby”, which helps keep base layers in place. Its slimmer fit (especially in the arms) does result in bunching of long sleeves, so make sure you have a firm grip as you push the sleeve through the jacket. Layering underneath is a piece of cake, as the exterior fabric is slippery and smooth.
The jacket fits a backpack over top easily. It'll also layer nicely under a jacket or overtop a baselayer.
Credit: Amber King
Ease of Movement
The lack of stretchy fabrics and their continuous face design makes this jacket less mobile than most. When moving our arms up and down, the jacket also moves up and down. That said, the fabrics aren't completely rigid and will stretch with you. We commonly used this jacket while skiing, where arm movement with the poles is key. It's comfortable, mobile, and smooth; this wouldn't, however, be our first choice for a sport that requires full-body mobility.
The fabrics aren't super mobile and the jacket moves up when you put your arms up.
Credit: Amber King
Weather Resistance
This jacket offers average weather protection. The continuous face fabric does a good job of cutting the wind, but not such a great job at repelling water. While water will initially bead up, it quickly soaks into the fabric. Despite the zippers that “look” waterproof, they aren't. We'd recommend having a shell on hand to pair with this jacket, especially if poor weather is in the forecast.
The merino wool does insulate when wet, but boy does that fabric absorb moisture quickly!
Credit: Amber King
Value
As such a low scorer at such a high price, we wouldn't recommend purchasing this jacket. Its value is low. While its performance and fit may be exactly what some women want, there are less expensive options on the market with far superior performance and quality. For the average user, the price is too high for its level of performance.
Thin and breathable. A great option for winter travel or when hiking or backpacking in the summer months.
Credit: Amber King
Conclusion
The Ortovox Fleece doesn't have any stand-out features that we love, nor are we a fan of the price. It performs average in all metrics and has a pretty snazzy looking exterior that some women might feel compelled to pay top dollar for.
—
Amber King
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