REASONS TO BUY
Warm
Stylish
Soft inner liner
REASONS TO AVOID
Heavy
Ill-fitting non-adjustable hood
Poor breathability
Not very versatile
The North Face Shelbe Raschel Hoodie Review
This highly wind resistant, comfortable, and stylish, but not meant for anything technical
Credit: Amazon
Price: $149 List
By Penney Garrett ⋅ Senior Review Editor ⋅ Dec 2, 2019
Our Verdict
The North Face Shelbe Raschel Hoodie is loved by many for its stylish cut, plush lining, and superior wind-resistance. Mobility is good from the decently stretchy fabric, and soft internal comfort cuffs help seal in warmth. However, the hood is small and has no adjustment system, so despite how bomber this is against the wind, there's no way to cinch down the hood to adequately protect against gusts. The Shelbe is also very heavy and, because of the thick lining, not very breathable. All in all, this is a fine layer for more urban activities, but should not be considered for technical undertakings.
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Shelbe Raschel Hoodie is plush and warm with excellent wind-resistance, but it's heavy and doesn't have advanced enough features for anything too serious.
Performance Comparison
While this jacket isn't light or technical, it's cozy and warm - perfect for casual hangouts and snuggles.
Credit: Penney Garrett
Weather Protection
This is the category where the Shelbe performs the best. Plush lining provides a lot of warmth, and the air permeability of the highly wind-resistant WindWall material is rated at less than 10 CFM (cu ft/min). Typically this isn't a desirable feature in a softshell because it means breathability is very poor, which is, no surprise, exactly what we see with this jacket. If you won't be working up a sweat, and just want to stay warm on windy or snowy days, then this could be a fine choice. However, if you need your body to breathe or you think you might get caught in the rain, not so much. It repels water for a time but, eventually, moisture will come through, and, when it does, the fuzzy lining holds it in, making for a cold and miserable experience. Additionally, the hood on the Shelbe is shallow and has no adjustment system so, if gusts of winds catch you by surprise, the hood won't protect you much and may fly off completely.
It's a shame that this highly wind-resistant jacket doesn't come with a hood that can adjust and cinch down. When serious wind come calling, don't expect it to stay in place.
Credit: Penney Garrett
Breathability
This jacket provides very little breathability. The main selling point is the fact that it's windproof with very little permeability, so it's no wonder it didn't score well in this category. If you're walking to work or taking the dog to the park for an easy stroll in wind or light snow, this will be fine. But if you're planning to engage in anything even remotely aerobic, this isn't the right softshell to consider.
Casual hiking in cool weather is fine for a time, but don't get too active or you'll feel stifled by the, albeit cozy, lining.
Credit: Penney Garrett
Mobility
The Shelbe is so-so in this category. For how thick and heavy it is, it's decent, even through the shoulders and arms. The hips run a bit narrow, though, and the hood is not particularly deep or spacious, especially if you have a long neck or larger head.
Mobility on this hoody is decent, though it's noticeably much heavier and less stretchy than many of the other models in our review.
Credit: Penney Garrett
Weight
A medium Shelbe Raschel will weigh you down a whopping 29.4 ounces. It's the current heaviest contender in our review by a full 8 ounces. If you're commuting via your car or the subway to work or school, it won't matter, and the heft may be seen as a good thing because it's a cozy and warm jacket. But if space or weight are at all at a premium, steer clear.
No way around it, at almost 30 ounces, this is a heavy jacket.
Credit: Penney Garrett
Versatility
We also can't award high marks here. Other than the plush interior lining, windproof fabric, and the “comfort cuffs” at the wrists, the Shelbe Raschel doesn't offer a lot. There are only two hand pockets (zippered), and the hood doesn't adjust or cinch tight, so gusts of wind are prone to blow it off the head and allow cold to enter at the sides. This is a simple jacket for simple outings.
The “comfort cuffs” on the Shelbe are a nice touch, though if they get wet they feel clammy and cold.
Credit: Penney Garrett
Value
This is an entry-level jacket at an entry-level price. It's not feature-rich or technical, but it is warm, comfortable, and good looking. If you need something simple for chilly weather and don't want to spend a ton, this is a fine choice, particularly if you can find it on sale.
Even the pockets are soft and cozy on this hoody.
Credit: Penney Garrett
Conclusion
The Shelbe Raschel Hoodie isn't a bad jacket; it's just simplistic and heavy with an unfortunate hood. The material is decently moveable and highly wind-resistant, and mobility is okay, but don't expect to take on anything too aerobic or that would require properly sealing out the elements — you won't be happy. Stick to simple strolls close to home, and all should be well.
Keeping cozy is what this jacket does best. It's not a technical piece by any means, but if your needs are simple and you don't want to feel the wind on your torso, this jacket fits the bill.
Credit: Penney Garrett
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Penney Garrett
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