ProView – Mountain Hardwear Shade Lite Long Sleeve Hoodie
When I first got Shadelite Hoody I marveled at how soft and comfortable it was. The woven stretch fabric moved with my body and the top never felt tight. The strategically placed mesh panels under the arms and on the back did enhance breathability and I did not feel clammy when wearing a backpack.
Mountain Hardwear Shade Lite Long Sleeve Hoodie
Product Name: Mountain Hardwear Shade Lite Long Sleeve Hoodie
Product Description: We don't need anything over-the-top when we just want some light insulation and sun protection. That's why we choose the Shade Lite Long-Sleeve hoodie. Its simple and effective design provides us quick and easy coverage when and where we need it.
Offer price: $90 MSRP
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Quality
(5)
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Features
(5)
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Fit
(5)
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Durability
(4)
Summary
The Shadelite Hoody is a really nice sun hoody that is ideal for cool sunny days when worn over a base layer or on warm days on its own. It is an ideal garment for year round aerobic activities when sun protection is wanted.
Overall
4.8Pros
- Very soft
- Comfortable
Cons
- Not ideal for very warm weather
Fit
I am 5’3 and 120 lbs and I am fairly small but have broad shoulders. The size chart suggested a small and the fit was great but loose around the torso, which makes it ideal during aerobic activities as it doesn’t bind and get clammy. The loose fit also makes it easy to put on over a base layer without feeling too tight. The torso is somewhat short so the hoody may not tuck in well for tall slim users. The hood has a generous fit so it doesn’t feel claustrophobic around the face. It does fit over a helmet but doesn’t cover the entire helmet. It also fits under a helmet but bunches up a bit when wearing it. I found the hood fit the best over a visor or hat.
Performance
As a full-time mountain guide, I get out into many diverse environments for days at a time. I field-tested the Shadelite Hoody during a desert on a rock-climbing trip. Temperatures were somewhat cool (mid 60s to 70 Farenheit) but the sun was intense. The UPF 50 filters in the fabric did protect my skin from the harsh sun rays. The high but loose neck on the hood was welcomed as I never felt tight fabric around my neck, yet felt protected from the sun. The hoody was the perfect top to wear either by itself on warmer days or over a light base layer on cooler days. I wore the hoody while climbing on several occasions and found that it was very durable and abrasion-resistant, which is a really nice feature for rock climbing. The hoody has a small pocket on the right hip. This is a great little pocket for storing small items while hiking. The best part is that the hoody packs into the side stash pocket and thus it can easily be brought along while climbing. On cooler days I found that I frequently climbed in a thin base layer and when I got to the belay I could quickly put the hoody on for extra warmth and sun protection.
The Final Word
The Shadelite Hoody is a really nice sun hoody that is ideal for cool sunny days when worn over a base layer or on warm days on its own. It is an ideal garment for year-round aerobic activities when sun protection is wanted.
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About the Gear Tester
Mia Tucholke
Mia is an AMGA certified rock and ski guide. She works full-time with Colorado Mountain School. She has taught and guided in the mountain environment for over 30 years. She guides in all mountain disciplines including rock and ice climbing, alpine climbing, and ski mountaineering. When not working she may be found climbing offwidths at Vedauvoo and Indian Creek or skiing some deep powder somewhere. You can follow her on Instagram at @mtnmia.
