ProView – HIMALI Endeavor Fleece Jacket Review

Layering seems to be the prevailing buzzword surrounding outdoor apparel these days. Anyone who spends a lick of time outside during a Montana winter will understand why. When mornings in the mountains commonly start with temps in the single digits, I want to be sure my gear allows me to focus on what is really important; playing around in the snow. Enter the HIMALI Endeavor fleece hoodie – the best mid weight layer I’ve zipped on my body. 

January 2025 has seen storm after storm blanket the mountains in Southwest Montana, which for me means long days of touring, skiing, snowmobiling, and ice skating. I’ve been astounded by the versatility of this mid-layer as I’ve tested it through a myriad of different winter sports. 

Performance

First and most importantly, the fit and comfort of the Endeavor is superb. The material is soft, warm, and feels great, but does not tend to snag like other products. I especially love this while snowmobiling. I don’t have to worry about ripping the fabric on all the bits and pieces of the machine. It fits snug to the body, but combined with its four way stretch fabric, is not restricting in the least bit. In fact, the close fit means it moves with my body even when the hood is deployed, not bunching during awkward moves such as kick turns. During a 18 mile backcountry traverse in the Gallatin Mountain Range, the fleece became my sole outer layer as we cut skin tracks and skied spectacular couloirs. Order true to typical sizing for the perfect fit. 

The simple colors and design make it look very stylish, always a nice plus. Likeways, the features trade flashiness for practicality. The three pockets, including one on the chest, are zipper closed and functional. I hate getting sweaty while ski touring, and the thumb loops allow me to keep my gloves off and regulate my hand temperature while fidgeting with gear. Disengage the loops and they are unnoticeable on the wrists. The 157 gsm fleece weight makes it versatile enough for all activities and so far I have not noticed any compensation for warmth despite the lighter weight. It is hard to comment reliably on the durability, as I’ve only tested it for a few months, but so far it has shown no signs of wear. The stitching seems solid and I’d expect it to last for years to come. 

What sets the product apart?

In a world where gear is getting more and more specialized and marketing schemes have convinced us to have a specific mid layer for every micro-activity, it is refreshing to have something that can do it all. Versatility is what sets the fleece apart. I am hard pressed to think of something it would not be great for. 

Who is the product for?

For true outdoor recreationalists, the Endeavor is perfect. When movement and layering is the priority this layer should be top of the list. We have all seen (and at some point have probably been) the person downtown, with the most popular outdoor brand’s jacket on, trying to look cool in the bar. Let me be clear, this is not one of those fleeces. It is not going to be my first choice when a casual night out, but if I am stepping into the woods, it is what I reach for. 

Friendliness to Earth

HIMALI’s website states that all their fleeces are made with “high performance recycled materials”. The Endeavor is also made in a Fair Trade Certified factory. As a consumer, buying Fair Trade certified goods is a way to support responsible and sustainable businesses. It is nice to see a company backing up their word. If you combine this with the function of it, it really is icing on the cake. 

The Final Word

If I am going outside to be active, this layer has become my go to. Climb, hike, ski, and run, all with the Endeavor. 

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