Lightweight hoodie with built-in face mask / balaclava?

I stopped by REI today and found this Odlo base layer hoodie with built-in face mask. I tried it on and absolutely loved it. The material feels super soft and nice next to skin, and you can use the hoodie/face mask multiple ways: wear the hoodie only, wear face mask only, or wear both like a balaclava. It's like having my favorite balaclava (OR Shiftup) with me all the time. The only problem is that one of the reviews indicated it may not be the most durable. So I wonder why don't more companies make hoodies like this? A little search yielded this thread, but most of the hoodies (Mammut, Patagonia, NW Alpine, Marmot, BD, OR, etc) mentioned in that thread just have zippers you can pull all the way up to your chin. I have some hoodies like that (sometimes called scuba hood?), but they don't offer the same amount of coverage and comfort as having a separate face mask piece. The only hoodies with a separate hood and face mask I could find are from the stupidly overpriced dead bird (Konseal and Fortrez), Loki (all of their product line), and the aforementioned Odlo hoodie. I definitely don't want to pay for dead bird, the durability of Odlo concerns me, and I don't like the pull cord on the Loki piece. Are there any other hoodies out there with built-in face mask?

Looking for a hoodie/face mask combo like this:

Not looking for a hoodie with a zipper like this:

Consider just sewing this mod into your favourite base layer hoody, then you get to pick the face mask material. It wouldn't be too hard.

Also I know you don't like zippers but I use the ME squall softshell that has an identical cut and it provides full face coverage so consider this option.

ME eclipse hooded zip-t:
https://www.mountain-equipment.com/eclipse-hooded-zip-t

Greg Shea wrote: Consider just sewing this mod into your favourite base layer hoody, then you get to pick the face mask material. It wouldn't be too hard.

You have too much faith in my sewing skills... I don't want to do this to my favorite hoodie, but I may consider trying it with a less liked hoodie... good idea.

The ME hoodie does look like it has good coverage. Can the face mask stay put without the hood? In other words, can you cover just your face, your ears, and your nose, and leave the top of your head exposed to dump heat?

I have had a lot of the same thoughts.  The Odlo looks great, as does the Konseal.  FWIW, I have an Odlo base and have not had any durability issues.  I have also had the ME Eclipse in my hands in a store, and it's a very impressive piece.

I really like these types of bases for alpine climbing.

Melanzana is the goat.

Zack Robinson wrote: FWIW, I have an Odlo base and have not had any durability issues.

Do you have the Odlo linked above, or the Odlo Blackcomb Evolution? I saw the Blackcomb in store too, it's about twice as expensive, uses a different material that's not as soft as the less expensive one (but probably more durable).

My personal experience (with dead bird and the pat r1) has been that any time I want a balaclava hoody thing, I’m also wearing sunglasses or goggles, which then immediately get fogged by my breath trapped within the balaclava. At this point I’ve decided I’ll just live with a nice scuba hood and some strategically placed buffs.

aikibujin wrote: You have too much faith in my sewing skills... I don't want to do this to my favorite hoodie, but I may consider trying it with a less liked hoodie... good idea.

The ME hoodie does look like it has good coverage. Can the face mask stay put without the hood? In other words, can you cover just your face, your ears, and your nose, and leave the top of your head exposed to dump heat?

My experience isn't directly with the eclipse but with a jacket that uses the an almost identical cut. On that jacket you can put the face mask up without the hood but it sags and doesn't provide the same kind of coverage. I usually have a buff around my neck and just pull that up in the situation described though. 

A friend bought a roll of melanzana material and had the local tailors sew it into a cheapo fleece.

I have both an older style konseal and an R1 bought on sale. The R1 was more durable but I like the neck gaitor/balaclava of the konseal far more.

Another friend has the capilene air hoody and loves it, though I think it looks Seussical.

Really though, the entire technical fleece hoodie thing is insane and the asking prices are ridiculous. Adding a fleece panel to a cheap off brand hoody is the way to go.

aikibujin wrote: Do you have the Odlo linked above, or the Odlo Blackcomb Evolution? I saw the Blackcomb in store too, it's about twice as expensive, uses a different material that's not as soft as the less expensive one (but probably more durable).

No, I have the one you linked, except in black.  It is my go-to base for cool weather.  I probably have 15-20 days in it, ranging from days at the ice park in Ouray to snow climbs to winter peak bagging.  It seems as durable as a Smartwool base.  I've considered the Blackcomb as well.  Having tried it on in a store, I can say it fits tighter (more of an Under Armour type fit) but might be a bit warmer.  Really not sure on that second point.

The one you linked fits pretty true to size, but I might consider sizing up one size in the Blackcomb.

Steven Roberts wrote: Melanzana is the goat.

I know Melanzana has a cult-like following, but is wearing a fleece stuff sack on your head really that comfortable?

i actually have an under armor running shirt that has a balaclava built in...and i hate it. i much prefer wearing a buff.

EDIT: link ​https://www.backcountry.com/under-armour-swyft-face-hoodie-mens?CMP_SKU=UND02F4&MER=0406&skid=UND02F4-BLA-L&mr:trackingCode=EBEF4652-5FC2-E811-8107-005056944E17&mr:referralID=NA&mr:device=c&mr:adType=plaonline&CMP_ID=PLA_GOc001&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=PLA&k_clickid=_k_EAIaIQobChMIh6Po_6fw4AIVpRx9Ch1ozQbPEAQYBCABEgJAefD_BwE_k_&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIh6Po_6fw4AIVpRx9Ch1ozQbPEAQYBCABEgJAefD_BwE​​​

Greg Miller wrote: My personal experience (with dead bird and the pat r1) has been that any time I want a balaclava hoody thing, I’m also wearing sunglasses or goggles, which then immediately get fogged by my breath trapped within the balaclava. At this point I’ve decided I’ll just live with a nice scuba hood and some strategically placed buffs.

That's a good point. Didn't get to test the fogging issue, but I figured that fogged glasses/goggles is just an inevitable part of doing anything in winter. For those who use a buff, how do you keep your buff from sliding down? I find the buff as a neck gaiter it's great. If I pull it up to my face, it just keeps sliding down; if I pull it all the way up like a balaclava, it feels a bit tight around my face. It's just really awkward to use, it almost always stays in my pack now. In fact, with Greg Shea's suggestion to sew something to my hoody, I was thinking of sewing the buff to a hoody to solve this problem.

aikibujin wrote: I know Melanzana has a cult-like following, but is wearing a fleece stuff sack on your head really that comfortable?

Yes. Although if it is windy the little pull tab flaps around a bit.

Zack Robinson wrote:

No, I have the one you linked, except in black.  It is my go-to base for cool weather.  I probably have 15-20 days in it, ranging from days at the ice park in Ouray to snow climbs to winter peak bagging.  It seems as durable as a Smartwool base.  I've considered the Blackcomb as well.  Having tried it on in a store, I can say it fits tighter (more of an Under Armour type fit) but might be a bit warmer.  Really not sure on that second point.

The one you linked fits pretty true to size, but I might consider sizing up one size in the Blackcomb.

Alright, you have me convinced, and the extra 25% off happening right now also helped. Just ordered the Odlo base layer for $36 include taxes, can't really go wrong for this price (compared to $100+ for most other pieces mentioned here).

aikibujin wrote: I know Melanzana has a cult-like following, but is wearing a fleece stuff sack on your head really that comfortable?

Very.  I've owned the older style R1 with the offset zipper and the newer model.  Both don't compare to the Melly as a fleece in general, but especially with the hood/balaclava set up.  Not to mention, they're half the cost.  

I got this piece in Germany last year and I really liked it:

https://www.decathlon.com/collections/mens-top-baselayers/products/mens-base-layer-hoody-freshwarm?variantid=1152081395725

Apparently we have decathlon stateside now!

For those unfamiliar with it, decathlon is to REI as old navy is to banana republic. Mostly cheap knock-offs with non-name brands, but it gets the job done. I've been pleased with the price-to-value ratio of all the clothing I've bought there.

Mike V. wrote: I got this piece in Germany last year and I really liked it:

Nice! Great price too. Unfortunately only 2XL left. I've bought stuff at Decathlon before, I thought their stuff is pretty good for the price.

Mike V. wrote:...as old navy is to banana republic...

This comparison went well over my head. I think you're saying Decathlon is to REI like Koflachs are to Spantiks.