Gear Review: The Squak Grid Fleece Hoodie
So far I've been enjoying how The Squak performs in the high deserts of the Southwest. I imagine it will be a valuable part of my layering system during summer in the alpine, when days become hot but the breeze is cold.
Grid fleece hoodies have become a true staple of any hiker and backpacker, and as they've become the most popular mid-layer piece of clothing for adventure, the choices available have become vast! Today I'm going to be reviewing The Squak Grid Fleece Hoodie by Utah-based company Squak Mountain Co.
So why the heck are grid fleece hoodies so popular? Grid fleece is a fantastic fabric for hiking and backpacking because of its unique ability to balance warmth and breathability. The grid pattern traps heat efficiently while creating channels that allow moisture to escape, keeping you comfortable during high-output activities. A grid fleece hoodie is a very versatile and practical piece of adventure kit!
The Squak is a unique grid fleece hoodie on the market due to its slim cut and wide grid. It's a bit thicker than many of its competitors, but has a strong breathability game, which makes it perfect for high output adventures.
Quick Rundown of The Squak Grid Fleece Hoodie
- Available in both men's and women's sizing
- Weight: 10.3 ounces for a women's medium
- Athletic slim cut, size up for a more relaxed fit
- Spacious kangaroo pocket
- Comfortable thumb holes
- Hood cinch is placed thoughtfully on the side of the hood to reduce under-chin bulk when layered with jackets
- Extremely nice breathability
- Half the price of most grid fleece hoodies
My Experience with The Squak Grid Fleece Hoodie
For the past while I have been wearing my Squak Grid Fleece Hoodie to hike, meander and explore in the Southwest's high desert areas. It's shoulder season, so the weather has been swinging from right around zero degrees to warm and sunny 60's basically every day. Which can be really hard to dress for!
I've worn The Squak as a baselayer and as a mid-layer. As a baselayer I find it to fit well, keeping me dry with it's breathable fabric. The fleece is thick on this grid, which is very cozy warm! However, it has almost no wind protection, as it gave that up in order to be breathable. Makes total sense, but I think it's worth noting.
The thumb holes on The Squak Grid Fleece Hoodie are comfortable and I like the sleeve length a lot. On super sunny days, the sleeves are long enough that I do not need to wear sun gloves. I also like the cut of the hood. It fits a bit like a beanie, and the side cinch is a lot nicer in my opinion, than a hood cinch at the throat.
I do think it's worth pointing out, again, that The Squak has a slim fit. Most grid fleece hoodies have a relaxed fit. I usually wear a medium in hoodies, and strongly prefer a more relaxed fit in grid fleece clothing. So I sized up to a large and am extremely happy with how it fits. It still has a more athletic cut than the usual grid fleece, which makes it nice to layer over with a puffy or hardshell.
So far I've been enjoying how The Squak performs in the high deserts of the Southwest. I imagine it will be a valuable part of my layering system during summer in the alpine, when days become hot but the breeze is cold.
The Squak Grid Fleece Hoodie is available in a rainbow of colors and comes in cuts and sizes for men, women and kiddos. They ship with Prime Shipping on Amazon, which makes them a lot quicker to get if you're in a time crunch in a trail town or while traveling.
My review is independent of the supplier and reflects my own opinions. Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission if purchases are made through those links at no additional cost to you.
