Outdoor Research Astroman Air Sun Hoodie

Specifically, I wanted a barely there jacket that protected me from the sun’s harmful UV rays and other elements, but didn’t feellike I was wearing a jacket. Therefore, I was eager to try the Outdoor Research Astroman Air Sun Hoodie.

Surprisingly light, the aptly named Astroman Air Sun Hoodie is a great cover up for days in high altitude sunshine.

Constructed from bluesign® approved 85% Recycled Nylon and 15% Spandex, the Astroman Air Sun Hoodie is a welcome departure from the pullovers that I normally wear when I’m out and about.

Designed for mountain living, the extremely packable Astroman Air Sun Hoodie features a 3-panel hood, UPF 30+ sun protection, right zipper pocket to stash essentials, Low-Pro™ Cuffs, and perforated holes along the side for extra ventilation. It definitely had the technical features I was looking for. But what about fit and appearance?

When it arrived, I was a little skeptical about fit and appearance. On the hanger, it kind of resembled the Vuori Outdoor Trainer Shell Jacket- a jacket that looks beautiful in the closet, but that I know is prone to wrinkle (and I definitely didn’t want to worry about wrinkles with my everyday apparel). Basically I don’t like having to worry about whatever I’m wearing. I just like to put it on and go!

To my delight, the Astroman Air Sun Hoodie didn’t become the wrinkled mess I was worried it would be, even if I quickly took it off and threw it in the corner. While it was not completely wrinkle free, it didn’t look quite as bad as I had feared. I also appreciated that it straddled the line between leveled up urban wear and outdoor wear in appearance.

Its fabric (at least in the Pebble color) gave it a more lifestyle appearance, but the 34cm center front zipper was a casual nod that hinted towards its outdoor technical heritage.

Upon wearing it, I was pleasantly surprised at how subtly stretchy the hoodie was. The fabric’s appearance definitely deceived me! I had no idea it would be so flexible and soft. It reminded me of a softshell First Ascent Sandstone jacket that I had over a decade ago and it was just as comfortable and stretchy. In my mind, the stretch properties of the hoodie far outweighed any issues with wrinkles.

Other honorable mentions: I was able to wear a layer underneath without it fitting too tightly. Also,

I typically choose darker colors for my outdoor gear, but the light gray Pebble color didn’t display any marks or wear (another unfounded uncertainty I initially had). I liked how sunlight bounced off instead of being absorbed.

Last week, I noticed to my delight that a co-worker was wearing the exact same hoodie and color while she was out walking her dog. From a distance, it looked expensive and also draped nicely on her. The Pebble color looked different on her light skin, but didn’t look washed out.

Having seen it on both me and someone in a completely different age demographic and physical build, I can safely say that the Astroman Air Sun Hoodie looks good on every body type and age group.

Available in six sizes (XS-XXL) and four colors (Margarita, Pebble, Cenote, and Cortez), the Astroman Air Sun Hoodie is ideal for mountain living due to its sun protective properties, stretch, and ventilation. This is the hoodie you choose for hot days at high altitudes.

Kate Agathon

Dr. Of Stoke

Freelance writer, bicyclist, outdoor recreation enthusiast, social justice advocate, and mom to her furbaby, Sansa.

A Colorado native, Kate considers the outdoors her mother ship. She brings her passion for bicycling, the environment, and issues of diversity to her writing. Her primary outdoor recreation activities are mountain biking, road biking, nordic skiing, alpine skiing, hiking, snowshoeing, and peak bagging Colorado’s 14ers.

Kate earned a bachelor’s degree in History from Colorado State University and later an MSEd and Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from Purdue University. In addition to her education, Kate’s background serving on the Mayor’s Bicycle Advisory Committee and experience working for non-profits and bicycle sales well position her to bring depth and understanding to the complex changes currently taking place in the outdoor recreation industry.