Outdoor Vitals Tern Ultralight Merino Wool Hoodie

Kate Agathon

The Outdoor Vitals Tern Ultralight Merino Wool Hoodie by Outdoor Vitals is a minimalist shirt with a simple function: to keep you cool and protect your skin when you’re recreating outdoors.

 

It’s also the shirt you want to wear when hiking in summer due to its versatility in being able to handle changes in weather. Hot temperatures? The merino wool prevents overheating. Cool and breezy? The merino wool provides just enough warmth.

I recently paired the Tern Ultralight Merino Wool Hoodie with a vest when I wore this for a quick hike near Independence Pass (elevation 12,095 feet).

 

In the past, for hikes like this, I’d typically wear a heavier layer, or bring one along. But I wanted to see how the Tern Ultralight Merino Wool Hoodie performed largely on its own.

 

As is typical of hiking at high elevation in Colorado, weather changes quickly- even within a few miles. It went from sunny to overcast cool and windy, to sunny again.

 

When I first tried it on, it felt a bit scratchy. But okay, because it is constructed from 58 percent merino and 42 percent nylon. After I wore it for a while, the initial scratchiness wasn’t noticeable.

 

During my hike, the Tern Ultralight Merino Wool Hoodie kept me comfortable- I didn’t get overheated underneath the intense sun, nor did I get cold when the temperature dropped and the wind blew.

 

I recall some hikers (clearly flatlanders from out of state who were wearing t-shirts and shorts with no other layers and were shivering in the cold) who remarked as we passed by that “I (and my fellow hiker) knew how to dress properly.”

Overall, I was pleased with its performance.

The shirt comes in an athletic fit, so movement isn’t constricted.

 

Despite being a size S, it was a little baggier than I would have liked. However, this is usually the case with most tops like this that offer a more relaxed fit because I unfortunately fall in between sizes and opt for the larger sized one.

 

Whether you’re hiking, running, or out walking the dog, the Tern Ultralight Merino Wool Hoodie keeps you comfortable by wicking away moisture. It’s also lightweight, so it feels featherlight.

 

The UPF rating of 36+ helps protect from harsh rays and is optimal for use in high altitude environments.

 

Finally, the Tern Ultralight Merino Wool Hoodie is as simple as it gets (no hardware, no thumb holes, no pockets, etc.).

 

Key features:

• Flat-lock seams

• Raglan sleeves

• Minimal clean collar hood

• Stretch

• Moisture- wicking

• Bacteria/Odor resistant

 

Lightweight and minimal, the Tern Ultralight Merino Wool Hoodie is the shirt you want to wear for a day hike in the summer because it does the job.