Kuhl Reactiv™ Grid Full Zip Hoody
Review by Erin Trail
The Kuhl Reactiv™ Grid Full Zip Hoody is a solid option for those who want a breathable layer for winter warmth.
Details
- Fabric: 100% polyester premium Graphene-infused fleece fabric from Italy
- Heat dispersion properties thanks to use of Graphene
- Odor resistant
- Midweight | 200 GSM
- Interior grid pattern on fabric interior to promote air circulation
- 3D articulated patterning for ease of movement
- Slim fit
Detailed Review
I have been wearing the Kuhl Reactiv™ Grid Full Zip Hoody as a layering items for walks and runs in cool to cold weather.
I am a women’s size medium on the Kuhl website and found that the Kuhl Reactiv™ Grid Full Zip Hoody fits true to size. The garment is designed to fit snugly, making it a great layering option as a midlayer, so if you like a looser fit, size up. The arm sleeves are sized well hitting me right at the wrist. I find that the hemline is a little shorter than other fleece or active insulation jackets, hitting me a few inches above the widest part of hips. Other than feeling different, the hemline was great for running, providing enough coverage while not feeling bulky or riding up.
The use of Graphene and the grid pattern on the interior of the fabric are what makes the Kuhl active fleece different from other brand’s active fleece. A quick dive down Google reveals that Graphene is pretty remarkable: 1 atom thick, 200 times stronger than steel while being light, flexible and stretchy. Kuhl has tapped into Graphene’s advanced thermal conductivity properties, weaving it into the polyester fleece blend, enabling the wearer to dump heat through the fabric as they move.
The fleece fabric is on the thinner side, appropriate for an active use fleece. The exterior is soft and smooth while the interior is a shallow pile fleece that’s designed into a grid pattern. The grid pattern combined with the Graphene really helps with the breathability and heat dispersive properties of the fabric. The underarms have a different, lighter version of the fleece to further help with movement and heat management.
On the downside, the exterior of the fleece does seem to pill fairly easy, both under the arm (from normal wear) and at hip contact points with my hydration pack.
Other features of the Kuhl Reactiv™ Grid Full Zip Hoody are nicely done. The side hand pockets are lined with a soft, non-fleece fabric that feels good to the touch. Both pockets zip closed, although the zipper pulls are on the small side, so you may have to remove your gloves to use the zipper. The interior has two front drop pockets (utilizing the lining of the zip hand pockets). This is a feature I always love but for some reason, many jackets skip adding this easy to include feature.
The front zipper is a singular locking style zipper. The top of the zipper has a fleece cover, so when you’re fully zipped up with the SCUBA hood, your chin and face are protected from zipper-related irritation.
For performance, Colorado didn’t play very well for testing. I had cold weather running, cold weather mountain biking (low wind), and hiking in mind when I took this item on for gear testing. To date, I’ve only been able to do one cold weather run (28 degrees). I wore a very lightweight Merino wool longsleeve shirt and topped it with the Kuhl Reactiv™ Grid Full Zip Hoody for my Saturday long run. I love having a hoody option for running. My ears are super cold at the start of my run and I eventually get warm enough where I am too hot with a beanie. The hoody gives me the flexibility I need to keep my head warm or cool without having to stash a hat in a pocket. Usually with temperatures that cold, I need a more robust jacket, but I was very comfortable in the Kuhl Reactiv™ Grid Full Zip Hoody. My only caveat is that the hoody doesn’t offer any wind protection, so if you are out in colder wind, you might need a more windblocking layer.
I’ve also been wearing the Kuhl Reactiv™ Grid Full Zip Hoody on many long walks and hikes as I’ve been healing up an angry Achilles. This hoody has been really great on these walks in 40-50 degree temperatures. The pockets are placed for a comfortable, natural hand position, and the soft lining is really nice. The hood also fits really well and is just the right weight for those instances where I probably should have grabbed a light beanie before I headed out.
I did intend to test out the Kuhl Reactiv™ Grid Full Zip Hoody on cooler, non-windy MTB or fat bike rides, but sadly, Colorado decided to give us an unusually warm fall and early winter. I do think that this jacket would be a great option for those kinds of bike rides, and that it could also be a solid midlayer for skiing or colder and windier activities where a shell is needed.
Closing Thoughts
The Kuhl Reactiv™ Grid Full Zip Hoody is a great lightweight fleece for wearing during cold weather aerobic activities or for wearing on hikes, walks, or out and about in cooler temperatures. The Kuhl Reactiv™ Grid Full Zip jacket is available for both men and women in a collared option and a hoody option.
Erin Trail
Trail Boss of Stoke
Erin is a former Montana park ranger with a degree in environmental engineering. She loves getting into technical details while putting her gear (and herself) through the paces. She shares her home in Colorado with her husband, Will, and her 3 cats (Zipper, Brewtus, and Simcoe).
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