I am very excited to announce that there’s a new contender in the merino hoodie games: Velocio has entered the thunderdome with their Velocio RECON hoodie, and I am, predictably, here for it. But how does it stack up against other merino wool options? Let’s dive in, shall we?
First of all, some back story to the merino hoodie hunt: Everyone and their mother knows how I love a merino wool hoodie at this point, right? Since falling in love with the Chrome Pasha merino hoodie years ago, I’ve been trying to find a replacement that sparks as much joy as that one did, and it’s an uphill battle. On the plus side, more brands are in the merino market. On the down side, the Pasha has proved wildly difficult to top: It’s just thick enough but not bulky, the metal zipper and side seams gives it a little bit of visual interest, and the zip pockets are just awesome. Even Chrome hasn’t managed to make another hoodie that I’ve loved as much. Most new hoodies tend to be a lot thicker, though on the bright side, they wear in a lot easier: The Pasha took months of wear before it became my favorite item of clothing.
I have found a few good available merino hoodie options though! And the Velocio RECON hoodie has definitely risen to the top of the ranks for durability, coziness, comfort and utility.
So, when I got my hands on Velocio’s new RECON hoodie, I was excited. It is super soft—and unlike some of its predecessors like the Pasha, it started that way, and only got softer after a few washes. The size small fit comfortably: I’d say in Velocio I’m pretty much a small across the board, which is a feature I deeply appreciate in a brand. This small is big enough to wear a layer under easily, but fitted enough that I could throw a jacket on over top of it for a winter layer.
The hoodie has three pockets, two in your usual hoodie placement, and one rear pocket that is perfectly phone-sized (which is something a lot of older hoodies and jackets are lacking as phones have gotten bigger!). The two front pockets and the rear pocket all zip, which is a plus for riding, running, or even just walking around. I hate hoodies that don’t have ways to keep pockets closed!
I would say that the fit and the coziness are the stars of this hoodie. Arguably, a good merino hoodie is defined by not having much to call out: It’s simple, it’s a wardrobe staple, and it’s the sweatshirt you reach for when you need to run a quick errand and you don’t want to look like a total slob, but at the same time, you’re not overly concerned with ‘dressing up.’
I’ve run and ridden in it and it doesn’t ride up. I’ve hiked in it and stayed cozy. I’ve abused it by running it through the washer and the dryer and it’s held its shape and hasn’t shrunk at all. In short, it’s a hearty piece of clothing, like most everything from the brand (seriously, I have my first pair of shorts I got from them 10 years ago and they still look nearly new!).
There are a couple of small downsides (in my opinion) for this hoodie, but to be honest, they’re very nitpicky and specific to my preferences. First, it doesn’t come in black, just navy blue. I have my fingers crossed for a black version eventually, but even as I say that, I do enjoy a good non-black neutral like navy on occasion, and it is a nice break from my usual all-black outfitting. Plus, my favorite most comfortable Vivo sneakers are the same shade of navy, so it does kind of work! Second, I do wish that the outer fabric was a bit less shiny, so it wouldn’t have such a sport look. The Pasha was awesome because it looked so casual, despite being so functional. That said, the shine also means that it’s more rain-resistant, and more practical. So, again, this is a nitpick that’s specific to my preferences. And lastly, perhaps most nitpicky of all, it’s very warm. This is a good thing for most people, and it is billed as a heavy weight hoodie. And this is the case for almost every new merino hoodie I’ve tried since the Pasha. But I really wish I could find a medium-weight hoodie that could be worn into summer, for cooler nights out camping. That’s where the Pasha really shined: It was a warm layer in fall and winter, but it was light enough for those slightly chilled spring and summer days. That said, this Velocio hoodie is COZY AF.
Really, this hoodie is 100% worth the $249 pricetag, especially if you’re someone who spends a lot of time in semi-athletic conditions, does a lot of hiking or bike commuting, or works a chilly but physical job. I know for some people, that price sounds steep, but it’s on par with every other merino hoodie by a good brand on the market, and this one is built to last, with specifically reinforced sections in high-wear areas.
Get it here:
https://velocio.cc/?avad=241301_a2433ada5&utm_source=www.theoutdooredit.com&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=avantlink
READ MORE: A Definitive Ranking of Merino Wool Hoodies, The Athlete’ Secret Weapon
http://ConsummateAthlete.com/a-definitive-ranking-of-merino-wool-hoodies-the-athletes-secret-weapon/
