The REI Screeline Polartec Alpha Hoodie ($99) is a great value. It's a simple but well-made pullover fleece hoodie that's highly breathable and provides an amazing amount of warmth for its weight. It's the perfect companion for a windbreaker this autumn or a thicker rain jacket in winter.

• Gender: Men's (women's available in much better colors)
• Material: Polartec Alpha Direct Fleece (90 gsm)
• Weight: Men's Large (5.3 oz)
• Fit: Relaxed (semi-fitted)
• Features: Scuba hood, flat-seamed to prevent chafing, thumbloops, raglan sleeve, locker loop

Polartec Alpha has swept the cottage and ultralight backpacking gear scene over the past two years, and at least a dozen small companies make fleece hoodies with it: Garage Grown Gear has a good hoodie selection from many of these smaller companies, though they're often sold out because they're so popular. I think it's a good thing for the industry that REI has introduced its own fleece hoodie, and that it will boost these smaller companies because REI will educate a much larger audience about Polartec Alpha's benefits. REI's basic hoodie will spur people to look for hoodies with more features, such as chest zippers for better ventilation or kangaroo pockets. In other words, everyone's boats will float higher.

The hood is not adjustable, but it is sized for a human head, not a ski helmet

Polartec Alpha (technically Polartec Alpha Direct) is an innovative insulation fabric developed by Polartec, originally designed for the U.S. military to provide breathable warmth during high-intensity activities. It began with the need for insulation that actively regulates temperature while allowing moisture to escape, unlike traditional synthetic or down insulation, which traps heat but restricts airflow. This technology uses continuous filament insulation to create a mesh core of warmth without overheating, making it highly breathable.

The REI Screeline Polartec Alpha Hoodie uses 90 gsm (grams per square meter) material. This is the sweet spot for backpacking and will keep you warm down into the low 40s Fahrenheit when worn under a windbreaker. Polartec Alpha has a gauzy texture and poor wind resistance, but it traps warmth effectively when paired with wind protection. At warmer temperatures, you can wear it on its own, and it will provide the equivalent warmth of a 100 wt fleece. Polartec Alpha hoodies also come in 60 gsm and 120 gsm materials for warmer and much colder temperatures.

Polartec Alpha has an open weave which vents water vapor very efficiently so you stay drier when you sweat

Another benefit of Polartec Alpha is its incredible breathability. It's great active insulation because it vents water vapor (which otherwise condenses into sweat) so efficiently. Its open weave (see above) also traps warm air, especially when used with a windproof shell. Made with Polartec Fleece, its thin fibers don't absorb water, making it ideal for activities where you perspire and need a garment whose warmth doesn't degrade because it absorbs water.

Comfort and Fit

There's a lot to like about REI Screenline Hoodie. It has a fitted scuba hood that hugs your head without the need for a drawstring. All seams are flat-seamed for comfort and to eliminate chafing. It's semi-fitted so the fit is relaxed without constricting your torso. Elastic thumbloops are hidden in the sleeves, so they don't bunch up when you pull on a jacket. I reach for my Screeline whenever I feel a chill; it's perfect for camping, and I often wear mine to sleep in a tent.

Elastic loops hidden in the sleeves keep the sleeves in place

Final Verdict

The REI Screeline Polartec Alpha Hoodie is an excellent value at $99, offering an impressive combination of warmth, breathability, low weight, and comfort. Its 90 gsm Polartec Alpha Direct fleece provides reliable insulation without overheating, while the relaxed fit, flat seams, thumbloops, and fitted hood make it comfortable for hiking, backpacking, camping, and everyday wear.

This hoodie is highly recommended for anyone seeking a lightweight, versatile, and quick-drying layer. It works well on its own in cool weather and pairs easily with a windbreaker or rain shell when additional warmth is needed. For its price and performance, the Screeline is an outstanding introduction to Polartec Alpha insulation.

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