Icebreaker Merino 260 Quantum Long Sleeve Zip Hoodie: Warmth & Breathability

Who is This For

Hikers, cyclists, travelers, skiers, swimmers, and other outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate this well-made hoodie for its versatility, warmth, breathability, and thermoregulation. 

Field Testing

Scenario 1

Open Water Swimming | Air Temperature 30°F, Water Temperature 39°F | Malmö, Sweden

I have to be very careful after swimming in freezing temperatures when the water temperature is below 45°F. Once I exit the sea I have to remove my wetsuit and swimsuit as fast as possible, then pull on dry, warm layers even faster. I don’t even bother to dry off with a towel. The Icebreaker Merino 260 Quantum Long Sleeve Zip Hoodie is an ideal first layer because it’s warm (despite the water on my skin), it has a lined hood that closes snugly around my head when fully zipped, and it is easier to put on than a crew neck or 1/4 zip pullover top.

Even when I move as fast as I can, my fingers feel frozen almost instantly. The best way to warm them up is stuffing them inside extra large mitts with heat packs on the backs of my hands. Before I can do that I have to get my base layers on, and I need free fingers to do that. The Icebreaker Merino 260 Quantum Long Sleeve Zip Hoodie’s thumb loops come in very handy for pulling the sleeve cuffs around my hands so I can start trying to warm the backs of my hands. Once I’m zipped up I add a wool poncho, then an insulated poncho. At that point, I can stuff my hands into the giant thermal mittens before pulling on some thick fleece pants. I have to remove the gloves to get my socks and shoes on, then I put them back on to collect my gear off the pier, stuff it in my gear bag, and walk back to my bike for long bike ride home. I have never been so grateful for thumb loops.

For me there is nothing like wool against my skin to help me get warm and stay warm. Still, the bike ride home is 30-40 minutes against the wind, so I appreciate that the Icebreaker Merino 260 Quantum Long Sleeve Zip Hoodie is made out of 20.9 micro Merino fiber (a middle weight between ultra-thin summer tops and heavier winter tops). It breathes well that I don’t overheat on the ride home.

I have noticed in Sweden that there is often cold wind. Even with the current 50-60°F spring temperatures, a cold wind can make it feel more like 40°F. I still reach for the Icebreaker Merino 260 Quantum Long Sleeve Zip Hoodie the minute I get my wetsuit and swimsuit off, then tuck my hands into the sleeve cuffs. I no longer need the two ponchos, but sometimes add an insulation vest over the hoodie for the bike ride home. The hoodie provides the warmth I need, and, because it’s breathable, I stay comfortable. Even if I work up a sweat on the ride home I feel that the wool layer helps with thermoregulation. 

Scenario 2

Winter Cycling | Temperatures 17-35° F | Gothenburg, Sweden

During my two months in Gothenburg, Sweden I mostly got around by bike, and on cold winter nights I was happy to have Icebreaker Merino 260 Quantum Long Sleeve Zip Hoodie as my middle layer over a merino t-shirt. 

Initially, I wore an insulated jacket over the hoodie, but I often felt too warm halfway through the ride. Then I tried wearing an insulated vest over the hoodie. That combination was much better for breathability, but on windy nights my forearms froze. I tried wearing my alpaca wool wrist warmers under the hoodie, and that worked quite well even if they didn’t fully cover my arms.  Finally, I ditched the wrist warmers and added a breathable windbreaker under the vest, and all three layers worked very well together. 

The Icebreaker Merino 260 Quantum Long Sleeve Zip Hoodie was very effective at providing warmth, breathability, and thermoregulation. I like that the hoodie still keeps me warm even when it’s damp with sweat. Most of all, I value that wool helps regulate my temperature. Things can go very wrong outdoors in freezing and below freezing temperatures. I need to stay warm, but I also need to prevent overheating.

After long outings the Icebreaker Merino 260 Quantum Long Sleeve Zip Hoodie was usually damp from precipitation and sweat. I hung it over the back of a chair, and an hour later it was dry enough to wear out to dinner with friends. 

Scenario 3

Urban Hiking and Walking | Temperatures 15-40°F | Gothenburg, Sweden

I like to be prepared for a variety of temperatures and weather conditions, and the Icebreaker Merino 260 Quantum Long Sleeve Zip Hoodie makes it easy for me to adapt.

I tested a black Icebreaker Merino 260 Quantum Long Sleeve Zip Hoodie, which works well with my mostly black and grey wardrobe. I love the large, zippered front pockets. I stuff them with my phone, tissues, my passport, and my wallet. I use the small zippered chest pocket for my key card. 

On days when I forget a hat, I use the hood to keep my neck and ears warm. Plus, my bike helmet fits well over the hood, which is handy because some of my hats are a bit too bulky. During the last weeks of winter, when wishful thinking made me leave my gloves at home, I was happy to have the thumb loops to keep my hands warm.

The Icebreaker Merino 260 Quantum Long Sleeve Zip Hoodie is sporty and casual, comfortable, and quite durable. I wear it at least an hour a day, and during that time I almost always have a pack on my back. I’m amazed that the wool fabric shows no signs of breakdown or even wear on the shoulders. I have not been careful with or kind to my Icebreaker Merino 260 Quantum Long Sleeve Zip Hoodie. I have shoved it into my pack and smooshed it into the bottom of my swim bag countless times. I’ve tied it around my waist when I didn’t need it. I’ve ignored it. 

In fact, in six months I have only washed it three times. I get sweaty and icky when I exercise, when I travel (it’s work getting a bike through a train station, onto the train, then repacked at the destination for a ride to my accommodations), and even when I simply walk in the park. The Icebreaker Merino 260 Quantum Long Sleeve Zip Hoodie still doesn’t smell. After performance, odor-resistance is one of my favorite things about wool. The main reasons I wash it: fear of any train germs it might accumulate and chocolate stains (they wash right out).

Fit

Icebreaker categorizes the hoodie as a “slim” fit, but I found it provided more of a “regular” fit, probably because the men’s hoodie is cut a bit broader than the women’s hoodie.

I found a great fit with a men’s size large. I often opt for a men’s large over a women’s extra-large because I’m tall, have a very long torso, and have very long arms. Both men’s and women’s styles are cut long through the torso. I loved the length for cold outings because it provided wonderful coverage, and I liked having a slightly looser fit because I most often wear the hoodie on its own or under regular fit layers.

The Icebreaker Merino 260 Quantum Long Sleeve Zip Hoodie has slightly offset shoulder seams, making it comfortable to wear under a day pack. I like the dipped extra length on the back of the hoodie for modesty coverage when I’m on my bike. The hem on the front provides some shaping and fit, and the side panels offset the side seams and add mobility.

Too small

Slightly small

Fits well

Slightly big

Too big

Materials & Construction

Material/Fabric: 100% merino wool

Bottom Line

I wear the Icebreaker Merino 260 Quantum Long Sleeve Zip Hoodie more than any other item of clothing because it performs so well across so many categories for so many of my favorite outdoor activities. It’s warm, breathable, and helps with thermoregulation. It’s soft and cozy. It’s comfortable. It’s also more durable than I had expected. I absolutely love this hoodie.

Specifications

Available at REI, Backcountry, Amazon, Icebreaker.com, and more outdoor retailers.

• Sizes:
  • Men’s hoodie is available in sizes S-XXL in colors: Atlantis, Flint Blue, Loden, and Black.
  • Women’s hoodie comes in sizes XS-XL in Black, Tidal Teal, Dawn, Fervid, and Lichen.
• Weight: 14-16 oz
• Price: $250 men’s, $240 women’s

Buy Now

Main image from Icebreaker website.