The North Face Adventure Sun Hoodie: A First-Round Draft Pick

Who is This For

Runners, hikers, and cyclists who need lightweight sun protection that also provides exceptional wicking in a soft but durable fabric.

Field Testing

Trips to the gym, morning trail runs, fat bike rides in the desert, and high-altitude hikes in the Sierra mountains have made this hoodie an easy choice.

The North Face Adventure Sun Hoodie is made out of a double-knit blend of recycled polyester (92%) and Elastane (8%). Its FlashDry-XD (“extra durable”) fabric wicked sweat and evaporated quickly in a wide range of temps and activities while providing UPF 40+ UV protection. 

Some of its best features:

• The three-piece hood easily fits over a baseball hat without blocking peripheral vision (a drawcord would help stabilize the hood in high winds if a hat wasn’t available)
• The sleeve thumbholes blend seamlessly into the cuffs and maximize back of hand shading
• The low-profile seams were sturdy and chafe free

Scenario 1

Desert Fat Bike Rides and Hiking | 40°- 95° F, 7000′ -10,000′ elevation, extreme sun | Nevada

During rides on hot, sunny days I kept my baseball hat and darkest sunglasses on most of the time, with the Sun Hoodie hood stretched over the hat to shield my neck and face from the intense sun.

I was glad to have the Adventure Sun Hoodie with me for a series of hikes in the Mt. Rose Wilderness that overlooks Lake Tahoe. While it can get cold and windy enough that an extra jacket was needed on summits and ridge tops, the hoodie did a great job of quickly wicking moisture, keeping me dry and preventing overheating.

Scenario 2

Desert Fat Bike Rides | mid-80°- 103° F, 5000′ elevation, extreme sun and wind| Nevada

North of Reno, there are a series of high desert basins, separated by steep mountain ridgelines, and steep sand-filled canyons. Having a hoodie that fit over my helmet easily, a long hem that didn’t fly up, and long sleeves with stretchy thumb holes to keep the top of my arms and shoulders and hands out of the sun while not overheating as I pedaled towards the next water break was fantastic.

I didn’t notice any sunburn or reddening skin during rides ranging from 10 miles through deep sand to a two-day lap of the Black Rock Desert (when the Burners weren’t there). The XL size was loose enough that it would flap a little bit in 20-30 mph winds, but the fabric was soft, quiet (I have other tops that can be noisy in windy conditions), and the knit denier weave was tight enough to keep the dust out. The hoodie’s stretchiness and low-profile seams kept everything as comfortable as riding could be, given that the region is remote and desolate enough that NASA tested astronaut gear there before landing on the moon.

Scenario 3

Trail runs | 40-50°F, 8260 elevation, bright sun, no wind | Nevada

The North Face Adventure Sun Hoodie has been perfect for sunny, 40° F degree morning trail running as a lightweight layer over a wicking base layer. Even though 40° F degrees feels a little chilly when standing still in the shade, I stayed comfortable on 3-, 5-, or 7-mile runs, wearing the hoodie as a top layer. It’s been a much better option for these outings rather than a windbreaker or heavy sweatshirt.

I appreciate the hoodie’s light weight. When I hit a long incline and felt like I was overheating, it was easy to pull off, wrap the stretchy sleeves around my waist, and a quickly knot the sleeves, keeping it secure and in place.

I’ve been wearing the Adventure Sun Hoodie almost daily, so I’m glad it launders up easily and dries quickly.

Fit

I found the men’s XL top, my usual size, to be accurate and comfortably loose for wearing by itself on extremely hot days or layering over a t-shirt or a base layer without creating hot spots, showing signs of wear, or bunching while wearing a pack.

Too small

Slightly small

Fits well

Slightly big

Too big

Materials & Construction

Material/Fabric: Double-knit blend of recycled polyester (92%) and Elastane (8%)

Sustainability Creds: Recycled polyester

Bottom Line

I think most users will really like the North Face Adventure Sun Hoodie’s exceptional durability and wicking performance for a wide range of athletic activities.

It dries fast, it’s durable, and it packs down small without taking up a lot of room in my pack. While an integrated hood cinch or drawcord might help stabilize the hood in headwinds, and the synthetic polyester isn’t going to smell fantastic on a multi-day unwashed hike, its durability and value make the Adventure Sun Hoodie a great pick.

Specifications

• Men’s Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL (in White Dune, Smoked Pearl, Taupe Green, Desert Stone, Restorative Teal, Fizz Lime
• Women’s Sizes: XS, S, M , L, XL, XXL (in White Dune, Opal Frost)
• Weight: Men’s Average: 9.2 oz (261 g); Women’s Average: 7.4oz (210 g)—the XL tested weighed 10.58 ounces (330 g)
• Price: $65

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Main image from The North Face website.