AirKUHL Hoody Review
The AirKUHL hoody is one of many outdoor sun hoodies offered by the outdoor apparel company based in Salt Lake City, Utah. The AirKUHL hoody comes in three different colors (raven, cloud gray and deep waters) and sizes S – XXL. I tested an XL version in deep waters.
Background
KUHL sent me this hoody to test out and I used it for several months in a variety of different conditions. I have taken these on casual hikes, trail runs and day long treks and in hot and cold environments.
AirKUHL Hoody Specs:
- $89 MSRP Price point
- Hoodie Comes in Multiple Colors and Sizes
- 85% Polyester / 15% Spandex
- UPF 50+ Sun Protection
- Moisture Wicking
- Odor Resistant
- Abrasion/Snag Resistant
- Breathable
- KUHL signature thumb loops
Pros
- This hoody is a great mid or outer layer depending on the day. Its breathability and moisture wicking fabric make it perfect for a hike or trail run where the morning may start a bit chilly OR you just need some extra protection from the sun.
- The AirKUHL is not super bulky and fits easily into a running vest or backpack.
- I know thumb loops are hit or miss depending on the person but I am a huge fan of them and the style that KUHL uses is excellent.
- Although I have not tested it over consecutive days of wearing, I can say that the odor resistant nature of the fabric is very good. I have worn this hoodie for long trail runs and have not had a problem with smelling like death afterwards.
- UPF and water resistant fabric allows this hoody to thrive on wet days or ones where the sun will be blasting you for hours on end.
Cons
- At $89 it is not the cheapest sun hoodie on the market.
- The AirKUHL hoody is a bit thicker than some sun hoodies so I did find that I would shed it fairly quickly when using it as an outer layer. I do tend to run VERY warm though. Generally speaking, I don’t like the fit of the AirKUHL hoody. It is nice for a mid layer but I find it very boxy and not super flattering to my body type. This could be a personal preference though so I would recommend trying it on.
- KUHL tends to have a somewhat muted color palette to choose from which for some is great. However, I do wish they offered a few more brightly colored options.
AirKUHL Hoody Summary
Properly layering on almost any adventure in the mountains is so important for comfort and safety. Even in Summer months having a lightweight hoodie is a staple of my mountain or desert packing list. What I look for in any layer is: breathability, moisture wicking and how easily it can fit into my vest or backpack once I am done wearing it. The AirKUHL hoody checks all of those boxes and also offers UPF50 protection for those high UV days.
I have worn this hoody in a variety of environments including scrambles in the Wasatch range of Utah, up 14ers in Colorado and casually around town. It’s versatile but for my body type, I did not love the fit as it made me look sort of boxy. However, how it looked aside, the functionality of this layer was fantastic for colder starts or cooler days in general. This sun hoody is a bit heavier than some of the other offerings from KUHL which makes it perfect for Fall, Winter and Spring days.
If you are someone who spends a lot of time outdoors or in the mountains and are looking for a comfortable, thicker, breathable midlayer – I would recommend investing in this hoody, after you have tried it on.
Purchase your own AirKUHL Hoody here!
*KUHL did provide me with this hoody to test out but all thoughts are my own and I was not compensated for this review.
