Westcomb Ozone Hoody
Size Tested: Large
Features:
- Polartec Power stretch body-hugging 4-way stretch
- Athletic hood
- 2 hand pockets
- Integrated thumb loops
Blister’s Measured Weight: 460 grams
Front Zipper Length (measured, size Large): 70 cm
MSRP: $180 USD
Days Worn: ~150
And our versatility award goes to … the Westcomb Ozone Hoody. By a landslide.
Westcomb actually undersells this a bit. They say about their Ozone:
“Relaxed fit with minimalist style lines make the Ozone Hoody an easy decision for cold weather outings. Comfortable, light and warm, Polartec® Power Stretch Pro®technology makes the Ozone Hoody a great active layer for your winter pursuits.”
All of this is certainly true, but I have well over 150 days in this hoodie, and I have used it as:
- an outerlayer for lift-accessed mountain biking in the fall
- an outerlayer for running in ~50°F or colder temps
- an outerlayer on easy hikes in temperatures up to ~70º F
- midlayer for lift-accessed skiing (I’ve used it a lot for this)
- midlayer or outlayer for shorter backcountry ski tours
- many trips to the bar
- many more days lounging at home
Basically, the Ozone hoody is just rarely out of place.
It’s also pretty tough. I’ve crashed my bike a few times while wearing it, got up, wiped off the dirt and rocks, and there’s no sign of any wrecks.
The Ozone has longer sleeves—great if you have long arms, but equally great if you have average-length arms but are active: these sleeves don’t ride up.
The Polartec Power Stretch fabric really does have a good bit of stretch to it, so in addition to being durable + having longer arms, the Ozone would work really well as a bouldering / climbing / belaying jacket. It wouldn’t be restrictive in the least.
A note on sizing: according to Westcomb’s charts, I should be a Medium. But I’m very glad I went large. Because of the very stretchy fabric, this hoody doesn’t have a boxy cut (Westcomb calls the fit “relaxed,” but you shouldn’t equate that with “boxy.”) I’d say the Ozone has a bit of a longer / slimmer cut, which is why I’d recommend sizing up if you’re on the fence about sizing: even if you go a little big, that stretchy fabric + non-boxy cut means that you won’t look like you’re swimming in it.
Get one, and enjoy wearing this hoodie for a whole bunch of activities over a whole bunch of years.