The Full Zip Grid Fleece Hoodie made by SkyGoat is a midweight layer that’s perfect for everything from staying warm while you sleep tucked in your quilt and shelter to wearing in town while you down a couple of microbrews with hiker friends.
Made of soft, stretchy grid fabric, the jacket features an athletic cut and a unique hood that doesn’t require the collar to be zipped for it to stay in place. I tested the Women’s SkyGoat Full Zip Fleece Hoodie through a ferocious Teton winter, taking in from trails into town and back again. Here’s my thoughts on how it fits and functions.
Pros of the SkyGoat Full Zip Fleece Hoodie
Lightweight and Compact - the SkyGoat Full Zip Fleece Hoodie Women’s Size Small, which is what I’m wearing in the pictures, weighs 9.2 ounces. There are lighter midweight layers out there, and there are heavier options. The SkyGoat Hoodie strikes the balance.
From left to right, Alpha Cruiser by FarPointe, Women’s SkyGoat Full Zip Fleece Hoodie, Women's All-Paca™ Fleece Hoodie by Appalachian Gear Co.
Soft Texture - The specs state it’s made with ‘custom GOATgrid fabric’, which is a ridiculously soft grid fleece that has some stretch. This hoodie feels divine to touch and wear, even after several washings.
Functional Hood - For me, the standout feature is the hood. Its innovative design allows you to wear the hood even when the collar is unzipped. One of my trail names is ‘The Onion’ because I take the idea of layering to a whole new level — and I’m constantly fiddling with zippers to get venting just right. The SkyGoat Fleece Hoodie lets me keep my ears warm and catch the breeze too.
Trail to Town - The SkyGoat Fleece has an athletic cut and a stylish flourish that makes it as comfortable to wear in town as on the trails.
Warm & Breathable - This is one of those layers that immediately makes you feel cozy when you put it on. At the same time, it’s breathable, wicks moisture and allows for some airflow.
Good to Know
Mediocre Pockets - While the pockets on this jacket do serve as a nice place to rest and warm my hands, they don’t have much further utility beyond that. It consistently annoys me that there’s no secure, zippered place to stash my hiker wallet. And, from a purely aesthetic standpoint, I don’t love how the pockets look on the fleece, being somewhat prone to puff out.
Asymmetrical Design - I’m actually a human who appreciates an asymmetrical look to things. And I like the color of this fleece quite a bit. But I will say that every single time I wear the SkyGoat Full Zip Fleece, nearly without fail my 11-year-old daughter comments on the color swatches chosen, and their placement, and how she wishes they could just be symmetrical.
Made in Taiwan - Especially given the price point of $118.99, it’s worth mentioning that these jackets are made overseas.
No Thumb Holes - For those of you in the ‘I love thumb holes camp’, of which I count myself a part, this fleece sadly falls short.
Bottom Line
The SkyGoat Full Zip Fleece Hoodie will make you feel cozy when it's chilly, confident when it counts, and at ease doing everything from pounding miles to pounding smiles.
Amy is GGG's co-founder and editor-in-chief. When not tapping away at the keyboard, she can be found shimmy-ing through slot canyons, vacuuming dog fur, dancing to Taylor Swift songs with her daughter, and scheming up harebrained adventures.
