Gear Review: Curvy Fit Hoodie by Balabūsta Gear
Jess Kaufman started designing her own clothes because she felt outdoor clothing often overlooked the needs of curvier and fuller figured people. “I felt everything was so straight and narrow and small,” she told me. “Your body has to be comfortable to enjoy any outdoor pursuits, but I wasn’t seeing that in the clothing I wanted for myself.”
So, she hand built the Balabusta Curvy Fit Hoodie, the ultimate extra layer for any outdoor pursuit, and any body.
Rejecting “women’s” and “men’s” sizing, Balabusta adopts a gender-neutral approach when classifying its clothes. When selecting a Hoodie size, my options were Straight Fit or Curvy Fit.
Jess said, “Our bodies don’t have to fit into certain shapes. Instead, we can tell our clothes what shapes to be. Bodies of all genders can prefer a straight fit to a curvy fit, so our garments are for bodies who prefer to choose their own fits.”
I like to layer a lot and hate being cold, so it was easy for me to choose a Curvy Fit size in hopes of getting a looser feeling garment.
Specs
- 100% synthetic Polartec Power Grid stretch fleece
- All materials sourced in the USA
- Hand built in Asheville, NC
- Built-in neck gaiter with adjustable shock cord
- Kangaroo pocket
- Sizes: XS-2X
- Weight: 12 ounces (Medium)
- Price range: $100-$120
Things I Liked About the Balabusta Fleece Hoodie!
Power Grid Fleece: This is what attracted me to the brand in the first place. I love the chunky grid pattern of the Power Grid Fleece. Balabusta sources it from Polartec, a textile company based in Tennessee. The weight and feel of it just evokes coziness and warmth.
Built-in Gaiter: I rarely leave the house without a neck gaiter. In fact, I often wear one in the house, too. The Balabusta Hoodie has a built-in, loose fitting neck gaiter that pretty much eliminates the need for any sort of neck warmer whatsoever. Along with the spacious hood, this hoodie has literally got you covered.
Colors: The color options are neutral earthy tones and will hide any sort of dirt well, making this an easy layer to wear again and again and again between washes. Balabusta continues to add more colors of fleece as they become available from Polartec. They even offer fun and vibrant cuffs and fabric-lined kangaroo pockets that add a nice little pop. The brand is especially proud to leave no scrap left behind, and makes “scrappy” one-of-a-kind Hoodies, too. If you see a color combination you like, jump on it now. It might not be there tomorrow!
Things I Didn’t Like
Curvy Fit: I was expecting it to be, well, a bit more curvy. For a baggier fit, perhaps just size up. Owner, operator, and B.A. business lady Jess is a great resource, too. Her team would be more than happy to discuss which size is right for your body. Just ask!
Lack of Thumb Holes: The iteration of Hoodie I reviewed does not have thumb holes, but Balabusta is excited to now offer them for an additional fee.
Runs Long: I’m 5’ 3” and found the hoodie to be a tad too long for my petite frame. Although, the length will prevent any drafts coming in around my waist as I bend and move around. Rolling the hem under slightly was an easy fix and didn’t take away from the overall look and fit.
Verdict
I’m all for ultralight gear. But, everything needn’t be super-duper-nano-ultralight to have a purpose and place in your outdoorsy life. Your outdoor pursuits have a place for the Balabusta Hoodie. There is a need for comfy and cozy at the expense of a little heft. While Balabusta Outdoor Gear isn’t trying to join the ultralight space, the fleece they chose is considered lightweight, moisture wicking and breathable. When you’re around the campfire, at that music festival, or out on the water, the sun will eventually set. And when it’s time to put on an extra layer this summer, grab your Balabusta Hoodie.
Gear Review: River Skirt by Balabūsta Gear
If you find yourself wearing leggings or yoga pants and need a little more coverage and warmth, meet the most beautiful butt warmer you’ve ever had: the Balabusta River Skirt.
Its minimalistic, no-frills design makes for a sleek layer without adding any bulk. Made from the same Polartec Power Grid stretch fleece as the Balabusta Hoodies, the skirts come in black, avocado green or olive green. All three would work well for outdoor play, masking any dirt or grass stains well.
The yoga style waistband is comfortable, flattering, and — with its playful patterns — add a fun pop of color and whimsy.
Specs
- 100% synthetic Polartec Power Grid stretch fleece
- All materials sourced in the USA
- Hand built in Asheville, NC
- Sizes: XS-2X
- Length: 13.5” (XS) – 18.75” (2X)
- Weight: 4 ounces (Medium)
- Price: $50
Things I Liked About the Balabusta Fleece River Skirt
Minimalistic, Soft & Warm: everything you’d want in a butt warmer.
Colorful Waistband: I own very little black clothing. I gravitate to color and most days am dressed like a bright Easter egg. Though I selected the black River Skirt, I greatly appreciated the pop of color the wide waistband provides. It makes the River Skirt, the River Skirt.
Lack of pockets: I love pockets as much as the next gal. But, the omission of pockets on a skirt like this keep it slim and sleek, eliminating any unnecessary bulk. The void of pockets is considered a plus in my book. If you disagree, Balabusta has pocketed skirts in the pipeline, which will be available down the road.
Length: The River Skirt isn’t really intended for wearing on its own (but don’t let me stop you!). That said, it’s the perfect length, even for my 5’3” frame, for wearing over leggings or tights. Its job is to cover my back side and it does just that. Anything longer would feel a bit constricting.
Cons
Nope! ; )
Verdict
Its simple and utilitarian design, along with its vibrant and comfortable waistband make this hand-built skirt well worth the price tag. Its packability means you can take it on just about any adventure and look good to boot too.
