Article by Markus Zinkl
Mirage Sun Hoodie ($99.95)
Introduction
I recently got my hands on the ZPacks Mirage Sun Hoodie and it differs a bit from your usual sun hoodie. This hoodie is the result of a long development phase and a collaboration with EvolveSupplyCo.
Material and Comfort
First off, the material is a 96% Merino Wool Blend, which makes it incredibly soft and smooth against the skin. No itchiness or transparency here.
The ultralight 135 gsm material is super breathable but still thick enough to handle some serious wear and tear, whether you’re on or off the trail.
Design and Features
One of my favorite features is the quarter-length zipper. It allows you to regulate your body’s temperature easily, which is a game-changer on hot days or when temperatures are variable.
The hood is also really comfortable and provides great sun protection while still allowing for airflow.
The integrated thumb holes are a nice touch, preventing the sleeves from riding up and offering extra sun protection for the tops of your hands. Plus, the sleeves have an excellent range of motion and no top shoulder seam, so there’s no rubbing against your backpack straps.
The hoodie has a gentle dove tail shape on the rear, which, in combination with its longer than usual length, is great for coverage of the back.
Fit and Versatility
The sizes are US Men’s. Being 6ft and 154 lbs, I went with a size S. I can recommend taking a look at the sizing information, which was spot on for me. The hoodie is loose enough to achieve an airy fit. The material is really stretchy, so it moves with you comfortably. Merino wool is fantastic because it stays warm when wet and helps with temperature regulation in warm weather, making it an ideal baselayer. It’s also moisture-wicking and breathable, providing superior thermoregulation across various temperatures. And let’s not forget, Merino wool absorbs odors, so you can go 2-3 days without worrying about any unpleasant smells.
Performance and Durability
The hoodie offers UPF 40+ sun protection, which worked flawlessly for me. For really hot days I would wish for a bit better breathability. Compared to synthetic or the new Nuyarn Merino blend it can still run hot in temps above 85 °F / 29°C. The wool fabric is pre-shrunk, but it will lose a bit of length and girth if washed and dried with regular laundry. ZPacks recommends, to keep the initial sizing, it’s best to hand wash or machine wash cold and line dry.
Specifics and Personal Impressions
Now, for some of the specifics. the hoodie has very long arms and torso, providing a lot of coverage. The thumb loops are great, and the zipper is nice for venting. The Merino blend is super soft and quick-drying for Merino, but it’s not the lightest hoodie out there due to the zipper and additional length. It comes in at 7.5 oz/ 213 g in my size S. I would love to see a thinner material option, like the Outdoor Vitals Tern, which uses the already mentioned Nuyarn fabric, but that could make the zipper problematic. Maybe a lighter weight nylon zipper could be an option.
Conclusion
Overall, the ZPacks Mirage Sun Hoodie is a solid choice for anyone looking for a comfortable, durable, and versatile sun hoodie. It’s not the lightest and most breathable, but the features and comfort could be worth it to take a look at it.
Mirage Sun Hoodie is available here ZPacks
The products that are the basis of this test were provided to us free of charge by ZPacks. The opinions presented are our own.
Tester Profile
Markus Zinkl: I’m 34 years old and live in a small village in Bavaria, Germany. I started hiking and backpacking 5-6 years ago. Coming from trail running and with light and fast in mind, I started hiking and fast packing with ultralight gear. Over the years I tried and tested a lot of gear, always in search of weight savings. Although still trying to stay out of the ultralight rabbit hole. I spend most of my days off from work on the trail, with at least one 2-3 week thru-hike. Among the more well known trails I have hiked over the last few years are the GR221, WHR (Walker’s Haute Route), TMB (Tour du Mont Blanc), TC (Tour du Cervin-Matterhorn) and Via Alpina Switzerland. As you probably notice by now, I’m at home in the mountains. So if I’m not running or thru-hiking a longer trail, I’m probably somewhere in the Alps checking out some shorter trails.
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