Article by Jeremy MARIE
Ghost Fleece AD Light Hoodie (200€), CoffeeThermal 8” shorts (220€), GhostFleece AD Gloves (90€)
We’ve previously reviewed kit from SATISFY, as well as lucky enough to chat with the brand’s founder, Brice Partouche. I encourage you to go back to this review and read the ethos behind SATISFY, as the they clearly stray from the usual roads and trails of running brands.
The sheer quality and performance were astounding, so was the styling, which helped a lot in swallowing the high cost, but as I’ve said at the time: to each his/her own.
GhostFleece AD Light Hoodie and Gloves
This time, SATISFY sent me some of their winter kit (hoodie and gloves), using the PolarTec Alpha DIrect (hence the “AD” in the name) fabric, initially engineered for the US Special Forces by PolarTec.
Image: PolarTec
The benefits of this fabric are that it combines very light weight (the Light Hoodie weighs 125g in my Large), great breathability due the very airy knit, maximum warmth considering the weight and volume, and fast-wicking properties so that sweat should rarely be an issue.
It can be worn as a second layer, or even on its own - just be aware of the transparency and the wind because of how it’s knit.
Despite its very fragile appearance, it’s marketed as being resistant (built for the army they say !), something I can attest to after 3 months of use, but don’t come too close to branches!
Performance and Fit
The hood can act as a very efficient neck warmer, and morphs into a balaclava quite easily, always with the same relaxed, not constraining fit.
Thanks to the very breathable fabric, this kind of usage does not turn the front of the mouth to a swamp, as can occur with other material due to hot air breathing out meeting fresh air.
The fit is a bit strange the first time you put it on, but definitely proves its qualities once on the run.
It’s wide enough for my rather large shoulders, but it fits a bit short in length, despite my below-the-average torso length. I’m 5.83ft tall and weigh around 160lbs, with a 40.5in torso. I’d clearly have preferred 5-10cm longer. Save from this personal preference, the light Hoodie provides a generally relaxed fit, which I usually tend to favor. Arms movements are not impaired, and the lightness of the fabric makes it disappear so that the extra volume is never noticed.
Under a rather simple appearance, some clever details prove that lots of thought has been put into this piece of equipment: flatlock seams, the way the underarm is built (“gusseted” as SATISFY says) to improve freedom of movement, the reflective details, the exterior detachable label so that nothing scratches, and the simple yet effective thumb loops.
All these features add up and make for the same experience we’ve previously enjoyed with SATISFY equipment: it simply stays out of the way.while getting the job done!
I’ve used the Hoodie on the run from just below freezing temperatures up to 8-9°C both with a thin, short-sleeve baselayer or on its own, with a light windproof vest, and I’ve been really stoked by the performance of this fabric.
Let’s be honest, by the look of it, you can not expect such warmth: my hoodie weighs a mere 125g in size Lage, can be greatly compressed into a ziploc as mandatory Ultra-trail equipment as it does exceed the size of a fist when stuffed.
The PolarTec AD fabric also ensures fast-wicking, and despite being a substantial insulation, I’ve never been caught by chill when damp, as can occur with more classical layers.
I can’t explain how it works so well but …it works ! The very airy knit of course helps with air circulation, but I think that the way the yarn is maximizes the contact surface between sweat and air, leading to a quick drying of this odour free material.
Of course, the counterpart to this is subpar wind protection, as you don’t get isolated by a dense knit as in more usual second layers. This is something to keep in mind, and I’ve reached for my light wind vest more often (and it’s been very windy in France for some months).
There’s no doubt that I prefer this approach instead of a less breathable equipment.
All that I say about the PolarTec AD fabric stays true to form in the gloves.
These are by no means deep winter gloves, and they don’t bring any wind or rain protection. But for those mildly cold dry runs, they’re just perfect.
They weigh next to nothing (15g for my L gloves…) and the cuff is long enough to go under the upper layer sleeves.
I suffer from cold hands (Raynaud’s syndrome) and usually have a hard time finding gloves that work well for the temperatures I usually face in France’s winter.
The fact that they efficiently wick moisture plays a key role in how they kept my hands warm up to 1°C.
I tried them as base gloves under an old pair of over mitts, so adding a wind proof barrier and despite the loss in breathability, my hands stayed toasty.
The PolarTec AD fabric also seems to be quite efficient in preserving touch control, probably due to the thin and heavily aerated knit. My guess is that the finger manages to effectively touch the screen. A nice bonus.
My only concern with these two pieces is the durability when facing “harsh” elements: branches, nails, hard plastic pieces on hydration packs… Despite PolarTec AD being developed for the US Army, I can’t help but find the fabric delicate, especially with a backpack, or if you run up against branches.
Otherwise, the performance, the fit and comfort are all in a league of its own.
I’m really looking forward to seeing other brands using this PolarTec AD material.
CoffeeThermal 8’’ Shorts
Those shorts are for mildly cold conditions , where a full length bottom might be too warm, or for those, like me, who don’t really get along with tights and prefer running and feeling breezes on their calves.
The outer layer is made of SATISFY’s usual Techsilk material, already seen on their hot weather 2-1 shorts reviewed earlier. Soft, think light as air, it also dries quickly and never gets damp with rain or moisture.
I’ve also reviewed an upper LS layer in the previous review which uses the same material, and I can attest its cold management efficiency, but I’ve also found it to get wet a bit easily, which was not great for an upper base layer
Here in the shorts, the added warmth is sensible, and I find it perfect for mild conditions, as it protects the thighs from too much cold (which can be so-so for the quads - I’m getting old ! ).
But I’ve faced the same tendency for it to get wet a bit easily, even if it did bother me way less here than in its Long sleeve siblings tested last year.
Except for the added warmth, they share the exact same great pockets: an internal sweat proof back pocket, perfect for holding a phone (iPhone 16 size), secured by the double waist-band.
A small carabiner is hidden in the double waistband, but I’ve found it too shallow to use it as a key holder.
The external zippered rear pocket, sweat proof, keeps the same separation inside to limit keys jingling against other stuff than can be put into. It’s big enough to hold an Iphone 16 with its case, but nothing more !
There’s also the same internal pocket as in the “summer” 2-1 shorts tested earlier, which holds keys, gels (let’s say 2 “Maurten size”) or the same iphone 16 with its case. This pocket is quite effective at annihilating any movement as it pushes its content against the top of the buttocks. As it’s positioned below the waistband, its content is perfectly secure and won’t hop out.
As with other SATISFY apparel, weight is low at 135g (size M).
Conclusion
SATISFY delivers top quality equipment, using state of the art material, always confectionned with runners comfort in mind, so, as they claim that their kit really disappears on the run.
The GhostFleece series, and especially the hoodie is a very versatile piece of equipment than can be used from under 0°C with a base layer up to 8-9°C. For hiking in cold conditions it can be a valuable addition to your kit, as it is fast-wicking and odor free so helpful in minimizing the amount of equipment needed.
The CoffeeThermal shorts are as excellent as their warm weather sibling with unparalleled comfort and the added benefit of added heat from the liner.
The price is still part of the equation with Satisfy , and of course it puts them out of many people’s reach..but as I’ve said before, to each his/her own, and if you can afford it, you won’t be disappointed. I’d put my money on the Ghost Fleece Light Hoodie, if I had to choose, as it really stands out from the crowd.
Shop all of Satisfy Running at their store
Tester Profile
Jeremy MARIE, French, 44y/o. Running since 2013 and quickly transitioned to trails, focused on ultras since 2015 : TDS, Maxi-Race, “100 miles du Sud”, 90 kms du Mt Blanc, GRP 120 kms, Some shorter more mellow races (Saintelyon 45 kms, Ecotrail Paris 45 kms…) with always in the mix road and flat running, but not many road races. Also active cyclist and 70.3 Ironman. Recovery/easy runs ~4’45/km - 4’30/km. He has an un-official marathon PR of 2h54 (solo) and 10K PR of 36’25. He does few timed road races.
2 comments:
Hi! I don’t understand the internal ”sweatproof pocket”. It looks like the top of the phone would be next to the skin, and sweat dripping down into the pocket?
A wise man once said "A fool and his money are soon parted".
I can think of no better quote to describe anyone who pays Satisfy prices for their Polartec Alpha products. $110 for gloves? $90 for a beanie? $240 for a half zip hoodie? As they say in New York City "Geeeeeeeeeet the f**k outta here"
I can find each of these products for 1/3 of the price. Don't believe me? There is plenty of cottage gear people/companies making these products.
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