When it comes to spring weather, there’s one thing you can count on: unpredictability. Blazing sun can quickly give way to chilly conditions—or worse. Dressing appropriately usually involves a lot of guesswork, and versatile layers are a must when venturing outside (even if you’re just walking to the post office). The new Astroman Sun Hoody from Outdoor Research falls squarely in that category. It’s a lightweight, breathable pullover that makes a great pick for sun protection and everyday shoulder season wear.

Jackets, Rods, and Reels: Breaking Down Fly Fishing’s Best New Gear

Read article

What It Is: The Astroman Sun Hoody is a quarter-zip pullover with a chest pocket and unstructured hood, all made from a stretchy, soft nylon-elastane fabric. It’s a new variation on OR’s Astroman Sun Shirt, which is designed to protect rock climbers from the sun. Although the hoody is also aimed at climbers, its flexibility and sun protection (it’s rated at UPF 50+, the highest possible score) should come in handy for any outdoor activity where you’d like a little extra shelter from the elements.

Courtesy Image Why We Like It: As both a piece of performance outerwear and a new addition to my weekend wardrobe, the Astroman impressed me. The fabric stretches easily and feels soft and comfortable against the skin—there’s no strange, plasticky texture other synthetic fabrics have. It breathes exceptionally well and I never felt overheated, even when hoofing it up a steep hike. Sunny weather is where this hoodie really shines: Thanks to the added hood, it offers maximum UV protection without stifling you. You can bring the shade and still beat the heat. The thin fabric doesn’t trap much warmth, so the Astroman has less to offer in chilly conditions. Even so, it certainly won’t hurt as an added layer. When worn over a long-sleeve moisture-wicking shirt, it helped me stay warm when I hit the trail on a brisk morning. In addition, it’s lightweight (just 6 oz) and packs down into the front chest pocket with ease—a definite plus for traveling.

Mo’ Better Blues: A Stylish Denim, Shirt, and Jacket Combo

Read article

I also liked the Astroman off the trail, especially in the sleek and understated lead colorway. The straightforward, unstructured design lends itself well to casual wear, and the stretch and flexibility in the fabric make it easy to layer over other clothing. It kept me comfortable when a warm afternoon at the dog park stretched past sundown, and didn’t look out of place when paired with jeans and sneakers. Nitpick: While the Astroman gets high marks for comfort and flexibility, it doesn’t block wind or water, and that definitely limits its usefulness. On a really blustery or rainy day, you’ll want something more substantial. [$89; outdoorresearch.com] Get it

For access to exclusive gear videos, celebrity interviews, and more, subscribe on YouTube!

More News

					Surly Releases Preamble: New All-steel 'Pavement Bike'					



					Enjoy Gorgeous Picture With This LG CineBeam Portable Projector					



					Kick Back With The RENPHO Foot Massager During Downtime					



					Keep Your Food Fresh With This Food Storage Containers Set					



					Fix Home Problems Yourself With This Cartman 148Piece Tool Set					



					Dream Garage: The Car and Truck Auctions We'd Bid on Right Now					


			All Stories			

More Videos

							The MJ5: Tony Hawk on His Favorite Gear, Why He Always Carries His Board, and More							





							Here's the Difference Between Bourbon and Whiskey							





							Young Guns and a Supercharged Catamaran: U.S. SailGP Team Takes on New York City							

When it comes to spring weather, there’s one thing you can count on: unpredictability. Blazing sun can quickly give way to chilly conditions—or worse. Dressing appropriately usually involves a lot of guesswork, and versatile layers are a must when venturing outside (even if you’re just walking to the post office). The new Astroman Sun Hoody from Outdoor Research falls squarely in that category. It’s a lightweight, breathable pullover that makes a great pick for sun protection and everyday shoulder season wear.

Jackets, Rods, and Reels: Breaking Down Fly Fishing’s Best New Gear

Read article

What It Is: The Astroman Sun Hoody is a quarter-zip pullover with a chest pocket and unstructured hood, all made from a stretchy, soft nylon-elastane fabric. It’s a new variation on OR’s Astroman Sun Shirt, which is designed to protect rock climbers from the sun. Although the hoody is also aimed at climbers, its flexibility and sun protection (it’s rated at UPF 50+, the highest possible score) should come in handy for any outdoor activity where you’d like a little extra shelter from the elements.

Jackets, Rods, and Reels: Breaking Down Fly Fishing’s Best New Gear

Read article

Jackets, Rods, and Reels: Breaking Down Fly Fishing’s Best New Gear

Why We Like It: As both a piece of performance outerwear and a new addition to my weekend wardrobe, the Astroman impressed me. The fabric stretches easily and feels soft and comfortable against the skin—there’s no strange, plasticky texture other synthetic fabrics have. It breathes exceptionally well and I never felt overheated, even when hoofing it up a steep hike. Sunny weather is where this hoodie really shines: Thanks to the added hood, it offers maximum UV protection without stifling you. You can bring the shade and still beat the heat.

The thin fabric doesn’t trap much warmth, so the Astroman has less to offer in chilly conditions. Even so, it certainly won’t hurt as an added layer. When worn over a long-sleeve moisture-wicking shirt, it helped me stay warm when I hit the trail on a brisk morning. In addition, it’s lightweight (just 6 oz) and packs down into the front chest pocket with ease—a definite plus for traveling.

Mo’ Better Blues: A Stylish Denim, Shirt, and Jacket Combo

Read article

I also liked the Astroman off the trail, especially in the sleek and understated lead colorway. The straightforward, unstructured design lends itself well to casual wear, and the stretch and flexibility in the fabric make it easy to layer over other clothing. It kept me comfortable when a warm afternoon at the dog park stretched past sundown, and didn’t look out of place when paired with jeans and sneakers.

Mo’ Better Blues: A Stylish Denim, Shirt, and Jacket Combo

Read article

Mo’ Better Blues: A Stylish Denim, Shirt, and Jacket Combo

Nitpick: While the Astroman gets high marks for comfort and flexibility, it doesn’t block wind or water, and that definitely limits its usefulness. On a really blustery or rainy day, you’ll want something more substantial.

[$89; outdoorresearch.com]

For access to exclusive gear videos, celebrity interviews, and more, subscribe on YouTube!

More News

					Surly Releases Preamble: New All-steel 'Pavement Bike'					



					Enjoy Gorgeous Picture With This LG CineBeam Portable Projector					



					Kick Back With The RENPHO Foot Massager During Downtime					



					Keep Your Food Fresh With This Food Storage Containers Set					



					Fix Home Problems Yourself With This Cartman 148Piece Tool Set					



					Dream Garage: The Car and Truck Auctions We'd Bid on Right Now					


			All Stories			

More Videos

							The MJ5: Tony Hawk on His Favorite Gear, Why He Always Carries His Board, and More							





							Here's the Difference Between Bourbon and Whiskey							





							Young Guns and a Supercharged Catamaran: U.S. SailGP Team Takes on New York City							

More News

					Surly Releases Preamble: New All-steel 'Pavement Bike'					



					Enjoy Gorgeous Picture With This LG CineBeam Portable Projector					



					Kick Back With The RENPHO Foot Massager During Downtime					



					Keep Your Food Fresh With This Food Storage Containers Set					



					Fix Home Problems Yourself With This Cartman 148Piece Tool Set					



					Dream Garage: The Car and Truck Auctions We'd Bid on Right Now					


			All Stories			

More Videos

							The MJ5: Tony Hawk on His Favorite Gear, Why He Always Carries His Board, and More							





							Here's the Difference Between Bourbon and Whiskey							





							Young Guns and a Supercharged Catamaran: U.S. SailGP Team Takes on New York City							

More News

					Surly Releases Preamble: New All-steel 'Pavement Bike'					



					Enjoy Gorgeous Picture With This LG CineBeam Portable Projector					



					Kick Back With The RENPHO Foot Massager During Downtime					



					Keep Your Food Fresh With This Food Storage Containers Set					



					Fix Home Problems Yourself With This Cartman 148Piece Tool Set					



					Dream Garage: The Car and Truck Auctions We'd Bid on Right Now					


			All Stories			

More Videos

							The MJ5: Tony Hawk on His Favorite Gear, Why He Always Carries His Board, and More							





							Here's the Difference Between Bourbon and Whiskey							





							Young Guns and a Supercharged Catamaran: U.S. SailGP Team Takes on New York City							

More Videos

							The MJ5: Tony Hawk on His Favorite Gear, Why He Always Carries His Board, and More							





							Here's the Difference Between Bourbon and Whiskey							





							Young Guns and a Supercharged Catamaran: U.S. SailGP Team Takes on New York City							

More Videos

							The MJ5: Tony Hawk on His Favorite Gear, Why He Always Carries His Board, and More							





							Here's the Difference Between Bourbon and Whiskey							





							Young Guns and a Supercharged Catamaran: U.S. SailGP Team Takes on New York City