Kuiu Peloton 240 Full Zip Hoodie - a Must Have!
The Kuiu Peloton 240 Full-Zip Hoodie Is a must have
My foray into the Kuiu Peloton 240 Full Zip Hoodie was actually by accident. I intended on purchasing the T-Zip Peloton but when I spoke with a Kuiu representative on the phone that day, I was told they were out of my size but that they would have suggested the full-zip version anyhow. The thought of a zipper running all the way down my chest was not pleasant, but the guy on the other end of the phone continued to convince me about the full zip so I heeded his advice, and I'm glad I did.
After a season of using the hoodie I was sold. It’s a lightweight and easy layer to implement that makes a huge difference to your overall comfort in the backcountry by being wind-resistant and warm. The full-length zipper is so small that you barely notice it's there and when you're in a hurry to put it on or take it off, it's well…just really nice not to wrestle getting something over your head.
In the years since buying my first Kuiu Peloton 240 Full-Zip Hoodie, I’ve since sold my camouflage version and replaced it with a solid color so I can use it on more than just hunts. During the period of time between selling my old one and buying a new one I sorely missed it. It’s just one of those items that you find yourself falling in love with when you use it and it’s always ready to go when the temperatures begin to cool.
I’ll attempt to share with you what I love so much about this piece from Kuiu so you can decide for yourself if it’s worth picking up.
Contents
Full-Zip Feature on the kuiu peloton 240
Just like I mentioned above, the full-length zipper feature is awesome. it’s easy on, easy off. The zipper isn't large and bulky and I oftentimes forget it's even there. Whether you’re wearing a bino harness or not, the zipper doesn’t make its presence known which is a pleasant surprise considering sometimes you can get that pressure on your chest from the bulk of a zipper.
When wearing the Peloton 240 with a pack, you don’t feel the zipper on your waist, which again, is such a nice feeling.
kuiu peloton 240 Thumb Holes
Plain and simple, thumb holes are possibly one of the best inventions ever on long-sleeved apparel. They may look odd at first, but I find myself using them all the time. No more fishing for your cuff when putting on a jacket! They also serve as a sort of pseudo glove to keep your hand warm when the temperatures drop and thanks to the windbreaking abilities of the Peloton 240 Full-Zip, your hands actually feel protected.
The Hood on the kuiu peleton 240 full-zip
The hood is a good size. It's not bulky and not small. I'd say it's a medium fit to where you can easily pull it over your head and still feel comfortable. I remember on a recent elk hunt, I bumped into a herd of cows about 20 yards away and kept fishing for my scarf to cover up my bald head. By the time I found it and managed it over my grape, the cows were bounding away. If I would have had a hoodie that day, I could have simply pulled it over my head and been in business.
Over time, I’ve actually found that I tend to layer up my head with the Peleton 240 being one of the key layers to my system. I’ll wear a lightweight beanie, a mid-weight hoody, Peleton 240, an Insulation layer, and finally a rain shell if need be. It works REALLY well and I can peel layers off as I go.
Fabric Weight
This hoodie isn't heavy, but it's not lightweight. I can wear it throughout most of the day when it's cloudy and never think twice about it. If the sun is shining, I usually take it off, but unless I'm going uphill, it can remain on me even in the sun. It's a versatile weight that can do a lot. Toss a rain layer on over it and you're all set for the incoming storm.
For the most part, it seems like a very transparent layer. By that I mean it just plain works. Use it as a lightweight jacket or layer up with it when it’s chilly. Either way, you’ll notice it’s there without noticing…if that makes sense at all.
Fit and feel
At first, I thought the Kuiu Peloton 240 Full-Zip hoodie was fitting looser than I'd preferred because I like my clothing to fit closer to my body so it doesn't catch on things but when it comes to being able to layer up, I now prefer the fit on this piece. I’d say it’s a sort of “regular” fit. Not baggy, and not athletic - great for layering.
The inside has a fleece fabric as a backer which is nice and quiet. The only negative thing I can say about it is that the seams are a little rough if next to skin but I usually have a long-sleeved merino shirt on so it's not an issue. If you want to wear this over a t-shirt I think you’d find it wont give you that cozy warm feeling, but I don’t think that’s the purpose of this piece. It’s meant to go on OVER layers as a softshell and when you do that, it does really well.
Zippered Hand Pockets
I think it goes without saying that zippered hand pockets come in handy. They aren’t in the way if I’m not using them but they’re there when I do. It’s a small thing, but they’re nice to have.
As you can see in the images above and below, the hand pockets are not fleece lined. Instead, they have a mesh material which I’m not for nor against. I think it would have been nice to have a fleece liner in there, but it’s not a deal breaker.
Kuiu peloton 240 full-zip durability
To date, I've worn my Peloton Hoodie through thick brush, snow, rain, wind, and whatever else you can imagine and never had an issue with it ripping or tearing a hole in it. It's well built and as long as I'm not tumbling down a hill, I'm sure it'll last for years to come. I really don’t see this piece dying anytime soon. It’s a quality build and made for the rigors of a hunt.
Final Thoughts on the kuiu peloton 240 full-zip Hoodie
As you can probably tell, I really like this 240 Full Zip Hoodie from Kuiu (I literally bought it twice). The full-length zip is the only way to go for the simple reason of how easy it is to get on and off and the product just works really well. It performs well as a softshell or mid-layer and breaks the wind extremely well when you’re sitting on your butt glassing for hours.
As of right now, the Kuiu Peloton 240 Full Zip Hoodie comes in various camouflage patterns and a few solids to include green, black, and gunmetal. If you’d like to learn more or buy one of your own, I’ve included links below!
-Emory, By Land
Product Links