Carhartt Loose Fit Full Zip Sweatshirt Hoodie Review

Summary

The Carhartt Loose Fit Midweight Full-Zip Sweatshirt delivers warmth to keep the body comfortable during mildly cold days. I liked the low-key styling that made this hoodie a great partner to uniforms and work attire. At the same time, it effortlessly matches various casual outfits, allowing me to maximize its use in different settings. The design and quality of this sweatshirt stand out, and I appreciated the durable construction that I know would get me through a lot of chilly days without quickly falling apart, even with heavy use. The rib-knit structure of the hem and cuffs helped block cold air to preserve the comfy warmth inside the sweatshirt. I welcomed how this design also secured the garment’s comfortable fit, so it didn’t ride up every time I moved. The two handwarmer pockets in front came in handy, quite literally, for protecting my hands against the biting cold. Finally, the full-length zipper made this sweatshirt so convenient to put on and remove without negatively affecting the overall style. Unfortunately, this sweatshirt isn’t waterproof, so it’s not suitable for wet conditions or working outdoors in the rain.

Key Takeaways

• The Carhartt Loose Fit Midweight Full-Zip Sweatshirt has a durable, versatile design that looks and performs well in work and casual settings.
• It’s very easy to put on, thanks to the high-quality, full-length zipper that injects a shiny gold contrast against the soft fabric.
• The hoodie offers mild warmth, with midweight fleece and handwarmer pockets to ward off the uncomfortable chill.
• The rib-knit cuffs and hem help secure the garment while also blocking cold air to retain the warmth inside.
• However, it can feel too loose for some, and with waterproofing, there are better options for rainy or extremely wet conditions.

Ideal For

• People who are fans of extremely loose-fit clothing
• Mildly cold environments and work settings
• Conditions that don’t require waterproof jackets or sweatshirts

Performance Analysis

Comfort

I expected the Carhartt Loose Fit Midweight Full-Zip Sweatshirt to be comfortable, and I was satisfied with my experience.

The cotton blend was soft enough to fall naturally and easily adapted to my movements, so I didn’t feel restricted while doing various activities.

I liked how the midweight fleece injected a mild warmth to keep me comfy during slightly chilly days. In addition, this lining didn’t take up too much space inside the sweatshirt, which enhanced its comfortably loose fit.

While I appreciated the comfy feeling offered by the loose fit, it was just a tad too loose. The sweatshirt mostly felt too long and loose on me so a smaller size would’ve resulted in a more comfortable experience. However, I recommend this sweatshirt to those who prefer the extremely loose fit and those with bulkier frames, which will most likely feel more comfortable with the roomy design.

The rib-knit enhancements helped secure the sweatshirt, allowing me to move comfortably and confidently without the hem riding up with every movement. In addition, I liked how the cuffs were enhanced with the stretchy material that secured the sleeves in place and stopped the cold air from getting in. Meanwhile, the attached hood offered the necessary coverage to warm my head in cold settings.

I loved the hand warmer pockets as they gave my hands the space they needed to escape the uncomfortable cold, especially when I stayed outdoors when it was a bit chilly. Also, as these pockets didn’t have snaps or zipper closures, they easily welcomed my hands when I needed to quickly slip them in to protect them from feeling frozen.

Weight

The weight of the sweatshirt is approximately 1.64 lbs / 0.74kg / 26.2oz. This sweatshirt had a medium level of weight and warmth, so I felt comfortable with its mildly warm structure without dealing with unwelcome bulk. It’s not the most lightweight jacket hoodie I tried – mainly because of the midweight fleece lining working on adding a bit of comforting warmth – but I also won’t consider it heavy. I didn’t feel any discomfort when I wore this sweatshirt for the whole day because of its loose fit and because it didn’t weigh a lot.

Fit and Sizing

As mentioned, this sweatshirt has a significantly loose fit. It allowed me to move without feeling restricted, but a smaller size would’ve worked much better because I felt I was swimming in fabric. My arms felt dwarfed by the long sleeves, but this won’t be an issue for people with larger or taller frames. I appreciated how easy it was to adjust the hood’s fit using the drawcord, enabling me to tighten or loosen the hood so it stayed secured around my head and didn’t hamper my vision while doing certain tasks. The full-length zipper kept the sweatshirt closed, so the material didn’t flap uncomfortably around my body, even with the loose fit.

Waterproofing

This isn’t a waterproof hoodie, but this wasn’t surprising as only a few options with this style have strong water resistance. Without waterproof materials to block liquids, this sweatshirt isn’t recommended for use in rainy conditions and areas frequently exposed to extreme moisture.

Breathability

The material of this sweatshirt allowed a bit of air to circulate, which was a blessing when the weather turned a bit warmer while I still had the garment on.

The combination of mild warmth from the fleece lining and a bit of breathability makes this hoodie a great choice for slightly cold environments, especially when there’s a chance that the temperature will increase later in the day.

The lack of waterproofing makes the air pass more easily through the sweatshirt’s outer shell, so the interior doesn’t risk overheating.

Quality and Durability

The Carhartt Loose Fit Midweight Full-Zip Sweatshirt is quite well-constructed and can last long, especially if it’s properly taken care of.

I liked the stylish design, and the new navy color I chose had a classic look that can easily be partnered with jeans and cargo pants of various colors.

The gold-colored zipper added a nice metallic touch to the hoodie’s appearance, enhancing the look with a bit of shine while also ensuring that the garment stayed closed when needed to preserve the warmth.

Thanks to the full-length zipper, this sweatshirt was so easy and fast to put on and take off.

I appreciated how the high-quality zipper smoothly opened and closed, unlike zipper closures with lower quality that tended to move roughly and snag. In addition, the hood was made with the same soft cotton and polyester combination used in the body. Finally, it was adjustable using the drawcord, so it was quite easy for me to customize the fit for improved comfort and functionality.

This sweatshirt offered light warmth that I could fully appreciate in mildly cold environments, where heavier warmth would’ve felt uncomfortable. In addition, the loose fit made it possible for me to move as naturally as possible without feeling restricted, as the extra space didn’t get in the way of my mobility.

I felt that the hoodie was too loose on my frame, though, and going for a smaller size would’ve been more comfortable. I’d recommend this sweatshirt to people who are fans of extremely loose clothing and to those who have well-built frames.

I especially liked the handwarmer pockets that easily accommodated my chilled hands when I was in cold surroundings. The rib-knit design on the hem secured the material at the bottom, so it didn’t flap around when I moved. The same structure was fitted to the cuffs to prevent the sleeves from extensively riding up every time I raised my hands. This reasonably priced hoodie can be fully enjoyed in and out of the workplace and is durable enough to last a long time.

However, I won’t recommend it for rainy days or conditions with heavy moisture exposure because it’s not waterproof.

Other Versions

The Carhartt Loose Fit Midweight Full-Zip Sweatshirt is available in the following colors: carbon heather, new navy, heather gray, black, moss, bright lime, and bright orange. It also comes in a pullover version without the full-length zipper.

Conclusion & Verdict

The Carhartt Loose Fit Midweight Full-Zip Sweatshirt is ideal for a versatile hoodie offering light warmth. I liked the classic sweatshirt silhouette that looks great in and out of the job site, with a gold zipper contrasting the soft fabric. This zip functions remarkably well, too, as it makes the sweatshirt much easier to wear and take off while keeping the cold air out. The hood includes a drawcord that makes fit adjustments more convenient, so the hood fits comfortably without getting in the way of my vision. The loose fit allowed me to move without restriction, but it does make the sweatshirt feel too big, and I would’ve felt better with a smaller size. However, this hoodie isn’t recommended for rainy-day use because of the lack of waterproof components.