Customer Reviews Arc'teryx Fortrez Hoodie

I've been rocking Arc'Teryx Apparel and using their Gear for 21 years now. So I know the innovations that the Arc'Teryx Designers were known for, and I know the back-steps that they've taken regarding their loss of articulated apparel patterning. Arc'Teryx: Fortrez Hoody Men's. Sizing/Fitment: Fitment is true to size! Not too tight, not too loose, just right. You don't want a mid-base layer to fit loose like a sweatshirt. You can wear a long sleeve t-shirt under it and still have the Polartec Power Stretch hoody be comfortable. Comfort: The comfort is excellent, the patterning is pretty much spot on. But as always I do miss the old-school Arc'Teryx neck patterning that they were always known for. It is slightly loose in the forearms, and I would LOVE to see some Wrist Thumb Holes just like on the awesome LEAF Naga Hoody Gen 1 Men's, and especially on every mid-base layer Arc'teryx makes. That's an upgrade feature that needs to happen! Quality: Polartec Power Stretch has always been the number one fabric for me that Arc'teryx has utilized over the years. So I totally LOVE, dig the cool looking and feeling abrasion-resistant Polartec Power Stretch with Hardface! I don't care about weight. I care about proper fitment, overall comfort, stretch, warmth, styling, durability, longevity, and most importantly quality! I don't like to change to the main metal zipper pull, I much prefer the look and quality of the older YKK rounded Aluminum can pull-tab shaped metal zipper pull that was covered with a thick coat of paint which has never ever failed me. Request: Please add Wrist Thumb Holes! Please go back to the older tried and true YKK rounded Aluminum can pull-tab shaped metal main zipper pull tab. Pros: Fitment, styling, material (Polartec Power Stretch w/Hardface), functionality, built-in Phasic AR neck gaiter ninja/covid mask, flatlock construction, new No Slip Zip concept, exterior auxiliary pocket, petite zipper garages. Cons: NO Wrist Thumb Holes :( flimsy new main metal zipper pull tab, not offered in Black. GearFreakNY :)

I have had this hoody for a few years. I wear it casually. I wear it around town. I wear it climbing (both single pitch and multi). My go to arsenal for fall/winter climbing in Red Rock Canyon is Gamma MX Pants, wicking shirt or long sleeve baselayer tee, this hoody, and a compact wind shell. Super versatile. Love the built in ninja mask, though I don't often get the chance to use it. 99% of the time it is just stashed behind my neck. If I'm climbing and its pretty cold I'll put it in front of my neck and have it ready so I don't have to take my helmet off to slide it into place. The "hard" fleece surface is nice for sliding on layers on top and doesn't attract and hold sharp leaves (like scrub oak) that normal fleeces tend to pick up. Additionally while chalk does show up easily against the dark blue color of mine, I feel like I can pretty much just shake it off and pat it off a bit and the remaining chalk is barely noticeable. I love that this fleece is a bit more substantial than most climbing fleeces which have a much thinner and less durable feeling grid fleece thing going on. The only holes I have put it in were totally my fault and because of high speed bushwhacking through scrub oak. I sewed them shut without incident. The chest pocket is awesome. I have an excessively large phone which unfortunately wont fit, however it is great for bars and a tissue when climbing. I love that it is a full zip. After many years of loving this hoody I purchased another one... but actually that was a few weeks ago and I'm still wearing the old one. I love this hoody.

Had this for a few seasons, fleece is soft and comfortable but also durable (no-pilling). Facemask feature is great

This has been the perfect stand alone piece for the SC Alaskan fall. Warm, comfortable, light weight, water repellent and layers really well for the cold nights. The balaclava feature is awesome And makes this my ideal winter mid layer.

Bought this jacket and wanted to use it prior to reviewing it. Having used it 4-5 times now, I can say my only disappointmemt is that I didnt buy it sooner. Very usable as a mid-layer, or outer layer if not windy, that works great. Doesn't provide any wind resistance, but its a fleece so I didn't expect it to. Love the hood and built-in balaclava. Used a few times now when hiking in cold (13) snowy conditions and all that was needed was a shell for wind/moisture protection. I'm 5' 10" 168 lbs (athletic build) and bought a medium, which was a perfect fit.

Love this fleece! I always get piling on other brands from climbing. This one has been up ElCap at least 15 times and still looks new! Great zip up fleece!

Bought this jacket and wanted to use it prior to reviewing it. Having used it 4-5 times now, I can say my only disappointmemt is that I didnt buy it sooner. Very usable as a mid-layer, or outer layer if not windy, that works great. Doesn't provide any wind resistance, but its a fleece so I didn't expect it to. Love the hood and built-in balaclava. Used a few times now when hiking in cold (13) snowy conditions and all that was needed was a shell for wind/moisture protection. I'm 5' 10" 168 lbs (athletic build) and bought a medium, which was a perfect fit.

I absolutely love this hoody. It is perhaps, my most used piece of Arc'teryx gear. I sleep in it because it's cozy, I hike/backpack in it, I throw it under a shell and sail with it, I wear it around my house, I ski in it underneath my Atom, I winter camp in it underneath my cerium, in the summer, I wear it to keep the heat off as breathable shade. The only times I really take it off are to shower and wash the hoody. I will be forever amazed at the incredible workmanship and the ingenious idea of integrating a balaclava into the hoody. It's super warm over the face or as a neck gaiter. The chest pocket is handy. I always run hot so it's my go-to hoody instead of my Atom or Cerium. Hoody is slim fitting and I got it in carbon copy so it looks fantastic with anything I'm wearing. Looks sleek enough to wear for more formal events too. It's the best. You will love it!

One of my favorite pieces of outdoor clothing ever. I skip it in the summer but keep it with me the rest of the year. Warm, durable, comfortable. Looks great around town too.

Amazing product the face coving in the hood is perfect for windy cold weather. I was purchasing it as a tight next to skin second base layer and I needed to exchange and size down. My fault.

When I bought this I was looking for a r4 replacement. Loving Arc'teryx already. I was stoked when it came out. I live in the Northeast and this thing is awesome. I wear the same thing here Delta zip with a t-shirt and I'm good. I use the same combo to ski powder in Colorado when it's dumping snow and I stay dry, I know.its not 100 percent waterproof but it's near and close enough. For the money you can't beat what you get. I recently bought an alpha SV and the guy said now you can retire your fortrez and I won't. It's too valuable for me. I have black and would.like to wash it just don't know what to use. Was thinking Dawn dish soap and a brush and just air dry

I have a few items from arc'teryx and this is the best item I own from them. 6'1 and 190 lbs. Ordered the large and the fit is perfect. Inside is extremely comfortable while the outside feels like it can take a beating while protecting you from light rain and wind.

I am 100% sure the fleece material will keep me warm as a mid layer. I have a thin body build, and the small fits perfect; I can wear it as lite jacket when indoors. It's August 2019 in Denver, so I haven't had a chance to try out the neck gater to see if it provides sufficient warmth as fleece,...it's probably not, but I'm 90% sure the neck gater will keep the wind from coming into the hood, because the gater is a wind blocker; and a minor wind blocker is all you need. This is a very well constructed jacket/hood, and I expect that from Arc'teryx. The hood is as warm or warmer than a fleece balaclava! Very please with the fit,...

I love this jacket. I am a repeat buyer of the same jacket. best in spring and fall, but good layer in winter. The only special thing I wish is the balaclava be air filtering quality for pollution in the city and in foreign travel with poor air quality.

Surprisingly useful fleece layer. All round excellent active fleece, not very very warm but comfortable in cold activities. Have worn in minus 10c with base and shell for xc skiing to good effect. Nice cut generally UT a little loose around the middle waist. Sometimes wear in winter for jogging as the only layer. Copes well with drizzle, moisture etc

Surprisingly useful fleece layer. All round excellent active fleece, not very very warm but comfortable in cold activities. Have worn in minus 10c with base and shell for xc skiing to good effect. Nice cut generally UT a little loose around the middle waist. Sometimes wear in winter for jogging as the only layer. Copes well with drizzle, moisture etc

Mon go to a chaque sortie que je fait autant comme veste les journe frache que comme couche intermdiaire -20 il est polyvalent et efficace

Love, perfect fit!

I got this to help keep me warm in the backcountry while snowboarding. It is exactly what I was looking for. Super warm and the built in balaclava is a great feature. I would recommend this to anyone

My favorite hoody by far. I wear this almost everyday (casual work), and you can barely notice the hood.. when the hood/balaclava is needed it fits really well under a helmet. This seems longer than most of my other arcteryx clothing, which is great for coverage.

My favorite hoody by far. I wear this almost everyday (casual work), and you can barely notice the hood.. when the hood/balaclava is needed it fits really well under a helmet. This seems longer than most of my other arcteryx clothing, which is great for coverage.

Originally bought as a midlayer for skiing (paired with an atom lt vest) but it has definitely become my go to fleece for everything. Fit is perfect - trim enough to fit under layers but not so tight that can't be worn alone. It looks good enough to wear casually which is something that I didn't really plan on using it for. Hood also fits nicely under my helmet. Pocket configuration with the relatively large chest pocket and hand pockets is better than any other fleece I have. I've had for a year and I'm impressed with how well the material has held up with the exception of the cuffs. They have stretched out and no longer provide a decent seal around my wrists and are baggie and slightly annoying. That's my main disappointment. I also had hoped that the built-in balaclava would replace the need to wear a neck gaiter while skiing but that definitely wasn't the case as it's not think enough. But overall, the built-in balaclava is still a win in my book as it's nice to have it on days when you don't think you'll need it and it's completely unnoticeable when not in use.

Originally bought as a midlayer for skiing (paired with an atom lt vest) but it has definitely become my go to fleece for everything. Fit is perfect - trim enough to fit under layers but not so tight that can't be worn alone. It looks good enough to wear casually which is something that I didn't really plan on using it for. Hood also fits nicely under my helmet. Pocket configuration with the relatively large chest pocket and hand pockets is better than any other fleece I have. I've had for a year and I'm impressed with how well the material has held up with the exception of the cuffs. They have stretched out and no longer provide a decent seal around my wrists and are baggie and slightly annoying. That's my main disappointment. I also had hoped that the built-in balaclava would replace the need to wear a neck gaiter while skiing but that definitely wasn't the case as it's not think enough. But overall, the built-in balaclava is still a win in my book as it's nice to have it on days when you don't think you'll need it and it's completely unnoticeable when not in use.

This Fleece has it all. As a stand alone jacket its great. As a Midweight underneath a hardshell it will keep you warm. I love the hood and neck gater. My face gets cold quick and that gater cures that act fast. Overall its one of my favorite pieces of gear that I own.

Of all the Arc'teryx products I own, it's a close call between the Atom LT and this Fortrez as to which is most versatile, but this just edges it. Works with almost any layering system you have, and is useful for outdoor hikes whilst it works equally well with jeans around town. The facemask integrated into the hood adds more versatility for those late fall/early spring cold mornings and evenings when you're trying to stretch cycling season. Can't recommend this one enough.