As I stood on the doorstep of the South Fork Lodge with the sun on the Eastern horizon, there was a slight bite to the air. Fall was just around the corner, and early mornings were no longer warm and toasty. I threw on the Free Fly Gridback Fleece Anorak Hoodie and sipped coffee while patiently waiting for the guide to pull up. I was in for one of the last good dry fly fishing days of the summer.
The hoodie kept me warm that morning, and by midday, temperatures climbed into the upper 70s; it packed down nicely in my go-bag. Fish were caught, and smiles were had all around.
Since that trip, the Free Fly Hoodie has been a staple on my boat. I’ve carted it around Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Colorado. It’s perfect for chilly days when you need a light jacket that’s not overbearing.
In short: This hoodie ($178) is a baller early-fall standalone jacket or a layering piece for winter. The soft, gridded fleece has long fibers and is surprisingly warm for its weight. It’s also comfy as all get out. With a quarter-zip design, the kangaroo-style pocket is large and allows for easy storage of your phone, wallet, and keys, with plenty of room to spare to keep your hands warm.
Even though it’s a technical piece of apparel, it looks just as good on the water as it does around town. With only a water-resistant rating and a lightweight build, it’s not enough to keep you protected on winter excursions, but it does provide a comfortable base layer in cold conditions.
- Materials: 91% polyester, 9" spandex
- Insulation: High-loft, gridback fleece interior
- Waterproofness: Water-resistant
- Weight: 254 gsm
Pros
- Very comfortable
- Kangaroo-style pocket is great for warming hands or storage
- Looks great on the water or around town
- Functional hood
Cons
- Not warm enough for freezing temps
- Not waterproof
Comfortable Interior of the Free Fly Gridback Fleece Anorak Hoodie
The real standout feature of this hoodie is its comfort. The interior fleece has long fibers, and the jacket feels like you’re covered in a Minky Couture blanket. It’s extremely soft and is the most comfortable jacket I own when worn next to skin.
Gridded fleece covers the entire interior jacket, including the hood and kangaroo-style pocket. That’s a really nice touch, as many brands skimp out on pocket liners and hoods. With the Gridback Fleece Anorak Hoodie, your head and hands aren’t treated as an afterthought.
Technical Exterior
While the interior is soft, the exterior of the jacket is made from a four-way stretch material. It allows excellent freedom of movement, and my arms don’t feel restricted at all while executing bombing double-haul casts.
It also makes the jacket fairly breathable if you start to sweat and adds a touch of durability. The exterior isn’t as stiff and rugged as a true softshell jacket. But, it does prevent the thing from getting ripped apart when you scurry into the bushes streamside to relieve yourself. After 4 months of use, mine has no tears, despite consistent wear.
Free Fly claims the exterior is water-resistant. That’s true up to a point. Small amounts of water do bead up and roll off the jacket, but any amount of real moisture will penetrate. Like durability, a typical softshell will provide better protection, but some is provided by the jacket.
However, where a softshell excels in waterproofing and durability, this one easily takes the cake in comfort, range of motion, and weight. And it has passable durability and water resistance.
Functional Hood and Pocket
I typically don’t like kangaroo-style pockets, but I do like and use the one on the Gridback Fleece Anorak Hoodie often. It’s really large, and from a storage standpoint, I can stuff my phone, wallet, a pocket knife, and keys into it. They sag to the bottom, and there’s plenty of room to stick my hands in to warm them up.
And it’s a darn warm pocket. The fleece interior is a godsend when my hands are left stinging from releasing a trout back into the icy waters of a tailwater on a fall day.
In addition to the warmth, the pocket is actually secure, which is rare for pockets of a similar design. Both sides have zippers, and you can trust that none of your valuables will end up in the drink when leaning over the side of a drift boat.
The hood is also functional. Free Fly didn’t sew on a giant, ill-fitting hood as an afterthought. It’s constructed using three panels and has a secure, but not overbearing fit. There’s no way to cinch it up, but the athletic cut keeps it glued to my head in slight winds and when travelling at moderate speeds on a boat.
Again, the soft fleece provides all the warmth for my dome, and when my ears get cold, I throw it over my favorite ball cap. There’s no need to pack a beanie when I have this jacket.
Free Fly Gridback Fleece Anorak Hoodie: Final Thoughts
The Free-Fly Gridback Anorak Hoodie isn’t going to keep you warm and protected in the harshest environments. But it’s perfect for what many call “sweater weather.” On those days when a slight breeze sends chills across your body, it’s a fantastic top. And it balls up into a small package when things heat up.
While it may not be the best top for wintertime fishing, I do still wear it then as a base layer. The long-fibered fleece is unbeatable in terms of comfort. Merino base layers can’t hold a torch to it.
One of my favorite aspects of Free Fly is the brand’s uncanny ability to create technical apparel that looks good enough for casual wear. The Gridback Fleece Anorak Hoodie is no exception. I wear the thing often around town. It doesn’t scream, “Look at me! I fish.” It keeps me warm, feels like a pajama top, and provides technical performance when needed — all with a posh, upscale vibe.
