Minimalist Features of Backcountry Highliner PrimaLoft Air-Perm Fleece

We recommend Backcountry Highliner PrimaLoft Air-Perm Fleece Hoodie over the quarter zip because hoodies are more versatile and the weightless fabric doesn’t lend itself well to a structural front zipper. The design of the hoodie is quite minimalist, though if we were designing it we would remove the kangaroo pocket and the self storage pocket. In general, less bells and whistles means the garment is lighter weight and has fewer failure points.

In this case, features include a kangaroo pocket, thumb loops, a stash pocket on the inside of the upper back, and elasticized trim around the cuff, hems, kangaroo pocket, and hood. While kangaroo pockets are preferable over individual hand pockets and still welcome, this material is so lightweight and stretchy enough that it doesn’t lend itself well to storing other objects. Of course you can put your other lightweight fabric gear inside, such as gloves or a beanie. But heavier items are out of the question and will overburden it and pull awkwardly.

The stash pocket works as advertised, but we don’t expect to use it much. In general, compressing objects into a compact ball shape makes them denser, harder to fit into small spaces, and take up more room than if they were stored loose. For example, three balled up jackets will leave large empty gaps of air between their spherical shapes when placed into a storage bag, whereas three loose jackets can be compressed smaller as there won’t be empty space gaps between them, and the bag itself will do all of the necessary compression.

One minor features complaint we have with Backcountry Highliner PrimaLoft Air-Perm Fleece Hoodie is that the elasticized wrist cuffs are too large and flop around awkwardly. Dear designers -because they’re elasticized, they’re allowed to be narrower at the opening, duh! We do appreciate the thumb loops though.