REI Swiftland Half-Zip Pullover Review

Great value for Polartec Power Grid Fleece

REI Swiftland Half-Zip Pullover (shop now) is a classic Polartec Power Grid fleece that does it all at a great price. It’s comfy, stretchy, breathable, quick-drying, and has a nice and deep two-way zipper.

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For more on REI’s Swiftland collection, check our full-length REI Swiftland MT Trail Running Shoes Review.

• Price: $90
• Weight: 7.5 oz
• Fabric: Polartec Power Grid, 119 g m/2
• Pros: Stretchy. Breathable. Comfy. Quick-drying. Good value. Actual Polartec Power Grid. Fair warmth-to-weight
• Cons: Not the warmest. No hood.

Features

While Swiftland is marketed for runs, the fact that it weighs only 7.5 oz in a M’s medium makes it super applicable for hiking and ultralight backpacking too. In fact, we think it’s their best fleece for hiking, better than all of the fleeces they specifically designed for hiking.

The Polartec Power Grid is a tried and true blend of breathability and warmth. A flat face outer fabric prevents heat from drifting off. The interior surface is comprised of alternating clusters of fleece pile and empty space. The former insulates while the latter vents.

The fabric is super stretchy and designed for movement. That makes it very comfortable to hike in, chill in, or sleep in. This is all-purpose athleisure at its finest. Whether you pick it as a hiking or running fleece, you’ll wind up wearing it for everything else too.

REI Swifltand Half-Zip Running Pullover is super breathable and stretchy, it’s a lightweight fabric and a bit less warm than average, but that’s also because it’s lighter than average. Nonetheless, it’s warm enough to be a great all-purpose sporty fleece.

As features go, Swiftland has a double separating half-zip, not a quarter zip mind you (it’s deep!) which helps for venting, a chest pocket, and thumb loops. Reflective overlays on the wrists help for night running.

Tester Experience

I took the REI Swiftland Half-Zip Running Pullover out for an overnight backpack on a pleasant summer night in Washington’s Alpine Lakes Wilderness.  It packed down nicely in my rear mesh pocket, and I pulled it out for an extended lunch break. I wore it at camp and on a short evening jaunt, and even slept it in. It was everything I expected; it looked and felt great and was comfy in all regard. No new findings or personal experiences that contradict anything else we’ve written. Definite seal of approval.

REI Swiftland Half-Zip Pullover Review Verdict

This is a lightweight, comfortable, breathable, stretchy, do-it-all Polartec Power Grid fleece for a great price and we recommend it highly. The low weight and high breathability makes it a tad less warm than average, but still plenty warm enough for 3-season hiking.

Compare this to the best hiking fleeces of the year. And polish off your layering system with our guide to hiking shirts, down jackets, and rain gear.