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Icebreaker Stealth Hood Review
March 28, 2014The Good
- Beautiful finish
- Good water-repellency
- Merino lining was super-comfy
The Bad
- Awkward patterning impaired mobility
- Most features were incompatible with active outdoor use
- Expensive
The Stealth is a sleek and highly weather-resistant casual coat, but its fashion-forward details quickly became liabilities once we left the streets behind.
Weather Protection
A tightly-woven polyester shell with a decent DWR coating, a windproof laminate, and a cozy merino lining delivered strong protection from nasty conditions.
Breathability
We found the Stealth’s breathability to be about average for a windproof garment. The merino lining kept it comfy on casual outings, but its breathability couldn’t quite keep up with faster-paced activities.
Mobility
Even with good 4-way stretch built into its fabric, the patterning in the shoulder area prevented this jacket from scoring well in this category.
Comfort
With pleasant textures inside and out, a well-designed hood, and decent stretchiness, the Stealth felt great even with minimal under-layers.
Attention to Detail
Although the Stealth’s design and patterning ultimately compromised its mountain functionality, it was well appointed and beautifully finished for urban use. Our only big complaint was with the overly roomy stovepipe sleeves that lacked sufficient adjustment at the cuffs.
Value
We ultimately felt that the Stealth offered better value to concrete-jungle users than to those taking it to the hills.