ProView – Mountain Hardwear Men’s Cragger/2 Hoody

When I “unboxed” the Cragger/2 Hoody I was immediately psyched. The fabric is soft and comfortable with some added durability around the high wear zones, and it’s just the right thickness to wear all day. I either wear it under a jacket as a base layer or stand-alone with a t-shirt underneath. Since receiving the hoody I’ve worn it most days, and it has quickly become my go-to long sleeve shirt. I’ve worn it climbing multi pitch, cragging, bouldering, and even to the grocery store. 

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Performance

The first day I wore the Cragger/2 hoody was on a chilly morning climbing multi pitch at Shortoff Mountain here in North Carolina. The cliff mostly faces west, so it’s shady in the morning. While it was fairly warm in the sun at the ridge, down on the cliff it was cold enough to want a light long sleeve layer. I climbed a three-pitch classic called Dopey Duck and wore the Cragger/2 while climbing and belaying. The small breast pocket I found perfect for stowing my energy chews. I could quickly snack while at the belay stance without burning much time. The crux pitch of the climb is steep and pumpy and will certainly get your blood flowing. I climbed through the crux wearing the hoody and never felt like I was overheating, and honestly, didn’t notice I was wearing it at all. By the time we reached the top of the climb we were in the sun and it was fairly warm. This is where the half-zip comes in handy. I was able to dump a lot of heat by simply unzipping the hoody. 

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After spending several days cragging and multi-pitch climbing in the Cragger/2 I took it for a spin bouldering. Again, the hoody performed exceptionally well. The form-fitting style kept the sleeves from pulling down while reaching and the soft comfortable fabric was nice while resting between tries. As the day warmed up it was nice to be able to take the hoody on and off between bouldering problems which the half-zip helped facilitate with ease. To top it off, the hoody is stylish, which keeps you looking good while sending. 

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Durability

When I’m shopping for clothing for climbing, I’m looking for comfort and durability. The Cragger/2 hoody is both comfortable and durable. Mountain Hardwear designed the hoody with a different, more durable fabric for the hood and around the waist hem, which are both high wear zones. This added durability means that not only do I have a comfortable shirt, but I have a comfortable shirt that will last many seasons. The material they used for the hood is similar to a soft-shell fabric, which gives it a bit of wind resistance and keeps my ears warm on breezy days. I do think they could have put the material they used for the hood and hem around the cuffs to give more strength in that wear zone, but otherwise, I find the hoody to be well designed. 

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The Final Word

If you’re in the market for a lightweight hoody that can be used as a base layer or stand-alone, I would highly suggest the Mountain Hardwear Cragger/2 Hoody. It’s well designed for rock climbing but works well in all environments, and is the ideal layer for those long approach hikes to the crag. The half zip front is perfect for dumping heat, the hood acts as a windbreaker, and the athletic fit allows you to move freely. To top it off the fabric is soft and comfortable, yet not lacking in durability. The chest pocket is also a nice touch – it’s large enough to keep some snacks in or your cell phone.

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