KUHL Interceptr Full-Zip Jacket | CleverHiker

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On the subject of all-around versatile fleece jackets, The KUHL Interceptr Jacket is one among our favorites. It’s a nice informal possibility for many who wish to costume comfortably and have some avenue model on the similar time. The athletic match, articulated sleeves, and zippered pockets are good-looking and technical. It’s a well-built sturdy fleece that ought to final you for years, not just some seasons.

This comes at a value within the type of added weight. Its heft and spectacular heat are additionally higher suited to on a regular basis use. If it will get actually stormy, the Interceptr additionally layers properly beneath a winter coat or a rain jacket. The articulated sleeves make motion simple. Its heat and breathability come from a 305 gram Alfpaca cloth for the core, whereas 210 gram Kashmira aspect panels present extra core heat and improve breathability with out including bulk. KUHL additionally incorporates Dynamik stitching to create low-profile seams.

Whereas it doesn’t pack down as small as some others and is barely heavier, the KUHL Interceptr stays a favourite for its all-around efficiency and nice worth in comparison with comparable full-zip jackets. Its lower cost tag makes it simple to like and prone to see loads of use. The Interceptr is so liked, it is usually accessible in a vest, quarter-zip, and hoodie.

Fast Specs

KUHL Interceptr

Heat & Fashionable Fleece for On a regular basis Use

CleverHiker Ranking:

72.8

Worth:

$139

Measured Weight:

1 lb. 3.2 oz.(Males’s M)

Fleece Weight:

Heavyweight

Professionals

Heat
Fashionable
Sturdy
Good worth
Simple to Layer

Cons

Heavy and ponderous for backcountry adventures
Much less breathable than some

A man with his hands in a fleece pockets. — The aspect and chest zippered pockets are an incredible function on the KUHL Interceptr Jacket. – picture credit score: David Younger (cleverhiker.com)

Heat

The KUHL Interceptr Jacket is likely one of the greatest fleeces on our checklist for heat. We examined the Interceptr Jacket throughout cool fall hikes within the Rocky Mountains and on snowy winter days round city. It was the “just-in-case-fleece” that at all times stayed within the truck for a lot of the fall in Colorado.

The 305 g Alfpaca materials on this fleece gives the additional heat you get right here. It’s paired with 210 g Kashmira aspect panels to assist with breathability. This materials provides weight, somewhat bulk and reduces breathability, however heat is the trade-off. This jacket might be used comfortably all the way down to 30° F days. Beneath 30, we’d add a shell and put on this as a mid-layer.

The micro-soft inside collar and chin guard present some face and neck heat in excessive chilly or wind, but it surely doesn’t have a hood. The 2 zippered hand-warmer pockets are clutch for holding gear and preserving your palms protected.

Man stands by a river. — The KUHL Interceptr is a flexible, heat, and sturdy fleece. – picture credit score: David younger (cleverhiker.com)

Consolation

The KUHL Interceptr Jacket is a really comfy fleece, but it surely doesn’t come from the traditional fuzzy materials you typically consider. It’s extra of a knit sweater kind of consolation due to the tender materials composed of 78% acrylic, 22% polyester, and 30% polyester within the aspect panels.

The Alfpaca materials makes the jacket each comfy and sturdy. To check the consolation degree of the Interceptr Jacket, we wore it for a number of weeks straight, each inside and out of doors, and by no means discovered it uncomfortable. We wore it climbing round Aspen within the fall, and it was the perfect all-day fleece. From chilly mornings to chill excessive alpine day hikes to strolling round city at night time, we had been glad to have it on. The match for this fleece is on the slim aspect, so sizing up is perhaps the correct transfer, relying in your construct.

The elbow of a fleece. — The KUHL Interceptr Jacket has articulated sleeves for a full vary of movement. – picture credit score: david younger (cleverhiker.com)

Sturdiness

We discovered no flaw in its sturdiness whereas bushwhacking by the woods. It’s a well-constructed, very robust fleece that ought to stand as much as harsh trails and final for years. Combining Alfpaca materials with Kashmira aspect panels and Dynamik stitching produces a robust, sturdy fleece. Throughout our time testing this on a wide range of hikes the place it brushed and scraped towards branches, thorns, and rocks, there was no signal of damage on the fleece, and it nonetheless appears nearly as good as new.

A man walks by a river in fall leaves. — The KUHL Interceptr Jacket is a sturdy nicely made fleece that may stand as much as brush and rocks. – picture credit score: david younger (cleverhiker.com)

Weight

The KUHL Interceptr Jacket is simply over a pound. Whereas it will not be thought of an ultralight fleece, it’s nonetheless gentle sufficient to put on on a hike. It doesn’t compress down and can take up loads of area in a pack. The majority is the tradeoff right here for sturdiness and heat, each of which rating excessive on the Interceptr. Whereas the Interceptr is a heavyweight fleece, we by no means seen it on or off the path. It was at all times comfy and moved freely with us, even whereas fly fishing. That is thanks, partially, to the articulated sleeves that present free motion with the arms.

KUHL Interceptr 210 g Kashmira aspect panels make the fleece much less cumbersome and extra breathable. – picture credit score: David younger (cleverhiker.com)

Options

The principle function is a left and proper zippered chest pocket. We often used it for simply stashing telephone or pockets. With two hand pockets on both aspect, there may be loads of storage on this fleece.

The KUHL Interceptr Jacket doesn’t have a hood, but it surely does have two of its signature thumb loops hidden contained in the cuffs of the sleeves to make sure they keep hooked in place whereas shifting about or placing on layers.

The micro-soft inside collar and chin guard are a pleasant function whenever you zip the fleece up all the way in which and are tender and heat in your face.

A man pulls a phone from his chest pocket. — The duel zippered chest pockets on the KUHL Interceptr Jacket are good for storing objects similar to a telephone or pockets. – picture credit score: david younger (cleverhiker.com)

Ought to You Purchase The KUHL Interceptr Full-Zip Jacket?

In case you are in search of a flexible and sturdy fleece, the KUHL Interceptr Jacket is an effective possibility. It’s a good life-style fleece for climbing, tenting, and simply operating round city. It might not work nicely for backpacking lengthy distances or extra technical actions like climbing. Since it’s heavier and bulkier than most fleeces on our checklist, it is a nice all-around heat fleece for on a regular basis actions.

A man holds out his hands with thumb loops on them. — The thumb loops on the sleeves of the KUHL Interceptr are a pleasant function for straightforward layering. – picture credit score: david younger (cleverhiker.com)

What Different Fleeces Ought to You Think about?

Patagonia Higher Sweater Overview: Just like the KUHL Interceptr Jacket, the Patagonia Higher Sweater is a heat and versatile fleece that you would be able to put on for a wide range of actions. Each have comparable builds, weights, and pockets.

Columbia Steens Mountain 2.0 / Benton Springs Overview: The Columbia Steens Mountain 2.0 / Benton Springs is a stripped-down model of the KUHL Interceptr. It’s inexpensive, but in addition much less sturdy and has far fewer options.