The following review was written by ATRA team member Anita Ortiz and features the Ororo Tech Trail 1/4-zip long sleeve shirt. Product was provided for the review and test at no charge.
The Ororo Women’s TechTrail ¼-Zip Hoodie has fast become one of the ‘go-to’ items in my closet. I wear it at least twice a week. And that is really saying something, because I have a few tried and true favorites that have been bumped aside.
While the Ororo TechTrail ¼-Zip Hoodie is marketed as a women’s long sleeve shirt which provides all-day comfort and UPF 50+ sun protection, it is the attention to detail that makes the shirt so amazing. Allow me to explain…
Fabric
The TechTrail ¼-Zip Is a polyester and spandex blend which provides its UPF 50+ sun protection rating. I was not sure how this worked so I researched the fabric content a bit. It seems that polyester’s dense fiber structure provides a natural UV resistance which can block ~98% of UV rays.
Since the Ororo hoodie pairs the 95% polyester with 5% spandex, the shirt has a comfortable stretch. The ¼-Zip Hoodie does have a slim/snug fit, but it can stretch to move with you without stretching out and becoming boxy. This is where I really appreciate the women’s sizing.
Finally, the hoodie dries quickly thanks to its polyester blend. I took the Ororo TechTrail ¼-Zip Hoodie on an island vacation in the Caribbean. The weather in Dominica was both hot and cool (depending on the time of day). Sunny and cloudy. Dry and wet. The Ororo took it all in stride, wicking moisture away from my skin and drying quickly. It kept me warm on cool evenings and cool from the heat while trekking through the rainforest. This shirt did it all!
Features
The Ororo Hoodie also has a few features that I love. First and foremost is the cinchable hood. This hood can hug your face in windy or cool conditions. But when you don’t need it cinched, the elastic ‘pulls’ all but disappear, allowing the hood to fall flat. I love a hood that stays put, but dealing with toggles and drawstrings can make me crazy.
Another difference worth noting is the sleeve’s thumbholes. Nowadays this is not a special feature. Many sportswear shirts have them. But Ororo TechTrail ¼-Zip Hoodie thumb holes are actually more like loops, tucked away without disturbing the clean lines of the sleeve. This allows you to easily hold the sleeve to layer the shirt or just hold things in place while out for a run.
Talking about clean lines, the Ororo Hoodie has extra seams and gussets in order to provide a clean fitted look. These seams are double stitched flat, becoming part of the overall appearance.
A card/key pocket is tastefully stitched onto the hoodie. This however, is my one complaint. The pocket is just too streamlined to be functional. Also, I would hesitate putting anything of great value into this pocket as the foldover covering is not secure enough for my comfort. Still, it looks kind of cool.
And last but not least, the color is amazing. My Ororo Women’s TechTrail ¼-Zip Hoodie is a coral pinkish orangish blend. And while I acknowledge that color is not the only reason to buy a shirt, it sure is a bonus! If you prefer, the TechTrail ¼-Zip also comes in blue..
Cost
Finally, I’d be remiss if I didn’t include a bit about the cost of the Ororo TechTrail ¼-Zip Hoodie. The price tag is a very affordable $39.99. With an occasional sale price of $19.99. At that price you can buy more than one. I’d definitely buy another if it came in a dusty purple!
Check out the Ororo TechTrail ¼-Zip Hoodie and all the Ororo products here.
