REASONS TO BUY
Lightweight
Breathable
Adjustable hood
REASONS TO AVOID
Bunchy sleeves
Not super warm
Flylow Pierogi Hoody Review
This full zip hoody has a few unique features that make it stand out, but it's not our go-to for cold-weather adventures
This hoody is a fine choice for keeping warm while active.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
RELATED: Best Fleece Jackets for Men of 2024
Our Verdict
The Flylow Pierogi Hoody is a functional, lightweight mid-layer with the versatility to perform during various activities. The breathable fleece is great for high-exertion exercise, and the adjustable hood and cinch-able waist help trap heat against the body. This jacket has just enough stretch to retain a decent amount of user mobility, and the polyester elbow patches make for a more durable garment. Though it has some limitations, this is a good option for late-season skiing/snowboarding and cool-weather hiking when you need more than just a base layer.
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 This Product
Flylow Pierogi Hoody | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Overall Fleece Jacket |  | Best Bang for the Buck | Best on a Tight Budget | |
| Price | $149.95 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $159.00 at Backcountry Compare at 4 sellers | $71.97 at Amazon Compare at 3 sellers | $88.95 at Backcountry Compare at 4 sellers | $26 List $25.72 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | A lightweight, breathable hoody with thumbholes and a few unique features | A stylish and comfortable fleece that is lightweight yet warm | This lightweight and breathable fleece with excellent performance at a price that's hard to beat | A budget-friendly option that provides comfort and performance in an aesthetic package | A breathable fleece that’s several times cheaper than the competition |
| Rating Categories | Flylow Pierogi Hoody | Patagonia R1 Air Fu... | Outdoor Research Vi... | The North Face Cany... | Wrangler Authentics... |
| Warmth (25%) | |||||
| Comfort (25%) | |||||
| Breathability (20%) | |||||
| Layering Ability (15%) | |||||
| Weight (15%) | |||||
| Specs | Flylow Pierogi Hoody | Patagonia R1 Air Fu... | Outdoor Research Vi... | The North Face Cany... | Wrangler Authentics... |
| Measured Weight (Size Tested) | 14.9 oz (Size M) | 12.8 oz (Size S) | 13.2 oz (Size M) | 14.6 oz (Size M) | 12.5 oz (Size S) |
| Type | Lightweight | Lightweight | Lightweight | Midweight | Midweight |
| Main Material | Body: Furano Fleece, 94% polyester, 6% spandex Accents: taffeta, 100% polyester |
Body: 100% polyester | Body: 94% polyester, 6% spandex | Body: 96% recycled 75D polyester, 4% elastance fleece (solid fabric); 56% recycled polyester, 40% polyester, 4% elastance fleece (heather fabric) | Body: 100% polyester |
| Hood Option? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Number of Pockets | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Features | Laminated brim, tafetta elbow patches, drop-tail rear coverage | Slim-fit hood, quick drying | Thumb holes, UPF 30, 3-panel hood with binding | 3 piece hood, smooth-face fleece with brushed back, elastic bound hood, cuffs, and hem | Quarter-length zipper, double fleece layering on back |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
Though this fleece is similar to other lightweight hoodies, it does have some unique features. The reinforced elbows add durability to a high-wear area, and the adjustable hood has a brim to keep precipitation off of your face. We also appreciate the thumb loops, making pulling on a jacket over this layer much easier.
Performance Comparison
The Flylow Pierogi is a slim-fitting, breathable fleece hoody that's great for early-season outings.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
Warmth
This fleece is okay for a lightweight, but it isn't meant for really cold weather. It has a grid-pattern fabric that is relatively thin. In our insulation testing, it performed near the bottom of the pack. Having said that, the hood makes a big difference. It comes with a stiff brim that helps keep rain and snow out of your eyes, and the neck comes up pretty high as well, which we appreciated when we needed to bury our faces down in the jacket to avoid the wind. The hood and waist have adjustable toggles, so both can be cinched down tightly to keep in the heat. The zipper also has a liner that runs its entire length, so wind doesn't come through it as easily as it does in models without this feature.
The Pierogi isn't a very warm layer, but as part of a layered system it serves its place.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
Comfort
This jacket isn't uncomfortable, it just has some demerits relative to other models in the category. The arms are comparatively short with narrower openings, so they tend to bunch up a little more. We found that by using the thumb loops, we were stretching the fabric quite a bit, which we did not experience with any other model.
However, this fleece does have a fair amount of stretch (though, again, not as much as some other lightweight hoody models), so it is decent for mobility when reaching overhead. The zipper has a liner on the inside which we really appreciated because it kept us from having to touch a cold zipper to our lips.
The Pierogi Hoody has noticeably shorter and narrower sleeves than other models, creating a visible slippage factor at the wrist when extending arms in front of the body.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
Breathability
The Pierogi is solidly breathable. The grid-pattern fabric has low-density channels for sweat to escape, and the two hand warmer pockets and the chest pocket are also lined with loose-weave mesh. We loved opening up all of them and using them as vent points when we needed just a quick blast of cold air to cool down. And, of course, the full-length zipper makes it easy to air out in a few seconds if the sun comes out.
The grid pattern of the Pierogi Hoody has lots of “streets” and “avenues” that facilitate breathability and air flow through the jacket.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
Layering Ability
This jacket is thin enough that it is easily layer-able with a heavier puffy. We also like the smooth elbow patches, which help reduce friction when pulling on another jacket over the top. The thumb holes also make it easy to keep the sleeves in place.
But as an overlayer itself, this model struggles just a bit. The sleeves feel narrower, and the inside fleece is high-friction, which made it more difficult than we expected for us to get the jacket on and off over a base layer.
Thumbholes make it easy to slide on a shell over the top of this fleece.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
Weight
At 14.9 ounces, this is one of the heavier hoodies that we have tested. We suspect the brim and adjustability toggles in the hood and waist contribute to the difference. Having said that, it is still a relatively light fleece compared to the rest of the fleet. The material is thin, and it packs down small, making it a good option to throw into a backpack on a daylong excursion, just in case it gets chilly.
This fleece is thin and packs up small but it's about average for weight.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
Should You Buy the Flylow Pierogi Hoody?
We like the lightweight breathability of this jacket. The adjustability of the hood and the waist is super practical, and the polyester elbow patches add a layer of durability to a high-wear spot. Ultimately, this hoody is better suited for activity than hanging out at camp. It performs well, but we think other models do the same job slightly better and at a lower price point.
We love a good thumbhole.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
What Other Fleece Jackets Should You Consider?
If you are set on a hoody, we recommend the Patagonia R1 Air Hoody for general use — it's even more breathable and softer. The Outdoor Research Vigor Full Zip is another lightweight hoody, great for climbers, and less expensive than the Pierogi. If you want something warmer and more fashionable, you might like the colorful Patagonia Lightweight Synchilla Snap-T Pullover or Cotopaxi Teca Full-Zip.
—Ben Applebaum-Bauch
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