Rab Force Hoody Review

Overview

The Force Hoody is Rab’s pullover sun hoody: a plain, soft, long-sleeved top with a close-fitting hood, a high collar and UPF 40+ fabric. It is built for hikers, climbers and backpackers who want one layer that covers sun, cool mornings and pack-strap rub. The trade-off is simplicity. There is no neck zip and no chest pocket, and the fabric is not the lightest in the category.

Key Specs

Spec	Detail
Weight	187 g / 6.5 oz (size M)
Fabric	Dryflo™ Solar Double Jersey, 125 gsm
Material	100% recycled polyester
UPF rating	40+
Fit	Regular
Centre back length	73 cm / 28.7 in (size M)
Hood	Close-fitting, with high collar
Seams	Low-profile, dropped shoulder seams
Sleeves	Hidden stretch thumb loops
Treatment	Odor control finish
Product code	QCC-20

Performance

Sun protection. The Force Hoody is aimed at exposed days, and the cut backs that up. The hood and high collar cover the ears, neck and the back of the head, which a cap alone can’t do. One backpacker who wore it for five consecutive sunny, warm days with a baseball cap reported full coverage. A reviewer for The Great Outdoors tested an off-white sample on a windy, sunny three-day backpacking trip. He found that the hood stays put in a breeze. The sleeves are long and have thumb loops, which cover the backs of the hands.

Breathability and drying. This is where testers are most consistent. CNN Underscored’s reviewer, who tested the women’s version, singled out breathability and moisture wicking as the standouts. The Great Outdoors described airflow as “enough but not too much” and said the top dries quickly. Buyers on a Finnish retailer’s site make the same point and add that the hood stretches enough to fit over a climbing helmet.

Odor. The odor control finish gets credit from several quarters. The Great Outdoors called it remarkably effective over a multi-day trip. A CampSaver reviewer said the shirt smelled acceptable by the end of a five-day week. For a thru-hiker wearing one shirt for days at a stretch, that matters more than the spec sheet suggests.

Comfort under a pack. The dropped shoulder seams and low-bulk seams keep stitching away from the strap line. The collar is high, but testers describe the fabric as soft enough that it doesn’t irritate. The thumb loops help when a midlayer goes over the top, and they keep sleeves from riding up when scrambling.

Weak points. The lack of a neck zip is the most common complaint. The Great Outdoors’ reviewer was wary of that omission but found it didn’t hinder cooling. A Finnish buyer still wished for one when working hard. Another owner reported that the thin fabric frays fairly easily, a predictable cost of a garment this light. UPF is a rating of 40+, not 50+. Rab hasn’t published lab-specific UPF data, according to CNN’s reviewer.

Weight. At 187 g in a medium, it is not the featherweight of the category. CNN noted that Outdoor Research’s Echo Hoodie weighs 3.95 oz (about 112 g) in the women’s version, which Rab’s women’s Force Hoody (166 g in a size 10) can’t match. The men’s medium is heavier still. That gap is the cost of a denser, softer double-jersey fabric.

Fit. Reports conflict, which is itself useful information. Rab lists a regular fit, and The Great Outdoors’ reviewer found it roomy, with room for a T-shirt underneath. Several retail buyers, though, say it runs small or fitted. One CampSaver owner who normally wears a medium went to a large and called it perfect. An Outdoor Prolink reviewer who is 6’2” and 225 lb chose an XL on the strength of the “slim” description and was glad he did. Anyone between sizes, or planning to layer underneath, should size up.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Soft, breathable fabric that dries quickly
• Hood and high collar cover the neck and ears, and the hood fits over a helmet
• Effective odor control for multi-day use
• Dropped shoulders and low-profile seams are comfortable under pack straps
• Thumb loops keep sleeves in place
• Recycled polyester

Cons

• 187 g in a medium is heavier than the lightest sun hoodies
• No neck zip for venting
• No chest pocket
• UPF 40+, not 50+
• Thin fabric can fray with abrasion
• Sizing reports are inconsistent

Who Should Buy This

This hoody suits three-season backpackers, desert and alpine hikers, and climbers who want a soft, quiet sun layer that also works as a next-to-skin base on cool mornings. It is also a good fit for anyone who finds typical crispy-feeling sun shirts scratchy. Gram-counters who want the lowest possible weight, and hikers who rely on a quarter-zip to dump heat on long climbs, should look at lighter or zippered alternatives.

Verdict

The Force Hoody does the essential job well: it blocks sun, wicks sweat, resists odor and feels good against the skin under a pack. Its weight and its lack of a zip keep it from being the obvious pick for the most weight-focused or heat-prone hikers. For everyone else, it is a dependable one-shirt solution. Try it on before ordering, or size up if in doubt.