The Unexpected Favorite in My Closet: The Spyder Hoodie Story

A Hoodie That Sneaked Up On Me

I never thought I’d write about a hoodie. But here I am, typing at 1 a.m. after pulling my Spyder Hoodie back on because the apartment AC is blasting like it’s January. Funny how these things go—one minute you’re in a rush, the next you realize you’ve been grabbing the same top every morning because it just works. That’s what this one did to me.

How I Accidentally Became a Hoodie Person

The REI Accident (Seriously, It Wasn’t Intentional)

Picture this: I roll into REI looking for hand warmers and snacks for a weekend hike. Somehow, I wandered to the clothes section and saw a Spyder Hoodie in a color that wasn’t “screaming bold,” just kind of… muted but nice. I thought, “Meh, let me try it on.” Two seconds in front of the mirror—snap decision. Reneged on my hand warmer purchase, hoodie comes home instead.

First Road Trip Test

I drove up to Big Bear over winter last year and figured, worst case, I toss it in the car post-hike. But it ended up being my go-to—even sat by that fire pit under string lights at 30°F and felt… perfect. Not roasting, not shivering. Just right. And it looked decent, too, among a bunch of flannel shirts and puffer jackets.

The Spyder Hoodie Hackyrinth (AKA It’s Not Just a Hoodie)

South by Southwest to Chicago Pizza

Wore it at SXSW in Austin—where you’ll sweat one minute, freeze the next—and it danced through temperature swings better than anything I’ve owned. Then I got frozen out on a Chicago deep-dish excursion in February. My coat survived, but the real MVP? The hoodie underneath that never let me down.

Midwestern Wind? Bring it On

Let me tell you, those gusts off the Great Lakes don’t mess around. So, I zipped up that Hoodie, threw on a shell, and walked past skyscrapers and over that Riverwalk thing. No bunching. No sagging. No bulk. Just…I felt like I could take on the wind with grace—or at least without shivering.

The Weirdly Specific Perks

• Wears like a soft armor: Holds its shape even when I’m slouching or carrying six coffees.
  
• Sleeves that stay put: Thank you, thumb-holes. No bunching under jackets.
  
• Pocket zippers: Keys don’t fall out mid-walk. Bonus: feels satisfying to click them closed.
  
• Collar game strong: Keeps my neck cozy without seeming like a turtleneck wannabe.
  

Why I Grab It Instead of My Coat (Sometimes)

Some layers are clunky. Not this one. I’ve even worn it to church services chilly enough to warrant formal coats—and it didn’t look out of place. Wore it to a concert. To the park. The grocery store runs at ridiculous Sunday morning hours. Somehow, it’s not just a hoodie—it’s the one I can rely on when I don’t know what temperature to dress for.

Pricey or Practical?

Yes, it’s more than the cheap 3-for-$40 hoodies. But ask me again in March when the cheap ones are stretched and pilled, and this one still looks crisp. For something you wear a hundred times a year, this is the kind of investment you forget you made—until winter rolls around and you realize you made the right call.

Where You Can Find Yours

I’ve grabbed mine from:

• REI (best place to feel it first-hand)
  
• Dick’s Sporting Goods (solid variety in fall)
  
• Amazon (check seller reviews)
  
• Spyder’s site (watch for flash deals in Jan–Mar)
  
• Local outfitters in Denver, Boston, Seattle—often stock colorways early
  

Pro tip: early fall and late winter tend to be the sweet spots for colors and clearance.

Final Word: Unintentional Too-Basics That Became Essential

Look, I didn’t set out to love this hoodie. It just snuck up on me—through road trips, city walks, windy nights, early flights, random concerts. It ended up being that one thing in my closet that’s never a bad call. And since it’s still holding up, today I grip it a bit tighter and think, “Nah, no need to stop wearing you yet.”

That’s about it. Just me, my hoodie, and the occasional existential thought about fez nights and fire pits. If you want a hoodie that actually earns its keep—maybe this one’s worth tweaking your plan for.