Whether I’m preparing for a beach vacation with my family or going on a safari, my go-to choice is usually a cozy sweater dress or hoodie. This is due to the fact that the perfect hoodie may complement a wide range of ensembles and is cozy enough to be worn every day in a variety of settings, such as touring, hiking, or just relaxing at the hotel.
Because to its adaptability, I can pack light and leave more room in my suitcase for keepsakes. We examine some of the top women’s hoodies for summertime travel in this post. Our selection has mostly been limited to airy, lightweight options that are perfect for wearing after dusk when the weather becomes chilly. If you’re traveling to the southern hemisphere, when July is considered the middle of winter, or to any other region where the weather isn’t too scorching, there are a few milder options as well.
Vuori Halo Performance Hoodie
When it comes to selecting goods for your travel wardrobe, versatility is essential because it reduces the amount of stuff you need to bring. One such item is the Vuori Halo Performance Hoodie 2.0, which has a full zip that lets you wear it cardigan-style over a dress or jumpsuit. It has a classic fit that is both comfy and attractive. Travel days, tourist excursions, and early-morning beach workouts are all excellent uses for this sweatshirt. Additionally, it’s the ideal weight for the spring and summer.
With a blend of elastane and sustainably recycled polyester, the brand’s characteristic DreamKnit fabric is very soft and has four-way stretch that wicks away perspiration. The heathered colors of the hoodie are meant to go with anything. Options include more odd hues like blue quartz, mahogany, and tamarind, as well as neutral tints like black or mild gray. The Vuori brand patch and contrasting white drawstring are present in all hues, and two practical add-ons are an interior locker loop and two slip-in side pockets.
alo Accolade Hoodie
It’s a good idea to have an incredibly cozy layer that you can throw on when the weather cools down, even in the summer, for events like an evening beach BBQ, an early morning game drive, or an overnight trip. I adore the Accolade Hoodie by Alo because of its relaxed dropped shoulder shape and boxy, unisex fit. You’ll probably want to wear it when traveling, even if it’s larger to pack than many of the other designs on this list. It’s comfortable to wear and easy to pull on.
It has a roomy kangaroo pocket for holding necessities or keeping your hands toasty, as well as ribbed hems and cuffs. The French terry fabric, which feels amazing on bare skin even when worn over a tank top or T-shirt, is my favorite part of this garment. It is silky smooth on the outside and fluffy within. For those who prefer to coordinate their lounge style, matching sweatpants are offered in the core colors of black, espresso, and sporty heather gray. If you use a delicate option, the hoodie is safe to wash and dry in the washing machine.
Sofra Women’s Thin Zip Up Hoodie
The Sofra Women’s Thin Zip Up Hoodie is an affordable and cheery choice that may be added to your vacation packing list. It is around 25% less expensive than our overall winner and has a comparable design. It has a drawstring hood and a full zip, making it lightweight and perfect for the summer or as an extra layer in the spring or fall. Although the quality isn’t quite the same, it will still function well on one or two trips, and because it’s so reasonably priced, you might be able to rationalize getting it in other colors.
With selections ranging from basic (black, heather gray) to pastel (sage, mauve rose) to extremely vibrant (red, mustard), there are undoubtedly many to pick from. Regardless of the style you select, the hoodie fits standard and goes nicely with dresses, skirts, and leggings in addition to jeans or crop tops. For flexibility fit for a workout, a small amount of spandex is blended with breathable cotton to create the fabric. It also maintains its shape well after washing because to its flexibility. Lastly, the hoodie’s slim design makes it ideal for easy packing.
Nike Sportswear Phoenix Fleece
The purposeful oversized appearance of the Nike Sportswear Phoenix Fleece is achieved by its roomy fit and loose dropping shoulder seams. But I think it’s still structured enough to look deliberate, which makes it more elegant than something you could throw from your boyfriend’s closet. The brushed fleece used to make the hoodie is midweight. Its luxuriously soft interior and smooth exterior provide comfort in a broad variety of temperatures, making it a year-round favorite that is highly adaptable.
I adore the two-way zip, which allows you to customize ventilation and have a diverse style by unzipping it from the top or the bottom. Large pockets that might be a bit too shallow to safely store your belongings are present, and a drawcord keeps the roomy hood in place in the event that you get trapped in the rain or wind. Colors range from neutrals like white, gray, or black that blend with everything to pretty pastels like light navy blue and smokey mauve. All are machine washable for portability and feature the recognizable Nike logo on the left breast.
Sweaty Betty Sand Wash Cloud Weight Crop Hoodie
Summertime is the best time for cropped styles, and Sweaty Betty’s Sand Wash CloudWeight Crop Hoodie is no different. Exaggerated cuffs offer style points, and the drawstring on the elasticated hem may be adjusted to suit any way you wish. The hoodie’s material, a peach-soft blend of recycled polyester, modal, and elastane, provides the ideal balance of breathability, resistance to wrinkles, and unhindered mobility.
The loose shape and broad, wide sleeves add to this flexibility, allowing you to spread out in style. Whether you enjoy hiking on nearby trails, beach yoga at dawn, or fitting in a workout at the hotel gym in between sightseeing trips, we think this is the best option for active travelers. Consider purchasing the brand’s matching track trousers or shorts as well for a completely coordinated ensemble. There are four color options: butter green, lily white, breeze blue, and navy blue.
Skims Classic Zip Up Hoodie
The Classic Zip Up Hoodie, which comes in a wide variety of sizes from XXS to 4X, features the premium components and finish for which the Skims brand is renowned. Goldilocks would approve of the timeless fit of this medium-weight, silky cotton and polyester blend shirt—it’s just right—not too tight or too loose. Additionally, I adore the most recent update, which gives this piece a broader neckline and a slightly longer length to suit a larger variety of body types.
It is more versatile and simple to put on and take off thanks to the complete zip. When you leave the hotel, you can store your phone or room key in the room’s roomy front side pockets. This hoodie is quite appealing to me for air travel. Check out the brand’s matching joggers, shorts, or straight-leg pants for the perfect travel ensemble. Traditional color schemes are rather common (think heather gray and black). For a somewhat different look, consider limited edition colors such as spruce, cherry blossom, or oxblood.
Old Navy Oversized French Terry Tunic Hoodie
The Oversized French Terry Tunic Hoodie from Old Navy is perfect if you’re looking to travel light and need a hoodie that can be dressed up or down to fit a variety of situations. Drop-shoulder sleeves and a loose fit with a comfortable yet light cotton and recycled polyester blend scream casual comfort. However, it’s a more fashionable choice than most other hoodies thanks to its open V-neck and hi-low hem. You have no excuse not to wear this out at night or to a more formal occasion when paired with statement jewelry, heels, and classy trousers.
This is particularly true if you go for the sea salt color option, which is a clean white that looks great dressed up but also perfectly embodies casual cool when paired with jeans and sneakers. Though perhaps not as adaptable, other color options are nonetheless rather beautiful. Consider lavender aura, sapphire sky, and pink edge neon. In addition to its many advantages—which include machine washability and inclusive sizing—this hoodie’s vented sides make it a great choice for warm weather.
lululemon Scuba Half-Zip Hoodie
The seamless appearance of a pullover hoodie and the convenience of a zippered one are combined in the Lululemon Scuba Oversized Half-zip Hoodie to give you the best of both worlds. Consequently, you can change your hairdo without destroying it when you need to remove a layer midway through a journey. It is composed of fleece that is inherently breathable and blends cotton to provide softness and light warmth. A tiny amount of elastane increases shape retention even after numerous washes and elasticity, which is excellent for active use.
It features thumbholes to prevent the sleeves from riding up and is slightly cropped. A concealed phone sleeve in the kangaroo pocket and a zipper guard to avoid neck irritation are two further well-considered additions. If, during the course of the day, your hair tie breaks? No worries, there’s a spare zipper pull built into the design. The colors range from striking green punch or gloss pink to light or dark gray leopard pattern. A neutral option like black or heathered bone will work with everything, making it a more adaptable choice.
Quince Mongolian Cashmere Fisherman Pullover Hoodie
Quince is known for offering high-quality cashmere products at competitive prices, and their Mongolian Cashmere Fisherman Pullover Hoodie is no different. With an oversized fit ideal for layering, it is three times as warm as wool while remaining breathable enough for year-round usage. On a chilly summer evening, throw it on over a T-shirt or spaghetti strap top. In the winter, put it in between warm peacoats and long sleeve layers.
The ample sleeve length and all-over ribbed details are my favorites. The cashmere is sourced responsibly and ethically. It feels quite soft to the touch as well. The sole negative aspect? the fact that washing it while on vacation is rather challenging because it needs to be hand washed and let to air dry. The color selection is stunning, with an emphasis on rustic tones like charcoal, oatmeal, and cashmere.
Athleta Triumph Hoodie
An attractive option is the Athleta Triumph Hoodie, which has high-neck collar and ribbed cuffs. Additionally, it is designed specifically for medium- and high-impact exercises using a recycled polyester and organic cotton blend that wicks sweat away from the skin and promotes cooling airflow. The fabric has a modest amount of elastane to ensure whole range of motion, and it is lightweight but still warm enough when you stop exercising.
No matter how hard you work out, an interior zipped pocket offers a safe place for your cards, room key, or headphones. You may store your phone in one of the two side pockets. Gray heather, white, and black are some of the primary colors. You’ll need to keep an eye out for limited edition shades if you’d rather something brighter. Regardless of your choice, the hoodie is dryer- and machine-safe, which is essential for athletic wear.
Cozy Earth Women’s Ultra-soft Bamboo Hoodie
A buttery blend of bamboo viscose, acrylic, and elastic spandex creates the Ultra-soft Bamboo Hoodie from Cozy Earth. The soft, lightweight material is lightweight and retains its shape nicely, making it a flattering option for all body types. An improved weave protects against pilling, rips, and tears. Bamboo is best of all thermoregulating, which means it will keep you cool in the humid outdoors and comfortable in an air-conditioned hotel room.
The only embellishments on the hoodie are sleeve cuffs and an adjustable drawcord hood. Otherwise, it has a straightforward style. There won’t be any pockets, so bring a handbag to keep your possessions safe. I like that it can be washed in a cold cycle in the washing machine and dryer, and that matching joggers are available for an effortlessly put-together yet comfy travel ensemble. Charcoal, ivory, black, and blue are among the colors.
Free Fly Women’s Bamboo Shade Hoodie II
Let me start by saying that I adore the Free Fly Women’s Bamboo Shade Hoodie II’s color selection. Anticipate a subdued, organic color scheme featuring pastel shades varying from sea mist to ash rose and sea moss purple. Soft bamboo, polyester, and spandex are combined to create the hoodie, which naturally resists odors and regulates body temperature. Because of its breathability and short drying time, it’s the ideal material for strenuous outdoor activities like riding, yoga, climbing, and fishing.
Your trips will always be sun-safe with the hoodie’s 50+ UPF rating, crossover hood design that covers your entire throat, and thumbholes that help keep your sleeves in place. The loose, somewhat longer fit and the subtle way the lightweight fabric clings in all the right places are appealing to me. It is also easy to pack in a daypack because of its small size. You may machine wash this hoodie on a cold, gentle cycle, but it needs to be hung out to dry.
Patagonia P-6 Logo Uprisal Hoody
With a reputation for sustainability, Patagonia contributes one percent of their earnings to community-based environmental initiatives. In a Fair Trade Certified plant, where laborers receive a premium wage, recycled fabric scraps and plastic bottles are used to create this timeless, midweight logo hoodie. I adore the spacious length and brushed lining, which make it the ideal ethical option for daily wear in milder regions.
Additionally, the rib-knit side panels of the cloth improve its inherent stretch, allowing for unrestricted mobility. while it unexpectedly starts to rain, you can use the drawstring adjustment to keep the hood in place, and the front pocket, shaped like a kangaroo, is a fantastic spot to keep your hands warm while you stop to take in the scenery. The hues vary from wispy green to gravel heather or vessel blue, and the sizes are unisex (get one or two smaller than your typical size).
Passenger Rediscover Printed Hoodie
The Passenger Rediscover Printed Hoodie is a great option if you’re searching for a casual pullover hoodie with a chic vintage feel. It’s one of my faves, in part because every time I wear it, people comment me on the unusual tie-dye print. I believe my shell pink color looks very good with jeans, but there’s also a lovely cornflower alternative.
about five feet ten inches tall, the hoodie fits me loosely, hitting about hip height. I love the comfortable kangaroo pocket and the full coverage provided by the generously large hood, which is ideal for minimizing frizz in hair when out at the seaside or caught in the rain. Additionally, while the brushed fleece lining is ideal for keeping out the evening chill in temperate regions, the midweight organic cotton is probably too warm for travel to tropical regions. This sweatshirt also receives points for sustainability, with one tree planted with every purchase.
Arc’teryx Lana Merino Wool Hoody
An investment well worth making is the Arc-teryx Lana Merino Wool Hoody for anyone organizing a serious trekking or hiking excursion. It is developed specifically for mountain excursions using merino wool that is ethically sourced and wrapped around a nylon core for strength and durability. Technical gear is incomplete without Merino wool, which provides natural temperature management, moisture control, and odor resistance for comfort no matter how hard you work. Merino wool is the gold standard.
Every component of the hoodie is made to work at its best. The crossover hood keeps the throat fully covered. Thumbholes allow for easy and comfortable layering by keeping your sleeves from riding up. Additionally, the structured brim shields your face from the sun and rain. Above all, I appreciate how the articulated patterning on the hoodie allows for unrestricted stretching, twisting, and turning. It is created responsibly, machine washable, and comes in black or amaranthus.
Tips for Buying Hoodies for Travel
Consider the fit
Hoodies are rarely supposed to be tight because they are usually worn as a layer over another article of clothing. However, an enormous garment will have a lot more room than one that is classified as a regular fit. Which option you should select mostly depends on your personal preferences. However, in general, standard fit hoodies could provide a more put together appearance for going out and sightseeing in the city, while oversized hoodies are particularly fantastic for optimal comfort when relaxing around the hotel. Select a loose fit that allows for maximum movement mobility and figure flattery for the best of all worlds.
The length of the hoodie and how it relates to your height should also be taken into account. For example, I look specifically for hoodies with a little additional length because I’m fairly tall and like some rear coverage. A more cropped fit could be ideal for women who are shorter.
Look for travel-friendly features
The ideal hoodie for travel is one that is cozy, useful, and adaptable enough to be worn with various ensembles on various situations. In this manner, you can significantly lower the quantity of tops you have to pack. It’s usually easier to mix and match solid, neutral hues with other outfits, and machine-washable and dryer-safe hoodies are the ideal option for hassle-free upkeep when traveling. Breathable, sweat-wicking, and odor-resistant materials work best in the summer. To reduce the amount of packing space, go for a light or midweight hoodie. I really adore lightweight materials that work well in both hot and cold climates, like bamboo viscose or merino wool. Ultimately, pockets are a useful addition for travelers who are constantly on the go.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What’s the best way to pack a hoodie to conserve space?The best way to pack a hoodie for saving suitcase space is to lay it face down on a flat surface. Fold the left third vertically towards the middle, then do the same with the right third (so that you end up with one long rectangle). Next, fold the hood backwards from the collar so that it lies flat on top of the main rectangle. Finally, roll the hoodie tightly until you have a neat cylinder. Rolling your clothes rather than folding them saves space and helps to prevent wrinkles.
- How often should I wash a hoodie?How often you need to wash a hoodie depends on lots of factors including the temperature and what you’re wearing underneath. If it’s warm you’ll likely need to wash the hoodie more frequently than in cool weather. This is especially true if you’re wearing sleeveless tops underneath. Essentially, you should wash your hoodie if it looks or smells unclean — as a general rule of thumb, this typically works out to once every four to five wears.
Why Trust Travel + Leisure
For almost a decade, Jessica Macdonald has been penning travel-related articles. She likes hoodies and always brings at least one when she goes on vacation. She is an outdoor enthusiast residing in Scotland. Before selecting the final category winners, she spent hours studying other options and evaluating their features, costs, and reviews. She also included several of her tried-and-true favorites in this post.
