REVIEW: Outdoor Research Plus Size Freewheel Hoodie
Tried and tested by plus size mountain biker Dee, the Outdoor Research Freewheel Half Zip Hoodie proves to be a game-changer for muddy trails and chilly UK rides.
With thoughtful design, wind resistance, and a flexible fit for layering, this grid fleece hoodie performs beautifully on the bike and even beyond. Breathable, resilient, and perfect for spring and autumn rides. Dee put it through it's paces during winter 2024 and spring 2025 - read her full review to see why this hoodie could be your new favourite MTB layer.
Dee catching air on a MTB track during winter 2024, testing the OR plus size Freewheel Hoodie
Features
My first ride in the Outdoor Research Freewheel Half Zip Hoodie was a pleasant surprise. It's was supposedly 10 degrees with a breeze of 21mph. So not the warmest. I decided to wear the Outdoor Research Alpine Onset Merino base layer and the Outdoor Research Freewheel short sleeve jersey underneath... I was warm! But not too warm! It was bogging (Northern for wet and muddy) and the Freewheel Hoodie stood up to some pretty nasty muck being kicked up. So much so, I didn't even notice that my back was damp from where the top was wet from mud. The grid fleece fabric did a great job of keeping me cosy, and the wind proofing did a great job of keeping the worst of the wind-chill off me.
Fit
The sizing is very generous on the Freewheel Half Zip Hoodie (I'm wearing 3XL), it's not big enough to feel like I'm wearing a cape, but still plenty of space to layer underneath on chillier days.
Down the front, it has super long zip for ventilation and gives you the ability to pull it over your head, without taking your helmet off (even full face helmets). The hood does goes on over my open face helmet but not the full face when the hood is up. It has a phone size pocket on the left hip, but no further pockets (sad face).
The drop hem at the back covers your butt but not too long it gets in the way, but it's not too short at the front. The sleeves are great cut, they taper at the wrist so they aren't flapping around and keep the muck out. Longer on the top and slightly shorter at the back, so they don't get in the way of your hands.
Materials
The outside is a soft-shell type material and the inside is grid fleece. I was sceptical about the warmth. I'm from the North East of England and it's cold and wet most of the time and it seemed a bit thin for the task, even though we don't take coats when we go for nights out up here, but this is a different situation. However, I remembered, that layering is a thing, and this is my first bit of technical MTB specific piece of clothing, as Rimmer in Red Dwarf once said "give quiche a chance".
What I will say is, I've been hugely impressed the fabric of OR gear, it's so resilient and washes so well. For example the fabric has not pilled from me pulling the backpack/bum bag around my waist. The Freewheel Hoodie is a lot more robust than I initially thought, and even after a second ride in much colder weather, it continues to impress me.
It's not waterproof, or a super warm layer for those colder days. I'd say definitely it's showerproof, so if you want something for more wetter or colder days, this is not the garment for you. Even being as muddy as it was after that first ride, I washed it in tech wash and it still came out as clean as a whistle!
Overall impression
This is a great piece of clothing, and even if you don't ride MTB, and looking for a lightweight windbreaker/fleece for hiking or climbing, this is great piece of kit.
Buy the Outdoor Research Plus Size Freewheel Half Zip Hoodie here.
Review Update April 2025
I've now had the Freewheel Hoodie a few months. There isn't anything else I'd really change. Maybe the pocket situation. Instead of the one lonely hip pocket, maybe a pouch across the front like the OR Ferrosi Anorak. If I had to be really picky, I'd like something warmer and maybe waterproof, but this is maybe an additional piece which is needed to the line up… and add some colour!