Cotopaxi Women's Abrazo Half Zip Review: Size and Fit Assessment

I always wanted a half zip fleece. You know, the kind I wish I’d been wearing all these years during trips to New England, foliage road trips in Upstate New York during autumn and chilly airports.

The Cotopaxi Abrazo Half Zip has been in my fleece collection all season, and I proudly wear it as my first Cotopaxi winter layer investment.

I wrote this review because I made a sizing mistake that taught me a lot about this fleece sweatshirt, and about Cotopaxi’s sizing in general for women’s apparel. But even with the wrong size, I can tell you this is a solid piece of travel apparel with some really thoughtful design touches.

In this review, learn where I went wrong so that you can shop correctly.

The sizing situation (learn from my mistake)

The Cotopaxi Abrazo Half-Zip is a pretty standard sized apparel piece, and it has a straight design at the sides (please do note this if you have super wide hips, relative to the rest of your figure).

In any case, I got ahead of myself with measurements and ordered an XXS when I should’ve gone with an XS. I thought, “Well, it’s nice that Cotopaxi makes an XXS, so I’d like to try it, given that so many brands make an XS that is too big on me these days.” This was bold, and I wanted to be happy with the move I was making in getting XXS–a size I only wish lots of brands had.

Alas, the XXS is too tight on me in the hips, chest and armpits. That’s where I went wrong. An XS would’ve provided me with the comfort, space and range of motion that I need when I’m wearing travel apparel, especially in cold weather when I’m likely reaching up, stretching, lifting luggage or a backpack or carrying my kids.

The plus, though, is that the arm length really does fit me perfectly, and maybe that’s a note to you. The arms run a little long. Considering the rest of the XXS is tight on me, but the arms look good, it would tend to mean that the arms are proportionately longer in the design of this fleece.

My main point: order your true size, and consider sizing up if you are particularly busty or have wide hips.

Inclusive sizing: wow!

Like I said above, I find it cool and very inclusive that Cotopaxi even makes a size XXS. I keep mentioning it, because so many brands are not making XXS nor XXL.

For the Abrazo Half Zip in particular, you will find women’s sizes from XXS through XXL, and you can do an easy exchange if you find that you chose the wrong size like I did. Exchanges are free.

If you want a refund, you’ll need to pay. Read more on their return policy page.

Features that make the Abrazo Half Zip pretty cool

A few touches I love on this fleece, that differentiate it from fleeces from other brands, are the mesh “yoke” (the part that touches my back) that helps with breathability, and the zipper “hider” at the top of the neck zip. If I zip the fleece all the way up, the metal won’t touch my chin because of this thoughtful detail.

The front hand pocket is funny because I thought this half zip would have two distinct side hand pockets. In fact, it’s a reach-through kangaroo pocket, which means both hands go in (and could reach through to the other side). It’s like a hand muff—the kind you’d find in a traditional sweatshirt hoodie.

So, I like those two things, and the chest pocket is nice as well, for storing something tiny behind a zipper.

Critique: chest pocket

I like the chest pocket design, but the fabric for it is a little thin. I wanted to point this out because it is hard to tell, from the product photos on the Cotopaxi website.

Even when I have something as small and low-profile as a hair scrunchie in it, you can see right through. It’s a pro and a con, but mostly a con. I think the fabric on the pocket could’ve been doubly as thick and still looked good. It would’ve shielded what’s inside more effectively.

Color choices (and my regret)

My other regret is the color choice I made. I don’t think the ivory/baby blue is a good combo against my skin, as I typically do better with darker color combinations for contrast. I barely own light colors, mostly because of how they wash me out. And in winter, when I lack a summer tan, the ivory color up top in my Abrazo Zip makes me look even paler.

That is just my opinion and if I could do it again, I’d choose a bolder hue like a pine green or deep purple.

How to get it at a discount

One thing I like about Cotopaxi is that they are nearly always running a sale.

If you check out the page for the Women’s Abrazo Half Zip Fleece, you will see “SALE” colors - those are the ones at a steep discount. So if you want anything from Cotopaxi, you barely have to put in any effort to hit some big savings. Just check out the sale colors, and you can get their best products for less.

Cotopaxi also has a Más Vida program, where you can buy pre-owned products. It’s part of their Gear for Good promise. It’s pretty neat.

Key Takeaways: Women’s Abrazo Half Zip Fleece

• Sizing: Arms run long, so consider sizing up if you’re between sizes
• Breathability: The mesh back panel is fantastic for staying comfortable if you overheat
• Pocket design: Kangaroo-style reach-through pocket (not separate side pockets)
• Zipper comfort: The zipper hider prevents metal from touching your chin
• Materials: Made with 100% recycled polyester fleece with a stretchy chest pocket

Even with my sizing mistake, I really like this half zip for all things fall and winter. I’ve always wanted to be a “half zip fleece person” and my opportunity to own one from Cotopaxi, one of (my opinion) the coolest brands in travel apparel, came around!

In essence, the breathable mesh back and thoughtful design details make it stand out from basic fleeces, or ones that are a bit more lame, and the sustainability angle (100% recycled materials) is why I keep coming back to Cotopaxi for things like backpacks and bags.

Where to buy it

Getting a Cotopaxi product at the Cotopaxi website is probably your best bet, just so that you have a clear way to contact them about your purchase if it has any defects or if you want to exchange. Plus, you get all of the available colors.

But if you’re a lifetime fan of REI, you can find the Abrazo Half Zip over there as well.