Free Fly Women's Bamboo Fleece Hoodie Review: Good Travel Fit?

I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect travel hoodie for years. You know the struggle: everything is either too bulky to pack, too oversized for my 5’2” frame, or just not cozy enough for those chilly flights and drafty hotel rooms.

That changed recently. When I got my hands on the Free Fly Women’s Bamboo Lightweight Fleece Hoodie, I finally found what I’d been looking for. A go-to sweatshirt that lets me avoid analysis paralysis, that feeling of dread when I look in my closet and see my array of sweatshirts (and none of them is checking every box).

This is my first impressions review after wearing this cozy lightweight hoodie around the house and testing its packability. How small does it pack up? Is the coziness possible, what with it being so thin? Anyway, let’s see.

The fit that finally works

Here’s the thing about being 5’2” and shopping for hoodies: everything is either way too long or designed for someone much taller. That’s just me though–if you’re taller, read on!

The Free Fly hoodie is true to size and hits my hips perfectly. It’s not oversized, which I appreciate. As for the sleeves: I’ll give them a 10/10 fit because actually they’re not too long. It’s shocking. And that is something I want you to know if your arms run long (is that a thing?): if you have long arms, proportionately, you may find the sleeves short!

The regular-length design is true to size, so that means if you are average height, or taller, you’ll find a pretty ideal fit. For me, I run short and I’d benefit from petite sizing, so the length is still a dab long on me, but not oversized.

I mean to say that I’m finally okay with the length and where this hoodie hits my hips–other Free Fly products (dresses, joggers, shorts with inseams longer than 4”) have run immensely too long, or I have drowned in them.

Packable without the bulk

What makes this hoodie special for travel is how thin and lightweight it is. The micro-fleece interior is super cozy and soft, but it’s not thick or suffocating like other sweatshirts I own. Because it’s not heavy or bulky, it packs down small and compresses easily into a smaller packing cube.

This is perfect for warm weather trips where you need a cozy layer but don’t want to sacrifice precious packing space. I can see this being my go-to for road trips, camping trips, or long flights where you never know what the temperature will be.

The cozy factor, and hand pocket

The brushed fleece on the inside feels like a fluffy, cashmere blanket against my skin. It is lovely. It’s that perfect level of softness that makes you want to curl up in it, but it’s breathable enough that you won’t overheat.

It’s also stretchy: I can do my fireside or candle-lit yoga in this hoodie, and avoid feeling restricted. I’d wear it snowshoeing, or hiking in the cold, as well as just out for walks or errands.

Most of all, I’m enjoying the hand pocket in the front. It’s also not too thick or bulky, which helps the entire sweatshirt stay slim-fitting.

Perfect for travel

This hoodie strikes the perfect balance between warmth and packability. I think that’s what it does right!

It’s lightweight enough to throw in your bag “just in case,” but cozy enough to actually want to wear. It’s the type of sweatshirt that I’m happy to wear on the flight, as well as when I get to my destination, and then–could it be the perfect cool night pajama top too? I think so. I like to have a sweatshirt layer with me just in case our accommodation runs chilly.

This is a practical travel hoodie, from the well-designed hood, down to the hand pocket. It has space enough to layer in addition to a long-sleeve shirt under it, and it’s also so thin that it goes under a peacoat, a puffer, a rain shell or an ultralight down jacket.

Maybe you’re like me in that you’ll never have space for a traditional and thick hooded sweatshirt in your luggage. I certainly don’t. I find that when I pack my hoodies, I’m awed with how they engulf an entire packing cube, and I’m left with just bits of space for everything else like shirts and pants.

The Free Fly Women’s Bamboo Lightweight Fleece Hoodie is the first of its kind, in my experinece: a cozy and warm layer that doesn’t take up half my backpack or carry-on.

Bottom line: is this one worth it?

The Free Fly Women’s Bamboo Lightweight Fleece Hoodie is exactly what I’ve been looking for in a travel hoodie. I no longer have to search among my turtlenecks, crew necks, zip-up hoodies and bulky fleece pullovers, for a sweatshirt that’s coming with me on my cold-weather trip.

It fits right, packs small, and feels incredibly cozy without being thick and uncomfortable. I’d recommend checking this one out if everything I’ve listed here sounds like what you’re looking for.

Comparison with similar products

Here's how this product compares to similar options. Use this table to find the best of the bunch!

Where to get it, and more things to check out

Here’s how to get yours, along with some other Free Fly apparel that I’ve tried and reviewed–stuff I recommend as well.

• Shop the Free Fly Women’s Bamboo Lightweight Fleece Hoodie
• Check out our Free Fly brand page
• Read my Free Fly Women’s All Day Pocket Legging Review for the perfect matching bottom
• Check out my Free Fly Women’s Breeze Dress Review for another Free Fly travel piece
• See my PAKA Alpaca Hoodie Review for another cozy travel hoodie option