Rhone Monk Hoodie Review
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The Monk Hoodie from Rhone Apparel.
Rhone Apparel has a philosophy and a mission that is perfectly tailored to the connoisseurs of the active lifestyle. So it should come as no surprise that their apparel follows suit. When I received the Monk Hoodie, one of the flagship articles in the Rhone collection, I was immediately taken with the look and the feel of the hoodie. Then, I noticed the personalized touch from the folks at Rhone: a note from one of their reps, admonishing me to reach out if I had any questions about the Monk Hoodie, or if there was anything I wanted to know. I was intrigued, and it led me to want to learn more about the company, the brand, and the clothing. What I found, through my email correspondence with Marisa, the brand rep, was inspiring, to say the least, and it gave me a total appreciation for what Rhone is all about. As for the Rhone Monk Hoodie itself, it is a versatile article of clothing that feels great, looks wonderful, and goes anywhere.
The Rhone Monk Hoodie is all about comfort
To say that the Rhone Monk Hoodie is comfortable is a gross understatement. The description on the Rhone website states: “The Monk Hoodie may be our most comfortable piece to date.” They aren’t kidding. As soon as I picked it up, I could feel the softness of the material. Then I put it on. Oh, my word. I didn’t want to take it off. In fact, it became my go to garment for the next three weeks. It’s been a rainy spring in Denver, and the wet chill has been dreary and unpleasant. The Monk Hoodie not only kept me comfortable, but it kept me cozy and dry. The material is an incredibly soft blend of “cotton and French terry,” and it wears quite well. I was concerned that the softness would fade after washing, as is the case with many articles of clothing that are so soft when first obtained. However, I was most pleasantly surprised that after washing, the Monk Hoodie was just as soft as the first time I put it on.
The Rhone Monk Hoodie.
Performance of the Rhone Monk Hoodie
I mentioned that I wore the Monk Hoodie in the rain for several days in a row. Again, the performance of the material outpaced my expectations. I was dry in the rain and warm in the cold. Even when I got inside I wasn’t overly hot in the Monk Hoodie. It carries a nice balance of keeping you warm without overheating. It’s also not going to weigh you down after a workout, as it didn’t absorb and soak in the moisture of sweat, or the rain, for that matter. I don’t quite know how they pulled that one-off. Perhaps some mythical power that’s best left to mystery. It doesn’t matter. The comfort of the Monk Hoodie is king, even in the midst of the weather or the workout.
The hood of the Monk Hoodie is made of a different material, which is water-resistant, warm, and just as comfortable as the rest of the sweatshirt.
The Chafe-Free Flatlock Seaming of Rhone’s tops.
Rhone has a unique feature to their tops. It’s something they call “Chafe-Free Flatlock Stitching.” It’s a way they have constructed to create performance clothing that will not rub against your skin and cause irritation while being active. For the Monk Hoodie, it’s not as much of a factor as their workout shirts, but the hoodie feels great when it’s on, more durable and sturdy than other apparel of the same kind, and that’s certainly due to the Flatlock Stitching and the way it’s put together.
The Fit of the Rhone Monk Hoodie
As far as fit goes, I am 6’2″ and 215 lbs. I was given a medium to fit my frame, and although I wasn’t sure they sent the correct size, I learned that the Monk Hoodie runs bigger than Rhone’s other tops. The medium was a perfect fit for me, so keep this in mind when ordering yours.
The Rhone Monk Hoodie runs a bit big, so keep in mind you may need one size less than your usual.
The Mission of Rhone
Like many of you, I care a good deal about the things I buy, and where they come from. Who is making them? Who is selling them, and why? Does the company have a mission? In addition to making tremendous clothing, Rhone also makes you think. There is a passion in what they do, and it shows, both in the quality of the apparel and in the ways that Rhone promotes ideas that inspire the wearer. Consider the drawstring of the Monk Hoodie:
The Rhone “Inside Hem Quote.”
“It is better to travel well than to arrived.” It’s a beautiful statement that reminds the wearer that the journey is the thing. All of their apparel has an inspirational quote assigned to it. They call it the “Inside Hem Quote.” I asked Marisa about the quotes, did they have any significance, or is it just a gimmick? It’s not a gimmick. The people at Rhone truly care that the wearer is inspired to be the best version of themselves and to perform excellently toward that end. It’s a refreshing thing to know that a company was formed around ideas of inspiration that are tangible and that they create products to help you get there, reminding you each time you put them on about the things that matter most. It may sound a bit far-fetched, but every time I put on the Monk Hoodie, I read the Inside Hem Quote, and I remember that the journey is what matters most. In my full-time work, I work as a Literature and writing teacher. I’m always looking for statements, quotes, and pieces of writing that inspire and motivate, which reminds us of why we should care, and why we do things with excellence as the goal. As one who takes the journey seriously, I appreciate the mission of Rhone, and their desire to inspire their wearers.
The Rhone Monk Hoodie is a must-have for your active wardrobe. The comfort, design, fit, and inspiration are all you need to get through your day, your workout, and your own personal life mission.
For more about the Monk Hoodie, Rhone’s other fantastic products, visit www.amazon.com/rhoneapparel.
