The Villa Hood from Icebreaker is a classic full zip hoody designed to keep you warm when the temps begin to drop. Whether you are out on the trail or running around town doing errands, the Villa Hood has got you covered thanks to its’ classic styling and soft merino wool. The Villa features a tight weave of Icebreakers’ GT 260 gm/m2 terry loop merino and with a touch of lycra. The fabric combo is soft, yet durable for heavy use as a mid-layer. I have been testing the Villa Hood for about 5 months now and have yet to encounter a breakdown in the fabric or develop and snags despite wearing the top on camping trips, regular day use, and on a few extended summer trips. I even have two dogs that like to climb up or jump up and still no issues despite their sharp claws.
The Villa Hood is available in size XS to XL. Below is Icebreaker’s size guide, both in inches and centimeters, due to Icebreaker hailing from New Zealand. I found the size guide to be spot on when using the inches guideline. The Villa Hood features a regular fit per Icebreaker and I would tend to agree–the garment does not feature an overly generous or sloppy fit, rather it is slightly tailored to match the natural curves of a women’s body vs a boxy cut, like many other hooded tops on the market. The top hits just at the top of the hips and offers plenty of coverage in the front and the back, while the length of the arms is perfect. I typically need a smaller size with the body of a top and find the arms a tad to short, fortunately, this is not the case with the Villa Hood. The hood on this top is also more tapered or fitted to allow for a closer fit and to seal out the elements on a chill day. I still wish it had a drawstring to seal at the bottom, however this would take away from the clean lines of the top.
The Villa Hood also features two zippered front pockets to keep your hands warm or stash your keys while on the go.
I found the Villa Hood easy to layer with other lightweight garments–t-shirts, tanks, and other base layers fit nicely underneath without causing bunching in the shoulder region. While the regular fit also allows the Villa Hood to go under jackets with ease. AS for taking care of the top, simply wash in cold water and line dry, you can throw it in for a quick fluff in the dryer to soften it up again. I haven’t worn the Villa for heavy exercise, such as running, but have generated some sweat while wearing it hiking–with each wash I feel that I have been able to get rid of the stink that often sticks with technical and merino tops.
The Villa is available in your basic black as well as a light heater grey, which Icebreaker calls Metro. I tested out the Metro color and found it was easy to incorporate into my travel wardrobe as it goes with just about everything. If you do not need another hoody, Icebreaker makes a line of garments that feature the Villa prefix. The line includes a few skirts and dresses that would be perfect for traveling. The Villa retails fro $150, but is currently on sale for $105 online.
WOMENS SIZES: CENTIMETERS
XS
S
CHEST
81-86
86-91
WAIST
62-67
67-72
HIP
89-94
94-99
M
L
CHEST
91-96
96-101
WAIST
72-77
77-82
HIP
99-104
104-109
XL
2XL*
CHEST
101-106
106-111
WAIST
82-87
87-92
HIP
109-114
114-119
WOMENS SIZES: INCHES
XS
S
US SIZE
0-2
4-6
CHEST
32-33¾
33¾-35¾
WAIST
24½-26½
26½-28¼
HIP
35-37
37-39
M
L
US SIZE
8-10
12-14
CHEST
35¾-37¾
37¾-39¾
WAIST
28¼-30¼
30¼-32¼
HIP
39-41
41-43
XL
2XL*
US SIZE
16
18
CHEST
39¾-41¾
41¾-43¾
WAIST
32¼-34¼
34¼-36¼
HIP
43-45
45-46¾
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Shannon
Shannon, our fabulous female tester, takes gear testing to a new level for women. When not at work or school, she is most likely training for a marathon, climbing one of Colorado’s tallest peaks, riding her road bike, or skiing down a mountain slope. Like many women, Shannon gets cold easily, therefore, we try to test the best all weather gear to help her stay warm and dry during all day outdoor pursuits. In the warmer months, Shannon enjoys exploring the Colorado backcountry with her friends and dogs and attempts to escape for as many trail runs as her schedule allows. Shannon is a great women’s tester because she gives readers true insight into how a product may perform for an active woman.
