Ridge Merino Solstice Hoodie: Pack or Pass?
When it comes to travel clothing, versatile, high-performance gear is non-negotiable, especially for long road trips. Ridge Merino’s Solstice Lightweight Wool Hoodie is a travel staple that has earned a permanent spot in our bag, no matter where the road leads.
With its merino wool base, this hoodie offers comfort, durability, and unmatched versatility on the road. In this review, I’ll explain why this hoodie is one of our top road trip items, perfect for driving, hiking, running errands, and even walking the dog.
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Introduction to Ridge Merino
Ridge Merino is a performance-driven outdoor apparel brand that specializes in high-quality merino wool clothing designed for adventure, travel, and everyday wear. Founded in Mammoth Lakes, California, Ridge Merino was created with a simple mission: to provide durable, comfortable, and sustainable clothing that performs in the harshest outdoor conditions while maintaining a stylish, everyday look. The brand is built on the natural benefits of merino wool, offering breathability, moisture-wicking properties, temperature regulation, and odor resistance… all of which make their gear perfect for road trips, long drives, hiking, and travel.
Committed to sustainability, Ridge Merino ensures that its products are responsibly sourced, using ZQ-certified merino wool, which guarantees the highest standards in animal welfare, environmental responsibility, and fiber quality. Whether you're layering up for a winter adventure or looking for a lightweight, breathable piece for summer road trips, Ridge Merino’s thoughtfully designed apparel is made to keep you comfortable and fresh no matter where the road takes you.
Solstice Lightweight Wool Hoodie Review: The Perfect Road Trip Layer
When packing for a road trip, every item in your bag needs to earn its place. The key to staying comfortable on long drives and ever-changing weather conditions is layering. But you don’t want just any layer, you’re looking for something lightweight, breathable, and versatile enough to handle everything from sun exposure to chilly evenings. Enter the Ridge Merino Solstice Lightweight Wool Hoodie, a travel essential that checks all the right boxes.
Men’s Travel Hoodie
Jon tested out the Men's Solstice Lightweight Pullover Hoodie.
Color: Rum Raisin, Sage (he loves this so much he has two hoodies!)
Size: M
Why This Hoodie: Jon was looking for a versatile travel hoodie… one he could wear on hikes, long road trips, and casual outings, from early morning runs to cool evenings by the campfire. The Solstice Lightweight Wool Hoodie checked all the boxes: breathable for warm days, insulating for chilly mornings, and lightweight enough to wear comfortably in the car for long stretches. With odor-resistant merino wool and built-in sun protection, it’s the kind of layer that adapts to every part of a road trip.
Women’s Travel Hoodie
I tested out the Women’s Solstice Lightweight Pullover Hoodie.
Color: Blue Sky
Size: Small
Why This: When packing for a road trip, versatility is everything, and the Solstice Lightweight Wool Hoodie is the ultimate all-season layer. It’s lightweight yet warm, breathable yet insulating, and provides natural odor resistance. It’s ideal for long days in the car, quick roadside hikes, and running errands between destinations. Whether it’s keeping the sun off during a mid-day walk, adding a touch of warmth on a chilly evening, or acting as the perfect in-between layer for fluctuating temperatures, this hoodie fits seamlessly into any travel wardrobe.
Design and Material
The Ridge Merino Solstice Lightweight Wool Hoodie is designed to be the ultimate travel and adventure layer, blending lightweight performance with stylish functionality. Crafted from a soft, breathable blend of 87% merino wool and 13% nylon, this hoodie offers the best of both worlds with the natural temperature regulation, moisture-wicking, and odor-resistant properties of merino wool, combined with the added durability of nylon for long-lasting wear.
The design is sleek, simple, and versatile, making it a go-anywhere, do-anything staple. The athletic yet relaxed fit allows for easy layering without feeling bulky, and the slightly longer length offers extra coverage, making it a practical choice for everything from hiking trails to long-haul drives. One of its standout features is the scuba-style hood, which provides a snug, secure fit for added warmth and protection against the elements. Whether shielding yourself from the sun on a hot day or layering up for cool mountain mornings, this hoodie adapts effortlessly.
Plus, its lightweight packability makes it an easy addition to any travel bag. It’s small enough to stash in a backpack yet warm enough to be a go-to layer when temperatures drop. This hoodie isn’t just about comfort; it’s about performance, durability, and versatility, making it one of the best travel hoodies for road trips, long drives, and outdoor adventures.
Sun Protection and All-Season Versatility
One of the standout features of the Ridge Merino Women’s Solstice Lightweight Wool Hoodie is its built-in sun protection. The naturally UV-resistant merino wool fabric provides UPF 30+ protection, shielding your skin from harsh sun exposure on bright, cloudless days. Whether you’re driving with the sun beating through the windshield, hiking in exposed terrain, or spending hours exploring a new city, this hoodie helps reduce sunburn risk while keeping you comfortable.
What makes it even better for road trips and long drives is its lightweight breathability. On hot days, it acts as a protective yet airy layer that keeps you covered without feeling stifling. Unlike synthetic sun shirts, merino wool is naturally moisture-wicking and odor-resistant, so even if you’re sweating, the fabric helps regulate body temperature and prevent overheating.
On cool mornings or crisp evenings, the Solstice Hoodie becomes an insulating layer, trapping warmth without bulk. Its scuba-style hood adds extra protection when temperatures drop, while the thumbholes and longer hem provide added coverage when layering under a jacket or vest. The beauty of this hoodie is in its adaptability. Whether you need lightweight sun protection or an extra layer of warmth, it’s the perfect travel hoodie for any season and adventure.
Comfort and Fit: First Impressions
The first time I put on the Solstice Hoodie, I was immediately impressed by its comfortable, relaxed fit. It’s tailored enough to look put-together, yet loose enough to allow free movement, whether you’re driving for hours or taking a brisk walk with your dog. The natural stretch of merino wool ensures the hoodie moves with you, never feeling restrictive or bulky. It’s the kind of garment that becomes your go-to for long drives, providing consistent comfort without you even thinking about it.
On The Road Performance: Is it worth it?
On the road, the Solstice Hoodie proves its worth time and again. During extended drives, it keeps you comfortably warm without overheating, and its odor-resistant properties mean you stay fresh even after a day’s worth of adventures. On hikes, the hoodie serves as an ideal layer, as it’s breathable enough to prevent overheating during strenuous climbs, yet warm enough for cool, early-morning treks. Its durability ensures that it stands up to rough terrain, while the natural sun protection of merino wool offers added peace of mind on bright, sunny days.
Ridge Merino Solstice Hoodie: Pros & Cons
Pros:
All-Season Versatility: Lightweight enough for warm days, warm enough as a layer on cool mornings and evenings.
Sun Protection: Provides UPF 30+ protection, making it a great alternative to synthetic sun shirts.
Breathable & Moisture-Wicking: Regulates body temperature to keep you cool in the heat and warm in the cold.
Odor-Resistant: Naturally fights odor, making it perfect for multi-day road trips without frequent washing.
Soft & Comfortable: Made from 87% merino wool with 13% nylon for a soft, non-itchy feel and added durability.
Scuba-Style Hood: Fits snugly for extra sun and wind protection without being bulky.
Thumbholes & Longer Length: Provides extra coverage for layering and comfort on the go.
Packable & Lightweight: Easy to roll up and stash in a bag without taking up much space.
Flatlock Seams: No chafing, making it ideal for long drives, hikes, and everyday wear.
Cons:
Premium Price: Higher price point due to its merino wool construction, but worth it for the quality.
Not Windproof: Works well as a layering piece, but in very cold, windy conditions, an outer shell is needed.
Limited Color Options: Stylish but may not have as many color choices as some synthetic alternatives.
Delicate Wash Needed: Requires gentle washing and air drying to maintain its shape and performance.
Who These Hoodies Are Best For
The Ridge Merino Solstice Lightweight Wool Hoodie is best for travelers, road trippers, hikers, and anyone who values versatile, high-performance clothing.
If you’re someone who spends long hours on the road, this hoodie is a must-have for road trips and long drives, offering breathability, sun protection, and odor resistance, so you stay comfortable without needing frequent washes.
It’s perfect for outdoor adventurers who need a lightweight yet warm layer for hiking, camping, or exploring new places.
It’s also ideal for minimalist packers who want a single, do-it-all hoodie that doesn’t take up much space but works in all seasons. If you’re looking for the best travel hoodie for road trips, hiking, and everyday adventures, this is the one.
Final Verdict: Pack or Pass?
The Ridge Merino Solstice Lightweight Wool Hoodie is, without question, my top road trip packing item… it goes everywhere I go and has earned a permanent spot in my travel bag. If you spend long hours on the road, this hoodie is an absolute game-changer. It’s lightweight yet warm, breathable yet insulating, and offers natural odor resistance, meaning you can wear it for days without needing a wash, perfect for road trips where laundry isn’t always an option.
Whether I’m driving cross-country, hiking a scenic trail, or running errands on the go, this hoodie adapts to every situation. It provides sun protection for hot days, warmth for chilly mornings and nights, and unmatched comfort for long drives. If you’re a minimalist packer or someone who values multi-functional travel gear, this is the one hoodie you’ll never regret bringing along no matter where the road takes you. This hoodie gets a unanimous Pack vote, whether you’re looking for something for long drives, hiking trails, errands around town, or even remote work days.
FAQs: Ridge Merino Solstice Hoodie
Q: Is the Ridge Merino Solstice Hoodie warm enough for cold weather?
A: It’s warm enough for cool weather as it’s designed as a lightweight layer, not a heavy-duty winter hoodie. It provides excellent temperature regulation, making it warm enough for cool mornings and evenings, but for very cold or windy conditions, you’ll want to layer it under a jacket or shell.
Q: How does the hoodie perform in hot weather?
A: This hoodie is surprisingly great in warm weather! Merino wool naturally wicks moisture and regulates body temperature, so you stay cool even on sunny days. Plus, it offers UPF 30+ sun protection, making it a great alternative to synthetic sun shirts. I wear my hoodie during even the hottest of hikes for sun protection.
Q: Can you wear this hoodie multiple days in a row without washing it?
A: Absolutely! Thanks to merino wool’s natural odor resistance, you can wear this hoodie for several days without it smelling. It’s perfect for road trips, hiking, and travel when frequent laundry isn’t an option.
Q: How does the fit run? Should I size up or down?
A: The fit is true to size, with a flattering but not overly tight cut. If you prefer a looser fit or plan to layer underneath, you may want to size up. The longer length and thumbholes also provide extra coverage.
Q: How packable is this hoodie?
A: It’s extremely lightweight and packable. It rolls up small and barely takes up space in a backpack or carry-on. It’s the perfect road trip item because it doesn’t add bulk but works for every situation.
Q: Can you machine wash it?
A: Yes, but wash it gently! Use cold water and a delicate cycle, and avoid fabric softeners. Air drying is best to maintain its shape and performance.
Q: Is it windproof?
A: Not entirely. It provides some protection but isn’t a full windproof layer. For windy or stormy conditions, it works best as a base or mid-layer under a wind-resistant shell.
Q: How does the fabric feel? Is it itchy like traditional wool?
A: Not at all! Merino wool is soft, smooth, and non-itchy, making it incredibly comfortable to wear all day. The added nylon enhances durability while keeping it lightweight and breathable.
Q: Is this hoodie stylish enough for everyday wear?
A: Yes! The minimalist design makes it easy to wear beyond the trail. It’s versatile enough to pair with jeans, leggings, or activewear, making it a go-to for hiking, driving, running errands, or casual everyday wear.
Starting our long drive with Kühl Travel Pants
An impromptu pitstop at a motel in Boise City, Oklahoma
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