Product Review: North Fork Apparel Bamboo Pullover Hoodie

There's a 95 percent chance Senior Editor Christine Sarkis is thinking about travel right now. Follow her on Instagram @postcartography and Twitter @ChristineSarkis.

Christine Sarkis is an SATW-award-winning journalist and executive editor at SmarterTravel. Her stories have also appeared on USA Today, Conde Nast Traveler, Huffington Post, and Business Insider. Her advice has been featured in dozens of print and online publications including The New York Times, Conde Nast Traveler, and People magazine. She has also shared travel tips on television and radio shows including Good Morning America, Marketplace, and Here & Now. Her work has been published in the anthologies Spain from a Backpack and The Best Women's Travel Writing 2008. She is currently working on a travel memoir.

The Handy Item I Always Pack: The Trtl Pillow. It's easy to pack and comfortable, and makes it so I can actually sleep on flights.

Ultimate Bucket List Experience: Seeing the Aurora Borealis from the comfort of somewhere warm, like a glass igloo or hot spring.

Travel Motto: Curiosity is an amazing compass.

Aisle, Window, or Middle Seat: Aisle all the way.

Email Christine Sarkis at editor@smartertravel.com.

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What is it: North Fork Apparel Bamboo Pullover Hoodie

Price and Where to Buy: $88 on NorthForkApparel.com

Pros: This adaptable bamboo sweatshirt looks sharp, feels soft, and brings a sophisticated edge to the world of pullover hoodies. It’s a great flight companion—it’s comfortable and light but dense enough to offer real insulation against the inflight chill. It’s small enough that it packs away in a day bag easily when not needed (though see note below, it does wrinkle if not folded carefully).

North Fork’s line also includes an ultra-flattering classic short-sleeved T-shirt ($45) in a bamboo terry weave that offers the same nice lines and ultra-comfortable fit, and it works well as an adaptable underlayer to the pullover hoodie.

Cons: It’s not immune to wrinkles, so it needs to be carefully rolled or folded before being placed in a day bag or suitcase.

How it Rates:

Usefulness: 8/10. Stylish, warm, and soft; it delivers on all counts as a travel sweatshirt.
Value: 8/10. At $88, this hoodie is the most affordable in North Fork’s line (it also sells a zip-front fleece hoodie, as well as cashmere and wool, cashmere, and silk options). It has all the thoughtful styling and careful crafting of the more expensive hoodies.
Durability: 10/10. This well-made garment is up to the job of longtime travel companion.

Final Verdict: Soft enough to feel like pajamas, stylish enough to earn you an upgrade, this hoodie is a jetsetter in its own right.

Editor’s Note: Reviews are based on usefulness, portability, durability, value, and “cool factor.” Some review products are sent to us free of charge and with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions, positive and negative, and will never accept compensation to review a product. If you have any questions or comments concerning our reviews, or would like to suggest a product for review, please email us at editor@smartertravel.com

(Photo: North Fork Apparel)

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