I wear this duck hunting and bow hunting in Utah once the leaves fall and everything is dead. Warm for how thin it is. Love how the hoodie zips up. Covers face perfectly for bow hunting and staying warm duck hunting. Fits great, purchased L and I’m 5’9”, 150 lbs.

Just an update to my previous 5-star review. I'm downgrading only slightly because I've been battle testing this hoodie. First, the hoodie is insanely comfortable and PERFECT for low-50's and high-40's however, I'm not sure this is the most DURABLE standalone. In the marsh yesterday I had to walk through a rough patch of stalks and put a few snags on the seam threading. I understand this is technically a mid-layer, even though Sitka advertises that it can also be used as an outer layer, which I have; so it's no big deal but I'm not sure it's as bombproof as a 4/5 bars on durability. Maybe a 3/5? But that's been my only observation (not even really a complaint but just not worthy of a 5-star). At the end of the day, I still LOVE this hoodie!

First off, I'm 5'8" 175lbs with an athletic build and the medium fits perfect. I don't know where to start with this hoodie. It's a great piece of gear. I wore it this morning with lows in the mid 40's. I usually have to wear a cold weather base layer, a hoodie, and sometimes a jacket in those temps. Today I took a thin base layer, the grinder, and the gradient hoodie just in case. To my surprise, the grinder did it for me by itself all day. Other than the moisture wicking layer, it was all I needed and was super comfortable.

The best feature on this jacket, whether they intended it to be used this way or not, is the hoodie. When it's not on your head, you can put your neck through the head hole, zip it up all the way, and you have a lightweight neck gaiter. This is one of those pieces of clothing I'll wear every time I hunt after early season for sure.

Firstly I love this piece and wear it on 95% of my hunts. It has an excellent warmth to weight ratio and the fit is absolutely perfect. I was surprised by the water repellentness of the hoodie after taking it off after getting hot and setting on my blind bag. It began to rain lightly and 30 minutes later I was ready to put the warm layer back on. I went to my blind bag fully expecting the piece to be soaked. It was completed dry. The DWR finish shed all of the water. Very very impressive. The only reason I am not giving it 5 stars is because it could be better. Like others have mentioned a kangaroo pocket should be included with this piece. However, I use this piece as a base/mid-layer and rarely have it on by itself. Lastly the garment itself is pilling around the shoulders and back after a season of hard use. I am still extremely satisfied with this product and, like I said above, I wear this on almost all of my hunts.

Bit the bullet and finally decided to purchase some Sitka gear about a month ago. I ordered the Grinder hoodie along with the Dakota pants. I absolutely love the fit and feel of his hoodie; I could see this being an early to mid-season piece in Kansas and then becoming a solid, mid-layer piece after December. I was worried about sizing because I typically wear a Medium in most clothing and according to Sitka's sizing model, I needed a Medium but being more broad in the shoulders than an average Medium-fit it had me nervous. I went ahead and ordered the Medium and it fits great, like PERFECT; should be able to sneak a base layer under there just fine. I'm 6'1" and 175lbs with a measured 39" chest. My only complaint, not a SUPER huge fan of the zip-to-the-nose portion; wished it was set up more like the Gradient without being as warm as the Gradient.

Probably my favorite Sitka piece. Perfect for Georgia fall and winter.

This hoody is a special piece. I have had it for about 2 months now during the early months of waterfowl in Minnesota. I love Sitka gear and plan to add the gradient jacket and delta wading jacket to finish out my system. I already have the core mid zip undershirt. I walked dykes on rice paddies for 4 1/2 miles today and was never hot, it cools so well. This piece really has so many different uses, I really like to jump ponds and walk dykes and this piece has been a dream come true for me. Holds up well in light rain which is all I’ve had. My favorite hunting hoody out of all the ones I own!

OK, what a wonderful surprise is this piece of “gear”. It looked interesting in the picture, but I’d never have guessed how functional it would be. Of course I find this phenomenon to be true of a lot of Sitka products. You really don’t know how great they are til you use them. But this “mid layer” was on me every waterfowl hunt of the 2019/2020 season. And I am in the hunting business… in the field a lot! I was amazed at the hood itself. I own and hunt on lands along the North Platte River in Western Nebraska. My usual deal was to everyday wear a fleece balaclava of another brand. That would always keep my neck warm and on the cold days (which we can really have), I would pull it up over a baseball style cap to keep my ears warm. Been doing this for year! So when trying a full Sitka system out, I first bought their core lightweight balaclava, but used it only once. Nothing against that piece (though it should be cut a lot bigger), but once I started pulling up the hood of the Grinder, I never went back. And I still thought, “Someday, it’s going to be truly cold and too much for this hood”. But it never was. Mind you, we didn’t have much in the way of blizzard hunting (my favorite) this year. But if the wind and cold is too much, nothing the hood of my Delta Wading, or Hudson Jacket pulled up over the Grinder won’t handle! The Grinder Hoody is so good, so comfortable, and clearly makes me look so cool (Ha!), that I gave one to one of my guides for Xmas, and I haven’t seen him without it on since… hunting or not! I bought a second one and put it into storage in case they ever discontinue it... but i doubt they will!

Love this top as it sheds light rain and moist air conditions great without getting hot while exerting energy early setting decoys, walking to a spot or in and out at the boat ramp. Only thing I would change is they need to add a kangaroo pocket. It’s annoying when you’re done for the day and wearing it around and you go to put your hands or keys/wallet there and nothing but slick sides. Add a simple kangaroo Sitka it’s a feature that needs to be there on a hoody.

WORTH IT! I wore this hoody in Northwest Nebraska for a January duck/goose hunt. when putting out decoys in 20 to 30 mph winds while it was 20degrees out was no problem having a merino wool shirt under and Dakota vest over this. i only put my jacket (dakota hoody) on when i was sitting still during the hunt. the outer material did great in wind and snow keeping me warm and dry. every duck hunter should have this. only reason for not giving a 5 start is no kangaroo pocket.

Fit, fabric, and finish are all great, plus it's the perfect weight for layering late season or solo early and mid season. However, IT ONLY HAS ONE CHEST POCKET, no side pockets or kangaroo pocket on the front, unlike every other hoody I've ever owned. C'mon Sitka, that's an obvious inclusion on a $170 garment that pulls double duty.

The grinder hoody is a amazing layering piece. Great for Under a vest or waterproof jacket. Very warm and great for early-mid season conditions.

This might be my favorite piece of clothing. I wear way too often because its about the perfect heavy sweatshirt type of garment. Super comfortable. The DWR is awesome when using it as out lighter outer layer and the dog splashes water on me setting up decoys.