Fjällräven Övik Fleece Hoodie review: a worthwhile investment for winter layering

Our top pick of the hooded fleeces is the Fjällräven Övik Fleece Hoodie, a versatile, hard-wearing cold-weather layer with smart, knitted looks

Fjällräven Övik Fleece Hoodie
(Image: © Fjällräven)

Advnture Verdict

A smart, warm and comfortable fleecy hoody that can go from casual walks to technical adventures without a fuss – the Övik is so versatile you may wonder how you lived without it if you invest in one.

Pros

  • +

    Well-designed hood

  • +

    Traps in warmth well

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    Recycled materials

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    Reinforced elbows

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    Smart knitted exterior

Cons

  • -

    You may need to size up

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Fjällräven Övik Fleece Hoodie: first impressions

With the rather covetable Fjällräven Övik Fleece Hoodie, Swedish outdoor style maestros Fjällräven have elevated the design of the simple hoodie. The Övik is a warm but breathable fleece jacket that could easily become your new go-to mid layer, both outdoors and in (see also: why is layering important?). 

Made with recycled polyester, it sports a soft-touch inner layer that feels lovely against the skin and a bobble-resistant outer layer with a knit-like finish that looks smarter than your average fleece. 

Specifications

• RRP: $200 (US) / £150 (UK)
• Gender specificity: Women’s
• Sizes: XXS / XS / S / M / L / XL / XXL
• Weight: 460g / 1lb
• Colors: Deep Forest / Dark Grey / Navy
• Compatibility: Brilliant as a mid or outer layer all winter long

Fjällräven Övik Fleece Hoodie: on the trails

We found the Övik one of the warmest fleece jackets we tested for our best women’s fleece jackets buying guide, despite its middling weigh. It was ideal for winter camps or rock climbing, where you are likely to be staying still in between bursts of movement. 

The cozy hood and high neck are adjustable for a snug, heat-trapping fit, and we like the generously sized zipped pockets and the reinforced elbows, perfect for playing or working outdoors. 

While looks aren’t the most important feature in a good fleece, it’s handy owning such a smart hoody – it’ll go from peak to pub with you and looks good worn casually with jeans when you aren’t outdoors. 

Go for a size up if you want to wear multiple layers with the Övik, or if you have wider hips, as it’s rather slim-cut at the bottom of the jacket. A larger size also makes the ˆÖvik easier to wear as a standalone jacket on milder days in fall and winter. Like all Fjällräven kit the Övik is on the pricy side, but does offer excellent, long-lasting quality. 

Sian Lewis

An award-winning travel and outdoors journalist, presenter and blogger, Sian regularly writes for The Independent, Evening Standard, BBC Countryfile, Coast, Outdoor Enthusiast and Sunday Times Travel. Life as a hiking, camping, wild-swimming adventure-writer has taken her around the world, exploring Bolivian jungles, kayaking in Greenland, diving with turtles in Australia, climbing mountains in Africa and, in Thailand, learning the hard way that peeing on a jellyfish sting doesn’t help. Her blog, thegirloutdoors.co.uk, champions accessible adventures.