The FarPointe TecnoWool Cruiser Hoodie uses an engineered blend of wool, polyester, and nylon called Technowool that offers better odor control than midlayers made with Polartec Alpha Direct, but wicks moisture off your skin less efficiently during periods of high exertion and dries more slowly. Blending wool with synthetic materials has become increasingly common to increase wool garments’ durability, reduce shrinkage, and retain their odor-control properties. Whether Technowool garments are “better” than Polartec Alpha Direct is a matter of preference, since Technowool is primarily polyester and nylon and shares many of its characteristics.

• Fabric weight: 60 gsm tested, also available in 90gsm and 120 gsm
• Weight: 60 gsm- 4.6 oz (Size Large)
• Composition: 60 gsm- 54% Polyester/ 37% Wool/ 9% Nylon
• Care: Wash cold and air dry. Use a fabric mesh bag to protect the garment if available.
• Sizing: True to size

About Technowool

The defining feature of the FarPointe TecnoWool Cruiser is its hybrid fabric blend. Rather than relying entirely on polyester, TecnoWool uses a dual-layer structure with a synthetic grid that anchors wool tufts. Depending on the fabric weight you choose (available in 60, 90, and 120 GSM (grams per sq meter) variants), the material contains roughly 30% to 40% wool, blended with polyester and nylon (some blends also contain Tencel). The synthetic core keeps the hoodie lightweight and more durable, while the wool adds natural odor resistance.

The weave of 60 gsm Technowool is highly porous, enhancing breathability.

Paired with a lightweight wind shell or rain jacket, the TecnoWool Cruiser’s porous air pockets trap heat exceptionally well, and the 60 gsm hoodie reviewed is surprisingly warm even when worn by itself. Whether that’s due to the wool fibers on the exterior or the fine polyester and nylon mesh inside is hard to say.

Minimalist Design and Comfort

True to FarPointe Outdoor Gear’s design philosophy, the Cruiser hoodie features a highly functional, no-frills layout. It omits kangaroo pockets and thumbloops to save weight. The hoodie features raglan sleeves, which position the seams away from your shoulders so they don’t chafe under backpack straps.

The hood includes a simple, adjustable drawstring cinch cord with knotted ends; when pulled tight, metal rings in the hood’s base keep the ends from pulling into the hood, so you can’t lose the cords.  The hood is low-profile enough to wear comfortably under a helmet, yet flexible enough to stretch over a standard ball cap.

In terms of fabric softness, the interior of the 60 gsm Hoodie’s Technowool is on par with comparable Polartec Alpha Direct hoodies from FarPointe and other manufacturers, which isn’t surprising, because the inner layer is made of synthetic mesh. The exterior is less uniform, fuzzier, and has more randomly placed fibers than Polartec Alpha Direct, which may explain its appeal (like the petability of Monkey Man (Polartec Hi-Loft) fleece).

The hood is adjustable and close-fitting for under-helmet use.

Durability and Care

At $135 for the 60 GSM version, it is slightly more expensive than Far Pointe’s Polartec Alpha Direct hoodies, priced at $105. While the polyester, nylon, and wool blend increases the Technowool garment’s durability, the open-weave structure remains delicate. Pushing through dense, thorny vegetation can cause snagging, so it is best layered under a shell when navigating overgrown terrain.

When it gets damp from perspiration, the Technowool smells like wet wool and dries more slowly since wool absorbs moisture, unlike Polartec Alpha Direct, which is highly hydrophobic. While Technowool retains slightly less body odor over multiple days of wear, it’s harder to care for because it is best air-dried. Being wool, you don’t want to put it in the dryer, something I do without a care with my Polartec Alpha Direct hoodies.

Final Verdict

While its proponents would claim that the FarPointe TecnoWool Cruiser Hoodie represents a major evolutionary leap for ultralight gear, I’m far more skeptical. TecnoWool, which is predominantly synthetic, is less wicking than Polartec Alpha Direct and dries much more slowly. Its main selling point is that it stinks less over several days of continuous wear. Rinsing a Polartec Alpha Direct hoodie has the same effect; it dries much faster because it’s highly hydrophobic, and it’s easier to wash and care for in a conventional washing machine and dryer.

For my money, I prefer Polartec Alpha Direct hoodies for the same reason I avoid most wool garments: the added care and reduced durability outweigh any negligible performance differences.  But if you prefer wool over synthetics, you may well prefer a different option.

Disclosure: FarPointe donated a hoodie for review.

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