Men's outdoor sweatshirts: Penfield, Gramicci and hooded sweatshirts
The men's outdoor sweatshirts in this section mainly feature the brand Penfield: Bear Chest Print with its bear, Hudson Script, mountain graphics Ridge Trail and Triangle Mountain. Gramicci Climbing, Granola, and One Point, Parel Studios BP, Satisfy, and Aigle also make up the section, available in hooded or crew neck styles.
The sweatshirt, a legacy of the American wardrobe
The sweatshirt was born in American sports locker rooms, then moved to campuses, the streets and hiking trails. Warm, sturdy and comfortable, it remains the most worn piece in a casual wardrobe.
The section brings together brands that have built their reputation on outdoor gear.
Penfield, the outdoor of New England
Founded in 1975 in Hudson, Massachusetts, Penfield is known for its jackets and fleece designed for the winters of the American east coast. Its emblem, a bear, features on several of its sweatshirts.
Bear Chest Print
The Bear Chest Print sweatshirt displays the brand's bear on the chest. It comes in crew neck, hoodie, and oversized cuts for a more modern look.
Hudson Script
The Hudson Script pays tribute to Penfield's hometown with a handwritten inscription. Available in hoodie or crew neck, it is the simplest model in the range.
The mountain graphics
Ridge Trail and Triangle Mountain feature a large graphic on the back, inspired by ridges and trails. A graphic touch for those who love to show off their passion for the outdoors.
Gramicci, for climbing and beyond
The hoodies Gramicci Climbing, One Point, and Granola draw from the Californian climbing scene. Their loose fit allows for easy arm movement without the sweatshirt riding up, a valuable detail for climbing.
The One Point is also available in a zipped version.
Parel Studios, Satisfy and Aigle
The BP from Parel Studios, a Copenhagen brand, focuses on simplicity. Satisfy, a Parisian running brand, and Aigle, a French outdoor house, complete the section with more technical models.
Hood or crew neck?
- Hoodie: more protective, it replaces a beanie in cooler weather.
- Crew neck: sharper, it layers nicely under a jacket or coat.
- Zipped: it opens up to regulate warmth without needing to take it off.
- Loose fit: for a relaxed and current style.
The sweatshirt in the layering system
Under a waterproof jacket, a sweatshirt serves as a warm layer. On dry and mild days, it can be worn alone. For intense activity, a technical sweatshirt wicks sweat better than a thick cotton one.
From trail to town
A Penfield sweatshirt, Gramicci pants and trail sneakers: the outdoor uniform has made its way into the city. Paired with raw denim and boots, the same sweatshirt takes on a more workwear vibe.
Thick cotton, light cotton
A thick fleece keeps you warm in winter and retains its shape through washes. A lighter cotton is suitable for summer evenings and mid-season wear. The weight, often indicated on the tag, gives a good idea of thickness.
What size?
For a classic fit, take your usual size. For an oversized look, go one size up, or choose a model with a loose fit like the Bear Chest Print large. The Gramicci styles are already roomy.
The sweatshirt at camping and bivouac
At the campsite, the hoodie becomes the evening outfit: around the fire, for meal preparation, then in the sac when it gets chilly at night. Choose a slightly loose fit to layer over a long-sleeve t-shirt.
A thick fleece model keeps you warm even when temperatures drop after sunset.
Giving an outdoor sweatshirt
A bear sweatshirt from Penfield or a Gramicci hoodie makes for an easy gift for a hiking or climbing enthusiast. A neutral colour, like heather grey, navy, or khaki, is a safe bet if you're unsure of their preferences.
The colours of the outdoors
Forest green, brown, sand, burnt orange: the colours of outdoor sweatshirts reflect nature. They pair easily with beige trousers, jeans, or khaki cargos.
Making your sweatshirts last
Wash them inside out, at 30 degrees, with similar colours. Lay them flat to dry to prevent distortion, and avoid the tumble dryer, which shrinks cotton and cracks prints.
See also
For t-shirts and jackets, check out the men's outdoor tops and outdoor jackets. The brand is on the Gramicci page, and the whole range can be found in the men's outdoor section.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the brand Penfield come from?
From Hudson, Massachusetts, where it was founded in 1975.
Why a bear on Penfield sweatshirts?
It's the brand's emblem, featured on the Bear Chest Print.
Hoodie or crew neck?
The hood offers better cold protection, while the crew neck layers more easily.
How to prevent prints from cracking?
Wash the sweatshirt inside out, at 30 degrees, without tumble drying.
What size for an oversized effect?
One size up, or a model that's already cut loose.
