Blog

When I heard that SamBob were releasing a 120gsm Alpha Direct version of their classic oversized thru-hiking hoodie, I was instantly interested. I’ve used a lot of Alpha 90 over the years and always loved how breathable and versatile it is, so the idea of a warmer, loftier 120gsm version immediately grabbed my attention.

When the box arrived at the warehouse, I grabbed one immediately and have been using it for the past couple of months, for hiking and wild camping. With colder days now here, I’m excited to see how it holds up in deep winter. After spending a couple of months with it so far, I can say it’s already earned a permanent spot in my cold-weather kit.

Who Is SamBob?

SamBob is a relatively young but fast-growing cottage brand that has built a reputation on simple, functional, high-performance pieces made in small batches. They focus heavily on Polartec Alpha Direct pieces, arguably the crown jewel of modern active insulation, and their designs lean toward minimalism, practicality, and comfort. What started as a small operation has grown through word of mouth in the ultralight and outdoor communities, and the Alpha 120 Hoodie is their newest offering. 

Fabric Performance & Layering: Why Alpha 120 Works So Well

The heart of this hoodie is the fabric: Polartec Alpha Direct at 120gsm. If you’ve used Alpha before, you’ll know it doesn’t behave like a “normal” fleece or synthetic fill. It’s an open, lofty knit that’s incredibly air-permeable, which is precisely why it feels so comfortable when you’re moving. Warm air and moisture escape straight through the fabric, so you never get that humid, sticky feeling traditional fleeces can create, and if you do sweat into it, it dries remarkably quickly.

At 120gsm, this is the warmest Alpha SamBob use, sitting nicely between the lighter Alpha 90 and a heavier fleece or puffy. My large comes in at roughly 216g, yet it feels surprisingly warm for something so airy and compact. Throw it over a merino base when on a cold hike, and the soft loft traps enough heat to take the chill off straight away.

That same openness, though, means wind will cut right through it. That isn’t a flaw, it’s the point. Alpha is designed to be part of a system, not a standalone winter outer. As a midlayer, it’s brilliant for high-output use in cold, dry weather; add a wind- or rainshell over the top, and it suddenly becomes a genuinely versatile cold-weather layer. The shell blocks the wind, the Alpha insulates and dumps excess heat, and together they breathe far better than a traditional insulated jacket ever could. When I stop for longer breaks, I simply throw a puffy over everything, and the Alpha keeps doing its thing without bunching or holding moisture.

My go-to layering setup is simple: a merino base, my Alpha 120 midlayer, a shell when conditions call for it, and a puffy when I stop. Regardless of where I am in my layering system, the hoodie stays consistently comfortable whether climbing, descending, or taking a quick break.

Fit, Features & First Impressions

SamBob describes this as their “wide fit,” which feels spot on. The cut is straight and relaxed, with room through the torso without drifting into that boxy, shapeless territory. For context, I am 6 feet and went for the large, which fits perfectly. It sits comfortably over a base layer, moves naturally, and never feels restrictive. The elasticated cuffs and hem give the hoodie shape and help hold warmth while still allowing air to move when you’re active, and the whole piece layers cleanly under a shell without any fuss.

For me, the standout feature is the hood. SamBob have kept the design simple, but it works brilliantly. A drawcord runs smoothly around the face opening, cinching down with minimal adjustment, letting you close the hood right up so only your eyes are exposed. Because Alpha Direct is so air-permeable, you don’t get that damp, clammy condensation building up inside, which can be a common issue with traditional fleeces. As someone who wears glasses, this was a genuine surprise: even fully cinched, my glasses don’t fog up, because the moisture can escape so easily. It’s the first time I’ve been able to “batten down the hatches” in cold weather without instantly steaming up.

There’s also a clever bonus: tighten the drawcord with the hood down, and it acts like a warm snood or neck tube, sealing heat around your collar. Between having the hood down, the hood up, the face fully cinched, or the neck sealed, you essentially get four different ways to regulate temperature from one simple elastic drawcord. It’s a small detail, but one that makes the hoodie far more adaptable than most midlayers.

The Alpha Direct fabric itself feels soft against the skin, with an open, airy loft that keeps you warm without restricting, and at 216g (large), it never feels heavy or bulky. It’s the kind of piece you end up reaching for constantly because it stays comfortable across such a wide range of conditions. In fact, I’ve had to use a bit of self-control not just to wear it around the house all the time, but actually to save it for my hiking kit. At this point, I may just have to get another one.

Durability: The One Drawback

It's important to note that Alpha Direct is inherently delicate. The fabric uses an open, lofty knit to maximise breathability, with thin fibres arranged to trap heat without adding weight. This airy structure is what makes Alpha so good at dumping heat and moisture, but it also means it can snag on rough surfaces or Velcro far more easily than a traditional fleece. SamBob's advice to keep it away from velcro, dog claws, and brambles is solid and should be heeded to ensure the hoodie’s longevity.

That said, this 120gsm version does feel a touch more robust than lighter Alpha pieces I’ve used. The higher loft gives it a bit more fibre density, so it isn’t quite as wispy or fragile as Alpha 60 or 90. It’s still not a layer you’d want to bushwhack in, but with a bit of care, it should last many seasons.

Final Thoughts

After two months, the SamBob Alpha 120 Hoodie has earned a permanent spot in my kit. It’s warm, unbelievably comfortable, and works seamlessly in a multi-layer system. The relaxed fit, thoughtful design, and performance fabric make it ideal for cold-weather adventures, from crisp autumn hikes to deep-winter layering.

Andy Neil
Andy has been a keen long-distance hiker and wild camping enthusiast since he completed the Cleveland Way in 2015. Since then, he has walked thousands of trail miles all over the UK and is an active member of the Wild Camping UK community, being an admin of the largest wild camping community on Facebook. He strongly advocates for responsible wild camping and believes it is important to leave no trace when camping in the wilderness. He joined the UOG team in 2021 and works as a website developer and content creator. Read more from Andy Neil