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A highly breathable active layer with adaptable venting
Sambob says:
The SAMBOB Octa hoodies are made from a unique ultralight fabric made by Teijin (based in Japan). With a brushed fleece interior face and a flat mesh exterior face, this fabric stands to rival Polartec Alpha in its warmth to weight ratio, while also proving to be more durable against snags and tears. This fabric is semi-transparent and extremely non-wind resistant, but acts as a perfect active layer fabric.
Our Verdict
The Sambob Octa Hoodie Quarter-Zip is a lightweight midlayer designed for year-round insulation. At 130g (Medium), it delivers impressive warmth for its weight without feeling bulky or restrictive.
The defining feature remains the Octa fabric, which uses a hollow core polyester fibre to trap warmth while keeping overall weight low. The brushed inner face feels soft against the skin, while the open, mesh-like outer face allows moisture and excess heat to escape quickly. It dries fast, breathes exceptionally well and continues to insulate when damp, though its air permeability means a windproof shell is useful in exposed conditions.
The addition of the ¼ length zip makes temperature control even more precise. It allows rapid venting on climbs and can be closed fully to retain warmth. The fit is relaxed but tidy, so it layers easily over a base layer or beneath a shell.
The hood sits comfortably and can be adjusted with a simple drawcord. With the hood down, tightening the cord cinches the hood around the neck, creating a warm, snood-like seal that traps heat at the collar. With the hood up, it can be left open for ventilation or cinched closer around the face in colder weather. That single elastic adjustment effectively gives four distinct configurations for managing warmth.
Durability is strong for such an airy fabric, with better snag resistance than many comparable high-loft options.
- Reviewed by Ultralight Outdoor Gear
Features
- Brushed fleece interior face
- 1/4 lenth zip
- Breathable: Allows moisture vapor to escape, keeping the wearer dry.
- Lightweight: Provides warmth without added bulk.
- Quick-Drying: Hydrophobic, moisture-wicking, and fast-drying properties.
Specifications
- Small weighs: 123g
- Medium weighs: 130g
- Large weighs: 141g
- XLarge weighs: 149g
Material & Construction
- Octa® is an exceptionally unique polyester fiber with a distinctive, highly modified cross-section with eight projections aligned in a radial pattern around a hollow fiber. The spaces between the projections preserve body heat to give extra warmth. OCTA® unique fiber construction contributes to quick drying and airy texture as fabrics with 50% lighter weight than regular polyester material.
- 100% polyester
- 90 grams/square meter
