In this review I paid for this item and I do not get a commission for sales from the link in the blog. I never endorse products I don’t use as my credibility is more important. Thankyou for helping to support my blog and adventures so I can keep buying gear to review. 

Super Speedy Summary Review

Well…..Its fire proof. What else do you want to know?! The indestructible hoodie is back and this time with a full length zip so its more like a hoodie/jacket. It has 4 super large external pockets with rubberized waterproof zips and internal pockets as well. The Kevlar material is surprisingly just like a tough durable cotton and it feels like any other cotton or fleece hoodie.

The material fades and ages each time its washed or in the sun giving it that ‘aged favorite hoodie’ look. Its basically indestructible too.

Oh and I mentioned it was fire proof yeh ?

Don’t mess around. When Vollebak release these in batches of about 500 they sell out in hours. If you want one get on the Vollebak subscriber list and jump on one the moment they are up for sale.

I’ve had mine for nearly 2 years now. Ill update as I go for how the other 98 go.

Join the waiting list here.

In Depth Review

‘THIS HOODIE WILL OUTLAST YOU’ 

That’s the bold claim in the Hoodie label from Vollebak. I’ve wanted to get my hands on their 100 year hoodie for some time but they were sold out. When a newer version with a full zip was launched recently I snapped one up. 

Vollebak 100 Year Hoodie – This Hoodie will Outlive you

Fit and Color

I ordered one in medium in granite but they also do a yellow option.  Out of the packet the first thing you notice is compared to the fit of other Vollebak gear its quite a bulky and large hoodie.  Its tailored well and in my opinion the full zip version is really more of a decent hooded jacket than a pull on hoodie. As such its got enough room to give you space for 1 or 2 layers below without looking too large and if you throw it on with nothing on underneath (which I did when out night swimming recently). Its soft on the inside and feels like cotton. 

Vollebak 100 Year Hoodie is impervious to sparks and heat

Made of Indestructible Aramid – Used in Bullet Proof Clothing

The hoodie is made of Aramid. You may know Aramid in one of its commercial names which is Kevlar. This material is synonymous with stab and bullet proof jackets and other gear that requires huge amounts of toughness and resistance to abrasion. Another variant of Aramid is known as Nomex and is used in the fire retardant flight suits I wear when flying sometimes.  By using this fibre you get a hoodie that’s hugely resistant to wear and tear, and wont burn easily.  The fibres are five times stronger than steel weight for weight yet as comfortable as cotton to wear. 

Vollebak 100 Year Hoodie is impervious to a blowtorch

The 100 Year Hoodie Quickly Looks Like Your Favorite Old Hoodie

Its not the easiest material to work with and as a result even the color dye doesn’t hold well to it.  This gives the 100 Year Hoodie one of its unique characteristics. Once its been washed once it loses a lot of its color in a slightly uneven way, exposure to sunlight does the same.

Vollebak 100 Year Hoodie after a wash and exposure to sunlight

I actually rather like this because it instantly looks like you’ve had it for years. It takes on that sun bleached ‘favorite hoodie’ look. It looks like you’ve lived on the beach in it for years. Even the bobbling you get on the sleeves after one wear and wash make it look ancient. Like an old friend. 

Vollebak 100 Year Hoodie being dragged behind a motorbike

Pockets and Zips

There are some features that it has that their website miss. As well as four huge external pockets (two on each side serviced with only one waterproof zip between them in a rather clever way ) there are also internal pockets you can use.  The four large pockets mean I can keep my keys phone and wallet in the higher pockets and still have somewhere to keep my hands warm when standing about. 

Vollebak 100 year hoodie with its unique ‘4 pockets but 2 zips’ design

Washing Instructions ? Clean on Anything Below 660 Fahrenheit

The hoodie also has a more breathable thinner section under the armpits which I like.  After one wash on low temp the Jacket/Hoodie also shrinks slightly which may also account for why the overall sizing on this is slightly more generous than the other Vollebak gear.  The garment is 100% Kevlar so the washing instructions are hilariously  relaxed as you would expect from a garment that is indestructable. 

Vollebak 100 Year Hoodie – more breathable armpits for comfort

Its as much a great warm jacket as it is a hoodie, with huge pockets and a warm hood. The full zip version is well worth the extra £50 over the pull over version.  I’m already getting lots of use out of it even though its the summer. Its now replaced my belay jacket I would take with me in my rucksack on long runs as its more versatile. Its a unique garment that a few people seeing me wear it have asked about unprompted. They are rare too so I get to wear something very few others have.

Verdict

So is it worth the $395 price tag ?

If you are going to die soon probably not. You simply wont get any value for money from the guarantee. Provided I continue to avoid an adventure lifestyle related fatality this hoodie may well work out at $5 per year in clothing costs. …Plus I get to brag that my Hoodie is flameproof.

 I’ll report back each decade to let you know how its going.