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As a proud carry-on-only traveler, I try to keep it light when going on a plane. Everything needs to earn its space in my bag. I care about looking stylish but also about being comfortable and prepared for the weather. My pack list needs to be versatile, able to be worn a bunch of times, easy to spot clean in a sink and something I’ll want to put on every day when I don’t have access to my whole closet. And my Carhartt sweatshirt checks all of those boxes.
As a non-binary person who lives in Pennsylvania, I actually own a lot of Carhartt. Most of it is bottoms — I love the brand’s carpenter pants — but I also have a long-sleeved shirt and of course, a timeless pocket tee. Carhartt’s Heavyweight sweatshirt has become the most regular in my rotation.
At first glance, it may look like a lackluster black hoodie. When I spotted it in my closet, I was surprised I owned it because when you thrift as much as I do, you don’t always know the contents of your closet. I also generally wear bright colors and patterns.
And yet, visualizing where I was going, what I would be doing and how I wanted to feel on my trip — it seemed this sweatshirt would be a welcome addition. It was easy to style, super thick and warm, comfy enough to sleep in but sharp enough to wear out and about. Also, while I do love color, I have found I like wearing all black to the airport — and I often can’t justify bringing multiple sweatshirts on a trip, so this baby seemed like a perfect choice.
Ultimately, the sweatshirt made for a great travel day look and was comfortable but didn’t make me feel sloppy.
Also, when I got to my destination and the weather was crap, I learned this sweatshirt was part of the brand’s Rain Defender line — meaning it’s water-repellent and keeps you dry and toasty.
I found myself wearing it nearly every day of my trip, where TMI, it didn’t get stinky or gross after being worn for a week straight and was indeed easy to spot clean after I dripped various condiments on it while eating. The sweatshirt has a perfect baggy fit that gives you wiggle room without being too boxy and is great for layering over long and short-sleeved shirts and under jackets and coats.
If you’re looking for a solid hoodie for you or a loved one and want something strictly plain with no extra writing or graphics, I happily suggest Carhartt’s Rain Defender sweatshirt.
While mine is black, you can find it in a bunch of colors, all made from a heavyweight blend of 75% cotton and 25% polyester. Carhartt generally has a good size range, and this option is no exception running from S-5XL, with tall options. Reviews say that this runs big (I agree) and the 4.8 overall rating shows you how much of a fan favorite the sweatshirt truly is.
Need more convincing? Check out some of these testimonies pulled from over 22,000 5-star reviews:
“The quality of this hoodie is great. It’s thick and rich in color. The material is soft yet super warm. They are true to size in my opinion. No fading with washing and are very durable with heavy wear.” — Me
“Carhart has long been known for durable clothing. And this sweatshirt os no exception. I travel a lot for work, and this sweatshirt has gone everywhere with me. Heavy enough to be worn by itself, as well as it was an extra layer under my parka when I was in Fairbanks Alaska and Temps reached -50° windchill. These are so good, I now own 3 of these. You cannot go wrong with Carhart.” — J. Scott Douglas
“I’ve owned about 15 of this sweatshirt over the last 20 years. I wear them every day below 60 degrees and I live in Montana, which means a lot of days. They wear extremely well and shed water as well as a cotton sweatshirt can. I work outside and after about 6 months the sun fades them severely. Not a flaw in the product, just a fact of nature. If you want to look good, get the regular length. If you work outside in cold, windy conditions, get the tall. It covers your butt and doesn’t let the wind blow up your back. When they get to worn looking, I convert them into camping jackets. They are great for layering. I wear a fleece vest with a golf wind breaker under mine and work outside down to -10 f. I also wear long underwear and an a heavy long sleeve shirt and Carhartt insulated bibs. I can’t recommend them enough.” — David Orth
“Carhartt Rain Defender Heavyweight Loose Fit has always been my favorite hoodie. It’s the most comfortable I’ve ever worn. It’s everything I’m looking for in a pullover hoodie. Every aspect of it. The best. There is no other.” — Freshie307
“My son loves this sweatshirt. The fabric is quality and thick and non-pilling. It is long and keeps its shape after washing. It’s his favorite sweatshirt” — Dale Krause
“Bought this as a Christmas gift. He absolutely loves it! It’s not only warm but the rain just beads up and rolls off…. even the dog hair just wipes off!!!” — DiAnna Reynolds