Arc'teryx Rho Hoody - Women's Review

The Arc'teryx Rho Hoody has been at the top of our award-winning list for many seasons and iterations thanks to its high quality and lasting design that provides performance worthy of its price. Featuring a scuba neckline and a balaclava-style hood (with an opening for a ponytail!), this layer easily contains or releases body heat depending on the temperature. We love it as a stand-alone layer during shoulder-season temps, and it will keep you warm during low- to moderate-output activities when layered beneath a heavier jacket during the coldest months of the year as well.

Warmth

The Rho Hoody provides an excellent warmth-to-weight ratio. Although the fabric is quite thin, the high neckline, balaclava-style hood, longer length in the torso, as well as the hole in the hood for your ponytail, provide excellent ways to increase the warmth of the layer by reducing bulk through a fit that sits close to the skin from the head down. We like to call this “versatile warmth,” as it's easy to remove the hood and offload excess body heat, or to cover up when the temperatures drop.

We couldn't think of a better layer to handle variable spring conditions in the High Sierra. The Rho Hoody kept us warm at the cold trailhead early in the morning and provided excellent sun protection during our tour. The hoodie wicked moisture from the sweaty climb, and with a little help from the sun, it was dry by the time we transitioned our skis for our descent. While not the warmest standalone layer we've tested, we think you'll also appreciate the Rho Hoody's excellent thermoregulation on your next backcountry adventure.

Breathability

Although we were quite impressed by the wicking performance of the brushed-fleece interior, the fabric is thicker than other layers, and it doesn't have a zip neck. The Rho does a better job of containing moisture than releasing it. During low-output activities like walks or chopping wood, we didn't experience any buildup of sweat; however, when wearing for trail runs, skiing, or climbing approaches, things got a little clammy. That said, when we wore the Rho as a standalone layer fully exposed to airflow, it performed better than when layered beneath other jackets and midlayers.

While the Rho isn't thick enough to be considered a mid-layer, it comes close. It traps a surprising amount of body heat for its lightweight construction. Therefore, we most often wore this layer for low-moderate output activities or colder days where we wanted more warmth than breathability.

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Comfort and Fit

The Rho Hoody features a highly comfortable Torrent 190 stretch fleece that combines 84% Polyester with 16% elastane. The fit is slim and stays very close to the body, yet the articulated patterning allows for a complete range of motion. Minimal merrow and flat lock seams are placed in locations intended to reduce chafing or discomfort beneath a pack.

This is our third time testing this top, and so far, it is our favorite iteration of this popular design. The slimmer cut provides extra warmth that we appreciate more than the previous iterations, which were more boxy and oversized, letting in a ton of cold air. The updated hoody features a longer torso, sleeves that sit right at the wrist, and an option for the full face balaclava-style hood that also provides excellent sun protection for the face. If you find yourself between sizes or simply prefer a larger fit, we recommend sizing up.

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Durability

High-quality designs with super durable constructions are what Arc'teryx is known for, and the Rho Hoody is no different. After years of testing this base layer, our team stands behind its highly durable features, such as flatlock seams and merrow stitching, which have withstood the most demanding backcountry use. In fact, the only beef we can drum up with this top performer is that the marrow stitching can get a little fuzzy if it brushes up against abrasive rocks while you're trying hard on a pitch, or if it comes into contact with velcro, say, on your ski bibs. Not bad.

And while the Polygiene odor treatment seems to be working better in the latest round of this design, it can still hold odor if you wear it too many times between washes. Overall, we believe the Rho Hoody features exceptional quality within a versatile design that's built to withstand any adventure you have planned.

Drying Speed

The Rho Hoody was one of the fastest-drying base layers we tested, which is quite impressive given its full hood, longer torso, and a thicker synthetic fabric. Whether we were timing this layer during our controlled testing in the Eastern Sierra, pushing the pace on the trail, or working a ski industry event, the Rho offered great warmth and wicking performance, drying quickly on the body or hung up in the sun.

While working an ski event, our lead tester wore this layer below her ski bibs to stay warm at the base of the mountain, in the hotel gym to work up a sweat midday, and during walking breaks in the sun in between, and couldn't help but notice how easily the layer dried on her body in between activities. The only layers in our testing fleet to boast a faster drying speed are those with a lofted grid and almost see-through patterning, which allow airflow to better permeate the fabric. Although the Rho doesn't wick as well as other layers in the lineup, its drying speed holds its own against some stiff competition.

Layering Ability

The Rho Hoody features a truly slim-fitting construction that sits close to your skin to maximize warmth and wicking performance. That said, it is difficult to get much more than a sports bra, tank, or thin synthetic T-shirt beneath the hoodie, especially since the interior is brushed fleece that wants to grab any layer beneath it. This is truly meant to be the base of your layering system. Over top is a different story. The smooth, synthetic polyester fabric allows most fabrics to glide easily over it, and the slim fit doesn't twist or tangle when getting dressed. One feature we love (but still think looks a little silly) is the small opening in the hood that allows women with longer hair to pull their ponytail through rather than trying to stuff it inside. This can massively reduce bulk and allows the layer to stay closer to your neck and head. Our lead tester with long, thick, and curly hair appreciated this design as it kept her warmer in high winds.

While we wish this highly versatile design included thumb loops for hand coverage and easier layering, the slim fit keeps the layer in place. And while most layers glide easily over the synthetic polyester, we found that layering wool midlayers or fleece had a higher risk of the layers grabbing each other, especially near the elbow. Beyond those minor complaints, it's clear this layer was designed for a full range of motion, making it ideal for cold weather, whether worn under a jacket or on its own.

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Should You Buy the Arc'teryx Rho Hoody - Women's?

For ladies after a highly durable and top-performing base layer, no matter your activity, the Arc'teryx Rho Hoody has been at the top of our list for many seasons. This time-tested design just gets better with every update, featuring a brushed-fleece interior along with versatile balaclava-style hood and unique pony tail opening the hood for reducing bulk, this design is a great choice whether you're headed our for a trail run or on your way into the backcountry for an extended trip. Although the Rho is one of the most expensive base layers that we've tested, the thoughtful stitching and durable construction live up to all the hype.

What Other Women's Base Layers Should You Consider?

The Arc'teryx Rho Hoody is the top dog when it comes to overall performance in warmth, comfort, and durability, with a lightweight, versatile design. If you're looking for better breathability, our team also loves the Stio Trax Power Grid Half Zip Hoodie. The lofted grid pattern improves airflow, while the hood, thumb loops, and zip neck help trap or release body heat. If you're on a budget and still want performance, REI Co-op Midweight Base Layer Crew isn't a bad choice. Although it's just a crew, the soft, stretchy fabric allows a full range of motion, while the longer length and thumb loops make it easy to layer.