When you’re racing, particularly during the chillier parts of the year, waiting at the starting line can be tough. I’m someone who gets cold most of the year (even where I live in LA), and I need something toasty over my core and arms to keep from shivering. I was recently sent the Salomon Thernova Fleece Hoodie gratis for review, and I’m never taking it off again. (I mean, I will do laundry, but still.) While I’m usually someone who takes old clothing and drops it as the race starts, I’m doing a bag check for this one, because it’s the comfiest thing I’ve ever worn. I’m not being hyperbolic. It really is.
The Thernova is one of those hoodies that, when you see someone in it, you want it. It’s super cushy and soft (I can’t keep my puppy off me when I wear it), and exactly the right length. It’s short enough that it isn’t going to grab at your flippy running shorts, but long enough that you won’t feel like you’re wearing a crop top (or keep your tummy warm if you run in a crop top). It also has a hood and a high neck to keep you from getting stiff in the cold. There are no zippers to grab at you or get chilly, either.
The Thernova comes in sizes XS to XL, and in Castor Grey (which is a sort of warm grey), Deep Black (which is what I have), and Coffee Bean, which is somewhere between a brown and a burgundy. It’s not tight, so it’s easy to get on and off over your running shirt, and the neck is wide enough that it won’t catch on your hair if you wear bobby pins to hold your hair back like I do on race days. (They do make a Thernova with a half-zip as a mid layer as well.) The lightweight fabric is PrimaLoft to keep you toasty, and it’s breathable as well, so you can wear it after a race instead of a heat sheet if you like. You can machine wash it, and tumble dry on low. Yes, it has a front pocket for both hands, and it fits pretty true-to-size. It retails for $120 at the time of this writing, which is comparable to other brands. It feels like a hug from a kitten, and I want it in every color now.
