VOORMI River Run Hoody Review

The biggest strength of the River Run is just how plush and cozy it feels while wearing. A medium-sized fit our 5'11" athletically-built tester perfectly and complemented his body well. But its utility as a sun shirt is somewhat hindered just by the fact the 52% wool, 48% wool blend warmed us up quickly, causing us to perspire and that perspiration noticeably made the fabric darken. The fabric itself is less durable than any other sun shirt we've tested by a country mile, giving us pause to recommend this shirt for activities ranging from hiking to fishing, or even for travel where temperatures can warm up.

Performance Comparison

The River Run hoody works well in sunny, high altitude, cooler settings. It has similar qualities to a light thermal layer and is comfy enough to sleep in.

Photo: Justin Simoni

Comfort and Fit

The River Run is a great looking shirt, hands down. The fit is a little more athletic than most, but we'd still consider it a similar cut to other hooded sun shirts we've tested. The sleeves are a bit more constricted — to the point that rolling them up over our elbows wasn't possible. Thumb loops at the end of the sleeves help with keeping them in place but don't do much to facilitate covering your hands more than without wearing them, which is a big difference from every other thumb loop-equipped sun shirt we've tested. The hood is generously sized to cover as much of your head as you'd like or have the ability to be worn under/over a helmet.

The shirt's seam length is also on the shorter side by an inch or two when compared to other sun shirts in this review. All these little tweaks make the River Run complement the wearer's body a little better than a looser fit, but they also impact its breathability.

The River Run is made from a 52% wool/48% polyester fabric blend. This is the real standout that makes this sun shirt unique from all the others we've tested. If you prefer the feeling of wool over polyester, you'll love the feeling of wearing this shirt. Although for those that perspire easily, using wool during high-intensity activities in very sunny/warm conditions raises questions.

Sun Protection

The soft and comfy fabric also has a visibly more relaxed knit than any other shirt we've tested, and its UPF rating of 30 reflects that. The thumb loops are extremely minimal and don't help with extending the sleeves of the River Run past the wrist to cover up your hands. The hood is large and usable with or without a helmet. A simple button by the neck is very welcome, as it helps protect the neck from exposure, but also helps keep the hood from flying off your head if things get windy. The overall seam length of the shirt appears to be shorter than other sun shirts we've tested. If you're bending down a lot or have your shirt ride up from wearing a pack, this could contribute to exposure of your lower back to the sun more than you may want.

Breathability

The River Run is by far made from the airiest material of any shirt we've tested, which we hoped would equate to incredible breathability, but it becomes a mixed bag. Yes, breezes seem to be able to come through the shirt, but the wool blend of the fabric itself seems to make this shirt act similarly to a very light thermal base layer by trapping body heat. If you naturally run cold, this could be a blessing. For those that perspire easily, you may not even be able to sit in a slightly warmer than normal room without creating wet areas around your pits.

Versatility

Because of durability issues, it's hard to imagine the River Run in a large spectrum of applications. Any activity where you may snag a sleeve on something — be it hiking, climbing, fishing, or gardening just won't be the most welcoming application for this sun shirt. As an all-day travel shirt, it has some potential. The wool blend seems to be naturally funk-immune, but if your travel plans consist of hot and humid locales, the shirt may just visually accentuate your perspiration. As a casual lifestyle piece, the River Run probably finds its best home. It looks good, but consider tougher gear for the heavy liftin'.

Durability

Durability is the weakest link for the River Run. The stitching is sound, but the wool/polyester blend is easy to damage, and long-term durability is questionable simply because wool needs more care when washing. One of our testers was able to visibly damage the fabric just under normal use.

Damage to the River Run's fabric is already very apparent after only moderate use.

Photo: Nolan Anderson

Features

The 52% wool/48% polyester blend is the most standout feature of this hoody, as it's fairly unique when compared to other sun shirts — unfortunatley, at the expense of durability, breathability, and sun protection. On the bright side, the wool blend appears to have a natural ability to ward off stank, far better than any untreated polyester garments, and that's a very welcome feature.

Most usual features of a hooded sun shirt are present in the River Run, including the hood, thumb loops, and long sleeves. The thumb loops certainly need work, as they don't necessarily help with covering up the hands. The hood doesn't have a drawstring, but a simple, single button keeps it in place and your neck covered.

Don't expect any additional pockets or hidden features - the River Run is somewhat minimal, down to its low-key logo.

Value

This is one of the most expensive sun shirts we've tested — you can find other options that are almost a tenth of the price! Is the comfort and style of the River Run worth its price tag? Although it looks good and feels great, it's simply too easy to damage by wearing and washing. Plus, it seems too warm for high-intensity activities and too delicate for travel. If you also need a base layer, however, this could be a good piece to consider to serve some dual purposes in your wardrobe.

Conclusion