Yours truly in the Free Fly Gridback Fleece Snap Pullover…that’s a mouth-full.
Last month I had the opportunity to try out a couple pieces of clothing from Free Fly, a family-owned apparel company that makes clothing for those who live and move in the great outdoors. I’m always eager to try something new, because it’s tough for me to find clothes that are comfortable, durable, long-lasting, look good and feel good. For example, I have a horrible time finding jeans that fit well and stay comfortable over the long haul. Thus, I’ve given up on most blue-jeans, although there is a brand I’m currently trying out to see how they fair (I’m wearing a pair in the photo above). So my go-to pants right now are Duluth Trading Company Fire Hose pants. Love those pants.
Same with shirts. I don’t know if my arms are too long or what, but I often have a hard time finding shirts that fit well and that can withstand the rough time I give them hunting, fishing, cutting trees, and working outside. I love flannel, but it’s a challenge finding a shirt with sleeves and tail long enough, and one that won’t lose color or fray. So anyway, the two Free Fly shirts I tried were interesting. One I’m so-so on, and the other I absolutely love.
First the neutral shirt. It’s their Bamboo Shade Hoodie. I don’t dislike this shirt at all. It’s a great shirt for what it is supposed to do, which according to the website is:
We named our Shade fabric after the impressive UPF 50+ rating that keeps you firmly outta the sun. The Bamboo Shade Hoodie is buttery soft, loaded with stretch, and offers natural odor-resistance suited for travel or an active lifestyle. It’s also temperature-regulating, so it’ll keep you that just-right temp when the forecast (or your office A.C.) throws you for a loop. It’s got a handsome drape and clean lines that go well with both your everyday and active wardrobes. Bonus: it makes a solid base layer when chilly temps roll around.
It does everything as advertised. It is indeed buttery soft, was wonderfully warm on a chilly day (I actually ended up removing my outer flannel even though the temperature was in the mid-50s). And I’ll probably wear it again as an underlayer. But for me, I just didn’t care for the way it looked. I got the Aspen Grey colored shirt, and while I do have a very muscular and athletic physique, it happens to be covered in a luscious layer of hard-earned bacon fat. I felt like this shirt accentuated my non-alcoholic beer belly. And I’m not sure the $74 price tag is justified for such a lightweight hoodie. But if you’re a person who likes that kind of hoodie, then by all means this one might fit your needs. But for me, it’s one that I’ll likely only break out on chilly days with an outer flannel.
Now onto the pullover that I really, really like, the Gridlock Fleece Snap Pullover. This pullover has become my favorite all-around top for all but the hottest days. It feels, looks and fits fantastic and thus far wears beautifully. My wife says I look great in it and, frankly, I think I look pretty darn good in it too. When I first took it out of the bag I thought it might wear a little short, but no, it fits perfectly. The sleeves fit perfectly as well. It’s snug without being constricting, and moves easily no matter if I’m reaching high into a tree or bending down and twisting to pull a bass in from the back of the boat.
The Gridlock Pullover has a subtly quilted texture that also doesn’t really feel like you might think a “fleece” would feel. It feels more like a flannel to me. It’s soft and warm. And the collar is the perfect height if you want to put it up to keep the cold off the back of your neck, or down for stylish comfort. It’s got five snaps up front that look good and can be snapped or unsnapped to regulate the temperature on your neck and chest.
Here’s the blurb that Free Fly has about the Gridlock Pullower:
One of the most coveted styles around Free Fly HQ, the Gridback Fleece Snap Pullover is an absolute winner—an innovative combo of classic fleece comfort and streamlined weather-resistance. Our product team worked their fabric sorcery and outfitted the interior with an indulgently soft, high-pile fleece that traps and retains heat throughout gridded channels. They finished it with a bonded, stretch-weave shell that keeps out rain and wind unlike any other fleece. Wear it as an outer layer on brisk hikes or early morning boat rides, or pair it with our Stretch Canvas Pant for your next beer garden visit.
I really can’t say enough good things about this shirt. It seems rugged enough to handle working on just about anything outside, yet stylish and classy enough to work as a casual go-to-church shirt. The only thing that gives me a little pause is the price tag. It’s marked at $148, which generally puts it out of my price range. But Free Fly has discounts and sales going on seemingly pretty regularly. I know that if this pullover cost less I’d own several.
