Cotopaxi Abrazo Half-Zip Fleece Jacket Review

Bottom Line

The Cotopaxi Abrazo Half-Zip (men’s / women’s) is a versatile, colorful pullover that we like for trail-to-town outings. With its true-to-size fit, it can comfortably be worn over a long-sleeve shirt and under backpack straps. Its half-zip design makes it easy to pull over your head, even with a hat on. It also provides some ventilation should you generate some body heat on your walks. The fleece is that dreamy level of soft and cozy that everyone and everything wants to cling to it (including nature debris, dog hair, etc.).

Unfortunately, the chest pocket is not placed for optimal use for women, making it a bit awkward to stash items there. It feels more like it’s there for the aesthetic. The kangaroo-style pocket is nice for keeping our hands warm. However, this pouch design is not ideal for carrying items on the trail, due to the lack of a zipper and the way the material would sag and bulge in the front when weighed down.

Overall, the Cotopaxi Abrazo pullover is a high-quality fleece best for casual use and day hikes. Due to its bulkier packed size and tendency to cling to debris, this would not be our go-to for backpacking. However, it is a great value option for those in search of a versatile and comfortable pullover. To compare this fleece to our other favorites, check out our recently updated guide to the best fleece jackets.

Warmth

When hiking in the Northern CA redwoods in Mt. Tamalpais State Park, our gear analyst found this pullover to provide midweight warmth. It adequately cut the chill on her day hikes, providing a noteworthy balance of breathability and insulation. 

The pullover is the perfect thickness, allowing it to be layered over a long-sleeve shirt or under a puffy outer shell for added warmth. We love the half-zip design on the pullover – when fully zipped up, it keeps us warm and cozy with the lined high collar around the neck. When unzipped, it provides extra ventilation and breathability.

Comfort

The Cotopaxi Abrazo Half-Zip fits true to size and was comfortable when worn over a long-sleeve shirt and underneath backpack straps on our day hikes. We didn’t note any movement restrictions in the material when lifting or reaching with our arms. 

While the outer layer of the sweater was made with cozy, brushed fleece, the inner lining was made with thinner, less-soft polyester. Our gear analyst would have preferred the materials to be reversed, as this would have made the outer layer of the pullover more durable and less susceptible to debris cling. In contrast, a thicker brushed fleece inner lining would have made the jacket feel warmer and cozier. With that being said, we appreciate how the inside of the collar is lined with that thicker brushed fleece, keeping the neck warmer to cut the chill.

Durability

The material of the Cotopaxi Abrazo feels high-quality and durable. One drawback is that the plush, brushed fleece outer layer of the pullover collects significant debris when it rubs against moss, rocks, branches, or bushes on the trail. While we did not notice any wear and tear on the fabric, we found it difficult to remove debris that had become embedded in the sweater. The pullover lacks water-resistant features, making it susceptible to absorbing significant amounts of water when exposed to wet environments. 

The collar and cuffs feature an elastic binding, which provides extra reinforcement and durability. There are also no special washing instructions listed, making it a simple and easy product to clean after use.

Weight

At over 13 ounces, the Cotopaxi Abrazo isn’t trying to be backpacking-worthy in terms of weight or packability. It’s the perfect fleece for short and chilly walks, car camping, or fireside hangs. Essentially, we aren’t trying to break a sweat in this layer, or have to shed it and stuff it into a backpack.

Features

The Abrazo Half-Zip has limited features, some of which we love, while others could use improvement. We appreciate the half-zip pullover design, which makes it easy to pull the fleece over your head and allows for customized ventilation and breathability when it is fully unzipped. While the zippered chest pocket is large and roomy, it is located in an inconvenient spot on the chest for women, which affects its usefulness on the trail. 

The Abrazo Half-Zip features a single kangaroo-style hand pouch, rather than two separate zippered hand pockets. Our gear analyst found that the kangaroo-style design made it bulky and awkward to stash away trail essentials on her hikes in Northern California – all the items would create a sagging effect in the front of her sweater. While the pouch works well to keep your hands warm, it is not designed effectively for pocketing a phone or snacks.

Should You Buy The Cotopaxi Abrazo Half-Zip Fleece?

The Cotopaxi Abrazo Half-Zip is an excellent option for those looking for a versatile, simple, and comfortable pullover for a mix of casual and outdoor use. It is made of high-quality recycled polyester and is a great choice for layering. It is stylish enough for trail-to-town ventures and offers midweight warmth.

However, the Abrazo may not be for everyone. If you are looking for a fleece with pockets to stash essentials while on the trail, we suggest you look for jackets with separate hand pockets. The Kangaroo-style pouch on the Abrazo is not the most effective design for stowing away snacks, keys, or a phone. 

Backpackers may find the brushed fleece not durable enough or packable enough for multi-day backcountry adventures. The cost of this fleece may also be a barrier for some, and there are other brands that come in a lower price point.

What Other Fleeces Should You Consider?

To compare the Cotopaxi Abrazo Half-Zip to other top-performing fleece jackets, check out our favorites in our recently updated gear guide for both men and women.

Patagonia Better Sweater Review: This is a classic from Patagonia that is very warm (albeit a bit bulky). It comes with a chest pocket and 2 zippered hand pockets, which we prefer over the kangaroo-style of the Abrazo.

REI Trailmade Fleece Review: The Trailmade offers lightweight warmth with increased packability, making it a great option for backcountry and frontcountry adventures, while the Abrazo pullover is better suited for trails closer to home.

Patagonia Synchilla Snap-T Review: This is another highly-rated pullover option that is soft and cozy, with a partial snap closure that is shorter than the long ½ zip on the Cotopaxi Abrazo. The Snap-T features buttons rather than zippers and lacks hand pockets.