IN our Travel Oodie review we take a look at the travel version of the oversized hoodie, designed with long-haul fliers and road trippers in mind.
On the hunt for the ultimate travel companion (nope, not your mate Dave)? Well, we may have found it. Whether it’s a 17-hour flight to Thailand, an interrail across Europe or a road trip through mid-America, the Travel Oodie won’t let anything disturb your comfort anywhere.
Plus, Oodie have launched their Black Friday deals, and you can read about the Oodie Black Friday sale here.
- Travel Oodie, from £74 at Oodie - buy here
Based on the original Oodie (basically a humongous, oversized fleece hoodie), the Travel Oodie is possibly the comfiest thing you’ll ever wear, and it also comes with some innovative features, designed to reassure travellers and encourage relaxation and comfort, even when you’re on the move.
Hidden inside the hood is a pocket containing a neck pillow, which inflates through a hand pump. It has an enormous front pocket which zips up from both sides and is ideal for storing snacks as well as valuables such as your phone, wallet and passport. The Travel Oodie also all folds up into its own hood and becomes one portable carry bundle.
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The Travel Oodie is available in two colours; plain dark navy and a blue and white tie-dye design (stock levels and new designs may vary!).
Overall rating: 4/5
Pros
- In-built travel pillow
- Zip pockets
- Cosy and comfy
Cons
- Expensive
- One size only
Travel Oodie review: first impressions
- Travel Oodie, from £74 at Oodie - buy here
The Travel Oodie arrives vacuum packed, Oodie recommends giving it a wash to restore it to ultra-fluffy mode, but as soon as you rip into it, the fabric immediately starts to plump up.
The first thing that strikes you about the Travel Oodie is that it really is super soft and almost impossible to stop touching; it’s made from Toastytek™ Flannel Fleece (a type of polyester), which on our navy version had a slight sheen to it. The Travel Oodie also has a snuggly Sherpa-lined hood, but unlike the classic Oodie the rest of the travel version is unlined, making it a bit lighter for stuffy journeys and more portable too.
The second thing to note about the Travel Oodie is that it is absolutely massive. Based on a 6XL size hoodie, it is designed to be loose fitting, and on me (5ft 7), it came down to my knees.
The inflatable neck pillow is simple to locate in the hood and slips in and out of the Sherpa fabric pocket easily. The Travel Oodie hood strings also have a plastic buckle on either end – this means you can roll up the body and sleeves of your Oodie, stuff it all into the hood, pull the drawstring and clip them together – transforming your Travel Oodie into one portable little package that you can carry over your shoulder or sling across your body.
The front pocket is also absolutely giant, and it has two hand-sized openings on either side, which zip up.
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How much does a Travel Oodie cost?
- Travel Oodie, from £74 at Oodie - buy here
The Travel Oodie is definitely a bit of a touring luxury and costs £99, although Oodie does run frequent sales on its site, so you never know when you might be able to pick up a bargain.
Travel Oodie review: performance
As soon as you pull the Travel Oodie on, you start to feel comforted. The fabric is really cosy, but it isn’t too stifling, so you won’t immediately start to overheat. The cuffed sleeves are also a nice touch as they make the Oodie feel less flappy and enormous.
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We tested our Travel Oodie on a car journey, but we think it would really come into its own on a long-haul flight. The neck pillow is easy to pump up, and it is ready to go in a matter of seconds. It’s not the biggest pillow around, but it does provide a nice bit of hidden support.
The large hood is also a really comfy place to be, particularly if the passenger next to you was snoring and the toddler two rows down began tantruming. Pull the drawstrings, pop on an eye mask, plug in your headphones, and you can quickly block out the world (and any annoying passengers) around you.
Packing the Travel Oodie away is also a simple affair. Roll up the main body, stuff it in the hood, pull the drawstrings, clip them together, and you’re good to go. It isn’t the most attractive carry solution, and the strap itself isn’t that comfy to wear across your body for a lengthy period of time, but it’s a handy feature to have.
Can you wash the Travel Oodie in the washing machine?
- Travel Oodie, from £74 at Oodie - buy here
The Travel Oodie can go in the machine on a cool gentle cycle, although to keep the fleece fabric strokably soft, cool hand-washing is advised. Oh, and don’t forget to remove the neck pillow before washing!
Where can you buy a Travel Oodie?
You can buy the Travel Oodie from the official Oodie website only.
How does the travel Oodie compare to the original Oodie?
The travel Oodie is actually made of the same material as their regular Oodie.
However, the real difference is in the features aimed at making travel all the more comfortable.
It's equipped with a hidden inflatable neck pillow so you can catch some shut-eye on long trips no matter how you're travelling, and the drawstring neck keeps the inflatable pillow secure.
What are some alternatives to the Travel Oodie?
When it comes to finding an Oodie alternative, the options are a bit sparse.
However, if you're not too interested in the extra comfort provided by the travel Oodie, you can always pick out one of their extremely popular themed Oodies that allow you to add a bit of personalisation to your choice, from tie-dye to avocados.
Would the Travel Oodie be good for camping?
If you're looking to go far away for your camping trips, it's definitely worth thinking about purchasing since you'll be able to keep warm and grab a couple minutes of snooze time before you get there.
Once you get to your camping trip, it still remains a great option to keep warm and comfy around a campfire or even in your tent.
The verdict: is it worth buying a Travel Oodie for your next adventure?
The Travel Oodie is an incredibly well-thought-out piece of kit and would be invaluable for frequent overnight and long-haul travellers and it’d be super comforting for nervous fliers too.
The fabric is cosy enough to withstand aggressive aircon but light enough to wear even in the stuffiest train carriages. The in-built neck pillow and zip pockets give you a decent chance of having a peaceful sleep wherever you are.
