There's a stretch of the year when every morning starts the same way. Frost on the windshield, coffee in the cupholder, and a hoodie pulled on before you even think about it.
By ten o'clock the sun is out and that hoodie is getting in the way. The next morning, you reach for it again.
It's one of the most natural habits there is. And if you work around arc flash or flash fire hazards, it's worth making sure the hoodie in that routine is an FR hoodie.
Why does the hoodie matter so much in fall?
Fall is the season of in between. Cold mornings, warm afternoons, and a lot of layers going on and off through the day. Your shirt and pants are FR because your job calls for it. The hoodie on top deserves the same attention, because in a thermal event the outermost layer is the first thing the heat reaches.
A regular hoodie isn't built to resist flame. If it catches, it can keep burning right on top of your FR clothing, and your FR layers are left dealing with a fire sitting on them. That's a lot to ask of any garment.
It's also easy to forget you have it on. You pull it on in the truck, the day gets busy, and it's still on when you head into the work zone. An FR hoodie takes that worry off the table completely.
What makes an FR hoodie different from a regular one?
From across the yard, they look about the same. The difference is in the fabric. An inherently flame-resistant fleece has its protection built right into the fibres, so it doesn't wash out over time. It's made to resist ignition and stop burning once the heat source is gone, and it carries an arc rating so you know exactly where it fits in your PPE.
The best part is it still feels like a hoodie. Soft fleece, a roomy front pocket, and a hood that's there when the wind picks up. You shouldn't have to choose between the hoodie you like wearing and the one that's right for the job.
How do you wear an FR hoodie as part of your layers?
Think of your FR hoodie as the warm middle of your system. Start with an FR base layer next to skin, add your FR work shirt, then the hoodie. When the real cold shows up, an FR jacket goes over the top.
Every piece in that stack should be FR, and that includes what you wear underneath. If you're counting on layers to reach a certain protection level, make sure the combination has been tested together. Our layering calculator makes that easy to check.
A couple of small habits help too. Keep the hoodie tucked under your jacket instead of hanging loose, and take it off before you start to sweat. Damp fleece on a cold afternoon gets chilly fast.
Which FR hoodie should you grab this fall?
The one we'd put in your hands is the MWG BLOCKERâ„¢ Men's FR Pullover Hoodie. It's made with BLOCKERâ„¢, our inherently flame-resistant fleece, and it's rated CAT 3, so it pulls real weight in your layering system. Silver reflective striping on the torso and sleeves helps you stand out on darker mornings, and the fleece is soft and warm enough that it quickly becomes the hoodie you reach for first. It's no surprise BLOCKERâ„¢ has some big fans.
MWG BLOCKERâ„¢ Men's FR Pullover Hoodie
Prefer a zip? The BLOCKERâ„¢ Full-Zip Hoodie makes venting easy. The COTTON COMFORTâ„¢ FR Pullover Hoodie is a CAT 2 option, and you'll find fits made for women in our women's FR hoodies.
Cold mornings are coming either way. Make the hoodie you grab on your way out the door one that has your back all day. Browse our full lineup of FR hoodies, or reach out to our team if you need a hand building your fall layers.
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