The Cotopaxi Envo Pullover Is a Fleece for People Who Hate Fleece

Despite being a pretty outdoorsy person, I’ve never liked classic fleece jackets. I don’t care for their telltale “outdoorsy” texture, the frequent pilling on the sleeves that can happen after just a few washes, or the boxy silhouettes that say “trailhead” instead of “town.” That’s especially true because I have short legs and a long torso, and shapeless, bulky fleece jackets just aren’t flattering. For years, fleece has been on my list of gear I avoid – until I tried the Cotopaxi Envo Fleece Quarter-Zip Pullover. It’s fleece, but you wouldn’t know it, thanks to styling that looks almost office-ready.

If the downsides of fleece have made you give up on ever reaping its benefits, the Envo may also be the pullover that changes your mind.

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Summary of our Cotopaxi Envo Fleece testing:Pros:Streamlined, not-overly-outdoorsy designLarge side pocket big enough for a phoneWarmth of fleece without boxiness and bulkComes from a sustainable, certified 1% for the Planet brand Cons:Collects dog hair/lintMay pill/show wear over timeStraight fit likely to fit most buyers on the first try

First impressions: not your usual fleece

Out of the package, the Envo looks and feels different from the “fuzzy” microfleece you’d expect from brands like Patagonia or The North Face. In dark green, it’s even a far cry from most other fleeces and jackets from Cotopaxi, a brand known primarily for vibrant, multi-colored clothing and gear. The exterior is smooth and streamlined, without the thick, compressible feeling of fleece fabric. The color I tested, Heather Woods, is more of an earthy neutral than you’ll find on most gear walls, and it definitely appeals to the lower-profile, no-frills side of me that wants to be able to wear a shirt days in a row without anyone noticing.

About our test of this product

Here’s what Cotopaxi says about this pullover: Wicking properties keep you dry, a brushed fleece interior provides cozy comfort, and an anti-pilling finish keeps your fleece fresh.

Where we tested the Envo Fleece:  We wore it off and on for three months, from April (still winter) in high-elevation Lake Tahoe to June in the wetter and rainier temperate rainforests around Whistler and Squamish, BC.

Why we chose this location:
Because that’s where we happened to be. Fortunately, the Envo Fleece claims it’s well-suited to casual wear while also wicking sweat and moisture, so the two environments seemed like a good fit.

 

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It’s also very minimalist on branding — something unusual for the brand, which normally works with designs you can spot as Cotopaxi from a mile away. For example, everything in the brand’s Del Dia collection is made from remnant fabric scraps from other products, allowing the craftspeople to choose whatever random color combinations they like for each item. Many of the brand’s backpacks and travel duffels are attention-drawing, as well. If neon colorblocking isn’t your thing, you’ll appreciate that the Envo is nearly free of any recognizable branding, save for a relatively small logo on the left chest.

Buy Now: Men’s Quarter Zip ($80+)

Buy Now: Women’s Quarter Zip ($80+)
Field test: Warmth without the bulk (or ‘I’m on the PCT’ vibes)

Photo: Suzie Dundas

I’ve been wearing the Envo Fleece for about three months, wearing it on winter days (April in the Sierra Nevada) all the way up to rainy summer days in Canada, and back to summer nights in California. It’s deceptively warm for something this light and compact, feeling as warm as a regular fleece despite a thinner fabric. The brushed interior lining has the softness of a technical base layer, rather than the scratchy, static-y feeling that’s made me dislike most of my fleeces in the past.

I comfortably layered the Envo over a long-sleeve tee, and later wore it beneath a rain shell when temperatures dropped and the skies opened up. It had room for layering, but wasn’t so big that it bunched up with another layer over it. It also didn’t create any bulk around the shoulder or armpits, which can happen with thicker fleece. It has a regular fit, which can sometimes mean too bulky at the midsection. Sizing up (to a medium; I’m normally between small and medium) gave me enough room for loose layers, but didn’t feel frumpy when wearing it.

Simple details that don’t add bulk

The large side pocket is semi-hidden and big enough to carry most phones. Photo: Suzie Dundas

Despite the simple styling, there are a handful of details I appreciated. The most useful is the hidden side pocket on the right. It’s very flat, and you may not even notice it while you’re wearing it. But it’s large enough for a phone, giving the Envo zippered storage without the bulkiness that come come from layering pockets on the front of other fleece jackets. It also has a decently sized front zipper that’s easy to grip while wearing gloves, and after a lot of wear and a handful of washes, it isn’t pilling much — certainly not as much as fluffier fleece fabrics. That could change, but it’s also not meant to be washed after every wear (or at least I certainly haven’t been).

It’s something you can wear almost anywhere (but watch for lint)

Photo: Suzie Dundas

For me, the big draw of the Envo is how easily it blends into city environments. I wore it on multiple hikes through wet, rainy forests — but also wore it to dinners and to meet up with friends at a coffee shop. It’s no button down shirt, but it doesn’t feel like it screams “I just came from the woods.” And while I don’t work in an office, it seems like the kind of pullover you could leave at your desk and pull on when the A/C blasts without anyone asking you “hey, are you about to go summer a 14er?”

One consideration that may be worth noting to pet owners is that it did seem to collect lint and hair easily. Of course, I wore it when sitting on my dog-hair-covered couch all day, so I can’t say that any other fabric would perform better. But like most of my clothing, I had to lint roll it before I left the house to avoid shedding dog hair in public.

Bottom line: Fleece, without the downsides of fleece

Photo: Suzie Dundas

After a few months with the Envo Fleece, I’m not about to start hoarding fleeces, but I’m keeping this one. It delivers warmth without looking like trail gear, shows minimal pilling to date, and is subtle enough to wear even if your feet never leave payment. Here’s how it compares to some other comparable options.

Cotopaxi Envo Fleece vs. Mountain Hardwear Kor Alloy Crew: The Kor Alloy Crew is a lightweight, breathable pullover with the technical resistance of an outer layer, while the Envo Fleece Quarter-Zip is a more of a midlayer designed for every day active wear. Opt for the Kor Alloy. Opt for the Kor Alloy Crew if you want the tech resistance of a jacket but the look of a pullover, and opt for the Envo if you want more of wear-every-day-type pullover for a general outdoorsy lifestyle.

Cotopaxi Envo Fleece vs. Cotopaxi Teca Fleece: The Envo has more of an everyday, relaxed vibe while the Teca is a bit thicker and more of a traditional fleece jacket. The Teca is a full-zip jacket that can double as an outer layer, and has Cotopaxi’s recognizable bold colorblocking, whereas the Envo’s design is significantly more subtle.

Cotopaxi Envo Fleece vs. PAKA Hoodie: The Paka Hoodie is a solid-color pullover with a hoodie made from durable, temperature-regulating alpaca fiber. It has a sleeker, more sweater-like look, and is naturally odor-resistant and quick drying. However, because it’s woven, it’s more likely to get snagged or pulled, and isn’t nearly as good of a pick for people with pets whose nails may snag on the fabric.

Cotopaxi Envo Fleece vs. used gear: Buying used gear helps keep fabric out of landfills, and used gear is usually less expensive. The flip side is it’s used, so it may not be quite as warm or brand-spanking-new-looking. But if you don’t mind, sites like REI’s used gear program usually have a few dozen hoodies and pullovers at any given time, though neither the men’s sweaters or women’s sweaters pages currently have any Cotopaxi offerings.

Buy Now: Women’s Quarter Zip ($80+)

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