Soft, Quiet, and Surprisingly Weather-Resistant: Kifaru Roam Crosslayer Review

As the sun started to drop over the Wyoming prairie, a crew of hunters and I quickly prepped to get rifles zeroed at the range. It had been a long travel day, and there wasn’t much time to get dialed for the next day’s coyote hunt. I grabbed the Kifaru Roam Crosslayer hoodie and rushed out to load up in the truck.

January in Wyoming may elicit images of an icy, wind-ripped landscape, but this trip was shaping up to be unseasonably warm. That evening, temperatures sat comfortably in the 50s, and a light grid fleece hoody was all I needed. Over the next few days, I wore the top as a midlayer on frosty mornings, and then sweated through it while hiking in midday temperatures you’d expect in October.

After wearing it more through some early spring showers back home in Tennessee, I’ve come to rely on it consistently in all of my outdoor pursuits.

In short: The Kifaru Roam Crosslayer ($180) hoodie is one of the best midlayer fleeces I’ve worn. Yes, its light insulation is perfect for keeping you warm in temps ranging from 45 to 70 degrees, but its weatherproofness is what makes it stand out. The top isn’t completely waterproof, but it’s dang near it while still breathing well and blocking wind. It’s a solid piece that pulls triple duty, keeping hunters more comfortable in the field.

Kifaru Roam Crosslayer Review

What Makes the Kifaru Roam Crosslayer Special

An Impressive Demonstration: Lab-Testing the Kifaru Roam Crosslayer

While sitting at the lodge on the coyote hunt in Wyoming, Kifaru designer Aris Sergakis gave one of the best product demonstrations I’ve seen in the hunting apparel world. He brought a unique piece of equipment to demonstrate the Kifaru Roam Crosslayer’s waterproofness and breathability.

The device was essentially two drinking glasses: one with a bottom and an air pump attached, and a second that fit into the first, completely open at both ends.

He placed the fabric of the Roam Crosslayer over the top of the closed-off glass. Then he placed the open-ended glass over the top, forming a barrier with the jacket between the two cups. He poured an entire glass of water into the upper cup, which was only closed off at the bottom by the fleece fabric.

Not a single drop dripped through into the bottom glass. That shocked me, as there aren’t many midlayer fleece tops I’ve used that would keep water out as effectively.

He then pumped air into the bottom glass. It went through the material, and air bubbles started shooting out of the top glass. Clearly, the Crosslayer keeps water out, but is also very breathable

Hydrophobic Weave

That performance is due to the unique materials that are used to make this hunting jacket. Kifaru uses patented technology to make the top, combining softshell and fleece into a unique woven blend.

The woven part is critical. Some fleece tops are knitted, which results in larger gaps between fibers. By weaving the material, the fibers are bound closer together, creating a better waterproof seal.

Waterproofness in the Field

Now, despite the impressive demonstration, the Kifaru Roam Crosslayer isn’t waterproof, and doesn’t claim to be. I’ve worn it in downpours, and water penetrates.

But it is highly water-resistant. With spring starting to spring in the Southeast, light drizzles occur at least once a week. While fishing, it’s kept me plenty dry during light rains and prevented me from having to bust out full-on rain gear. The DWR finish and tight weave keep most weather out.

I have other fleeces that appear to be identical to this one. None of them performs nearly as well in wet weather. Most will leave you wet within a few minutes in light rain, but you can actually rely on this top to keep you dry in light rain or snow.

To top it off, the hoodie dries quickly. I often get the sleeves wet while reaching in and out of the water to release fish. Usually, within an hour or so, they’re back to being bone dry.

Breathability in the Field

This is an excellent top for high-output activities in weather that requires a barrier to fight off a light chill. While I was hunting in Wyoming, midday temperatures climbed into the 50s. While hiking from stand to stand, a heavy hunting jacket quickly became too overbearing.

The Kifaru Roam Crosslayer’s grid fleece provided just a touch of warmth, yet the unique material allowed my body to breathe. Sweat was a non-issue. When it came time to sit down and call coyotes, I wasn’t caked in sweat, and as a result, I stayed warmer throughout the day.

Likewise, when the weather is warmer, and you aren’t active, this hoodie is the perfect top. During a recent warm spell in Tennessee, I found myself fishing on a balmy 70-degree day. Still, when I drove the boat or a breeze picked up, it got a little chilly. The top cut the wind effectively.

It’s a versatile top that’s great on its own in warm weather or when you’re active in the cold, and it also makes a great layer in frigid temperatures.

Features on the Kifaru Roam Crosslayer

There are three standout extra features on this fleece top: the elastic cuff straps, hood, and pocket. I do not like running my thumb through cuff holes. I never have, and never will. Because of that, it really annoys me when brands build a thumbhole into the cuff itself. It just puts an annoying hole in my sleeve.

Thank God Kifaru didn’t do that. However, it still has subtle discreet thumb straps for those who want them. You can run your thumb through elastic bands that are hidden on the internal part of the sleeve.

The hood doesn’t have any cinches, which, in my opinion, is perfectly fine on this type of top. It has an elastic band around the opening, and the cut is athletic. In high winds, it doesn’t blow off my head, despite the lack of a cinch.

And the pocket on this anorak-style fleece is colossal. It’s not a small, kangaroo-style pocket. Essentially, from the sternum down, the entire front of the jacket is a pocket. You can keep things secured thanks to zippers on each side.

What I Don’t Like About the Kifaru Roam Crosslayer

Due to the giant pocket, the jacket does have a boxier fit in the midsection. The upper portion is very athletic, which I like, and the bottom portion feels out of place with such a loose fit.

The bigger negative I’ve found, though, is the lack of odor resistance. Since this jacket is so versatile, I wear it multiple times a week, whether I’m fishing, hunting, or need a top for around town. Unfortunately, it gets a little stank to it, even after just one use.

I wore it just the other day, fishing on my bass boat, which wasn’t that high-output of an activity. Upon returning, I went home, took a shower, and got ready to go out to dinner with my wife. I picked up the Roam Crosslayer, planning to wear it. That was a short-lived plan, as it had just a kiss of funk. Not so much that it was overbearing, but enough for it to end up in the laundry basket.

So, if you plan on using it for day-to-day life, be sure to be prepped to wash it regularly. If it’s going to be a hunting-only top, who cares? Funky smells are the glue that holds hunting crews together.

Final Thoughts on the Kifaru Roam Crosslayer: Who Should Buy It?

While Kifaru is a hunting brand, and the Roam Crosslayer is part of the brand’s hunting apparel lineup, it certainly isn’t just for hunters, although it is good for that.

This spring, this top has been getting a lot of use around my neck of the woods while out on the water. Anglers looking for a top to wear during the shoulder seasons or on chilly summer mornings.

It’s one of the better hoodies I’ve tested. There are many grid fleeces like it, but its improved water resistance really makes it stand out from the rest. The Kifaru Roam Crosslayer isn’t just another midlayer fleece. It’s a functional layer that offers hunters and anglers improved protection from the elements when compared to the competition.