Baleaf Review: The Highly-Rated DWR Hooded Windbreaker
Product Review Summary
From the high-quality water-resistant material to the multiple features such as the reflective elements, 5 pockets (3 on the outside, 2 on the inside), hood and waist cord adjusters, and silicone grippers, Baleaf’s DWR Hooded Windbreaker is a travel wardrobe staple, that’s priced considerably well.
Ratings
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★★★★★
The windbreaker is made from 100% polyester that is breathable and water-resistant. Overall, it has a sleek and simple look, with sturdy construction that exudes durability.
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★★★★★
The overall fit was what I was most impressed with. Other windbreakers I had in the past looked boxy and awkward. The cord adjusters on the waist and in the hood allow you to tighten these areas so it fits snug against or body (or looser if you’re going for a run and need a little breathing room).
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★★★★★
Between the reflective elements, the pockets, lightweight fabric making it easy to pack, and the velcro cuffs, the Baleaf team thought of everything when it came to designing a windbreaker with all the necessities (and then some).
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★★★★★
Priced at $51.99, I think this jacket is an absolute steal for the price. Between the high-quality feel and the multiple features of this jacket, it’s well worth the investment.
Pros:
Sophisticated design with 5 pockets
Quality materials and craftsmanship
Water-resistant fabric and zippers
Reflective elements
Velcro cuffs
Cons:
The hood is quite large but adjustable
Inside pockets don’t have zippers
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Since 2014, Baleaf has been helping people streamline their activewear wardrobes with high-quality and multifaceted athleisure apparel. From tank tops to joggers to skorts, every Baleaf design is created with versatility in mind, so you can wear their clothes while working out, traveling, out exploring, and more. In this review, we’re doing a deep dive into Baleaf’s DWR Hooded Windbreaker, which happens to be one of their highest rated products on the site.
Baleaf: What To Know About the Brand
Baleaf was founded in 2014 with the belief that we can all work to downsize and streamline our activewear wardrobes by purchasing versatile and multifaceted athleisure apparel. Baleaf features five product categories (yoga, running, cycling, outdoor, and swimming) and their designs cater to people who like to jump from one exercise to the next, but don't want to keep accumulating workout gear. Co-designed with customers, Baleaf products are engineered to help you perform your best during workouts, at prices that are reasonable and fair.
Baleaf DWR Hooded Windbreaker Review
Having just celebrated their 8th anniversary, we were super excited to have a chance to review one of their more popular products, the DWR Hooded Windbreaker. The following is a review of Baleaf’s DWR Hooded Windbreaker in a black, size medium.
Unpacking and First Impressions
My Baleaf windbreaker arrived quickly and was packaged in a lightweight branded shipping sleeve. When I unzipped the sleeve, I found the windbreaker neatly folded with the packing slip inside. I didn’t see any other brand materials, such as a flyer or insert giving more info on Baleaf, minus the tag which said: “Meticulously Designed to Move with You.” Part of me was inspired by the brand’s effort to limit the number of shipping materials that inevitably turn into waste, but the other part of me would’ve loved to see more information to get to the brand and its backstory when opening up my package.
Quality of Materials
The windbreaker is made from 100% polyester that is breathable and water-resistant. I personally loved the reflective elements on the front and back. They weren’t super distracting but came in handy when I went for my usual early morning walk and it was slightly dark out. I was super impressed with just how lightweight the fabric is. I was able to easily fold it up into the back pocket and toss it into my suitcase without it hardly taking up any space. I also have smaller wrists, so I appreciated the velcro cuffs that allowed me to tighten the sleeves, so it’s snug around my wrists. The waterproof zippers were a nice surprise as well and when tested on a rainy afternoon walk, it was completely waterproof and dried quickly once I came back inside. Overall, the windbreaker has a sleek and simple look, with sturdy construction that exudes durability.
Sizing and Fit
The overall fit was what I was most impressed with. Other windbreakers I had in the past looked boxy and awkward. The cord adjusters on the waist and in the hood allow you to tighten these areas so it fits snug against or body (or looser if you’re going for a run and need a little breathing room). The hood is slightly roomie and a bit big, but I was able to again adjust this with the cord.
Overall Design
My favorite thing about this jacket is the number of pockets. There are 5 in total: 1 on the back, 2 side pockets, and 2 inner pockets. I’m constantly adventuring out with my keys, phone, wallet, etc. and it’s nice to be able to throw them into a pocket and zip them closed without having the carry my purse (which is definitely not ideal when I’m going on a hike or jog). The inner pockets are nice for when it’s raining hard and I want to ensure my phone doesn’t get wet. I also appreciated the silicon grippers at the hem. This makes it so that when I’m on the move, it doesn’t keep lifting up and stays snug against my body. Between the reflective elements, the pockets, lightweight fabric making it easy to pack, and the velcro cuffs, the Baleaf team thought of everything when it came to designing a windbreaker with all the necessities (and then some).
Value for Money
I was originally looking at windbreakers from other brands that were well over $100 and I just couldn’t stomach spending that much on a single jacket. Priced at $51.99, I think this jacket is an absolute steal for the price. Between the high-quality feel and the multiple features of this jacket, it’s well worth the investment.
The Bottom Line
It’s easy to see why Baleaf has grown in popularity over the last few years. Their athleisure apparel is well-constructed, versatile, and looks incredibly sleek. I appreciate their mission to “make sports accessible for all” and their continued focus to reduce textile waste by creating products that lasts. The bottom line: this windbreaker should be a staple in your wardrobe.