DeWalt Deluxe Zip Front Class 3 Hoodie

Pulling this hi-vis hoodie on before daybreak quickly became part of my routine on traffic-control shifts and warehouse walk-throughs. I wanted something more flexible than a hard shell but more substantial than a safety tee—something I could wear solo on cool mornings and layer under a shell when weather turned. This DeWalt hi-vis hoodie fits that niche well, balancing visibility, storage, and jobsite practicality without getting in the way.

Build and materials
The fabric is a polyester fleece that leans midweight. It’s warm enough on its own in the 40s, and with a base layer I was comfortable into the high 30s—wind permitting. The black color-blocked lower front is a smart call; it hides grime from leaning on trucks, hauling hose, and general jobsite contact. After a few weeks, the upper hi-vis stayed bright while the black section masked scuffs that would’ve looked rough on a fully neon garment.

A full-length front zipper makes it easier to regulate heat and take the hoodie on and off over a hard hat. The zipper track runs smooth and didn’t snag fleece fibers, which is more common than it should be on some work hoodies. The whole piece is surprisingly light—under a pound—and compresses well into a pack or cab bin.

Visibility and compliance
This is an ANSI/ISEA 107 Class 3 garment, which matters for anyone working around moving vehicles or in low-light conditions. The segmented reflective heat-transfer tape is the standout here. It lays flat, flexes with movement, and breathes better than solid bands. I didn’t get the sweaty “hot stripe” where non-segmented tape usually traps heat. In pre-dawn and dusk, the reflectivity pops as expected; in rain and mist it remained visible at a distance under site lighting. For compliance-requiring sites, having a hoodie that actually meets Class 3 (not just “hi-vis”) reduces friction at the gate.

Fit and comfort
In a size L, the fit is true with enough ease to layer a long-sleeve base or light midlayer without binding. The tailored collar sits higher in the back, which sounds minor but makes a difference when bending or rotating—it keeps drafts off the neck and prevents the collar from rolling under harness straps. The shirt-tail hem provides extra coverage in the rear. I noticed fewer cold spots when crouching to check valves or stepping into a truck; it also prevents that annoying upward creep over a tool belt.

The interior fleece is soft and comfortable against the skin, and the overall cut favors mobility. I had full shoulder range for overhead work without the front hem tugging upward. There’s enough structure in the fabric to avoid collapsing under a vest or shell.

Hood and collar details
The hood detaches with snaps and has a draw cord and toggles. I like being able to pull it off quickly when working around rotating equipment or when a supervisor wants a cleaner silhouette under a hard hat. With the hood on, it sits deep enough to block wind at the ears without tunnel vision. The draw cords hold adjustments, and the snaps are glove-friendly. With the hood off, that higher back collar earns its keep in wind.

Pockets and storage
Storage is generous and well thought out for a hoodie. The lower kangaroo arrangement gives you four zones: two open handwarmers and two zippered compartments for items that need to stay put. Keys, a small flashlight, and earbuds live in the zips; gloves and notes go in the open pockets. The zippers operated smoothly and didn’t chew on glove knit. Up high, the chest cell phone pocket keeps a phone accessible and out of the tool belt area. It’s a good placement for quick checks without unzipping the hoodie, and it held my phone steady during ladder climbs and brisk walks across the yard.

Weather performance
This is fleece, not a softshell, so know the limits. Warmth is solid for its weight. Breathability is good, aided by the segmented tape. Wind resistance is average—on gusty bridge decks I layered a windproof vest or a light rain shell over it, and the combo was ideal. Water resistance is minimal; in mist or brief sprinkles it dries quickly, but steady rain will soak it. That’s not a flaw so much as the nature of fleece. Treat it as your midlayer or fair-weather outer layer, not your storm coat.

Durability and care
Heat-transfer reflective tape can be a weak point on some garments, but the segmented application here has held up. After multiple cold washes and air dry cycles, I haven’t seen lifting or cracking. The fleece hasn’t pilled excessively, even around the waist where belts and harness lanyards rub. The black lower panel hides oil and dirt nicely between washes. Stitching at the pocket edges and zipper placket is tidy with no loose threads on my unit.

Care-wise, I recommend cold wash, inside out, and hang dry to protect the tape and keep the fleece looking sharp. The hoodie dries quickly enough that machine drying feels unnecessary, and avoiding high heat generally extends the life of heat-transfer elements. The detachable hood is convenient to wash separately if it gets especially grimy.

Jobsite usability
Small touches add up. The longer rear hem keeps coverage when you squat. The zipper lets you dump heat fast after a carry. The reflective tape doesn’t bind when you twist to grab something out of the bed. The hood snaps are easy to operate with thin gloves. And the whole piece works equally well as a standalone or under a shell. In practice, this meant I could start the day wearing just the hoodie, then throw a rain shell over it without feeling bulky.

Gripes and wish list
No hoodie is perfect. While the fleece weight is versatile, it’s not a windstopper; pair it with a vest in blustery conditions. The chest phone pocket is useful, but I’d love a clearly defined pen slot or a small radio clip tab for utility work—minor additions that go a long way for field techs. Also, while the black lower panel hides stains, the hi-vis areas still demand regular washing to keep the garment looking compliant; that’s just part of life with neon safety gear.

Who it’s for
- Roadside crews, flaggers, and utility workers who need true Class 3 compliance without a bulky jacket.
- Warehouse and logistics teams moving between indoors and outdoors.
- Technicians who want practical pocketing and a hoodie that layers neatly under a shell.
- Anyone who appreciates the dirt-masking lower panel and wants a balance of warmth and breathability.

If you’re primarily battling cold wind or steady rain, this should be your midlayer under a windproof or waterproof outer shell. If your work is stop-and-go in shoulder seasons, the hoodie alone is a comfortable, compliant choice.

Recommendation
I recommend this DeWalt hi-vis hoodie for tradespeople and site personnel who need ANSI/ISEA 107 Class 3 visibility in a comfortable, pocket-rich, and layer-friendly package. It’s warm for its weight, the segmented reflective tape flexes and breathes as you move, and the storage layout beats typical hoodies without feeling cluttered. Pair it with a wind- or rainproof shell when the weather calls for it, and you’ve got a reliable system that covers most jobsite conditions. If you want a single garment that toggles between standalone wear and midlayer duty, this one earns a spot on the hook by the door.