Melanzana Alternatives

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If you know of Melanzana, you know how difficult it is to get your hands on one of their coveted Micro Grid Hoodies. It’s a versatile piece that’s great for climbing, backpacking, skiing, lounging, and more. Their products are only available at their headquarters in Leadville, by appointment. With resale prices of Melanzana hoodies going for over twice of their retail cost, it’s not economical to buy secondhand. If you’ve always wanted to pick up a Melly (it’s what the cool kids say), here’s a list of Melanzana alternatives to tide you over, because nobody should be without this ultra cozy, technical fleece.

Criteria for Melanzana alternatives

For this search, every Melanzana alternative needed to come as close to the original product as possible. This means it has a hood. It has a kangaroo pocket. It’s made of a similar fabric to the Polartec Micro Grid Fleece.

Balabusta Gear Hoodie

What’s similar

• Made in the USA (NC)

What’s different

• Two different fits: straight and curvy
• Goes up to 2XL
• The curvy fit runs much more trim than the Melly
• Longer cut
• Three different body colors
• Incredibly limited as the founders have closed up shop for the time being

Buy the Balabusta Gear Hoodie for $100.

Burgeon Outdoor Highlander Hoodie

Buy the Burgeon Outdoor Highlander Hoodie for $84.95.

Fayettechill Leah and Livingston

What’s similar

• Made in the USA
• Roomy fit

What’s different

• Uses Polartec Power Grid
• Thumbholes
• Goes up to XL for women and XXL for men

Buy the Fayettechill Leah and Livingston Hoodies for $98.

Freedom Industries Radiase Thermal Grid Pullover Hoody

What’s similar

What’s different

• Uses RADIASE™ Thermal grid
• No hood cinch
• Scuba hood
• Has a hem cinch
• Less fun colors
• Only available for men up to 3XL

Buy the Freedom Industries Radiase Thermal Grid Pullover Hoody for $59.

Lightheart Gear Fleece Hoodie

What’s similar

• Made in the USA (NC)
• Nearly identical design and color schemes

What’s different

• Toggle in the middle front half of hood
• Longer hems in front and back
• Thumbholes
• Goes up to 4XL for the women’s and 3XL for men’s

Buy the Lightheart Gear Fleece Hoodie for $99.

Lobo Point Gear

Production is currently on pause, but peep their Instagram.

Mountain Hardwear Summit Grid Half Zip Hoody

Verdict TBD

Buy the Mountain Hardwear Summit Grid Half Zip Hoody for $90.

Mountain Hardwear Summit Grid Tunic Hoodie

Verdict TBD

Buy the Mountain Hardwear Summit Grid Half Zip Hoody for $85.

Outdoor Research Trail Mix Pullover Hoodie

Verdict TBD

Buy the Outdoor Research Trail Mix Pullover Hoodie for $120.

Merrell Geotex Pullover Hoodie

What’s similar

• Price point

What’s different

• Runs smaller than the Melly
• Lighter weight fabric
• No cinch for hood
• Not made in the USA
• Only available in a pullover for women
• Goes up to XXL

Buy the Merrell Geotex Hoodie for $60.

SkyGoat CAMP Hoodie

What’s similar

• Headquartered in Colorado

What’s different

• Runs smaller than the Melly & different pattern for a more active fit around shoulders
• Proprietary GOATGrid fleece fabric
• Made in Taiwan
• Tri-color body
• No cinch for hood
• Women’s goes up to 2XL, men’s goes to 3XL with tall sizes available

Buy the SkyGOAT CAMP Hoodie for $98.99.

Thuja Burrow Hoodie

What’s similar

• Made in the USA (VT)

What’s different

• Hood cinch feels flimsier
• Customizable
• Construction is slightly different
• Fun, limited edition versions exist
• Goes up to 4XL for women, 3XL for men

Buy the Thuja Burrow Hoodie for $110.

Youer Climb On Hoodie

What’s similar

• Made in the USA (CA and Oregon)
• Buttons instead of cinch for hood

What’s different

• Thumbholes
• Kangaroo pocket is fairly small
• Stretchy fabric panels and cuffs
• Women’s sizing only up to XXL

Buy the Youer Climb On Hoodie for $140.

Am I missing any Melanzana alternatives? Let me know in the comments!

Some products were provided to me for review. This post contains affiliate links.

Last updated on January 11, 2023.