Oodies are selling like hot cakes this year. We tested the coveted Blanket Hoodie and found out if it’s really worth its high price tag.
If there’s one must-have that has become the Mumsnetter obsession of the year, it’s the oh-so-comfy Blanket Hoodie. A combination of an oversized hoodie and a blanket to throw over it. The best blanket hoodie wraps you in warmth and keeps you cozy even when the heat is off.
This year, with temperatures plummeting and heating bills soaring, many of us are looking for ways to keep warm without turning the thermostat up full blast. Mumsnet users have shared their handy tips and purchases that will help combat the cost of living crisis in the long run. These include things like the best electric blanket for warm beds and the best slippers for women to avoid cold feet. And unsurprisingly, hooded blankets are repeatedly mentioned as an effective solution.
Last year, in an effort to use the heating as little as possible, we added a powerful heat weapon to our arsenal: the Oodie.
My first encounter with Oodie actually happened a while before I got one; My girlfriend has one, and I’ll be honest, I mocked her for it. It’s printed with garlic bread, is a particularly unappetizing shade of yellow, and isn’t cut straight like a Chanel dress.
So I wasn’t completely unbiased when I received my Oodie. Mine, however, had a nicer turquoise tie-dye pattern, and after taking it out of the drawstring bag and untying the pretty ribbon, I slipped it on and felt so comfortable that I didn’t care what I looked like.
It also has a large pocket on the front that can fit my Kindle, phone, a snack, and anything else I want to take home. When I lie down I keep my hands in my pockets as they are lined with the same Sherpa material and keep my hands nice and warm.
It may look silly to put on a hoodie at home, but the extra layer of sherpa fabric behind your head makes you feel like you’re hugging your entire body.
An oodie is a type of blanket hoodie – think of a giant, oversized hooded blanket that you can wear. It is also the name of the brand that makes them. Typical features of an Oodie include a cozy sherpa fleece lining and a handy pocket on the front – ideal for slipping into one of the best hand warmers to keep your fingers extra warm, or even for storing snacks.
One of Oodies’ biggest selling points is the wide range of patterns and designs you can purchase. From subtle muted colors like baby pink and gray to cute and humorous designs (who likes corgis or pizza slices?) to limited edition prints of popular franchises like Harry Potter and Minecraft, there really is a design for everyone.
We’ve all been there: you put the coziest, softest blanket or sweater in the washing machine and it becomes noticeably rougher. Especially if you’re spending a lot of money on a product whose main selling point is softness, you want to make sure it doesn’t lose its coziness after washing.
It is recommended to hand wash The Oodies in cold water to preserve their softness. Luckily, they are also machine washable at up to 40°C. If you put it in the washing machine, we also recommend that you choose a mild detergent and a gentle cycle. Our testers found the instructions were clear and that it washed well.
Okay, let’s be honest: in a cost of living crisis, spending to save money in the long run can seem counter-intuitive, but both of our Oodie testers said it was worth it, with one commenting: “It’s worth it.” Definitely “It.” Especially now that heating is so expensive, you can also wear it on the go, which has an advantage over a blanket.