Screen Hooded Fleece vs Novelty Fleece: Skate Layer Guide
By etnies Official Store | Skate Shoes by Skateboarders since 1986 | Published: 2026-10-13
Category: Comparisons
Compare hooded fleece and novelty fleece for skating, with fit notes on the SLB Coach Jacket, etnies X FOS Hoodie, and SLB X etnies Crest Pullover.
Quick answer
For most skate sessions, choose a hooded fleece when you want warmth around your head and neck between tries, and choose a novelty fleece jacket when you want a lighter, water-resistant shell that blocks wind without bulk. The etnies X FOS Hoodie is the simpler hooded pick, while the SLB Coach Jacket is the stronger novelty-fleece option for cooler, damper days.
What separates hooded fleece from novelty fleece
The difference is mostly in the build and the job it does. A hooded fleece is a pullover or hoodie with a hood and a soft brushed interior, so it traps warmth and gives you something to pull over your ears when you sit between runs. A novelty fleece jacket, like the SLB Coach Jacket, is usually a button- or snap-front shell with a different face fabric and lining, so it cuts wind and light moisture while staying easy to take off.
Warmth, weather, and how each layer behaves
The SLB Coach Jacket uses a water-resistant 100% nylon taffeta shell with a 100% polyester brushed tricot lining. That combination is the reason it works as an outer novelty layer: the nylon face handles wind and light rain, and the tricot lining keeps the inside from feeling cold against your skin. It has raglan sleeves, front pockets, a snap front, elastic cuffs, and an open bottom, so it moves with your shoulders and does not cinch at the waist.
The etnies X FOS Hoodie is the hooded-fleece side of the comparison. It is a collaboration hoodie from etnies, offered in BLACK/WHITE and NAVY/WHITE colorways and sizes S through XXL. Because the supplied catalog does not list a fabric weight or weatherproofing for this hoodie, treat it as a warm mid-layer or a standalone piece for dry, mild days rather than a rain shell. If you need a specific fleece weight, check the product page before buying.
Fit and layering around skate shoes and pants
Fit matters more than most skaters expect, because a layer that bunches at the waist or rides up under a hood can throw off your balance. The SLB Coach Jacket is noted as a smaller fit, and the catalog suggests going a size up. That extra room lets you wear it over a tee or a hoodie without the snap front pulling across the chest.
The etnies X FOS Hoodie runs in standard sizes S through XXL, so start with your normal size if you plan to wear it alone, or size up if you want it over a thicker shirt. The SLB X etnies Crest Pullover is a Champion Powerblend fleece hoodie made from 50% US grown cotton and 50% polyester, including 10% recycled polyester fibers, with a two-ply hood and drawcord, a hand-warming front kanga pocket, 9 oz. fleece, and extra stitch details for durability. That 9 oz. weight gives you a concrete reference point when comparing hooded fleece options.
Trade-offs to weigh before you buy
- Weather protection vs breathability: The SLB Coach Jacket's nylon taffeta shell resists wind and light rain, but a fully closed shell traps more heat than an open hooded fleece. Pick the coach jacket for damp, windy sessions; pick a hoodie for dry, mild ones.
- Hood warmth vs packability: A hooded fleece like the etnies X FOS Hoodie or SLB X etnies Crest Pullover gives you a hood and a kanga pocket, but it takes more room in a bag than a thin shell. If you skate to the spot and shed layers, a hoodie still earns its space.
- Slim fit vs layering room: The SLB Coach Jacket is cut smaller and the catalog recommends sizing up; the hoodies run in standard S through XXL. Size up the coach jacket if you plan to layer it over a hoodie, or keep your normal hoodie size for standalone wear.
Product facts that affect your choice
- SLB COACH JACKET: Water resistant 100% nylon taffeta shell with 100% polyester brushed tricot lining, raglan sleeves, snap front, elastic cuffs, and open bottom; smaller fit, best to go a size up. This is the novelty fleece pick when you want wind and light-rain protection plus easy on/off, and the size-up note keeps the snap front from pulling.
- etnies X FOS Hoodie: Collaboration hoodie from etnies, available in BLACK/WHITE and NAVY/WHITE colorways and sizes S through XXL. A straightforward hooded fleece for dry sessions when you want a hood and a simple everyday look without an outer shell.
- SLB X ETNIES CREST PULLOVER: Champion Powerblend fleece hoodie, 50% US grown cotton and 50% polyester including 10% recycled polyester fibers, 9 oz. fleece, two-ply hood with drawcord, hand-warming front kanga pocket, extra stitch details for durability. The 9 oz. fleece weight and two-ply hood give you a warmer, more structured hooded option for cold mornings and long sessions.
Which layer fits your session
Best for
- Skaters who want a hooded fleece for warmth between tries on dry, mild days
- Skaters who want a novelty fleece jacket that blocks wind and light rain without a bulky coat
Not for
- Skaters who need a fully waterproof rain shell for heavy, sustained rain
- Skaters who want a single layer to cover both deep cold and wet weather
