Quick answer
Size the Blaze Carhartt Hoodie to your normal chest measurement, not up a size for layering. The midweight cotton blend already adds bulk under a plate carrier, so a true fit keeps shoulder straps and cummerbunds sitting where they should.
Why the hoodie's midweight build changes your sizing decision
The Blaze Carhartt Hoodie is a 5-ounce cotton blend with a three-piece hood and rib-knit cuffs and waist. That weight is warm enough for cool mornings but thick enough that sizing up for extra room backfires under a carrier: the extra fabric bunches at the shoulders and waistband.
Treat the hoodie as a midlayer, not a base layer. It works best over a thin shirt and under a carrier or softshell, which means you want the hoodie to sit close to the body without compressing your range of motion.
When to size up, and when not to
Size up only if you plan to wear the hoodie as an outer layer over a thick flannel or sweatshirt, or if your chest measurement falls at the top of a size range. For plate carrier use, stay with your measured size even if you normally prefer a loose hoodie.
The catalog lists a title option only, so check the size chart before ordering rather than assuming a relaxed fit. The charcoal heather and black colorways share the same 55% cotton / 45% polyester blend, so color choice does not affect fit.
Step-by-step: size it, layer it, wash it
- Measure your chest and match the size chart: Measure around the fullest part of your chest with a thin shirt on, then compare to the size chart. Common mistake: measuring over a bulky sweatshirt and ordering a size too large. Write your measurement down before ordering so you can compare it to the chart without guessing.
- Try the hoodie on with your carrier before removing tags: Put the hoodie on, then don your plate carrier and tighten the shoulder straps. Check that the three-piece hood lies flat at the back of your neck and the rib-knit waist does not ride up. Common checkpoint: if the carrier shifts or the hood bunches, the hoodie is too bulky for that setup. Test with the exact carrier and plates you use, not a stand-in.
- Layer thin underneath and keep the hood out of the way: Wear a moisture-wicking base layer under the hoodie and tuck the hood down inside the collar rather than under the carrier's rear plate bag. Common mistake: leaving the drawcord loose so it snags on straps or a sling. Cinching the hood or folding it flat prevents pressure points under a rear plate.
- Wash cold and inside out: Turn the hoodie inside out, close the drawcord, and machine wash cold on a gentle cycle with like colors. Common mistake: washing with hooks, Velcro, or abrasive gear that pulls the 5-ounce fabric. Fasten any Velcro on other garments before they go in the same load.
- Skip the dryer or use low heat: Tumble dry low or hang dry to protect the rib-knit cuffs and waist. High heat accelerates shrinkage and weakens the cotton blend. Common checkpoint: if the cuffs feel tight after drying, switch to air drying. Air drying preserves the fit you checked against your carrier.
Product facts
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Blaze Carhartt Hoodie: 5-ounce cotton blend (55% cotton / 45% polyester in Charcoal Heather and Black) with triple-stitched main seams. The midweight fabric adds warmth without heavy bulk, and the reinforced seams tolerate repeated washing and carrier friction.
Blaze Carhartt Hoodie
