Oodie review UK 2024: the best way to stay warm when the sun goes down
AT this point, we may as well consider the Oodie a wardrobe staple.
With over seven million of the Aussie brand’s hooded blankets sold worldwide, it’s clear they’ve become a loungewear essential.
From my housemates to my girlfriend, almost everyone I know has one. They’ve evolved beyond a mere clothing item into a cost-saving marvel, helping delay the need for central heating — plus there’s even a whole summer range.
I’ll be honest: before trying the Oodie for this review, I wasn’t exactly thrilled by the idea of wearing something like this.
It seemed like a bit of a fad, and wearing a hooded blanket didn’t strike me as the most flattering choice. Surely comfort alone couldn’t make up for that?
But after a winter spent testing both my girlfriend’s affection and my workplace’s tolerance for virtual meeting attire, I’m ready to admit that everyone needs an Oodie – whatever the season.
Here’s my full review.
Oodie Originals, from £29
Pros
- Incredibly warm
- Great selection of designs
- Almost the definition of cosy
- Could save you money on your heating
- Handy for chilly summer evenings (think festival camping)
Cons
- Not cheap for something that you probably shouldn’t wear out of the house
- Slightly difficult to store
- Can get a bit too warm
Rating: 5/5
Oodie review: first impressions
My first encounter with Oodie actually happened a while before I got one; my girlfriend has one, and I’ll be honest, I ridiculed her for it. It’s got garlic bread printed on it, it’s a particularly unappetising shade of yellow, and it’s not exactly cut like a Chanel dress.
So it was not with an entirely open mind that I received my Oodie. However, mine came in a more agreeable turquoise tie-dye design, and after decanting it from its drawstring bag and undoing the pretty ribbon, I slipped it on and realised I was so comfortable that I didn’t even care what I looked like.
It’s still fairly big even when packaged up, but I think I prefer the presentation to that of the Kuddly, which comes vacuum-packed.
Green Tie-Dye Oodie Original, £59
At first, I treated the Oodie a little bit like a bad habit, only wearing it when I knew I wouldn’t be caught: sneaking around, fluff-clad, in the dead of night.
However, before long, I was wearing it on work calls, answering the door in it, and generally going about my daily business without a care in the world. I only draw the line when I have to go out of the house (although the introduction of the new Outdoor Oodie might yet change my mind on that).
Apparently, I’m even okay with pictures of me in my Oodie being published on the website of a national newspaper.
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What is an Oodie?
An Oodie is technically a hooded blanket, but it’s most accurately described as a fluffy, hooded dress.
You put it on as you would a t-shirt, and mine comes down to my knees (I’m around 5ft 10).
The size is reportedly based on a 6XL hoodie, and The Oodie says that it’s ideal for people sized 5ft to 6ft, meaning that if you’re on the taller side, you might struggle (although I wear mine with tracksuit bottoms anyway).
If you or the person you’re buying for are shorter than 5ft, you might have some luck with a Kid’s Oodie, which measures 75cm in length.
The inside of the garment is made from Sherpa fleece, while the outside is made from so-called Toastytek flannel fleece. I’m unsure what specific properties Toastytek has that necessitate a “” after its name, but I don’t particularly care; it’s comfy.
Oodies are also well known for their ever-expanding variety of prints. Mine is in a comparatively stylish green tie-dye print, but there’s a variety of options available.
How much are Oodies?
This is where we come to the main obstacle. Oodies cost £59, which is a lot of money to spend on something that shouldn’t be seen outside the confines of your home (although there is an Outdoor Oodie available if you’re really committed).
However, there are a couple of counterpoints to this. The first is that The Oodie regularly runs sales; right now, for example, you can save £20 on a wide range of Oodies on clearance, plus there’s a 2 for £65 Sleep Tees offer that’s perfect for summer.
Oodie Originals, from £29 (sale price)
If you can convince your friends and family to get one as well, there are family packs and mega packs that take the price down even further.
While the idea of spending upwards of £50 on helping with the cost of living sounds a little counterproductive, there’s also the argument that wearing one of these around the house might make you less likely to put your heating on come winter, or at least less likely to put it on a super high temperature.
And if you don’t want to pay the money all at once, The Oodie has Clearpay as a payment option, allowing you to split the cost over four instalments (of course, though, you should always be responsible when using services like this).
Oodie alternatives UK
If you simply don’t want to spend £50 on a hooded blanket, then I don’t blame you; luckily, there are a number of alternatives to the Oodie (although they might not have the quality of the original).
The company’s closest competitor is Kuddly, whose hooded blanket looks and sounds nearly identical to Oodie’s, and even comes with a similar price tag (it’s currently on sale for £49). However, Kuddly doesn’t have as wide a range of designs as Oodie.
Another comparable brand is Slouchy, which sells a wide range of designs at £75, although most are discounted to £39 at the moment.
There are also a few cheaper options available on the high street, including:
- Sienna Hoodie Blanket, £13.49 from Amazon – buy here
- Teddy Oversized Blanket Hoodie, £16 from Dunelm – buy here
- Zodiac Celestial Fleece Blanket Hoodie,
£36£18 from Skinnydip London – buy here
How does the Oodie compare to Kuddly’s hooded blanket?
When it comes to the hooded blanket landscape, the Oodie now has competition from all sides. The original has prompted many dupes, some of them more successful than others.
One of these contenders is Kuddly, a company that specialises in comfort with its blankets, bedding, heated slippers and, of course, its Hoodie Blanket.
Price-wise, the Oodie and the Kuddly Hoodie differ slightly – the Oodie costs £59 while the Kuddly is £89 full price, though both also run regular special offers. Currently, the adult Oodie is on sale for as little as £29, and the Kuddly Hoodie from £49.
However, when it comes to design, there’s much more choice with an Oodie; with Kuddly, you’re limited to 11 options, which is still a lot, but not when compared to Oodie’s plethora of styles.
Our Kuddly reviewer found the Oodie to be the chunkier of the two, while the Kuddly is airier and more breathable. However, that didn’t affect the warmth factor, he said.
Read our Kuddly Hoodie review in full here.
The verdict: are Oodies worth it?
In my job, I’m lucky enough to review a lot of products, from mattress toppers to moisturisers, and I think the Oodie is my favourite product I’ve ever tested. Since I got mine, I’ve encouraged plenty of friends and family to get one.
To make buying an Oodie worth it, I think you need to grab one in a sale.
Wearing it admittedly takes a bit of self-deprecation, but I was wowed by how warm, cosy and high-quality my Oodie was, and I haven’t once felt cold since I got mine in the winter – putting the heating on hasn’t even crossed my mind.
Oodie Originals, from £29 (sale price)
Oodie Review: how I feel about the hooded blanket two years on
With the unpredictable summer we’re having, my eyes are becoming increasingly drawn to my Oodie, which has been neatly packaged under my bed for the last few months.
Thanks to the fact it’s easily washable (more on that below), it looks as pristine now as it did when I unboxed it, and I’m strangely looking forward to the depths of winter, just so I can get it on.
Oodie FAQs
Is there a difference between women’s and men’s Oodie hoodies?
Oodies and other brands of hooded blankets tend to be unisex, so are suitable for both men and women.
Of course, there are many designs, and some may appeal more to men or more to women.
When it comes to fit, the Oodie is one size for adults and one size for kids. It’s based on a size 6XL hoodie, and the adult version is designed for fans from 5ft to 6ft tall, so it should fit the majority of men and women.
Where to buy Oodie oversized hoodies
The best place to buy an Oodie is the brand’s own website, which has regular sales and discounts on bulk orders.
However, you can also get a couple of styles on Amazon, including the bestselling avocado print and the pink colourway. They tend to be more expensive from Amazon, though; the only benefit is that if you’re a Prime member, you’ll receive it more quickly.
Are Oodies legit?
Absolutely; Oodie is probably the most famous hooded blanket brand there is, and the two terms are now almost synonymous.
The brand was launched in 2018 by Australian entrepreneur David Forgarty, and last year, it was reported that the business was worth A$250m (£131.5m).
How to wash an Oodie
One of the things I thought when I first unwrapped my Oodie was that it felt like the sort of thing that might get absolutely ruined in the washing machine, but surprisingly they are completely machine washable – as long as you put them on a cool wash (a 40-degree maximum is recommended) with a mild detergent.
The only thing you might find annoying is that it takes up a hefty amount of the washing machine drum.
How does the Oodie react to being washed?
To my mild amazement, the Oodie takes a wash very well. I’ve probably washed mine four or five times — I went through an ill-advised period of cooking while wearing it — and there’s no noticeable difference in softness now, compared to when I opened it.
I simply followed the instructions, washing it with a mild detergent at a low temperature; I opted for 30C.
How to dry an Oodie
Unfortunately, while it’s very easy to wash an Oodie, you can’t put it in a tumble dryer.
That means that your only option is to air dry it, which, thanks to the thick sherpa material, can take a few days, especially in the depths of winter.
You could potentially use a heated clothes airer to speed up the process.
How we tested the Oodie
I’ve now owned my Oodie for over a year and have worn it almost every day through the extremely cold winter that we had in 2022/23 in a house with very iffy radiators.
During that time, I’ve washed and dried it several times.
We’ve also done reviews of the Beach Oodie and the Travel Oodie.
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