Few things can take the bite out of a frigid winter day. Planning a day adventuring in the outdoors but between the thermometer and your level of activity, dressing appropriately is nearly impossible. As you know, layers are key, but which layers?
I have a relatively new found love affair with wool, merino wool to be precise. If your first thought of wool goes directly to your grandfather's work shirt; itchy, rough and about as comfortable as a Brillo pad, you have no idea. The Kodiak Hoody from Icebreaker is a piece of wool clothing that you can use year round. made from their Merino "Realfleece 320" it is a heavier mid-layer that has been brushed to a softness you simply need to feel to believe. I know these guys make wool gear, but I had to check the tag to be certain. It's so soft you can hardly believe there is any wool in there. FYI; it's 100% merino wool, no blend, no BS. Adding to the natural wonders of wool, Icebreaker employs the use of Bluesign endorsed "nanotechnology" to help repel water, mud and oil.
This thing is machine washable and comes out looking beautiful. DO NOT put it in the dryer though, trust me on this one. It feels so much like any old cotton hoody that it's easy to mix it up with the $20 beater from college. I ran mine through once, it wan't happy. Fortunately, I was able to get it wet again and hang it to dry resolving the problem. Bullet dodged.
MSRP: Regularly $270 currently on sale for $189... It may not be cheap, but it is easily a 3 season piece. Once you put one on, you'll never look at a cotton sweatshirt the same way again.
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3 comments:
Icebreaker is superb only drawback is you wear them all the time and then they fall apart after about a year. I have a draw of holy icebreaker clothing.
The trade off with merino wool is that it can be fairly delicate--especially the fine, thin items like t-shirts and underwear. I have an "Go Tiger" Icebreaker GT340 Hooded jacket that I bought around 2008 (I think it's the Transition Hood) which has withstood 3 years of heavy (almost daily) wear...only to get some holes from a damaged agitator in a washing machine! ARRG! It is no longer a fancy showpiece for around town (replaced by Sierra Hood), but it is still my go-to piece for all my camping adventures. I have no reservations about Icebreaker's heavier weight items.
Check your washer for nails and sharp edges!
GO TIGER!
I agree, you can't treat wool like you do cotton, but I don't baby it either. I have been punishing this hoody for the entire winter. I've run it through the washer several times and it still looks good as new. As long as you know going in that it has slightly different care requirements, it should last for years.
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