Why do companies come out of the gate with something awesome and then continue to downgrade it. Given how awesome it is you still want it and its still great, useful, cool whatever. But it never was as good as the first.

If you don’t want to read this full review, here’s a video! Complete with Action Photos!!!



Well in this case I’m torn because the upgrades are good. The thing that smartwool has lost is fun! Style! Color! Why is everything matte bland in color?! Icebreaker I’m talking to you too!

Style aside (I love me a good functional/hybrid style pullover or jacket!) this piece of kit rips. You can wear it on its own, with a t shirt, with a long sleeve underneath, with a fully zip up baselayer, or if really cold add a shell or windshirt.

But I’m getting ahead of myself. This is a top that is constructed of Merino and polyester. The shoulders, chest and arms down to just below the elbows have a 60g quilting that is also merino/polyester blend. (approximately 50/50 blend, which is good). This is an “active” piece. What that means to me is, unless you’re running, xc skiing, mountain biking etc., it just doesn’t feel super warm (some would disagree). It excels when you’re outputting a lot of heat and sweat.

Because of the high wool content it doesn’t stink and it breathes supernaturally well. Because of the high polyester content it dries quickly and wicks moisture like a fiend. What that means is I’m working pretty hard before I have to unzip it. And then I have to work really hard before I need to take it off. I’d probably have a heart attack before that happened. As long as the weather didn’t suddenly warm up.

I use this for mountain biking, trail running, xc skiing and…looking funky at the bar…or at least when I get to go back to bars! It is perfect. I never need a different type of pullover unless I just get sick of wearing the same thing.

I love it so much I have two. I have one that’s few years old and one I bought last year. There are some significant differences. The older models have more of a heavy baselayer feel to the areas without quilting. They have terry loops on the inside for comfort and to help manage moisture. Also the older model has quilting down the top half of the back as well. It is unnecessary to have quilting there if you’re wearing a backpack…on really cold days though it helps you to warm up faster, and then the awesome performance allows you not to overheat.

The newer model I have doesn’t have quilting on the back…just the shoulders. It also has a material with a slight “hard face” type of material that blocks more wind.

As far as fit goes, I’m 6’2” and the small fits me pretty well in the newest model. I sew up the armholes as they’re just cold air vents for me though. The older model (a medium) I have is heavily tailored to fit my skinny frame and I sort of have to shimmy into it. The newer model is not as skin tight. The older model material that isn’t the quilted part is more like a heavy baselayer and doesn’t really have any wind resistance. It is cozier though…which is a technical term. Try to keep up.

The reason these are nice is that one can forgo the usual gilet or vest, and the “hybridity” of this jacket blocks the crucial parts of your body that are most affected by wind/cold. The chest and neck areas as well as upper arms/shoulders. Once you warm up, assuming you have the correct baselayer or lack of baselayer you’re good to go. Because it is wool, in my experience when I pause or take a break, wool keeps the heat in longer so I don’t freeze. All synthetic garments experience a flash off of moisture…well that moisture holds in the heat!…but because it’s wool it breathes and you don’t overheat…it’s magic basically.

I have to say though that my new R2 techface hoody is pretty flippin sweet. It may usurp this piece if I get it in a pullover.

pros/con’s

pros - handles cold winds and manages moisture really well so I don’t have to take it on and off.

super comfortable materials.

Allows me to have a “quiver of one” for cool to cold weather tops while being active…0F to 45F really.

Merino wool means anti stink properties, which allows me to wear it multiple days on a trip, or simply air it out and wear multiple days at my local trail.

Cool and funky look/design that isn’t common.

New ones don’t have quilted panels on the upper back (which is good).

Arms and body are long and slightly lean for us tall skinny guys.

Cons

Expensive…$200 retail (I never paid that much!)

New colors are suuuuuper bland!!!

Fit is a little boxy but can be tailored if required for a better fit

Heavy if you’re trying to use it for backpacking or “ultralight” endeavours, which I am not. Only for day trip type of stuff.

Overall I like this thing and it is my go to for active stuff….which means all my other stuff is obselete now :-(

Cheers,

Love Dilley