It usually takes a few years for a sweatshirt to enter the pantheon of favorite articles of clothing. Material must be softened with countless washings, it has to shrink just enough to provide that custom fit, and it has to prove its toughness though a series of life-threatening(ish) adventures. German mountaineering company Ortovox's Merino Fleece Logo Hoody ($159, available Summer 2012) broke into "no-you-can't-borrow-it" status within the first two wears.
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| No thumbholes? Come on. |
At first glance, it seems pretty basic. The only external feature that really distinguished the Logo Hoody from other sweatshirts is the easy-pull drawstring. A one-piece shock cord loops around the lining of the hood and locks automatically when you give it a pull. Great for blocking out the wind without completely letting go of your handlebars.
Of course, it's what's inside that counts: the Hoody has a super-soft inner layer of merino wool and a
wind- and abrasion-resistant polyester exterior. Its combination of breathable materials
and extreme stretch make the Hoody a great piece for just about any
activity. The merino interior is soft enough to let you wear the
Hoody as a next-to-skin layer, and the slim cut lets you layer
up over it without feeling bulky. The
fleece's stretchiness keeps it from hindering your range of motion in
any way, so early morning climbing sessions don't have to be frigid crag-fests.
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| Pack straps didn't abrade the Hoody's exterior. |
The tough polyester exterior proved very
abrasion-resistant - it held up to friction from pack straps for miles of hiking
without showing any wear or piling. On a series of way-too-early hikes, the Hoody was comfortable over a wide range of temperatures. It was warm and blocked the breeze during the 50-degree early am, but when the sun started heating up, the Hoody breathed well and any sweat wicked away and dried quickly.
I have yet to survive anything but harrowing downhill bike descents in it, but since it'll be my new go-to layer for cold weather, I'm sure we'll be bonding over how-did-I-survive moments in the years to come.
This is my new midlayer. For everything. No, you can't borrow it.
