Tough Poly Shell, Soft, Chewy Merino Center: Ortovox Merino Fleece Logo Hoody Review

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.

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.

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.

Summer Boot Roundup: Salomon Wings Sky GTX, Wolverine Compass iCS GTX, and Keen Delta

There are almost as many types of hiking boots as there are people to wear them.

Different foot shapes, different comfort preferences and different uses require the need of a range of options when looking for hiking footwear. If you're in the market for a pair of hiking boots, it pays to look at a broad range of boot features.

Trek Tech has been taking some hiking boots out to test over the summer and we've brought back a few standouts, including a boot that pretends to be a trail running shoe, an insulated boot for cold-weather wear, and a boot with adjustable cushioning. Take a look after the jump.

Most Wanted: Easton Mountain Products Kilo 3-Person Tent

Maybe I'm getting old, but I'm starting to lean more towards comfort when I'm out in the backcountry. Mummy bags leave me claustrophobic, and bivy sacs aren't exactly palatial. I'm not a huge guy, but man, I need space, especially if I'm sharing a tent with somebody. The problem is, the bigger the tent, the more weight you're dealing with as you haul it to your campsite.

Not so with Easton Mountain Products' Kilo 3P tent ($499, Summer 2012). Part of EMP's Kilo family of ultralight tents, the three person doublewall kilo 3 offers 40 square feet of floorspace and almost four feet of headroom in a three pound package. 

Forty square feet of floorspace and 3 pounds in the pack. That's a pound per person.

It doesn't feel like a three pound tent when you're in it.

I got to see the Kilo 3 in person at the outdoor retailer trade show, and it felt cavernous with just me in it. Hopefully I'll get my hands on one of these guys in the near future so I can try it out in the field.

Until then, take a look at the Kilo 1P on Easton Mountain Products' website to see how the tech keeps the weight to a minimum.

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Most Wanted posts are profiles of gear that catches our eye. Since we haven't gotten our hands on these pieces (yet), MW posts aren't reviews; they're just overviews on what the gear is designed to do. More often than not, we'll try to get a tester to see how well they work, but until then, we'll be content with just drooling over it. If you know of a piece of gear that deserves to be featured on Most Wanted, shoot us a note at editor@trektechblog.com.