For decades, we of the outdoor persuasion have been wearing fleece jackets for everything. From skiing to going to the movies, the fleece has been ubiquitous to mountain towns and big cities alike. But in the case of our multi-colored, furry jackets, the word “fleece” was only accurate to the look, and not to the fabric itself. Traditional fleece garments are actually made of polyester, which is made from oil. Authentic fleece is really sheep wool, so the term was ripped off by gear companies who have gotten away with it for years. No longer. Enter Icebreaker and their line of Real Fleece sweaters.
Icebreaker is a New Zealand company that is committed to making outdoor clothes from natural sources, like the merino wool the country is famous for. The Real Fleece Aspiring Zip is a sweater made from soft merino that is a replacement for all those synthetic mid layers that are saturating the market. But how does a merino wool fleece hold up in the outdoors? I set out to find the answer.
Upon receiving the Aspiring Zip, I first noticed how soft it is. When one thinks of wool, an image of scratchy scarves and socks that grandma would knit for Christmas presents comes to mind. But merino wool is actually very soft and itch free. After putting it on, the garment was cozy and comfortable, but tight. The Aspiring Zip features an athletic cut that really hugs the body. Although snug, the fleece never felt constrictive. And since it’s meant to be worn as a mid layer, the fitted cut works well beneath a shell jacket. When worn alone, the fleece looks cool, (almost futuristic) without being all “check me out, I’m so technical.”
In the field, the Icebreaker Aspiring Zip was a workhorse. Worn as an outer layer with just a long-sleeved shirt underneath, the Real Fleece never made me feel overheated. In fact, I wouldn’t call this sweater warm by any means. Instead, I’d classify it as a temperature-controller. While wearing it on strenuous autumn hikes in Zion National Park and Neffs Canyon, or preparing dinner on a cold night in camp at Coral Pink Sand Dunes near Kanab, the Icebreaker Aspiring Zip kept me not-too-cold, but not-too-hot. All I can figure is that the natural fabric lets body heat out when needed, but keeps warmth inside if temperatures drop. It’s quite a strange phenomenon, and one I’ve never before experienced with a piece of clothing.
On the downside, the Aspiring Zip doesn’t keep out the wind at all. Since it’s meant to be worn as a base layer on colder days, this doesn’t really pose a problem. But if you get caught outside wearing just this fleece when a brisk wind kicks up, you’ll definitely feel it.
Another annoyance is that wool picks up dog hair like a magnet. We mountain dwellers tend to be dog people, and I can’t think of another jacket I’ve ever worn that has sucked dog fur to itself quite like the Aspiring Zip. So if you’re thinking about purchasing this fleece, be warned; you’ll be constantly removing “old Scratch’s” hair from it.
Small irritations thanks to your pooch aside, I felt good wearing the Icebreaker Aspiring Zip not only for its comfort, but also because merino wool is sustainable, renewable and biodegradable. It also doesn’t hold odors like synthetic fabrics do, which is great if you end up wearing it for days on end then find yourself in close quarters with your buddies. Plus, to be sure of the sweater’s sustainability, you can even track its origins right back to the farm it came from in New Zealand by typing in the “Baacode” on the green tag inside the sweater at icebreaker.com.
Available in both mens and womens styles, the Icebreaker Real Fleece is a natural way to keep yourself comfortable outdoors, whether chilling by a campfire, or skinning up a mountain for a backcountry tour.
To purchase the Icebreaker Real Fleece Aspiring Zip, try Backcountry.com
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