Smart Wool Combo Half Zip and Crew Combo Tops
 Smart Wool for the office, trail, or the bike, The Smart Wool collection is a smart choice (wonder if that is how their name came about). The NTS collection from Smart Wool features function, great fit, style and a lack of itchiness.
The new Combo Half Zip and Crew Combo tops utilize a combination of Microweight and Lightweight fabrics to provide more insulation where you need it and less where you don’t.
- The Women’s Combo features Lightweight fabric on the chest and at the sleeve cuff where the wind hits and the capillaries run. Microweight fabric on the back and sleeves allows for maximum comfort and moisture management while working out. Contrasting stitching and thumb loops also add to the appeal of the top.
- Men’s Combo features Lightweight fabric on the front and shoulders in a T-shirt silhouette, while the back and sleeves are Microweight to provide ventilation and style. Contrasting stitching and a traditional relaxed fit add a style element not ordinarily found in technical apparel. Men’s top does not come with thumb loops.
This is my first experience with clothing from Smart Wool so I was really curious how it was going to feel. I remember as a kid having a wool sweater my mom made me wear and it was as itchy and I pretty hated it (sorry mom). It felt like poison ivy against your skin. Well wool no longer has that feeling, at least the products from Smart Wool. The fabric from the NTS line against my skin left me with no complaints and better yet, no itching. This is due to the size of the wool fibers, by keeping them under 30 microns this avoids the itchiness. The difference in SmartWool versus regular wool is like laying in your front yard compared to lying in a hay field. More can me learned about this measuring process at Wikipedia.
Smart Wool Style: Being in a bit of a training low right now due to the fall season and being a little lazy, I thought I would try and get in a little wear time with the NTS Crew at the office. Every day is casual Friday so I figured why not. The style, fit and just plain good looks of the top brought in compliments from folks. Not only at the office, but other places the NTS crew drew quite a bit of attention, I was actually shocked. The NTS Crew can be worn with jeans or khakis and fit right in. I can’t wait to try out something in the Smart Wool “style line”.
Smart Wool at play: We spent some good time with the NTS line out the trail putting in quite a few testing miles. With Temperatures in the mid 40s to the mid 60s we found the top quite comfortable. Hitting the lower 40s to upper 30s you might want to partner it with another top. On the warmer days the moisture wicking capabilities on the New Zealand merimo was second to none, keeping me dry, and warm.
Wool definitely has its place in the market now, and for the umpteen years in the cycling, hiking, and winter sports communities it has been around. Well things really haven’t changed a lot. Wool has some of the best moisture wicking capabilities on the market; the porous fibers allow the wool to absorb that bone-chilling moisture on the body before it condenses, and transferring it away keeping you DRY and WARM. Wool has the same concept in the summer, creating a cool relaxed feeling. The dryness features of the Smart Wool also make it a mostly odor-free fabric which is great when you are on the trail for a couple of days, or traveling.
Fit: The fit of the NTS Crew has an “athletic cut” to it, in my opinion is designed for the fit person. The cut is little bigger through the shoulder, and a little narrower through the waste area, but not a whole lot. Quite possibly my favorite part about the top is the long torso length and the length of the sleeves. Being 6’2” tall, sometimes it is hard to find a top that will reach your wrist and not ride up your back when you bend over.
Last but not least: I only covered a tad here about SmartWool and could be writing for ever if I was that ambitious, but that it not going to happen. But if you want to learn more about SmartWool, the farmers or anything else related under the sun, visit the award winning website www.smartwool.com.
Manufacturer: Smart Wool
Suggested Retail Price: $75.00
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