Now that we are fully settled into autumn, there’s no denying that the air has gotten cooler. During this time of year, the world seemingly expands into all things pumpkin and the changing leaves start popping with color. And it goes without saying what all of this develops into—sweater weather! You know, that season where you must lock in your body heat in order to maintain a sense of homeostatic normality. Well, it just so happens that Royal Robbins has a new 1/4th zip pullover called Fireside Wool that I was fortunate enough to test out.
Nature Hike
On a recent trip to the Suncadia Lodge in Washington State, I brought the Fireside pullover along. It served the purpose as my only barrier between my body and the elements. Luckily, in the daytime the weather was cool as opposed to cold, so when my wife and I set out on our nature hike, at no point of our adventure did I feel chilly or overheated. The Fireside is comprised of a polyblend of wool and nylon which was greatly appreciated, because when you start moving around your body begins to warm up. The Fireside was observably breathable–this was important, because at the end of our nature hike, we had to ascend 333 stairs to get back to the lodge. I have worn wool many times before, and if you start to sweat, that is usually the point where itchiness shows up. That wasn’t the case with the Fireside pullover. Well played, Royal Robbins.
Under a Coat
I found that the Fireside also made a great sweater for layering purposes. In the morning, before I go to work, I have noticed that it’s actually cold now. The fickle weather in Washington trains its inhabitants to master the art of layering. It is not unusual to start the day with 3 layers and then gradually peel them off by midday. I wore the Fireside underneath my coat, and as the day played out, I debuted the sweater at the office. Several of my coworkers paid me compliments like I looked sharp. This sweater is clearly versatile. You can wear it as outerwear or in a business-casual setting. On frigid days, I can only assume the Fireside pullover could be used in lieu of a thermal undershirt.
Enjoyable Features
One of the many enjoyable features I found with the Fireside is its zipper. This pullover features a 9” zipper with which I regulated the temperature around my collar area. Whenever I’ve been wearing the Fireside, my tendency was to have it unzipped indoors, but walking outside in the cold, I would zip it up to the top. When fully zipped, the collar wraps around the neck snugly. Another notable aspect to the Fireside Wool is its maintenance and care. I have many other wool sweaters that are not machine-washable, but the Fireside is. That comes in handy if you take the Fireside out on a rainy hike or spill your lunch on your sweater. Cleanup is a breeze!
Highlights:
• Warm, yet breathable wool/nylon blend
• Versatile as outerwear or a thermal undershirt
• Stylish, office-environment appropriate
• Machine-washable
Royal Robbins Fireside Wool 1/4th Zip pullover is available at Royal Robbins website.
All photos by Anthony Frohlich
Note: Royal Robbins provided me with a product sample for review purposes. The opinions expressed are my own and are not influenced by the company.