Watch out SmartWool, these sheep mean business.
Io-Bio's Women's Contact 1 Glory Zip is 96% merino wool, 4% Elastane and 186% snuggly-softness. Despite its cottony feel its a ferociously wicking wonder shirt. No itchy smelly grandma sweaters here, this stuff kicks butt like wool, but doesn't feel anything like it.
The Glory Zip, with the help from a little added wind protection, kept me comfortably warm and toasty even when the mercury dipped below 15 degrees. The stretch Enigma merino wool was breathable and it wicked exceptionally well. When the half-zip is zipped all the way up it turns itself into a not-too-nerdy turtle neck collar. It's snug enough to keep the wind out without feeling constricted. Pull up the hood and you'll be tucked in snug and doing a hellofagood impression of a speed skater. The sleeves are plenty long, with thumb holes (woot!), which meant being able to ditch my gloves without freezing my hands wrists and hands.
The merino wicks so well that after an hour or two of drying time this soaked shirt was ready to wear again, sans washing, without smelling like a locker room-turned-barnyard. When you do wash, turn it inside out and skip the dryer. Mine's been worn, washed and put through the ringer all winter long and still looks and feels as good as the day it came out of the box.
This top fits true to size, but expect it to be on the snug side. I've worn it mostly as a base layer with a wind vest over top, though it would also function well as an outer layer as long as it isn't windy. And as an added bonus it'll look great with anything from running Spandex to jeans.
The 160g Glory Zip will run you $89.99. Available at www.io-bio.com
Sara Davidson is an ultramarathoner and our resident itchless sheep wrangler.
