Ortovox Merino 320 - Men's Review

Likes
This fleece is well constructed, with burly stitching and no loose threads or drifting seams. Merino wool is a more sustainable material than any of the other fabrics sampled so far, and could conceivably be grown with entirely petroleum-free methods. It's made in the EU, which suggests minimal child labor was involved (parents take note). Vent panels along the sides give sweat somewhere to go and add some stretch. For once, a manufacturer went with an unobtrusive logo location, a nice departure from the normal grandstanding (although the print's plenty big…).

Dislikes
As everyone knows, most wool is a little scratchy, and this fleece is no exception—it's not terrible, but you'll want a layer under it. The black on red standard color scheme is pretty much a cliché by now, so it'd be nice to see a designer step up and do something more interesting. The small chest pocket won't hold much, and has a small opening as well, limiting its utility. A little research quickly turns up some real issues with current merino wool harvest practices, and Ortovox doesn't discuss their sourcing at their website. If you're concerned about how animals are treated, it's worth calling them on this to see if we can get better practices implemented. Also, wool's possible shrinkage factor could be an issue in the long run.

Best Application
A bombproof midweight fleece, the 320 jacket will see you through a variety of conditions and activities with equal ease. Designed by a paraglider, it's ready for moderate winds, and protects to the low teens if you're skiing or running. Under a shell it'll keep you toasty in extreme cold. Around town, a T-shirt's plenty even in a Colorado winter. Keep it dry, and you're golden.

Value
Ouch. It's around 240 bucks for this baby, which is the very, very top of the market. Apparently, putting something like this together is at least $100 more expensive than polyester from china. And, that's the cost of low-fossil-fuel garments these days, those produced in a first-world country without child labor. How's that for a dose of reality? Ready to pony up for a better world? You can start here…