Sugoi Wallaroo 290 Speedster : The Love Affair Continues

I was a Sugoi virgin until this past summer when I started testing items from their merino wool Wallaroo line.

Loved the underwear, loved the t-shirt. When fall rolled around the tuke became my favorite hat. But readers, I have been keeping an item from you. I've been wearing and wearing and wearing Sugoi's Wallaroo 290 Speedster for months.

I don't even believe I've ever washed it. While I'm admitting things --it's become more of an après and every-day garment than workout wear.

This gorgeously soft midweight merino wool (this wool's from Australia!) is a super sweet remake of the hooded sweatshirt (with kangaroo pocket up front) that was my uniform in the 70s and 80s. However, this wool verion is luscious and lightweight and breathes and wicks and hangs perfectly on my tall frame. The label says fitted, but I don't feel hemmed in by this top at all. I love how they've designed the shoulders with raglan sleeves. This sleeve style gives everyone a custom fit and makes layering easier since there are no seams at the shoulder. Smart.

I like the hood, which fits snugly when I need to keep my head warm, as well as the mini zip. It's just a couple of inches long but it looks cool and it allows me to use the hood without stretching it out. Smart. I LOVE the wide arm hems with generous thumb holes. I've worn this top on many, many cold nights and never needed a hat or gloves. (Note: the men's Wallaroo 290 Zip, picture below, does not have a hood or thumb holes.)

Of course, the top performs brilliantly as an insulating but breathable mid layer in cold weather. Because I live in a temperate climate I wear it most often over a microweight merino tee, and that's all I need. It's also the ideal cover up after a workout, when I come home and can't get warm and don't feel like showering right away. I just pull on a clean tee and my Speedster, and that's my uniform until I go to bed.

I've been impressed with all of the items in the Wallaroo line. Great design. High quality gear. I love being able to get the performance I need for workouts when I use this top and other items from the line, and I'm super thankful that they also happen to be stylish enough to wear all the time.

Available in sizes S-XL, in red, blue, and heather grey; men's style, the Wallaroo 290 Zip, comes in four colors. There's also a full-zip men's style in the 290 material.

Eco Creds: made out of merino wool, a renewable resource.

Bottom Line: This effective, comfy, great-looking top is on my short list of all-time favs.--E.D. (Dec 09)

BUY ONLINE: $160, save 20-30% at Backcountry , click here for sales at Amazon, click for sales on women's top

Manufacturer's Site: www.sugoi.com

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