WoolyWarm Tweed Vest Review

[Mojo]

I received my WoolyWarm vest in mid-September. My first thoughts was that it was very light weight maybe too light, a nice color with a nice scratchy texture like all wool used to be. We were on our way to a vacation in Switzerland and I took it along. It was sunny and mild for much of our near 3 weeks there. Still I ended up wearing it every day. It was my second layer and the light weight turned out to be perfect for cool autumn hikes in the mountains. It got a bit sweaty under a backpack and the waist belt wadded up the bottom of the vest. But at the end of the day it always looked great and was odor free.  In the cities, it dressed up any shirt under it including tshirts. So if we wanted to eat out, I just threw on the WoolyWarm vest for a more refined look (and to keep the evening chill off). I returned home last week and had to give a presentation to 400 folks at the Colorado Snow and Avalanche Workshop. Unwashed and un-ironed, I wore the vest to that too and it looked great. http://denver.cbslocal.com/2011/10/14/search-rescue-volunteers-prep-for-avalanche-season/

 

Things I would change? Like all WoolyWarm products I wish the neck opened another two inches or so further down. This would increase its ventilation ability and therefore comfort range. It would also allow me to get the scratchy wool away from my bare neck when wearing it with a tshirt. With a light weight tshirt and a backpack over it, it was somewhat itchy under the shoulder straps. Overall I still like the texture. It has quickly become a cool weather essential.

Highly Recommended!

[Ginz]

Thanks for the review, Mojo! Any comments on sizing?

[Mojo]

True to normal sizing but plenty stretchy for generous fitting range. The large is great for me at 6ft 34inch waist.

[Allan in Portland]

Ha, you beat me to it. I received mine also in Sept and wore it for the first time over the weekend, for the whole weekend and I largely agree.

My thought is that the neck is too long. IMO the vest is not really heavy enough to warrant being worn on those occasions when you'd want the neck buttoned up high anyway. That is to say, if it's cold enough to have to button up the neck, you probably aren't wearing the vest. Though maybe you would as a mid-layer, but it's awfully scratchy for that (for me).

So, I find the long neck an uncomfortable thing in the way. Nor is the neck long enough to fold down and stay out of the way. It kept popping up on me. I was about ready to staple the crazy thing down, when it occurred to me the stapler was on the other side of the room and I'd have to get up out of my chair. So instead I folded it down and underneath which worked nicely and looked normal enough. Among those I polled, neither of them noticed unless pointed it out. :-)

The wool is also very hard. The knit is such that the outside is smooth and feels fine, but running your hand on the inside it feels like something your grandpa would wear. I reckon that means it will last until I'm a grandpa myself.

All in all, I'd buy it again. Though wish the collar were shorter, like a t-shirt henley. Something more like this:
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/columbia-sportswear-saddle-peak-henley-shirt-long-sleeve-for-men~p~3342h/?filterString=search~henley-shirts-for-men%2F&colorFamily=04

And yes, size seems true. Order your size and it'll fit with room for a t-shirt underneath.

Regards,
-Allan

[Mojo]

Apologies if I wasn't clear, but I would like to see a longer buttoned opening not a higher collar. I too can't keep the collar laying down even when fully un-buttoned. I like the collar with a collared shirt underneath, but I have a long neck.

[Allan in Portland]

No, you were clear. Re-reading just now, I think the mistake was mine. I kept writing neck, when I really meant collar. I see I finally said collar in my last paragraph, which is what I meant all along.

Regards,
-Allan