The world of activewear has changed quite a bit since I was a kid. I remember practicing high school baseball or soccer with cotton t-shirts that seemed to hold a gallon of sweat right under my neck. They’d flop around, stretch out, and stick haplessly to my skin underneath.
I’d experience the same issues while out hunting. Only then, I’d be in long sleeves due to an effort to be as concealed as possible. Cotton was all I knew, so I just dealt with it. However, we now have access to much better fabrics, which can make our time afield more comfortable.
Ridge Merino Aspect Quarter-Zip Top Review
Ridge Aspect Quarter-Zip Top Review
The Ridge Aspect merino wool base layer top sports a classic 1/4 zip front and is fitted close to your body. The soft merino wool construction keeps you warm, dry, and comfortable. At the same time, the technology in this design keeps it ultra-durable. The thumb holes help keep your sleeves in place for active pursuits.
Price: $79.95
• Soft (itch-free) merino wool construction
• Moisture-wicking fabric
• Regulates body temperature when hot or cold
• No stink, antimicrobial fabric
Most people think of the many varieties of polyester blends when they hear the word “performance fabric.” This makes sense due to the fact that they have completely dominated the market for performance wear. Their ability to wick moisture away from the skin and utilize evaporative cooling makes them superior to cotton fabrics in almost every way. For me, however, I find them not to be as comfortable. Some brands are better than others, but overall, I prefer the feel of a cotton t-shirt. In fact, I usually change into a cotton shirt after a day afield or on the water.
I first heard about merino wool several years ago from a few friends who swore by their ability to wick away moisture and help you remain cool even on hot summer days. I was skeptical, at first, because my only impressions of wool were my grandfather’s old suit coat and my grandmother’s wool socks she wore in the winter. Sure, they did a great job of providing warmth, but they were scratchy and not something I’d picture myself wearing during the heat of archery season. This all changed when I had the chance to try one of the offerings from Ridge Merino.
Ridge Merino Aspect Quarter-Zip Top Performance
It was late October when my Ridge Merino Aspect Quarter-Zip Top first arrived. In fact, it was Halloween and I was about to take my daughter out trick-or-treating. This was a particularly warm Florida evening, so I figured it would be a good first test for the merino wool. My first impression was noticing how soft the fabric was. This was definitely not my grandparents’ wool. I walked the entire neighborhood with my wife and daughter without breaking a sweat and remained cool despite the warmth and humidity.
I wore the Aspect top just about every day afield through the remainder of the hunting season. Some days were hot and some were quite cold. I sat still while on stand, walked several miles in a day, hung tree stands, and even dragged out some deer I had harvested. Overall, I was very pleased with how it performed. So pleased, that it took the place of both my polyester blends and my cotton shirts. That’s exactly how I’d describe the product – it has the softness of cotton, but the moisture-wicking properties of other performance fabrics. It was warm when it needed to be (for the most part) and cool when it needed to be. If I did sweat (and some of the more active days I DID sweat), I could pull the top off and my skin would be completely dry. There is truly something different about merino wool.
Ridge Merino Aspect Quarter-Zip Top Features
This particular offering from Ridge has a few added benefits. Ridge has made sure this top has extra length to ensure it stays down or tucked in (instead of pulling up). It has thumb holes to help keep the sleeves from riding up your arm. Both of these features are very helpful when layering. It even has a nice little pocket at the top of the zipper to keep the pull from flopping around or bothering your neck/chin. I could tell that Ridge took pride in the design of this product. It ran true to size for me (I wear a medium) and still looks new even though I’ve thoroughly abused it.
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CONS:
Ridge Merino Aspect Quarter-Zip Top Review Summary
All in all, I have few complaints about the Aspect top. Yes, it is a bit pricey (as most merino products are), but you have to weigh the overall benefits. Also, this particular top is considered a midweight layer from what I can tell. I’d prefer something heavier in temps below 50 degrees. For this application, Ridge does offer a heavyweight top as well as a non-zipper midweight. Don’t stop there, however. They also have an assortment of bottoms and boxer briefs to keep you dry and comfortable in any activity and any weather.
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Thanks to James Rigby for submitting this review. Also, thank you to Ridge Merino for supplying this base layer. Hunting Gear Deals is funded by affiliate commissions. We may receive a small commission when you buy from our partners using the links provided. There is no additional cost to you. Thanks for supporting us by using our links when making your purchases.
AUTHOR BIO
James Rigby II has been stomping around the swamps of FL for over 30 years. He loves figuring out game patterns almost as much as taking game. He also loves gear and is always on the lookout for anything that will give him an edge in the field.
