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Super Speedy Review

These long sleeve high quality merino wool tops are great for number of different things so are well worth paying for given how well they perform and how much wear you can get out of them.

The blend of mainly merino wool and some synthetic means they have the smooth and wicking feel of a synthetic technical top (and non of the hot damp clagginess that some wool can have) whilst also still enjoying the benefits of a wool top being warm in the winter, cool int he summer and even still warm when considerably wet. These tops look great and well made and the hem somehow makes almost anyone (even me!) look great.

The little red bungee tag on the back means you can roll this up super small into its own ball when out backpacking and after a lot of washes on low temps and naturally hang drying there is no sign of wear or shrinkage at all.

You’ll probably buy this top to be a superb base layer top in winter, but you’ll find you use it on its own in the spring, rolling up the sleeves and even as a smart casual top with jeans when not on the trail.

Purchase $98

Purchase $98

Main In Depth Review

There are advantages and disadvantages to wearing wool when outdoors. Wool has superb properties for keeping you cool in the summer and warm in the winter as a baselayer in the cold. Wool is also much better at keeping you warm if it gets very very wet too compared to synthetic technical tops.

Merino hybrid blend

What this Topo Designs Tee Long Sleeve does is take the advantages of wool and by blending in some technical fabric allows this top to overcome the limitations of wool, which are usually that they can be a bit more damp and sweaty than technical fabrics and be harder to look after when washing. I was also surprised at how sleek and technical it felt, I actually found it hard to believe it was merino wool at all.

Fit and features

The top comes in true to size for men and women. Both have a curved hem at the bottom that somehow makes me look much better than I normally do in tops! Shonas was nipped in at the waist slightly to be more flattering as well. The sleeves roll up easily when you are managing your temperature and the back of the top has the distinctive red bungee on the back so you can roll this top into a tight self contained ball to take up very little space when backpacking or on holiday.

Care and washing

unlike most wool tops this one washes easily. I would suggest washing it on cool temperatures with the rest of your outdoor hiking/ running kit but you certainly don’t need any special detergents. Don’t use fabric softener on this and don’t put it in the tumble dryer, simply hang dry.

The merino wool is really resistant to body odour smells from exercise which is great and I’ve probably washed this close to 20 times now with no change in shape, bobbling or any signs of wear at all on the top.

Verdict

You’ll buy this top to be a superb base layer top in winter, but you’ll find you use it on its own in the spring, rolling up the sleeves and even as a smart casual top with jeans when not on the trail. The superb merino blend gives you wool performance with none of the downside and a top that’s ‘sports stink’ resistant, easy to wash and travels well in a bag.

Purchase $98

Features

• Straight fit
• Banded Collar
• Shaped hem
• Tonal woven label
• PackFast™ Packing Band for easy packing and travel

Specs

Materials: 82% merino, 13% nylon, 6% spandex

Fit Style: Straight fit

Colors – Black Red and Blue

About Topo Designs

Jedd Rose and Mark Hansen had always been interested in not only spending time outside, but also in the gear needed to get out. They found themselves wishing there was a company offering a lineup a bit more like the gear they grew up using—classic styling, functionality, durability and a clear connection with the brand behind the product. So in 2008, Jedd bought a sewing machine and began concepting, designing, and sewing packs in his Fort Collins basement, while Mark set out around Denver and the front range looking for resources and partners needed to build those designs.

They were lucky enough to find local Colorado folks that were just getting started like them and were willing to build companies together, and worked with them to produce Topo Designs’ initial offering of products, continuing to work with them to this day.