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Super Speedy Summary Review

When you combine a jacket and a fleece its hard to decide if its called a Flacket or a Jeece. The Sub Alpine Fleece from Topo Designs combines features from both to give you a quirky retro looking jacket that’s straight out of Stranger Things. The Sub Alpine is very warm with a thick polartec fleece lining and outer layer with DWR waterproof coated sections on the arms and chest areas to keep snow and splashes from rain off. The Sub Alpine comes with two huge zipped pockets for your hands, and 2 smaller pockets on the chest for phone, keys, wallet etc. There are also two very very large pockets inside for things like gloves or hat. It packs up surprisingly small in a stuff bag and is the perfect jacket to have on you when you need to throw something on to get instantly warm.

PURCHASE $189

In Depth Review

In the winter when I’m out trail running or hiking there is that moment when I stop for a bit, sometimes to take in the view, figure out where I am, take photos or even do reviews for kit. Its easy to cool down and get cold vert quickly and I often carry some kind of dense fleece or puffy jacket to throw on to keep me warm while I stand around. The Topo Design Sub Alpine Fleece is exactly for this kind of moment where you want instant warmth without feeling clammy if you are sweaty.

Materials

The jacket is made of polartec fleece. This is much much thicker and denser than you might be used to, it actually feels like its been made from something exotic like yak fur. This jacket is all about instant warmth, and the fleece is breathable and moisture wicking whilst still being water repellent on the outside.

High Collar

The fleece has a nice high collar to keep the wind out and help keep you warm. It also has baffled arms near the cuffs to help keep your wrists warm. There is a good snug fit round the cuffs too to keep the wind out.

Pocketyness

This jacket/fleece is chock full of pockets. There are two large zip pockets on the outside for ‘stuff’ or just to keep your hands warm, as well as a chest pocket and side zip chest pocket too. Inside the fleece are two huge pockets that you could keep your gloves or hat inside.

Size, Fit and Color

The Fleece comes in true to size, is not tailored so fits well without being tight. I would say that based on the sizing chart it will be fine for one base layer on underneath too, but if you think you might want to wear more than one layer beneath it you might want to go one size up.

The jacket/fleece comes in a few color options, but my tip is to avoid the safe black option and go for one of the retro bold 80s ski jacket color options available because embracing the DWR coating sections in alternate colors is what this fleece is all about. I was skeptical when ordering, but I loved this when I first tried it on.

Gripes

There is not a lot to gripe about here, there is the usual bomb proof build quality from Topo and the little touches like the bright red zip tags are typical of Topos brand. If I had one grip I would say I would like to have seen a built in or foldable hood built in to the collar somehow to just help keep your head warm when standing around, but other than that I love it.

Verdict

When you combine a jacket and a fleece its hard to decide if its called a Flacket or a Jeece. The Sub Alpine Fleece from Topo Designs combines features from both to give you a quirky retro looking jacket that’s straight out of Stranger Things. The Sub Alpine is very warm with a thick polartec fleece lining and outer layer with DWR waterproof coated sections on the arms and chest areas to keep snow and splashes from rain off. The Sub Alpine comes with two huge zipped pockets for your hands, and 2 smaller pockets on the chest for phone, keys, wallet etc. There are also two very very large pockets inside for things like gloves or hat. It packs up surprisingly small in a stuff bag and is the perfect jacket to have on you when you need to throw something on to get instantly warm.

You’ll buy it for the warmth but wear it more for its bold fun quirky looks.

PURCHASE $189

Features

• Straight fit
• 100% polyester Polartec® double-face sherpa fleece
• Reinforced panel on chest and back
• Extended collar
• Full front, 2-way YKK zipper closure
• External vertical zippered chest pocket
• External snap chest pocket

• Zippered hand pockets
• Hidden internal slip pockets
• Reinforced elbow patches
• Shock cord hem adjustment
• 3″ ribbed cuff sleeves
• Woven logo on chest pocket

Specs

Materials: 100% polyester sherpa Polartec® fleece, 100% nylon taslan with DWR finish

Fit Style: Straight fit

About Topo

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.