Ex Officio Venture 1/4 Zip Sweater

Ex Officio has a knack for creating awesome clothing that works for both chillaxing and charging - and the Venture ¼ Zip Sweater is no exception.

It's woven from a merino wool and Primaloft blend, so it's super warm, extremely lightweight, and good at wicking sweat. It also looks fantastic. I've worn mine while backcountry skiing, while ice climbing, and while enjoying a candle-lit romantic dinner with my wife.

What I like most about Ex Officio's Venture sweater is its fit. The sweater has a trim, athletic cut, so it's not very baggy. It looks sharp in a formal atmosphere, but it's also built for active sports. I wear a relatively heavy pack while I'm skiing (I carry lots of avalanche gear and camera equipment) so I'm hyper-sensitive about bulky clothing. It can bunch up under the pack and become incredibly uncomfortable, but I have basically eliminated this problem thanks to the Venture.

I've discovered the hard way here in Norway how critical moisture wicking is while backcountry riding. Before I wore wicking tops religiously, I'd arrive at the summit hot and sweaty, but by the time I'd stripped the climbing skins from my skis, enjoyed some hot tea, and assembled my pack for the descent, I'd be shivering because my clothing was sopping. Not any longer.

The Venture is made from the best materials imaginable for winter sports: merino wool and Primaloft, a synthetic yarn that breathes well and retains its insulating abilities even when wet. Even when I'm sweating hard and my engine is close to the red line, I stay relatively dry. When I stop moving, I dry out within a minute or two. On a warm day, this is a matter of comfort; on a miserable day, it can be a matter of life and death.

The super blend of merino and Primaloft has a couple of other benefits worthy of note. First, it's simply awesome to wear. The Venture ¼ Zip is soft and cozy, and I happily wear it directly against my skin. Second, it compresses well and takes little space in a suitcase. I'm bringing with me to Venice next month for my first anniversary.

The Venture ¼ Zip is available in women's sizes XS to XL (black or olive) and men's sizes S to XXL (black or olive). Ex Officio also makes a crew neck version of this sweater for men and a v-neck version for women.

Bottom Line: Warm, soft, comfy, packable sweater that's built for travel and adventure sports. (N.W., Jan 11).

BUY ONLINE: $129 Click for Backcountry. On sale now.

Manufacturer: www.exofficio.com

Share on Facebook 

Help us spread the word! Click on DIGG. Thanks.

Check out our online store for this and other items reviewed on FitnessTravelGear.