Icebreaker RealFleece 260 Sierra Jacket- Merino Wool, Full Zip (For Men)

A rating written after months of use in conditions that demand that a garment works well means a lot more than a first impression. But since most first impressions tend to stick, they are worth sharing. First impression on this 260 Sierra "jacket" is very positive. Design is really nice--the lower pockets are large enough for serious use in addition to warming hands and are very comfortable. Sleeves are a tiny bit longer than usual, great for keeping upper hands and wrists warmer especially when your arms are in moderate motion--but not so long that they get in the way. The moderately high collar has the promise of being nice in windy or cooler weather, but I can't vouch for that yet. Perhaps the best point is that the way the jacket is designed, they get the most out of the relatively light 260 gram/sq meter fabric. I have another Icebreaker jacket of similar design and weight that I've used for about three years and have really enjoyed. The new one is likely to be even better than the older one.

I own 3 of these. They are extremely comfortable, warm, dressy, and can be worn almost anywhere - formal affairs excluded, maybe. I keep one in my office, one in the car and another at the cabin. You never know if a guest needs something!

The jacket goes well beyond what I expected. From long experience with Icebreaker I expected, and received, a well made, handsomely tailored product. But it went beyond that: the fleece interior is positively cuddly. As a result, I wear it as a base layer under other jerseys for cool morning bike rides. I also wear it over T-shirts for cool mornings; it is just the right weight for that. So, what I thought would be something hanging in my sports closet is now in my main one. Finally, it can be used as the name implies, as a jacket to throw on when going outside.

I've had hundreds of fleece jackets over the years and all of them seem to be the same type of design, bulky and heavy however this icebreaker product is so different.

It is extremely lightweight and incredibly warm. I hit the trail a few weeks ago and the guys I were with had loaded up with several layers of various base and mid layers with windbreakers to complete their set up whereas I had a short sleeve icebreaker base and the fleece and it was all I needed for the trip and didn't have to deal with the excess weight from pulling off layers and carrying them.

I would highly recommend this product and will be doing some more icebreaker shopping soon.

Wearing my Icebreaker Realfleece full zip jacket today in New York. Headed to Alaska next week and plan on using the realfleece as a midlayer for warmth.