Article by John Tribbia
La Sportiva Session Tech Hoody ($139)
John: The La Sportiva Session Tech Hoody can be a mid or top-layer for active outdoor pursuits when cold weather threatens to keep you inside. This full-zip softshell fleece hoody offers a high range of motion with variable fleece fabric weights strategically placed for specific body zone heat retention and breathability.
A cozy fleece on the arm and torso side ensures proper breathability when activity levels require some heat elimination, while the front torso and shoulders are overlaid with windproof protection. This is a great jacket to wear on cold and windy days.
Spandex is used throughout the construction of this hoody, ensuring that your freedom of movement is unencumbered.
For the crossover Skimo runners, there are two large, zippered Napolean front pockets suitable for skins storage. Since this is a jacket that beckons high activity, but cool enough looking to wear casually, it’s nice having a Polygiene® anti-bacterial/odor treatment that will keep you smelling fresh.
La Sportiva Swift Long Sleeve ($89)
John Tribbia: The Swift Long Sleeve is a quarter zip running shirt and base layer mock turtleneck that is ideal for chilly runs where a t-shirt isn’t enough or as a base layer for colder excursions. I love the higher neck and thumb holes + finger cover, which provides coverage and a little extra warmth on vulnerable locations.
For dim lit running, there are shoulder reflective features. Not to mention, the Swift is made of recycled fabrics that are wicking and quick to dry and, like the Tech Hoody, there is a Polygiene® antibacterial/odor treatment applied to keep the shirt smelling fresh for the long haul.
La Sportiva Alya Vest ($119 now $83.30 at Moosejaw)
John: By far, the best cold weather running vest I have ever worn. When cold weather requires an added layer or it is just brisk enough to warrant a vest, the Alya Vest combines warmth and comfort for a range of activities. There is a Primaloft® Thermoplume in the front body of the vest to keep you warm and a stretch back panel (with reflective accents for nighttime running) to wick moisture and ensure proper temperature control.
The full zipper front is accompanied by a torso snap closure (in case you want it unzipped but need the vest to stay on).I think every running jacket or vest should come equipped with this subtle snap closure feature because it is so simple and effective. The vest has multiple pockets inside and zippered pockets on the outside. My favorite feature is the low cut neck - all too often, vests creep up on the neck and it is really uncomfortable for me. I really like the low profile and fit of this vest all around.
Tester Profile
John Tribbia (5' 6", 130lbs) is a former sponsored mountain/trail runner who has run with La Sportiva, Brooks/Fleet Feet, Pearl Izumi, and Salomon. Even though he competes less frequently these days, you can still find John enjoying the daily grind of running on any surface, though his favorite terrain is 30-40% grade climbs. He has won races such as America's Uphill, Imogene Pass Run, and the US Skyrunner Vertical Kilometer Series; and he's held several FKTs on several iconic mountains in Boulder, Colorado and Salt Lake City, Utah. If you follow him on Strava, you'll notice he runs at varying paces between 5 minutes/mile to 12 minutes/mile before the break of dawn almost every day.
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1 comment:
Excellent that you are doing apparel reviews. There is a ton of sites doing outdoor apparel reviews, but very few for running apparel.
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