Icebreaker MerinoLOFT Ellipse Long Sleeve Half Zip Hood

This hoodie masters the art of addition by subtraction, removing excess fill for better temp control. The majority of the Ellipse is made of a midweight merino/poly blend, while the chest and hood have panels filled with merino. “I never became too hot during high-output activities,” says one tester who wore it for ski tours in the Arctic Circle and shoulder-season hiking in the Swiss Alps. The insulation kept his core warm during 30°F alpine starts, while the uninsulated back and arms prevented overheating while wearing a pack. A sternum-length zipper adds extra ventilation. Our tester also enjoyed the thumb loops and long, stretchy sleeves when reaching overhead. Ding: price.