Man isn’t meant to stay indoors — our weekly “Trekking” column can attest to that. It’s a column dedicated to the adventurer inside of all of us, the one pining to ditch the office humdrum for a quick surf session or seven-week jaunt in the Grand Tetons. One day we may highlight an ultra-light stove and the next a set of handmade canoe paddles. Life doesn’t just happen inside the workplace, so get outside and live it.
The use of merino in athletic clothing isn’t a new concept, but it is a welcome one. The material — a prized type of wool harvested from a particular breed of sheep that inhabit Australia — is one of the most sought-after products in the outdoor industry given its softness, odor-resistant properties, and its profound ability to regulate body temperature. Such being the case, it was only a matter of time before someone took the material and applied it to the classic onesie that once defined generations of adventurers. Case in point: The Airblaster x Poler Ninja Suit ($190).
Constructed primarily of merino wool and 4 percent lycra, the full-body suit serves as the the perfect base layer for outdoor excursion. It’s designed as collaboration between two Portland mainstays, Airblaster and Poler, capitalizing on the best the two outdoor companies have to offer. The suit’s four-way stretch wicking fabric is incredibly soft and breathable, and unlike standard cotton, the natural wool retains warmth when wet. The fiber is also slightly moisture-repellent and contains antibacterial properties given the lanolin, allowing you to sweat for hours on the trail without ever scuffing at the way you smell. A form-fitting hood and thumb loops render the Ninja Suit more than just your average pair of long underwear, too, with the latter feature preventing unwanted snow and other elements from getting under your gloves.
Moreover, though Poler’s collaboration features a bright-red design as part of its homage to past incarnations of the onesie, Airblaster offers the suit in a slew of other colors (blue, black, yellow). Sure, merino wool may not be a miracle fiber, but it’s pretty damn close — and who doesn’t like a convenient waist zip in the wild?
Check out the main Poler website for more information, to make a purchase, or to browse the company’s selection of outdoor apparel and equipment.
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