Kryptek Traverse Merino Wool
Merino wool garments have come a long way in recent years and have become some of the most worn pieces many companies push out. Why? Merino wool works, and layering it with other garments has been a game changer for many in recent years. Merino holds some excellent properties that make it a highly preferred piece in my arsenal of clothing. The simplest facts are this; if you are cold they will keep you warmer, if you are hot they will keep you cooler, and if you get wet they will still perform either way! What is not to like about that? But it doesn’t stop there. Moisture wicking, extremely breathable and fast drying are a few other great benefits.
Continued Improvement
Kryptek has been pushing out merino wool garments since 2011, and they continue to expand on these pieces and work to find better ways to outfit the end user. Recently, Kryptek released a new Merino set called the Traverse Merino, comprised of a ¼ zip-top, bottoms, and a boxer brief-type garment. I have tested these under various conditions on recent hunts and will share my feedback.
A Lighter Option
Kryptek Traverse Merino is a lighter-weight (150 gsm) set than what they offered in the past. I enjoy using Merino tops as stand-alone, and at times in earlier seasons, I would have liked to have a bit thinner Merino, and this nicely answered that need. Not only that, but they are much more comfortable as well. See the Kryptek Traverse Collection here.
My Use in the Field
I had the opportunity to use these three pieces in the early season in warmer temps and into mid-season temps in the 40s and really enjoyed their comfort and moisture-wicking capability. The thinner, very soft, stretch material made them very comfortable, and with days on end of use between washings, I didn’t smell any hint of body odor. Just the common mild smell similar to a sheep due to the wool in the garments, which obviously smells much better than body odor! The antimicrobial properties of the garments kill odor-causing bacteria, which is a huge plus since ungulates sense of smell is out of this world! Your partner may thank you as well, which is another plus! Another big win for the antimicrobial properties of these pieces.
Kryptek Traverse Merino Fabric
The Traverse garments are made from Merino wool, Tencel, and spandex. One of those terms that you may not recognize is Tencel. What is Tencel? Tencel is a type of sustainable fabric made from wood pulp. A high-end material, it is well-regarded for being soft and durable and is a popular alternative to cotton. Often, this is used in bed sheets that have a “cooling” property and are very soft. Tencel does not like high heat, so I always air dry and do not use a mechanical drier.
Traverse Merino 1/4 Zip
The ¼ zip top has a mid-collar design, a non-slip zipper, and an athletic fit. I was hooked on the comfort as soon as I tried it on. I noticed right away that the sleeves didn’t have thumb holes, and that bummed me out a bit. Then I noticed strips of material for going around your thumb to hold the sleeves in place. At first, I wasn’t a fan, but after wearing the top for a short while, I began to like these thumb “straps.” It was more comfortable than having the thumb holes. This minor detail came in very handy as the sleeve wasn’t across your palm but kept the sleeves in a comfortable position at all times. Putting on gloves was more comfortable as well.
Traverse Bottoms and Boxers
Both the boxer and the bottoms were comfortable and fit as expected. With a 1.5” elastic waistband, I didn’t have issues with them bunching up or sliding around. These garments are made from the same high-performance material as the top and prove just as reliable and comfortable. All three pieces were great at moisture-wicking and dried extremely fast after getting sweated up. After a quick hand wash back at camp and 15 minutes hanging from a tree, they were as good as new and ready to go. It is easy to maintain these pieces and very enjoyable for early-season hunting!
Prices are competitive: $129.99 for the top, $109.99 for the bottom, and $49.99 for the boxers. If you decide to give them a try, I think you will be glad you did! Available here.
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*Kryptek is a Rokslide sponsor
