Earthtec Boxelder Hoodie
August 17, 2011
I was recently hired by ClimbHigh.com to evaluate a new line of eco-friendly, recycled clothing by Earthtec and to share my findings with all of you fine readers. ClimbHigh is really excited about Earthtec both because of its sustainable practices and its women’s line, which Kerry from ClimbHigh reported was really well designed and well-fitted. I admit to being somewhat jaded when they pitched Earthtec to me, because it seems like every new line out there is riding on the enviro wave and few of them seem to deliver both an eco-friendly package AND a stylish, comfortable look and feel along with the good performance we all demand in our sportswear, but I agreed to check it out, quite honestly thinking I’d be underwhelmed.
How wrong I was.
Earthtec sent two samples; one of their Boxelder Hoodie and the other the Big Sage Track Jacket (review coming up next). The very second I pulled them out of the bag, I knew they were something special. I had assumed, quite incorrectly, that the recycled fabric would seem tacky and rough, but it was downright luxurious and extremely high quality. The Boxelder Hoodie has a look that doesn’t come across quite well enough in the photos; it’s almost – almost – shimmery in color; very unique. So unique, in fact, that when I wore it out to dinner, the waitress started to greet us but instead did a double take when she saw the Earthtec shirt, and ended up asking me about it before doing anything else. My esteemed other half had expressed even more, um, admiration for the Boxelder, and wants me to wear it all the time.
I want to wear it all the time, too, because it’s super comfortable and really high quality. I hadn’t expected this level of swank in an eco friendly brand. The cuffs and hem are a really nice elastic knit and the shirt looks so good, it begs to be dressed up and taken out on the town, so much so that it was really kind of hard to take this nice piece out in the wilderness and get it all dirty, but in the name of this being my job, that’s what I did.
It’s not quite chilly enough in the mornings yet to need a full-coverage top when running, but this made for a great test as I got to check out the breathability of the Boxelder Hoodie. It was definitely warm, but surprisingly temperature-regulating as well once I started to sweat – oh, I mean “glow,” right? I DID mention it wasn’t cold out – and it dried pretty quickly, particularly in the wind. I bet this is going to be a go-to piece once the fall really hits and the mornings are frosty; it will be perfect for chilly runs and fall climbing trips.
The fit is another major win. The length is nice and long; hits past my hipbones which makes it really useful under a climbing harness or with lower-rise pants, which is what I usually wear. It’s fitted and body-skimming, but Kerry was right when she said Earthtec understands a woman’s body, because even though the torso has a slim fit, the arms are cut with ample room for active women’s arms (you know, the ones with muscles). The sleeves are also generously LONG which I emphasize because WAY too many brands cut smaller sizes with too-short sleeves because they’re simply cutting the larger sizes down smaller rather than sizing them individually. Sizing sleeves individually so that they’re properly proportioned is a more expensive proposition than just banking on the Law of Similitude, something pointed out to me by one of my testers a while back. She said that manufacturers tend to just assume that a size small person is just a smaller version of a size medium person, and cut everything back via the same measurements (one inch off waist, one inch off sleeves, one inch off length, etc.); when in fact a size small person isn’t smaller in all proportions. But, like I said, it’s cheaper to do size runs like this so average-height, slender-trending people like me end up with a bunch of shirts with too-short sleeves or not enough length at the hem.
Earthtec does not do this. Their sizing is perfect; proportional and versatile. I wear a size small which will fit well on taller smalls AND shorter smalls, mostly through the application of correctly-cut sleeves and hem lengths as well as the really nice elastic hem that seems to hug any size curve gently and flatteringly. I love the way the hood is cut; the diagonal hem across the chest is super, super flattering and comfortable. There are no annoying dangly pull-cords to get in the way. The hem is so stretchy that it stays put where you want it – it’s not so constrictive that it rides up and it’s quality enough to stay elastic and not stretch out. This garment is an absolutely awesome piece and is an amazing steal at it’s regular price of $59.95 – but as a Geargals reader, you’ll get a special discount from Climb High when you buy anything Earthtec. Just click here or on their logo below, shop to your heart’s content, and then enter the discount code “geargals” to get 15% off anything Earthtec. Do you think it would be wrong for me to jump on this discount code, too? I really, really, really want more Earthtec stuff….
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