Women's 185 Rock'N'Wool Zip Neck 26/27

The 185 in the name is the fabric weight: 185 g/m² of 100% merino wool, spun with Südwolle's OTW technology so fewer fine hairs stick out, which cuts pilling and adds elasticity. The wool is 19 micron and comes from Ortovox's Tasmanian farms. It regulates temperature and moisture and neutralizes odor. The Zip Neck adds a short front zip to the line's simplest shape.

Merino's trade against synthetic is drying time. It holds warmth when it is damp and does not stink after three days in a hut, and it takes longer to dry out after a hard skin track than a polyester layer would. For most touring days that trade lands in merino's favor.

This is for skiers who want one layer that works from November to April and across more than one sport. If you sweat heavily on fast, aerobic laps, a lighter 120-weight piece breathes better.

The cut is streamlined and close. The zip lets you dump heat at the neck without stripping a layer, which matters on a rolling skin track where you are always slightly too warm or too cold.

This is the top we reach for on almost every winter day, and the one customers come back for a second and third season.