My husband’s closet used to be full of cotton and synthetic clothing; sweatshirts, athletic shorts/pants, boxers, t-shirts etc. I washed a few loads just of his clothes each week. He incorporated a few merino wool items into his routine and now when he goes to the gym or is active outside, he lets his merino shirt and boxers dry and still wears it the next day without any odors, which has significantly reduced the amount of laundry I wash. I quickly hand wash and air dry the few soiled merino garments and the next day they are dry and ready to be worn again. Not only has the amount of laundry been reduced but also amount of clothing he needs. We’re on our way to a more minimalist, intentional wardrobe. A few of the merino wool items that rarely leave his body are from Ridge Merino.
Ridge Merino was founded in 2014 by a husband and wife team, Jeff and Susan Russell. Jeff realized the value of merino wool from his decade of experience working with professional skiers who all chose merino wool as their base layer. Based in Mammoth Lakes, CA their mission is to develop high quality merino wool apparel that can withstand daily life as well as extreme outdoor conditions. Their clothing is made to be simple and comfortable while selling at lower prices than comparable high-end merino wool garments, because they sell directly to the consumer. They are committed to operating in a responsible and ethical manner and only work with partners that share those values. Their wool is sustainably sourced from certified-humane farmers in Australia and New Zealand and the Russells have personally visited their manufacturers to ensure that they operate at the highest standard. Also, as a member of 1% For the Planet, every Ridge purchase gives back to environmental nonprofits.
This review will feature the men’s heist hoodie, merino wool t-shirt, and boxer brief (all tested by my husband). The boxers and t-shirt have been worn constantly by my husband since we received them several months ago. The t-shirt was my husbands daily uniform during the summer and he was wearing it when he delivered my daughter for our unexpected home birth. So despite the sentimental value, this review will be unbiased. Read to the end for The Wool Life exclusive discount code.
I received the t-shirt and boxer briefs in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own. (This post may also include some affiliate links for your convenience, click here to read my full disclosure policy)
FIT: Men’s Heist Hoodie: Made from 270 gsm of merino wool terry the hoodie with a half zipper is a thicker merino without much stretch and fits true to size. The hood is low-profile when not in use and when zipped provides a nice covering of the head and neck while still allowing full mobility. (see the last image below) It has an athletic look but is versatile enough for casual wear. The cuffs do have thumb holes which, when not in use can stick out beyond the cuff but that is a very minor detail. It allows a full range of motion and is long enough to cover the torso even while bending or squatting.
Men’s t-shirt: This lightweight t-shirt made from 150 gsm merino has a slimmer cut in the torso with a generous length. Typical of lightweight merino it does stretch with wear. My husband wore the large according the the size chart but found it became a little more baggy than he would prefer with repeated wear. If you would like a more trim look I would recommend sizing down.
Boxer brief: To increase the strength and durability from repeated wear and abrasion these boxers are made from a blend of 180gsm merino, nylon and spandex (78% Merino wool, 18% Nylon, 5% Spandex) and fit true to size. (refer to Ridge Merino size chart). Their elastic waistband provides the perfect snug support without being too tight.
COMFORT: Men’s Heist Hoodie: Comparable to a sweatshirt with a more athletic cut this hoodie has been worn daily by itself or layered depending on the temperatures. The wool terry is not fuzzy like a sweatshirt but is very comfortable when worn by itself. The hood stays on perfectly when pulled up and keeps the back of the neck warm and the zipper in front can be adjusted depending on how much neck coverage is needed. My husband has raved about the hood several times. It is the perfect thickness so that you can still hear easily through it and he likes the warmth it gives without restricting movement.
Men’s t-shirt: Perfect for hot weather, as an undershirt or for layering in the cooler weather, this soft and silky shirt rarely leaves my husbands body except to be washed. Which isn’t very often thanks to the antimicrobial properties of wool.
Boxer brief: Previously my husband had worn a very popular brand’s compression short as boxers. He doesn’t like how traditional boxers would bunch up and is not a fan of briefs. I was hopeful that he would like these and according to him, the material is extremely comfortable, both the waist band and the boxers themselves. His only complaint is that they still ride up slightly. He has very athletic thighs so I think sizing up would help solve that problem. Ridge Merino makes it easier to get the right fit with their 100% satisfaction Ridge Guarantee.
DURABILITY: I have been very impressed with the durability of the Ridge merino. The t-shirt and boxers have been worn for several months prior to the review and do not have any pulls, holes or signs of wear. They have been hand washed, air dried and worn for general daily use. The Heist Hoodie was a more recent purchase and only shows some pilling on the inside of the hood and the flat locked pocket seams on the front. The shirt and boxers pilled very little compared to other merino I have used.
EASE OF CARE: Ridge merino wool garments are extremely easy to care for. They are machine washable with normal detergent and can be tumbled dry low with like garments. Line drying is recommended to preserve the longevity and merino does dry very quickly. I hand washed all the items and noticed that although they were dark colors they hardly bled, which to me is an indication of the quality of the material. I did notice very slight pilling with the Ridge merino but after extended wear and a few washes it all but went away.
CONCLUSION: The experience that is behind the Ridge Merino garments is apparent in their fit and quality. The only negative is that as a young small business their product offerings are somewhat limited. They do offer women’s clothing and recently launched their kids line of base layers. (See my review of the kids baselayer here.) Ridge Merino can be purchased on Amazon or directly at Ridge Merino. The Wool Life followers can use code WOOLLIFE15 for a 15% discount.
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