Smartwool ? Go Far. Feel Good.

Guess what is made from the finest Merino Wool and back in stores at Fleet Feet Chicago?  Smartwool apparel and accessories. 

The most popular styles are back in new patterns! Smartwool’s NTS 250 Zip T and Pattern Crew are the perfect baselayers to keep you running comfortably the next 3 seasons.

NTS means Next-To-Skin.  You always want Smartwool to be against your skin.  The reason that it makes such an excellent baselayer is because it provides you the same comfort as it does to the sheep that grow it.  The sheep inhabit an area that both has blazing heat as well as chilly mountain temperatures, so they need a coat that will adapt to both climates.  Merino wool has thermo-regulating properties where it can trap air to act as insulation when it is cool out.  When the body starts to heat up, it evaporates trapped moisture, which has a cooling effect on the body.  When the weather is cool, your Smartwool baselayer will be all you’ll need to be comfortable.  As the temperatures dip, layer a jacket over it and that will be sufficient most of the winter.  One of the best qualities of Merino Wool – it’s antimicrobial.  Wear your Smartwool pieces over and over between washing and they will not retain odor. 

Smartwool has updated their PhD Tight for both men and women this year.  They have added more reflective detail to ensure visibility in low light conditions.  They have also added a drop-in pocket on the left side, in addition to the back zipper pocket that carried over from the previous style. 

Smartwool apparel is currently available at Fleet Feet Sports-Old Town, Lincoln Square, and South Loop.  Smartwool winter accessories are available at all Fleet Feet Sports-Chicagoland locations in both the city and suburbs. 

A lot of the Smartwool winter accessories are reversible giving you two different looks in one piece.  I often hear customers saying that their heads are too big for hats to fit over their ears, try the PhD Reversible Training Beanie (above in blue, but offered in a variety of colors) or the PhD Training Beanie (pictured below).  This year Smartwool made a women’s specific PhD Training Beanie – now with a slit for your ponytail.  The two gloves, the Liner Gloves and the PhD Hy-Fi Training Gloves, are both touch screen compatible so you can stay connected no matter the weather. 

To make your Smartwool pieces last as long as possible, it is recommended that you wash them in cold water and do not put them in the dryer.  If they end up there on accident, it won’t ruin the piece, but the heat can cause damage over time.