****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
Dachstein produces a superb product. They aren't cheap items, but that's the point. Nothing cheap here. First rate materials and craftsmanship make this a long term purchase. With care it will likely outlive the buyer. This sweater is tough, warm and highly wind resistant.I'll echo the reviewer who said these sweaters are slim in the waist and you may need to take that into account.The folks at Sweater Chalet are very accomodating, friendly and they know their suppliers.If you like wool in the outdoors, the Dachstein products are an excellent choice. I would and will buy again and recommend to anyone.You get what you pay for. This sweater is not cheap, but you get an incredibly well made and warm sweater that will last you a very long time. The wool is of highest quality and is not itchy at all. When you grew up close to the Alps you know the real value of this garment. The seller adds a personalized note to the package. The delivery was way faster than expected.Best sweater ever. Will keep you warm but breathableI've owned several Dachstein sweaters and used them for decades. I currently have this full zip cardigan and also the similarly styled button up pullover sweater. I mostly use the zip cardigan because it's a bit easier to get on and off.Even in today's world of high tech outdoor clothing, the Dachstein sweater is a terrific piece of kit that will outperform more "cutting edge" modern clothing in some ways.First, the negatives: It's heavy. A Dachstein sweater weighs more than a down jacket, a modern softshell jacket, or a fleece jacket.Also, it's a bit scratchy. The wool is not as soft as modern fine micron merino. This isn't really an issue, however, because it's not really made to be worn next to your skin. (Typically, you will have a layer under it.)Now, the positives: It is extremely warm, but also has a very broad comfort range. It will keep you comfortable in cool to very cold temperatures. It breathes well when you are exerting yourself, and works for both high-exertion and sedentary activities and things like hunting, where you constantly alternate between moving and standing still, and don't want to constantly be fiddling with your clothing layers.The boiled wool fabric is very weather resistant. It cuts wind, and sheds snow. It will stand up to light rain, sleet, etc., but it's not designed to shed heavy rain indefinitely. It's easily as weather resistant as most modern softshell garments (I'd say even more so.)It's very durable. I've used and abused mine for years, and it has not shown any signs of significant wear. It's also more fire resistant than synthetic garments. (It's not fireproof, but it won't melt if a spark or ember gets on it from your campfire.)The Dachstein sweater would not be my choice for a light and fast climb or an ultralight through hike, but it is my first choice for car camping, bushcraft and wilderness survival trips, and the occasional ski trip in nasty weather. It's a do it all mountain garment that will hold up to many years of hard use. I love mine.A note on sizing. The waist is a bit trim on this zip up cardigan style sweater (and the pullover military sweater too.) If you've got a larger belly, you may want to size up a bit to accommodate that.It fit me well and is warm. It’s definitely not windproof. A cold wind cuts right through it. You could put a wind blocker underneath it or over it. Overall I like it.
