Ortovox 185 Rock n' Wool Review

The Ortovox 185 Rock n' Wool is made of 19-micron 100% Merino wool fibers. “Winter is going to be colorful” is one of its slogans, and it lives up to that with a range of vibrant and colorful designs. It is available in sizes XS-XL.

Performance Comparison

Comfort and Fit

The Rock n' Wool offers gentle support and a relaxed sports bra fit with a scoop neck and broad shoulder bands. While it does not have the compression of an athletic sports bra, it has an excellent fit for what it is designed for - winter sports in the mountains where comfort, temperature regulation, and moisture management are paramount. Wool's ability to manage odor is a comfort bonus for you and your friends.

Our testers found the Rock n' Wool fabric very soft and lacking the itch that sometimes accompanies wool. We wore it for multi-day backpacking trips, and one of our testers, a hiking guide, commented, “ It is so comfy that I will wear this on my next thru-hike because I love hiking in it all day and can sleep in it comfortably - dirtbag style.” Another woman tester used it for a skills mountaineering training day and a subsequent ski tour and thought it was a cozy base layer. It feels very soft when crawling into a sleeping bag - is it too much to say we were counting sheep in this one?

The Rock n' Wool is designed for outdoor comfort, especially for winter sports. Wool helps insulate even when wet to keep you cozy in winter conditions and sweaty activities. Wool odor control helps prevent unpleasant smells- adding to the happy trails for you and your hiking partner. The material is soft, and the bra feels weightless. It never pinches while backpacking, which makes you grateful when you wear it under a heavy pack. It is a solid piece of gear and can function as a supplementary base layer. An excellent detail is the perforated mesh between the breast and on the back shoulder blades, which makes this bra one of the most breathable in hot weather. We were impressed by how this thoughtful design had mountain women in mind.

Support

Some sports bras are designed to handle anything at the gym, while others are tailored to support specific activities. When you have long days in the wilderness, soft and gentle support makes the Rock n' Wool beyond a sports bra into a base piece of gear. It offers a support level that is the Goldilocks “just right” for winter sports and hiking.

While most sports bras are rated highly for “keeping things in,” we love that the Rock n' Wool has a looser fit than most. The relaxed support is what you want when carrying an alpine pack loaded with ropes and winter gear. Our testers backpacked with this bra and loved how it felt weightless under loaded packs on steep climbs. The low support does mean that it is best for smaller cup sizes. The support level is suitable for climbing, hiking, and skiing, but we wouldn't ask any more of this bra because it is not designed for HIIT or CrossFit. The Rock n' Wool bra is ideal for alpine mountaineering, snowshoeing, backpacking, freeriding, ski touring, and thru-hiking.

Style

Stylish, bright, and creative color options - this bra pops if you are hiking a residual snow field on a hot day. The Rock n' Wool style is one of our favorites - colorful and bold for mountain woman spirit.

We love the vibrant and colorful Rock n' Wool. This sports bra is designed for outdoor recreation and is a versatile and functional choice for those needing a sports bra that can handle various conditions in the wilderness. Remember, it is looser than traditional sports bras and doesn't function well in the gym or high-impact activities like running. However, the fun waistband colors will turn heads at a polar bear plunge into an alpine lake.

Quality

The Rock n' Wool comes with detailed care instructions to keep this Merino sports bra able to keep you warm and less stinky on the trail for years to come. You don't need to wash wool as frequently as other materials.

Since wool doesn't need to be washed after a standard day's wear, it's often enough to air out or spot-clean. Many opt to handwash wool, but if you use the washer, use a gentle spin and a laundry bag to prevent holes. The company stresses using a wool-specific detergent because it will not destroy the wool's structure. Fabric softener and tumble drying can warp the bra's shape. Try drying the bra flat on a towel at room temperature.

Should You Buy the Ortovox 185 Rock n' Wool?

Winter is coming, and if you want a sports bra that can double as a base layer and help you regulate your temperature in cold and sweat-inducing activities. The Ortovox 185 Rock n' Wool is a solid purchase for women who live, work, and play outdoors. If you love winter sports, it is excellent for freeride, ski tours, ice climbing, or high-alpine adventures.

What Other Sports Bras Should You Consider?

If you want a comfortable and low-impact bra for hiking outdoors, then the REI Co-op Merino Bralette is a soft wool blend with an attractive V-neck, and the synthetic REI Co-op Active Bralette 2.0 is a bargain for a stunning and breathable outdoors sports bra. The Patagonia Maipo Low Impact Adjustable is soft and weightless for long days of hiking. Since the Rock n' Wool can be part of your winter base layer system, be sure to check out our best base layers and down jackets. We also have the scoop on women's snowshoes and skis.