Review: New Isobaa Iso-Soft collection

I have been sent three products from the Isobaa Iso-Soft collection to test. They include the Iso-Soft 240 Hoodie, Iso-Soft 180 Long- sleeve Crew and Iso-Soft 180 Short-sleeve Crew.

The new Iso-Soft range is Isobaa’s first merino blend collection. The products contain 50% fully recycled polyester and 50% merino. This means they have the great properties of merino (warmth, breathability, low odour), plus extra durability.

Isobaa merino is “non-mulesed wool” and defined as wool that comes from sheep that have not been mulesed. The Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) defines mulesing as any traditional or non- traditional method of removing the skin around the breech and tail of the lambs.

Before I start my latest reviews, I should reveal that I really like Isobaa products and often wear the long-sleeve tops and hoodies. See my previous reviews:

Review: Isobaa Iso-Soft 240 Hoodie

The Iso-Soft hoodie is made from fine 240g merino and recycled polyester blend. It is a mid-weight front-zipped hoodie.

Features include:

240g 20.5mic fine medium merino wool blended with GRS certified recycled polyester
Naturally soft, moisture wicking, odour resistant and breathable
Horizontal thumb holes
Welt hand warmer pockets
1cm ISOBAA logo stretch binding at hood edge to aid fit
Flatlock seams for comfort
Self fabric zip garage, full length guard for protection
Rear neck buggy – bagged out self fabric
Twin needle cuffs
Self fabric bagged out hem
Non-mulesed merino
Recycled and recyclable packaging
Approx garment weight: 370g (size M)
Price: £90

This is a great mid-weight jacket. It’s ideal for chillier summer’s days when you need to warm up a bit, or as a mid-layer in the winter. The style is casual and relaxed and it is a looser fit than other Isobaa tops.

Be careful with sizing because tops come in active, regular and relaxed with active being the most neat fitting and relaxed the loosest. All the tops on test are said to be regular but I found this jacket to be loose fit, while the long and short sleeve tops are much neater fitting. The torso and arm length is generous, too.

There are three colourways, navy, grey and emerald. The colours are muted and earthy in this collection, which you’ll either love or not. I prefer brighter colours and so I chose the emerald. My favourite Isobaa products are maroon and brighter blue with stripes. It woulds be great to see some brighter colours in the Iso-Soft section.

I like the blend of wool and polyester and I can just about tolerate the fabric against my skin. I find many products made with wool itchy, but the blend of merino and polyester is ok against my skin. I find most of the Isobaa products are fine for my really sensitive skin, although sometimes I wear a synthetic t-shirt underneath.

It’s great to see Isobaa using recycled polyester. The durability is also a tick for the environment. The longer we can keep products the better in terms of manufacturing impact on the environment.

There are some nice details, such as the deep hand pockets, full-length zip and a neat hood.

However. I have no idea what this means: “rear neck buggy – bagged out self fabric” and “self fabric bagged out hem”.

The price is around what I would expect for a merino based hoodie. I often see this brand on the website, SportPursuit, although not the Iso-Soft collection so far.

See Isobaa Iso-Soft hoodie.

Review: Iso-Soft 180 long-sleeve crew

Features include:

180g 20.5mic fine medium merino wool blended with GRS certified recycled polyester to aid durability and performance
Naturally soft, moisture wicking, odour resistant and breathable
Self fabric neck binding
Raglan sleeves for freedom of movement
Twin needle hem and cuffs
Flatlock seams for comfort
Easy care and quick drying
Non-mulesed merino
Recycled and recyclable packaging
Approx garment weight: 170g (size S)
Price: £55
See: Iso-Soft 180 long-sleeve crew

The fit is neat. Isobaa call it regular but I would say it’s a neater fit than that. It is much neater fitting than the hoodie. If you want a looser fit, go up a size.

There are three colours, grey, teal and burnt orange and I really like the teal that I requested. It’s a nice earthy style blue.

The fabric is lightweight and soft enough to wear against skin if you are not too sensitive. The flatlock seams aid the comfort of the top.

This is the sort of long-sleeved top I’d wear for outdoor activities in both summer and winter. In winter, it’s great as a mid-layer and merino is well know for trapping heat. In summer, it serves as a good just-in-case outer layer if you find yourself getting chilly.

As I wrote above in the hoodie review, it’s good to have products made with natural and recycled materials. The fabric feels durable and good quality so it should be long-lasting.

Isobaa products are smart enough to wear for general everyday clothing as well. Pair with jeans or a skirt and you have a top that has multiple uses.

I’d love to see more colours – and brighter colours. It woulds be better if this was more of a regular fit.

The price seems fair for a merino based product.

Review: Iso-Soft 180 short-sleeve crew

Features include:

180g 20.5mic fine medium merino wool blended with GRS certified recycled polyester to aid durability and performance
Naturally soft, moisture wicking, odour resistant and breathable
Self fabric neck binding
Raglan sleeves offer freedom of movement
Twin needle hem and cuffs
Flatlock seams for comfort
Easy care and quick drying
Non-mulesed Merino
Recycled and recyclable packaging
Approx garment weight: 135g (size S)
Price: £40
See Iso-Soft x180 short sleeve crew.

This top is very similar to the long-sleeve, only short sleeve. I like the neat fitting short sleeves. They are not too short, nor too long.

This is a no-nonsense t-shirt in merino-polyester mix that will make a great addition to your sporty/outdoorsy life and also double as a casual t-shirt.

Note the fit is neat for UK10 so if you want it to be truly regular fit I’d go up a size.

Again, I’d love to see some brighter colours as well as grey, teal and burnt orange.

The price seems fair. It’s rare to see a merino based top that is much cheaper.

There are more women’s and men’s products in the Isobaa Iso-Soft collection. I really liken that Isobaa packaging is made from both recycled and recyclable materials. I also love the wee sheep logo!