Photography by Richard Giordano
Heritage brand Royal Robbins was founded in 1968 by American rock-climbing pioneers Royal and Liz Robbins. Together, they tested unclimbed routes in the Yosemite Valley, Royal specializing in big-wall ascents throughout the 1950s, ’60s, and ’70s, while Liz was the first woman to climb the face of Half Dome in 1967. Desiring a pair of shorts with a bit more stretch, Liz dove into clothing design, and the Royal Robbins brand was born.
Royal and Liz Robbins were early proponents of “clean climbing,” a set of techniques that enabled them to climb big walls with little to no damage to the rock, leaving minimal impact. This ethos is woven into the brand, which, designed for those who “embody a love for the natural world,” strives for strict sustainability standards in its materials, production, and partnerships.
The 2023 fall/winter collection features styles made with recycled polyester and organic cotton and 83 percent of the line is made from materials that contain 50 percent or more lower-impact fibers. This spring, the company will introduce unbleached and undyed fabrics, which use 80 percent fewer kilowatt-hours, 80 percent fewer liters of water, and 75 percent fewer chemicals than a traditional dying process. Learn more about Royal Robbins’ sustainability practices, including chosen materials, ethical production, and partnerships by visiting the company’s website.
From the trail to the office, the line of outdoor and travel apparel is made to go everywhere, allowing wearers to get up in the morning and “dress once.” These qualities are particularly suited to the overland traveler who finds joy in a myriad of activities and environments and seeks clothing that moves, dries, and packs well. Richard Giordano and I tried several Royal Robbins sweaters in Spain, which, with stormy weather in the mountainous north, days of walking through lovely Basque Country towns, and chilly mornings in the Pyrenees, proved the ultimate testing ground.
Arete Hoodie | $120
The Arete Hoodie excels at being a cozy companion for cold mornings around camp. It’s the first thing I put on in the morning, just before I start brewing the coffee. When it’s time to focus on work or enjoy a book, the hood goes up like a cone of silence, and I can dive into another world in comfort. It works equally as well for chilly happy hour evenings around a campfire with a more potent beverage in hand.
The Arete Hoodie was never to be a lightweight technical fleece that packs down small for multi-day backcountry adventures, but its soft, moisture-wicking recycled polyester (made entirely of recycled plastic water bottles, no less) dries quickly if a surprise drizzle catches you out. When the precipitation gets really bad, the hoodie easily fits under a rain shell.
The Standard Fit size didn’t fit as slim as I would have liked (not a surprise), but a couple of wash cycles solved that problem. Keep that in mind if it fits snugly when new.
I wasn’t expecting to like the hoodie as much as I do. This 20.5-ounce fleece has proven itself over the last few months and has found permanent residence in my travel wardrobe. (RG)
Headlands Hemp Button Crew | $110
The Headlands Hemp Button Crew sweater blends the line between work and leisure. Royal Robbins’ take on the three-button crew stays true to its sustainable ethos. Hemp is naturally resistant to pests (limiting pesticide use), grows easily, and contributes to soil health while preventing erosion.
This is a non-technical sweater with no agenda other than looking good and letting the natural hemp and cotton blend keep you warm and smelling good (always important on long trips with minimal showers). The hemp wicks perspiration fairly well, the fabric breathes easily, and its good looks mean it can be on the trail or a night on the town.
I think back to those times when I was invited to Sunday dinner with a random family in León, Mexico, needed to clean up for the embassy when trying to extend a visa, or was hired for a last-minute photography project on the road where being (and looking) quasi-professional was key. Although it might not make the cut for everyone, the Headlands Hemp Button Crew could be that clutch piece of clothing that changes a look from dirtbag couture to experienced traveler in an instant. (RG)
Baylands Lined ½ Zip | $160
Royal Robbins boasts that the Baylands Lined ½ Zip is “the ultimate sweater.” It uses 100 percent recycled stretch-woven liner as wind protection, while the ethically sourced merino wool outer layer provides plenty of warmth. The deep front zipper makes ingress and egress easy, even with glasses on.
Weather is fickle, and overland vehicle storage space is finite. Selecting clothing that not only looks good but performs well is paramount. The Baylands sweater is certainly more sartorially sophisticated for a night on the town or at the ski hill (lodge) than a standard cotton hoodie— plus, it gets bonus points for actually keeping you warm on the deck at your favorite public house or when you make it back to your million-star accommodation in the woods.
Although I didn’t find myself reaching for the bulky sweater often, when I did, I found that it worked as advertised. Compared to a standard open-knit sweater, the lining cut the wind substantially, and the non-mulesed wool, nylon, and recycled polyester layers were warm, soft, and never itchy. I found myself snagging branches easily on the chunky knit, but in the short term, I didn’t see any pulls or damage. (RG)
Arete Funnel Neck | $115
The overland traveler must master the art of downsizing. This was on my mind as I packed away my favorite chunky knitted sweater a year ago, opting for more technical but space-saving items. By the time the Arete Funnel Neck sweater showed up, I was well into full-time life on the road and was jonesing for something cozy.
The 16-ounce Arete is suited to chilly mornings at camp, cool weather hikes, and snow days. I wasn’t sure about the caramel color at first (the sweater is also available in ivory and jet black), but over time, I reached for the hoodie every day because of its versatility, softness, and comfortable fit.
Featuring a dropped shirttail hem and large front kangaroo pocket, the hoodie also has a drawstring at the waist, which I cinched for a better fit. The Arete is considered a midweight fleece and is best paired with a roomy puffy jacket or outer layer.
Made from recycled polyester, which is constructed using 100 percent recycled water bottles, the Arete feels soft, like a well-worn fleece, without being scratchy. The material held well through washes without shrinkage or stretching; however, it does tend to absorb smells like sweat or aromatics from a spicy curry cooked indoors.
Pulling the sweater on each morning, I paired it with leggings for yoga or a gentle hike or high-waisted jeans for a Spanish food tour in Bilbao. I wore it out for evening tapas, to the grocery store, and Salvador Dalí’s house. And, suddenly, without fanfare, pomp, or warning, the Arete became my favorite sweater. (AG)
Snowcap Lined Flannel L/S | $140
Suited to crisp, cold days, the Snowcap Lined Flannel L/S combines fleece and classic flannel for “old-school style.” Weighing 22 ounces and featuring a stretchy, diamond-box quilted cotton plaid exterior and a lofty, soft recycled fleece liner, the Snowcap is bulky compared to the Arete sweater, but, with 98 percent cotton and 2 percent elastane, promises the benefit of extra warmth.
While I didn’t gravitate towards the Snowcap too frequently, the fleece liner does feel luxuriously soft and warm. I paired the jacket with Royal Robbins’ Arete hoodie during cooler camp nights in the snowy Spanish Pyrenees, and it quickly morphed into an ensemble I could see donning frequently in the winter months to ooze Northern California cool.
The fit is roomy in the torso, which is great for layering, but the cut is a tad boxy for me. I wish the fleece liner extended into the arms, and I yearned for hip rather than chest pockets for my iPhone, lip balm, or pocket flashlight.
The checkered Snowcap is available in three nature-inspired colorways: Deep Blue Pinecrest, Pine Grove Pinecrest, and Charcoal Pinecrest (shown here). Details such as the pinecone embossed buttons and Royal Robbins logo, which combines a sequoia and travel signpost, make the jacket feel special. A small but intentional detail on the inner seam of the jacket caught my eye, a label reiterating the Royal Robbins’ motto: “We believe nature and adventure are good for the soul.” I couldn’t agree more. (AG)
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