Well, I guess this is in part to test the new forums functionality :)
I really like the fleece pullovers by Mountain Hardwear called “Microchill Zip T”. I have one bought 3 years ago and a couple bought last year. Interestingly, the first one and the oldest is in pretty much pristine shape. The fleece shows no signs of “pilling” (those little balls of fiber on the surface) or loss of “fleecyness”. The two that I bought last year, however, are in a much worse shape. The surface is covered in “pills”, the elbows are completely worn, etc. Somehow, Montain Hardwear (or rather some idiot working for them) decided to save 10 cents a square foot and choose a cheaper fleece that pills heavily.
Obviously I am quite miffed by this. I bought a couple more of 2015 model to see whether this has been fixed (there are some changes to 2015 model that bring it closer to 2012 model). Any thoughts on how to detect “bad” or “cheap” fleece upfront? Or, at least w/o wearing and washing it a handful of times?
BTW, I have a fleece pullover by REI that I bought close to 10 years ago, and I have used it very heavily. No signs of pilling there either. That thing is indestructible.
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I mean, seriously, Mountain Hardwear, your margins on this “high end” gear are already insane (similar stuff made by the next door factory in China, but at Walmart is 10x cheaper), and you still try to make it cheaper by using crappy fabrics? Ugh.
