True Life: I hoard insulation. Synthetic, natural, fleece, down, Primaloft… you name it, I will probably come up with an excuse as to why I want it. When I saw the Triple Aught Design Valkyrie LT Hoodie at their warehouse sale for just over 50% off, I had to have it. I’d been lusting after it since one in the perfect size slipped out of my hands at last year’s sale. This was my chance.
I picked up one of the last Triple Aught Design Ares Half-Zips left in existence at the Dogpatch Warehouse Sale last weekend. For 2014, they are taking the Ares and combining it with the Merino Half-Zip and making it 10 times better.
The Ares is a 270-weight half-zip made out of 100% merino wool making it a great midlayer for winter or an outer layer on a cool spring or summer day. It comes with two shoulder zip pockets, and thumb holes.
I haven’t had it for very long, but I’m pretty in love with it already. Took it for a lovely jaunt in the San Jose hills (Almaden Quicksilver County Park, to be exact) on a brisk fall day and it kept me toasty. This doesn’t fare too well with wind, but toss on a shell and you are golden. It’s also a great layer for climbing. It fits well under a harness and keeps you warm while you’re on the wall and making moves.
Pictured above is the Ares in a men’s XS. On me, it’s fairly roomier fit but it still gets the job done. I suspect the boyfriend might be stealing this from my closet in the future (for once).
This is no longer on the Triple Aught Design website, but you might be able to find it on eBay.
If you follow me on Instagram, you’ve seen my obsessive Instagramming of my Triple Aught Design Artemis Hoodie!
Last night, I had the chance to check out TAD’s renovated Dogpatch location and meet the team, and boy, it was fantastic. Here’s a sneak peek of what it all looks like before their grand re-opening on Saturday!
The new space is spacious! There’s a dedicated corner for all the women’s apparel which is super awesome. It’s small, but it’s there! The full line of accessories and men’s apparel is also carried at the store. And the coolest part, there’s an enormous space for collaborative and community-based activities like movie nights, classes, trip planning, etc.
I got a sneak peek at some goodies for Saturday’s big Warehouse Sale which includes some very old items, and some never-seen-before items.
Their grand re-opening is on Saturday at 9AM in conjunction with Dogpatch Warehouse Sale. 22nd Street between 3rd and Indiana Street. It’s gonna be packed, so come early if you want to snag some discounted or one-of-a-kind TAD goodies! For more information on the Dogpatch Warehouse Sale and the vendors, check out the website here: http://dogpatchwarehousesale.com
And oh! As a super awesome visitor, check out these new fabric swatches for Spring 2014!
I’ve had the Triple Aught Design Artemis Hoodie since February of this year. Basically the minute I left the Hayes Valley store with it was the minute it became glued to my body (only to be alternated with the boyfriend’s Flux hoodie which he accidentally shrunk so it is now mine, and yes, review to come).
The hike from the Palomarin trailhead to Alamere Falls is one of my favorites in Point Reyes, if not the whole Bay Area. There are few places in the world where you can see a freshwater waterfall drop directly into the ocean.
It’s rated as moderate. Not too long, not too short, and you’ll be back in San Francisco just in time for dinner.