The Wild Rye Danner Fleece set has been on my list since it came out, along with the Payette collection. When Wild Rye offered to send me a set to test, I jumped at the chance, especially because it came in purple. The Wild Rye Danner Fleece set is what I’ve been living in all fall, winter, and into early spring. I’m absolutely in love.
Table of contents
Wild Rye Danner 3/4 Zip Fleece Specs
| Sizing | XS-XL |
| Weight | 17 oz |
| Center back length | 22 1/2″ (size S) |
| Materials | 75% recycled polyester, 25% polyester Front pockets/pocket lining: 90% recycled nylon, 10% spandex |
| Care | Machine wash cold Tumble dry low heat or hang dry. Do not bleach |
| Pockets | 4 total. 2 large front chest zipped pockets, 2 side-entry zipped hand pockets |
| Adjustability | Elastic hem cord |
| Price | $169 from Wild Rye, REI |
Wild Rye Danner High Pile Fleece Jogger Specs
| Sizing | XS-XL |
| Weight | 16 oz. |
| Inseam | 28 3/4″ (Size S) |
| Materials | 75% recycled polyester, 25% polyester Waistband/pocket lining: 90% recycled nylon, 10% spandex |
| Care | Machine wash cold Tumble dry low heat or hang dry. Do not bleach |
| Pockets | 3 total. 2 side hand pockets, 1 rear zip pocket |
| Adjustability | Drawstring waist adjustment Cordlock cinch at ankle cuffs |
| Price | $129 from Wild Rye, REI |
What I like
The colors. Purple is having a huge moment right now, and because it’s my favorite color, I’m 100% okay with that. The Grape Expectations colorway is my absolute favorite in the whole world. I love looking like a giant grape. True to Wild Rye style, the colors are fun and not boring.
The coziness. I love how cozy it is. I’ve worn it around the house for an entire week. It’s perfect for aprés ski, or aprés bike race. It’s a great camp outfit and will keep you snug as a bug inside your sleeping bag.
Versatility. The Wild Rye Danner 3/4 Zip Fleece looks pretty dang cute on its own. I haven’t worn the Wild Rye Danner Fleece Joggers solo yet, but I think it works better as a set than separately.
The fleece loft. Fleece is one of those fabrics that will never look as good as the day you got it. While the Wild Rye Danner Fleece is no exception to this fact of life, it still looks good. The fleece hasn’t matted down or lost its loft. It hasn’t pilled. It’s spent a lot of time on my body, in a sleeping bag, nestled under blankets, and crammed into suitcases and duffle bags.
The ankle cuff cinches. I’m not one for using ankle cinches, usually, but the beginning of winter in Sacramento was quite wet and muddy. I wore these camping. I wore them after a filthy cyclocross race. Being able to cinch the ankles kept things from getting too dirty.
What is okay
The lack of hood on the Wild Rye Danner Fleece. I’m a hoodie girl, through and through. Maybe I’m introverted, or just very cold all the time, but there’s something so nice about retreating into the coziness of a hood.
The zippers. I kinda wish that the Wild Rye Danner 3/4 Zip Fleece wasn’t updated with zippers. They’re large, plastic, and uncomfortable for sleeping in. I appreciate zipped pockets, and being able to tuck keys and valuables in them, but they reduce the coziness.
What I don’t like
The waistband on the Wild Rye Danner Fleece Joggers. It’s fine as it is, but I’d like something a little softer and more forgiving if you’ve consumed one too many s’mores around the campfire. I’d love to see something soft and wide like the waistbands on the Vuori Clementine shorts–they’re so comfortable.
The Verdict
The Wild Rye Danner Fleece Set was sent to me for review consideration, but I’d come thisclose to pulling the trigger on them more times than I can count. (I’m actually having this exact problem with the Payette set too.) I have lived in this fleece set all fall and winter. If Wild Rye comes out with these in equally awesome colors, I fear I may need duplicates. They are so fun, and they are the perfect amount of cozy on a cold day.
Buy the Wild Rye Danner 3/4 Zip Fleece for $169 and the Wild Rye Danner High Pile Fleece Jogger for $129
