Review: Royal Robbins Spring/ Summer Style 2024
As we begin to hit the roads and airports for the travel season, it’s important to find the clothes that are going to keep us looking and feeling nice and cool for our adventures. Royal Robbins is based in the adventure spirit. From climbing and hiking to travel, Royal has your needs covered. I was enlisted to tackle the women’s options for the Royal Robbins Spring/Summer 2024 Style Review and test them out.
As a disclaimer I would like to mention that I was given these products so that I could write this review. All opinions on this page are my own and based on my own experiences with these products. I’m not compensated for the opinions on this review. Your experience with the product may be different.
AmpLite Hoody
As a model, I have to be extra conscious of protecting my skin and not getting burnt or any tan lines, while pursuing my love of the outdoors. I also have a family history of skin cancer. In my later years, it’s been a priority to really cover up if I’m exposing myself to the sun during my activities of bicycling, hiking, backpacking, and being on the water. It’s a tricky balance and very hard for me to do, especially in the Summer when the weather is extremely hot and the last thing I feel like doing is wearing long sleeves. This hoodie has been such a joy for me, so far, in the seasons leading up to Summer. I have not worn it in anything above 85 degrees, but I did get some glimpses of hot weather in Pennsylvania and Peru and it did not let me down.
My first initial thought of this hoodie was just how soft and comfortable it was, yet breathable and lightweight. I would later go on to learn how much I loved the other features, like the thumb holes and hood, when the Peruvian sun and rain were beating down on my body at Machu Picchu. I mentioned above that I’m very conscious about the sun and I had learned the hard way in the Sierra Mountains what it’ll do to your face, scalp, and hands if you’re not careful. Woof!
Sizing and More
This hoodie comes in 3 colors, sizes XS-XL, and is UPF50+. I’d consider it a three season adventure top: Spring, Summer, and Fall. I think it fits pretty true to size, yet has more of a relaxed fit. I have a feeling I’m going to get a lot of use out of this on my future backpacking trips coming up, as well as my biking/ hiking days, as it is moisture wicking and has so far kept me relatively dry and cool while wearing it.
HALF DOME OVERALLS
Gosh! The last time I wore overalls before trying the Half Dome was when I was a little girl. I never thought I’d wear my beloved childhood staple again after my brother relentlessly tortured me about my OshKosh B’Gosh! But I’m grateful that overalls made a comeback in fashion. I never thought I’d be able to rock them, as I felt they may look weird on a tall, athletic, hourglass build. Would I look frumpy or like a little toddler? I didn’t want to look like either of those things even though I often saw other women who looked SO CUTE in them! I just never thought it would be me, but I was instantly proven wrong.
Sizing
These overalls are priced at $150 and come in 3 colors: Undyed and Charcoal (the two colors/ overalls above) , as well as Dark Olive. They are available from XS- XL, but I did notice they run a bit large. For instance, I’m 5’9” with an athletic build and typically wear a Medium. You can see in these pictures that the Undyed (light colored – Medium size) was a little large on me and the Charcoal (dark color — Small) worked great and gave me a slimmer fit. If you’re someone who likes to layer or who really wants that extra room for activity or gardening, I don’t think that is the worst thing. But I prefer a slightly slimmer fit vs. running generous.
Styling
These overalls were comfortable, stretchy, and relaxed in the right spots without making me look like a little girl. I loved the breathable stretch, organic cotton, and the amount of pockets for storage: the hand, back pockets, and utility chest pocket all were ideal for phone and ChapStick. I also loved the versatility of these overalls. You could wear them casually, for athleisure, or even a night out. This past winter I wore the Charcoal Half Dome out with a black turtleneck, a boot, a red lip, and my hair slicked back. That next day, I switched it up with a white sneaker to walk around the city. Overall (no pun intended), I loved both pairs and the sturdy, but comfy design of the fabric.
From the airports to the Salkantay Trek of Peru, my evolution joggers are a staple in my adventures
SPOTLESS EVOLUTION JOGGERS
These are my favorite pair of joggers I have ever owned. EVER! I could end the entire paragraph right there, but I do unfortunately have to write my reasoning behind such a bold statement. I know the market is flooded with competition and these joggers are on the pricier side of $100. Also, I realize that you or I could go to another store and pay a lot less and get a good pair, but what is that saying? You get what you pay for! And I do truly believe you get what you pay for with these pants.
I’m not exaggerating when I say these pants are the item I wear the most. I feel ready to go anywhere and everywhere in them: outdoor adventure, travel in a car, to the airport, clean, lounge, or even sleep. Overall, comfortable and suitable for any activity. They are extremely lightweight, breathable, and stretchy. Easy to pack too. These pants are the perfect lifestyle pants. Despite all the wear and washing them, they have held up great and look just as new as the day I got them! I always worry about that with what I buy, but they look just as new as when I got them.
Performance Under Fire…Or At Least Under The Sun!
Another thing I wanted to mention was when I wore them on the warmest day in Peru. It was HOT and I was sweating big time. Normally, I’d switch my pants to shorts, but I knew these were moisture wicking and UPF50+. I wasn’t trying to have matching burnt legs to my burnt shoulders. Not only could you not see the copious amounts of sweat come through the pants, but they dried very quickly and protected my legs against the sun. These pants have survived over AND over AND over again as someone who is rough on their stuff. (Insert embarrassed shrug) I try! But when I really like something, I go all in.
These joggers are available in XS- XL, have 4 color options, and run for $100 dollars.
Recycled Materials
One thing that Greg and I both agree with is Royal Robbins approach to using recycled materials when they make their products. We already mentioned that the Desert Pucker is a carbon neutral product, but Royal Robbins doesn’t stop there. The Spotless Evolution Joggers are made from 86% recycled post-consumer plastic bottles to help keep bottles out of landfills and oceans. The Half Dome Overalls are made from Organic Cotton and have an undyed option. Plus, the Amp Lite Hoodie is bluesign approved and made with recycled polyester.
We love it when a brand, especially an outdoor brand, think so much about the environment and make it such a focus in the way that they design the clothes and products that we use to enjoy the outdoors.
Final Thoughts
When Greg asked me what I thought about Royal Robbins, without hesitation, I told him how much I loved the brand. A genuine love. I told him you can tell how much heart they put into this brand and how much they value quality, durable products. Everything I own from them is comfortable, yet fitted. Multifunctional, yet fashionable and cute. Which is the perfect recipe for me. I like products that work, but I also like to look put together when I step into the great outdoors.
The two words I think of when I think of this brand are comfortable and cool. Name a better duo than that- I dare you! Between those things and the quality and durability of Royal Robbin products- it was very difficult for me to come up with things I didn’t like about the brand. I live in their joggers and wear the rest of the clothing often, which is saying a lot as I’m a minimalist and am very particular about everything that I own and wear. The only thing that I could find wrong with the brand is the sizing. It does run a little on the larger side, in my experience, which is only really frustrating when you’re doing online orders. But ultimately, I believe this brand is really doing the outdoor thing right. I am a huge fan- to say the very least!
