Wild Rye Danner Fleece Jacket and Jogger Review
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Noticing a lack in women-focused apparel for the outdoors, Wild Rye was established in 2016 to create gear that inspires women to get outside and adventure. Owned and operated by women, Wild Rye is focused on designing high quality, eco-minded apparel to help women get outdoors. I have a pair of Wild Rye bike shorts that I purchased second-hand, so I knew Wild Rye could deliver quality apparel that lasts. I was curious to see what other gear Wild Rye has designed, and was excited when my Danner 3/4 zip fleece jacket and Danner high pile fleece joggers arrived this fall.
Fall in the Rocky Mountains has been fairly mild, and we are only starting to get into some colder, snowy weather. On the more crisp fall days, I have been wearing the Danner 3/4 Fleece Zip Jacket and Danner High Pile Fleece Jogger. I am sure that this extra cozy Danner fleece apparel is going to dominate my winter wardrobe.
Frosty morning dog walk
Wild Rye Danner 3/4 Fleece Zip Jacket Design
I’ve been wearing the Danner 3/4 Zip Fleece Jacket around quite a bit all fall as my go-to fleece to throw on for outdoor activities. I have worn it on dog walks, fall hikes, trips to the park, and around town. The fleece is a high pile 75% recycled polyester 25% polyester material that is super thick and cozy and keeps you warm when there is a chill in the air. The fleece has a boxy, roomy, cropped fit with a drawstring at the waist. It has generous length sleeves featuring a thumb hole to allow for the sleeve to cover part of the hand.
The Danner 3/4 Zip Fleece has a fun retro design with bright contrasting color block pockets and a bright colored zipper. And speaking of pockets, this jacket delivers several storage options. It has two front zip pockets in the color block nylon material, as well as two hidden hand warmer pockets also with zippers. Also, there is another zippered color block style back stash pocket. With plenty of storage options, there is room for keys, phone, wallet, and snacks.
Wild Rye Danner 3/4 Fleece Zip Jacket Fit and Wear
I am typically a size small, which is what I ordered for the Danner 3/4 Fleece Zip Jacket. After I received it, I noticed that the Wild Rye website says to order a size down. The fit is definitely roomier, but I like the oversized, comfortable feel. You may want to size down if you want it to be more fitted. I have fairly wide shoulders and longer arms, so sleeve length can be an issue for me. The sleeves have a very generous length, and I can easily wear the thumb holes over my hands. When I don’t need that feature, I often roll up the sleeves to shorten them to my wrists. I would bet that a size down would not have required this. I also have synched up the drawstring at the waist to adjust the fit.
Waist synch
The Danner 3/4 Fleece Zip Jacket is super warm and cozy. The high pile fleece has kept me warm on frosty early morning dog walks, and it holds up to a cool breeze too. I love the color scheme and retro design. I ordered the color Midnight which is a deep navy blue. It also has periwinkle color block accents in the pockets as well as the thumb loops, and a mustard yellow front zipper.
Thumb loops
The Danner 3/4 Fleece Zip Jacket has held up well to wear – again this has been my favorite fleece this fall. While it does attract my golden retriever’s hair, I have not had any issues with pilling. It also washed well. I just threw it in the washing machine and dried it in the dryer, and it came out looking new.
Danner High Pile Fleece Jogger Design
While it has been a bit warm for the Danner High Pile Fleece Jogger, I have paired them with the 3/4 Fleece Zip Jacket on the coldest mornings. These joggers will shine as the temperatures dip in the coming weeks for frosty ice fishing trips or after chilly days on the slopes.
The Danner High Pile Fleece Jogger are made of the same high pile fleece as the 3/4 Fleece Zip Jacket. The wide waist band has a drawstring and is lined in the same nylon as the color block from the jacket. There are also two hand pockets that are also lined in nylon and one zippered rear pocket. The cuff of the pants is not elastic but has adjustable drawstrings to fit around your ankle.
Danner High Pile Fleece Jogger Fit and Wear
The Danner High Pile Fleece Jogger are true to size. I am typically an extra small in pants, and the size fits perfectly for a comfortable loose fit. The waist is mid rise, and the elastic and drawstring allow for adjustments depending on how you want to wear the joggers. The cuff drawstrings also allow for a loose or tighter fit at the ankles. I also ordered the joggers in the color midnight, which matches the jacket.
The Danner High Pile Fleece Jogger are super warm and cozy. The high pile fleece is thick and soft, and is a perfect warm layer for very cold temperatures. The wide waist band and elastic waist make these super comfortable to pull on. I like the adjustable cuffs with the elastic drawcord which allows for variable fits at the ankle.
Adjustable elastic cuffs
Eco-friendly Design Practices
Like all Wild Rye apparel products, sustainability was front of mind in the design of the Danner High Pile Fleece Jogger and 3/4 Fleece Zip Jacket. Both products are made from recycled materials (75% recycled polyester for the fleece material and 90% recycled nylon for the accents).
The Wild Rye Danner fleece apparel are also high quality products that are built to last season after season. A longer life span for the gear equals greater sustainability. Wild Rye fosters continued use of its products by offering Wild Rye (Redux), a peer-to-peer resale platform for its customers to reduce fashion waste and keep their gear being used.
Specifications from the Wild Rye Website
Danner 3/4 Fleece Zip Jacket
- Soft jersey interior for comfort
- Large front chest zipped pockets
- Side-entry zipped hand pockets
- Elastic hem cord for adjustability
- Center back length: 22 1/2″ (size S)
- Weight: 17 oz.
- 75% recycled polyester, 25% polyester
- Front pockets/pocket lining: 90% recycled nylon, 10% spandex
Danner High Pile Fleece Jogger
- Drawstring waist adjustment
- Cordlock cinch at cuffs
- Soft jersey interior
- Two side hand pockets, one rear zip pocket
- Inseam: 28 3/4″ (Size S)
- Weight: 16 oz.
- 75% recycled polyester, 25% polyester
- Waistband/pocket lining: 90% recycled nylon, 10% spandex
Final Thoughts on the Wild Rye Danner Fleece Jacket and Jogger
Overall, the Danner 3/4 Fleece Zip Jacket and Danner High Pile Fleece Jogger from Wild Rye are warm, comfortable, and thoughtfully designed winter layers. Both pieces offer soft high-pile fleece, practical pockets, and retro style that work well for everyday cold-weather activities. Their durable construction and recycled materials support long-term use and more sustainable gear choices. This cozy set is a dependable option for women seeking reliable warmth all season. For more info our to pickup a set for yourself, visit wildrye.com.
