Recently, Russell introduced the idea of the Dadlete: Dad + Athlete = Dadlete. What exactly is a Dadlete? Since Merriam-Webster has yet to include an official definition in their dictionary, I like to think that this term represents an active dad who enjoys a reasonable work/life balance while also continually looking for new and fun ways to keep his family engaged, active, and healthy.

The holiday season is my favorite time of the year. We hosted the neighborhood holiday party last week, our daughters did an incredible job at their holiday ballet recitals, and our last package of presents has been shipped and safely delivered to our friends and family in New Jersey. I am finally at the point where I can take a deep breath and relax.

As a Dadlete, it takes serious planning to survive the holidays. As I always say, Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance! I could give you a tip or two on how to survive the challenges of the holiday season and life, but when I comes down to it,  in order to thrive during the holidays and in life, you need to develop an ever widening skill set – akin to being a human Swiss Army knife.

A Dadlete should be able to change a tire and a diaper, plan a fun family trip, write a love letter to their significant other, manage finances well, hang holiday lights with ease, buy thoughtful gifts for friends and family, comfort a crying child, exercise regularly, and wear clothing that is cool in the summer and warm and comfortable in the winter (like the Russell pullover). Specialization is purely for insects!

I look for clothing that is durable, well made, dependable and built to last. I live my life and manage my finances in a way where quality is more important than cost or perceived savings for inferior items. That was one of the reasons why I was so excited for the opportunity review the Russell Premium fleece sweatshirt. Its becoming a bit chilly in Georgia and I needed something that wasn’t as restrictive as a heavy jacket, but would also keep me warm while working on various projects around the home and for quick errands around town.

In short, this is a go-anywhere classic sweatshirt. When unboxed my sweatshirt, I was immediately impressed  with the deep color hue, softness and overall comfort. It is finely textured, rugged, and most importantly fits well. It takes on classic silhouette and offers a slight taper which makes it more casual and neat instead of the sloppy look that plagues many sweatshirt designs. With more wear and use, I think it will take a personality of its own, similar to my old pair of trusty denim. If you’d like to get one for yourself or for a last minute stocking stuffer, head to your nearest Walmart!