Long sleeve merino wool shirt by Outdoor Voices. Washing less means using less water and energy. Water will eventually drip down your neck or youll get sweaty and clammy wearing it for 12 hours at a time. The warm, soft next-to-skin feel is just as nice for daily use as it is as your baselayer on a summit push. I can wear it over my wool leggings and look put together instead of my usual hot-mess self. Ive not been brave enough to wear it without something underneath it even itchless can bother me at times but its very comfortable. Merino wool has gained a lot of traction in recent years for the fact that its a sustainable, renewable resource. I know photos ar, There are over 1,500 black bears that call Great S, Ibex Journey Short Sleeve Crew Merino Tees, 11 Casual Barefoot Shoes (that are Stylish and Comfortable), 7 Most Comfortable Barefoot and Minimalist Hiking Sandals, Hiking the Path of the Gods: A Trail with the Best Views of Italys Amalfi Coast, 9 Best Barefoot Shoes for Kids (durable + comfortable). No plastics:Synthetic materials, like polyester, nylon, and acrylic are just plastic. According the animals rights organization PETA, mulesing is a cruel practice that is incredibly painful, and there are much more humane alternatives to reduce flystrike in sheep. Here are a few specifics on what makes merino wool so great as activewear: Versatile: Wool is super versatile! Sometimes its harder to make a transition into eco-friendly options, but merino wool is super soft and breathable; its so comfortable that its become my favorite fabric to wear. For multi-day backpacking, climbing, and ski trips, merino simply is a no-brainer. The most impressive that weve seen are two baselayers: Patagonias Capilene Air and the Black Diamond Solution 150. At 200 GSM (grams per square meter), it feels perfect for warm weather. Your email address will not be published. Our line of Merino 150 apparel is full of ultra comfortable layers made for life on the move. Use code KELLY25 for 25% off your first purchase at Isobaa! Every time synthetic clothes are washed, microplastics make their way into the water supply, and eventually down into rivers and oceans where they contaminate environments and are toxic to wildlife. Choose a technical, hiking-specific sock that advertises arch support, reinforced toe and heel, and light padding. Unbound Merino is another company that emphasizes the superiority of merino wool clothing for travel with its Pack Less. Western Rise is currently a mens only brand that designs all of its clothing to be versatile, long-lasting wardrobe staples. We consistently only get a couple seasons out of our merino wool baselayers and casual shirts (although you can expect a longer life if you dont wear them every day like we do). The line extends to tank tops, long-sleeve shirts, hoodies and socks made from 100% merino wool, as well as shorts and pants made from a merino wool and cotton blend. We consistently wear merino wool for running, hiking, and mountain biking for its comfort across a range of temperatures. Most laundry detergent is made of enzymes that are designed to break down biological molecules like food stains. Merino wool hoodie and long sleeve t-shirt by Isobaa. Originally from Spain, merino sheep are most commonly found in Australia, but also are being raised in the United States, New Zealand, South America, and elsewhere. The fabric is lightweight at145g/m, so its really airy and breathable for warm days. And our wool hiking socks have been helping people comfortable on the trail since 1994. The collar really saves my neck, and roll up/down sleeves allow me to cool off a bit when Im under tree cover. Equip yourself for any hike by gearing up with light Merino wool base layers, wool sweaters, or even our Smartloft midlayers. Check out this round-up of the best merino wool t-shirts for hiking. I dont need sunscreen or bug spray (I use a headnet), and the whole setup keeps me relatively cool and comfortable all day long. Thicker weaves are warm and cozy for winter sweaters, while thinner ones are perfect for hiking t-shirts. These Merino Wool Tees are 190 grams per meter for mens and 150 gsm for womens, so they have a good weight for every day and hiking without being too thick. We watch for sales on Backcountry and REI (Black Friday and Cyber Monday usually have the biggest discounts), and also look for deals on discount websites like Steep & Cheap (which is owned by Backcountry), Mountain Steals (owned by Moosejaw) and REI Outlet. OSPREY-PACKS: Backpacking Pack Sale! And if youre looking for a great pair of jeans for your travel capsule, I love the fit, stretch, and useable pockets on these ones! It's always great to learn about a new brand, especially one that values sustainability. Nui Organics has been one of my favorite companies for kids clothing over the last several years due to their full commitment to sustainability and their amazing merino wool clothing. This hoodie hasnatural UPF 30+. Theyve now launched both a mens and womens line, so I can enjoy the same high-quality fabrics my son has come to love. Your clothing for an Appalachian Trail thru-hike doesnt have to be overly complicatedin fact, simpler is better because you dont want to carry anything youre not going to use. To further push the performance envelope, some brands are experimenting with merino and synthetic blends. But its also good in the heat, as merino regulates your body temperature really well. One of the worst parts of my early backpacking days was dealing with constant sunscreen and bug spray application (Im in MN, so both are necessary in summer) that left me feeling very sticky after a full day. I'll check out Ibex! For pants, make sure they sit high enough that your packs hip belt wont push them down, and always look for a flatlock inseam. They use sustainable materials (wool), work with their supply chain to reduce their carbon footprint wherever possible, and offset the rest as a climate neutral company. With proper care, they last a long time, but that doesnt mean you shouldnt look out for a great deal. As a next-to-skin layer, merino wool is hard to beat. Its been a great go-to of mine for both hiking and everyday. Use code NOMAN15 for 15% off your purchase at Nui Organics for the rest of 2021. Required fields are marked *. REI Co-op gear is usually great quality at a great price, and this 100% merino wool hiking t-shirt is no exception. Merino turns the notion that wool is itchy and uncomfortable completely on its head. In what region As your next-to-skin article of clothing, a baselayer plays a fundamental role in pulling moisture away from the body and regulating core temperature. Dont think Im going back to a t-shirt and shorts anytime soon! Ive touted wools impressive qualities in posts about hiking socks, hiking t-shirts, kids thermalsIm of the opinion that wool is great for just about everything! So many gear guides seem to just for men. These are 89% wool with 11% nylon for added durability. Maggie Slepian April 3, 2022 Appalachian Trail Prep. Save big on Exos/Eja, Atmos/Aura, and Stratos/Sirrus Backpacks. []. This helps you forget about what youre wearing and focus on the trail ahead. This lightweight merino wool shirt is 87% wool and 13% nylon. They use a weight numbering system to note the thickness of their fabrics so you know how thick of a shirt youre buying. We made our Merino 150 our most versatile and durable 150g fabric yet by wrapping super-fine Merino fibers around a nylon corehelping to keep your new favorite shirt around from crag to camp to canyon with Merino wool still next to skin. Your email address will not be published. Hopefully the womens version is coming soon. I dislike putting insect repellant on my skin, so I spray this shirt with permethrin. This fabric blend is also great for travel since its machine washable, fast drying, and it doesnt wrinkle easily. You can tell how much thought and care is put into Isobaas products, all the way down to the packaging. The Air Dry Merino Wool Travel-T is 100% merino wool. Bombas has since expanded into merino wool t-shirts, and continues the one for one donation model. We fully expect more brands to look at these hybrid designs to pull out the best characteristics from the two types of fabric. 15% Off New Customer Discount with Coupon Code SECTIONHIKER15. Look for wool from non-mulesed sheep: One of the main reasons I want to wear wool is because its better for the planet, but I dont want thatto come at the expense of animals. 9 Barefoot and Minimalist Hiking Shoes Perfect for Travel, The Best Winter Clothes for Kids: From Merino Wool Base Layers to Winter Boots, 5 Essentials for Every Winter Packing List with First Alert. And the same holds true for underwear and socks. The core of the Unbound Merino line are its Merino Crew Neck and V-Neck Tees made from 100% merino wool. The moisture then moves through the fabric and evaporates through the exterior. Shop our wide selection now! To navigate this using the keyboard, please follow these instructions. The low temperatures kill bacteria and will make your clothes feel fresh again. Over 70% of Icebreakers merino wool comes from New Zealand (so non-mulesed), and according to their website, they audit their farmers every 3 years and ensure that the sheep are free from injury or disease. Aaron has been a big fan of the fit, feel, and cut of their merino wool shirts (and they pair well with the Movement Shorts for hiking). Weve put exactly one hole in our drawer full of Darn Toughs over many years of using the brand, and that was the result of a pretty nasty mountain bike crash. Merino wool is expensive and theres no way around it. I really appreciate that theres a men/women option for every item. The 180 weight long sleeves are just a bit thicker and perfect for when its cooler. Weve found the most breathable articles to be lightweight and thin (like the Smartwool Merino 150), which makes sense because air can pass through easily, allowing the fabrics to dry out. Ibex is another company that has been perfecting outdoor performance merino wool clothing for over two decades. The only thing Id mention as a slight disagreement or maybe upgrade is the hiking shirt. Merinos ability to absorb moisture without creating an environment to grow smelly bacteria is one of its miracles. To be clear, were not saying that you cannot make a merino shirt stinkwe surely havebut its a night-and-day difference from a synthetic (even one with an odor fighting treatment). This is the clothing Id choose if I was to do another AT thru-hike. Rather than a t-shirt, a button front collared shirt, especially an SPF protection shirt, has some advantages. Aviator designs clothing specifically for travel, aiming to make them comfortable, versatile, and able to go at least a few wears between washings. The best way to wash wool is to do it in cold water with no agitation and a wool specific wash, like this one. Your body cools off after hiking all day, and its really nice to be able to change into a warm dry set of clothes in camp for relaxing and sleeping in. You can unbutton the front for more ventilation or button it up for windy/cool conditions. Read more about the sustainability of wool here. Ive decided to keep it, though. From a technical perspective, the diameter of wool is measured in microns, and the lower the micron the finer and more expensive it is. Bombas makes some of my all-time favorite wool socks, and they also make merino wool tees! Work well for me. New Zealand officially banned mulesing effective October 1, 2018, so looking for wool sourced from New Zealand is an easy way to make sure its from non-mulesed sheep. Weve moved a few times over the last few years, the real OBX If youre interested, read more about synthetic clothes and microplastics here. So far they only have this style for men. These merino tencel tees are some of the lightest and softest Ive ever felt. Long sleeves can be rolled up or left down for the same reasons, and the collar helps protect your neck from sun damage. The raglan sleeves were specifically designed with carrying backpacks in mind; there are no seams where your backpack straps rest. Not all companies disclose whether they use wool from non-mulesed sheep, and its something Im looking more into. Most are a merino nylon blend with 87% merino wool and a nylon core to make the fabric stronger and more durable. This doesnt mean that merino isnt worth it, but only for those who highly value its comfort or utilize its performance advantage. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. If this is your first purchase on Bombas.com, use this referral link to get 25% off your purchase. They dont have to be too warm or bulky, since youll be in your sleeping bag, or you can always throw a jacket over them at camp. There are pros and cons to bothsynthetic doesnt pack down as small, but it keeps its warmth when wet. The short-sleeve version only comes in mens, but there is a womens long-sleeve option. A lightweight set of baselayers works great. Plan to rinse out clothing on the trail every day, so with the exception of underwear and socks dont bring extras. Taking into consideration the limited durability, this is the most convincing argument to avoid the material altogether. Southbound hikers will likely be hiking into late fall, which will also be chilly. All Rights Reserved. When they get wet and sticky, they tend to stick to your legs. They can also be used during cold snaps when you want a little more insulation or you can wear them in town when youre washing the rest of your clothes at a laundromat. Instead, it will keep you at a comfortable temperature and retain its soft feel. We've tested the full array of stylesin varied conditions from the heat of Utahs Canyonlands to the snow of As the weather cools down each year, the great down-versus-synthetic insulation debate heats up. See tips at the end of this article for how to best take care of a wool t-shirt. If I had to sum up my clothing lessons learned while thru-hiking the AT, it would be this: Surprised wool socks werent mentioned. Most merino wool t-shirts run between $50 and $80, which can be steep for an exercise shirt. It shares similar properties to wool; its soft and breathable, and often used in workout apparel. In the typical three-layer ski clothing system, the midlayer is given the all-important insulating duties. These are base layers to wear at camp after a long day of hiking. Backpacking and Fishing in the Wild River Wilderness, How to Stop Your Superfeet Insoles from Squeaking, BearVault New Canister Sizes: BV425 & BV475, Gossamer Gear Silverback 65 Backpack Review, 10 Most Durable Lightweight Backpacks of 2022, Outdoor Research Ferrosi Thru-Gaiter Review, Hiking Mt Lincoln and Mt Lafayette in July, Nitecore 10000 mAh USB Power Bank (5.9 oz), Feathered Friends Flicker 40 Quilt Sleeping Bag. Goose and duck down fill are among the premier insulators on earth, trapping air and creating pockets of warmth around your body with very little weight Jason Hummel is a leading adventure photographer and ski mountaineer based in Tacoma,Washington. Read more about us. If youre looking for the best merino gear items, below are some of our top picks. Biodegradable: Wool biodegrades in a fraction of the time it takes for synthetics, which means its not taking up space in landfills for decades. Remember for this layer, youre perfectly fine finding a pair of technical shorts and teeshirt at your local sporting goods store. For even more recommendations and details, see our articles on the best baselayers, hiking socks, and ski socks, as well as how to choose baselayers. We share both our love for exploring and photography by creating helpful travel and gear guides. They carry merino wool tanks, t-shirts, and long-sleeve sun tees. Some hikers like rain pantsIm not one of them, and I saw a lot being sent home on the AT. Look for tags with Gore-Tex, eVent, or Pertex. To be warm enough, this usually means at least 800 fill-power down insulation. Because of its thin diameter, merino isnt itchy or rough like thicker wools but still offers impressive warmth and moisture wicking capabilities. And despite being a performance fabric with a high-end price, merino still is very enjoyable to wear every day of the week. Ive been wearing merino wool t-shirts for a while now, and Ive gathered my favorite ones here. I hand washed a few of these on a recent trip, and I was impressed at just how quickly they dried. Overall, heres the clothing I think is essential for a three-season Appalachian Trail thru-hike. Your hiking layers dont have to be expensive or fancy. Arguably, its just as good of a summertime material as it is winter. (something abut convenient when traveling, or on that multi-day backpacking trip. Its far easier to justify purchasing a nice down jacket or waterproof shell, but a baselayer can be Backcountry skiing can be an incredibly rewarding way to spend your time outdoorsno crowds, untouched snow, and a skin-track workout to compliment your knee-deep powder turns A quality ski sock gets the basics right: a close but not restricting fit, soft-touch materials that dont itch, and enough cushioning to keep you on the slopes all day. Lightweight merino tops are most prone to developing holes, and our mid and heavyweight shirts have held up far better. Regular coarse wool can be 40 micron or more, but merino is much finer, ranging from about 24 micron down to 15 micron and below. Theres a few reasons why Ive decided to wear more wool, for both hiking and every day. As a result, its a fantastic option for multi-day outdoor adventures, travel, or just about any time youll be working up a sweat and wont be able to change layers for an extended period of time. You can always correct your mistakes. I also highly recommend Ibex -- their quality and concern for sustainability is unparalleled. I bought the XL because Im so accustomed to sports-related gear being small, and this thing fits me like a tunic. When its chilly, the pockets are a little extra warmth. GOSSAMER-GEAR: Take 15% Off all Gossamer Gear Backpacks, Tents, Tarps, Trekking Poles and Accessories with Coupon Code "SECTIONHIKER22". We put them to the test while hiking in hot and humid weather, and they performed great. A lightweight, short-sleeve merino wool t-shirt is the most comfortable and sustainable option when youre looking for a hiking t-shirt. It smells great too! CAMPSAVER.COM: Free Shipping and Free Returns on Purchases of $49 or more. Icebreaker also has tees that are merino wool with a nylon, as well as a t-shirt with a wool/Tencel blended specifically made for warm weather. Isobaas 100% merino wool shirts are some of the softest Ive ever felt, and all come from non-mulesed sheep. Merino wool socks, however, are a very different story. Im brand agnostic and just wear whatever I can find, preferably on sale. Patagonias WornWear repair program doesnt accept merino baselayers or socks because theyre considered undergarments (their customer service representatives say they can be returned under warranty), but a few minutes with a needle and thread is often enough to keep a beloved merino item going for a bit longer. Copyright 2007-2022, SectionHiker.com and Fells Press LLC. Down can be loftier, but get it wet and youre hosed. When youre thru-hiking, youre going to be generating a lot of body heat, so you want a shirt thats going to be comfortable under a backpack and that will dry quickly when you perspire. TREAD LABS INSOLES: As good as custom orthotics at a fraction of the price. Like I mentioned above, Tencel is a soft, breathable, sustainable fabric made from wood pulp.