Mulesing-free merino wool Ecological material Thick mid layer pants can be worn directly against skin or over a merino wool base layer. We really like the REI and have had nothing but positive experiences with it thus far, but were not ready to dethrone the Smartwool just yet.See the Men's REI Merino 185 Half-ZipSee the Women's REI Merino 185 Half-Zip. What's sustainable? For this reason, most lightweight baselayers are made of polyester. So if you see something with a small amount of elastase or nylon added, you can be sure it absolutely needs to be there to enhance the natural stretch and durability. Silk And its worth noting that Helly Hansen now offers the midweight Lifa Merino Crew ($100), which features a merino wool exterior and Polypro lining.See the Men's Helly Hansen Lifa StripeSee the Women's Helly Hansen Lifa Stripe. As a baselayer, its decidedly heavyweight, which means youll want to save it for particularly cold winter days. Use the enter key to follow the link to the shopping cart page, or the space bar to open and enter the mini shopping cart, pressing escape will close the mini shopping cart, Men's Merino 250 Base Layer Pattern 1/4 Zip, Different insulation weights for multi-use functionality. Baselayers Its ultra soft and comfortable, has superior temperature regulation, and resists odor. Materials:92% polyester, 8% spandexCategory: LightweightWeight: 6.5 oz.What we like:Simple yet functional.What we dont:Not super comfortable or a high performer. FZN Stands for Five Zero Nine, not Frozen. And most importantly, it can handle everything from backpacking to cross-country skiing with ease. A, Midweight 260gsm waffle texture 100% Australian Merino Wool. 100% merino wool Most baselayers on this list have a matching bottom with the same construction and a similar or identical price. What we dont: Pricey for an REI product. Winter conditions are much harsher, so durability takes precedence for ski jackets. But as the demand for temperature-regulating baselayers rises, silk is largely going out of vogue. But for winter mountaineering, extreme cold, or low-output activities around camp, a heavyweight baselayer can be the height of coziness. But in cool spring and fall conditions, a midweight baselayer can perform great as an outer layer and is the ideal next-to-skin layer for resort skiing on cold days. At 185 g/m, its lighter than the Smartwool 250, meaning its more suitable for shoulder-season or high-output activities. As usual, it will help to identify what youll be using your baselayer for before determining what features you need. And they come in different weights to allow you to customize your wool layering system. While we love the Natural + Kinship Warm for high-output activities like ski touring and cross-country skiing, its less appealing as a resort baselayer. Stays warm even when its wet and naturally wicks moisture away from the skin for extra comfort. We recommend a fleece jacket or synthetic jacket for balancing warmth and ventilation. These are the absolute best. Admittedly, these shirts get a lot of use, but thats still a very short lifespan. Although they only make a handful of items, each of their products is a study in quality over quantity. Materials: 51% merino, 49% polyesterCategory: MidweightWeight: 6.9 oz.What we like: Amazing warmth in a tiny package; responsibly sourced wool.What we dont: Expensive; lacks durability. ABN 34 156 516 666. See the Men's NW Alpine Black Spider See the Women's NW Alpine Black Spider. But for mild summer temperatures, the Merino 150 is $35 less and likely all the insulation youll need.See the Men's Smartwool Merino 150 Crew See the Women's Smartwool Merino 150 Crew. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. A MicroMerinoFabric. No cheap blends passed off as Merino. Read more about us. Pace Compression Leggings - Outsider Edition, Midweight 260gsm 100% Australian Merino Wool. While Merino is an amazing natural fibre, not all Merino fabrics are created equal. They are much better quality and super comfortable! Merino: ExcellentBlends: ExcellentPolyester: Very goodSilk: Not good. Whether youre looking for a button-up shirt, zipped hoodie or midweight sweater, Merino wool mid-layers come in a variety of styles for men and women. If you know youll be layering a mid or outer layer over your baselayer, the simpler the better. Perfectly Natural. A waterproof, breathable, and packable rain jacket is needed for activities like climbing and hiking/backpacking. But cost aside, the Solution 150 has solid all-around performance and will last longer than most merino baselayers.See the Men's BD Solution 150 MerinoSee the Women's BD Solution 150 Merino. Odlo emerges from Norway with a lineup of thoughtful baselayers built for a range of activities and conditions. Some companies are blending wool and synthetics to increase the strength of the baselayer without compromising next-to-skin comfort, which is a good idea in our opinion. Bean Crewneck is worth a look. Along with a nice athletic fit, the Lifa Stripe is great for active skiers and other high-output activities like climbing and hiking. Both are comfortable, wick moisture well, and dont trap odor like synthetics. We started small and over the years have grown to become one of the largest powersports dealers in the United States. Theres a lot to like about this lightweight active baselayer from Helly Hansen. Its far easier to justify purchasing a nice down jacket, but a baselayer can be just as important for activities like skiing, hiking, and climbing. Breathability Technically considered a fleece, the R1 Air toes the line between our baselayer and midlayer categories. Your browser is not fully supported. In fact, our biggest gripe with the Solution 150 is its priceat $135, its $50 more than Smartwools comparable baselayer top (the Merino 150 Crew). $125 is a high price to pay for a non-merino baselayer (most synthetic options here are about half the cost), and the Rho LTs trim, technical fit means it doesnt function well as a standalone piece. At ioMerino, we make our own fabrics, using only the best quality fibres, and to very specific specifications that make the most of the natural benefits of Merino. - Very warm, flexible, antibacterial and moisture wicking - For extreme frost, sports, outdoor activities, and outdoor work - Suitable to be worn over a base layer or directly against the skin - Non-chafing and durable flat knit seams - Machine washable - Made in China in a factory verified by North Outdoor Materials: 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. You get great breathability thanks to the shirts mapped ventilation zones, and weve found moisture wicking to be top-notch. These are my most comfortable undies--the cut and the merino wool. This performance piece is nearly half polyester/elastane (its 53 percent merino), incorporates low-profile seams, and has body mapping with mesh panels throughout for improved ventilation. For the widest variety of conditions, a midweight baselayer makes the most sense. To get the most out of your technical clothing, its important think of everything as a system. Furthermore, the extra coverage you get with the raised collar is a nice boost in warmth, and weve even found that quarter or half-zip long sleeves have a decent look for around town. To put this in perspective, we usually get a season or two out of a standard lightweight merino baselayer, even from the top brands and by following their washing instructions (cold water and line dry). One upside is the ability to adapt to changing weather conditions. Known for leading the charge in their dedication to sustainable environmental practices, Patagonia outfitted the Capilene Air with recycled polyester (49 percent), and the net result is a responsibly made and truly innovative piece. The Co-op recently updated their Merino Midweight Half-Zip design (200g/m) to the Merino 185. As an example, if you have a baselayer that wicks moisture well, but are wearing a fully rubber mid or outer layer, it wont matter how nice of a merino fabric you have: Youll still be wet and miserable. This Merino wool blend is high performance and comfortable in all conditions. I would like to receive the latest news, special offers and coupon codes by e-mail. Our top baselayer pick, the Smartwool Merino 250 Zip, is 100 percent merino. Despite the downsides, polyester fabrics are what we recommend most often for resort skiers. That said, the thin fabric, paired with the fact that its not blended with a synthetic material, does make us concerned about the Ortovoxs durability (even Smartwools 150-weight shirt features a merino/nylon blend). These issues aside, the REI Lightweight (or Midweight) Crew is a good way to kit yourself out this winter on a budget.See the Men's REI Lightweight Crew See the Women's REI Lightweight Crew. The end result is impressive: Compared to a baselayer like the Smartwool Merino 150 above, the Solution 150 is noticeably more durable and dries out very quickly when wet (great news for those who are prone to working up a sweat). We love these Merino wool mittens! They are less popular than lightweight baselayers for hiking or ski touring in moderate conditions as the extra warmth corresponds with a drop in the fabrics ability to regulate temperatures (even merino can get too hot in warm temperatures). Furthermore, $129 is a hefty price tag for a polyester baselayer, and it can often be hard to find in stock online or in stores. But when active, we appreciate the ability to lower the zip and regulate heat. And finally, it does not resist odor like merino and should be hand-washed. Moisture Wicking. Resort skiers and winter climbers will likely opt for a warmer and cozier midweight baselayer.Midweight Outer layers are the most specialized part of the system, and their complex designs can get quite pricey. However, the thinner the merino, the less durable it becomes. Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Ultra Lightweight 150gsm 100% Australian Merino Wool. High performers include the Arcteryx Atom LT and the R line of fleeces from Patagonia. Of note, REI does offer a warmer version (the Midweight Crew) for $50. With a balaclava-style hood, seamless construction, and a heat-trapping merino/polyester blend, the Capilene Air provides a massive amount of warmth in a relatively thin and lightweight package. Super warm for MN winters. Merino wool fibres bind warming air between skin and the covering layer. Baselayers have two primary functions: warmth and moisture wicking. for extreme frost, sports, outdoor activities and outdoor work Among the growing cadre of merino options, we think Smartwools 250 provides the best balance of versatility, quality, and value.See the Men's Smartwool Merino 250See the Women's Smartwool Merino 250. The store will not work correctly in the case when cookies are disabled. Compared to the warm 250 above, the 150 is lighter in weight and ideal for uses like spring skiing, shoulder season hiking, and cool summer nights. A, Read more about the benefits of Merino Wool here. And if you have a tendency to run cold or want a winter-ready baselayer, the fleece-lined Rho AR offers a heavy dose of insulation and cozy loft at an impressively low weightalmost a half-pound less than the all-merino Woolx above. Skiing is a similar story, and conditions will dictate the best midlayer for you. AND RECEIVE ALL THE LATEST NEWS, REVIEWS, AND SPECIAL OFFERS, Contact us any time. Using Icebreakers BodyFitZone construction, it combines 260-weight merino (spun with elastane for durability and stretch) with strategically placed panels of airy merino mesh in moisture-prone areas like the underarms and back. But with great odor resistance, impressive wicking and drying properties, and one of the warmest, coziest hoods we know of, it makes a fantastic next-to-skin piece.See the Men's Patagonia Capilene Air See the Women's Patagonia Capilene Air. Heavyweight Join our email list and be the first to know about new products and special offers. And it likely will last for many seasonswe have Capilene tops that are multiple years old and counting despite heavy use. Thanks to its antibacterial properties, it is often enough to give the cloth airing, to make it fresh again. Merino: Very goodBlends: GoodPolyester: Not goodSilk: Not good. That said, we far prefer merino for its coziness, temperature regulation, ability to insulate when wet, and resistance to smell. North Outdoor Women's Mid-Layer Pants - 100 % Merino Wool - LAAVU 260 The shirt conforms to your body like a performance piece should, but its far too tight to wear anywhere else. The focus on sustainability has been increasing in the outdoor industry over the past several years, and baselayers are no exception. A perfect mid layer under a rain mitten or worn by themselves. For more information about the pros and cons of the material, check out our article:Merino Wool: Is It Worth It? ribs: 260g/m, rib And their Black Spider Hoody is one of our favorite baselayers: Its comfortable, warm and breathable, and has unmatched durability. Only thing more comfortable is no shirt at all. We only include one silk option on our list for a reason, but it does have its advantages as a dedicated sleep shirt or extra layer in town. We havent yet had the chance to give the Intraknit baselayer an extended test, but its an intriguing option for high-output activities in cold weather when you want a layer thats both warm and exceptionally breathable (for a similar alternative, see Icebreaker's Zone Crew below). What's sustainable? Woolx is a small New York-based company that doesnt get the hype of a Smartwool or Icebreaker, but their thick Glacier is a cozy and well-built heavyweight baselayer.