You may be able to find a synthetic base layer with performance similar to a merino wool base layer, but synthetics are made from plastics, use large amount of chemicals in production and emit toxic waste. In the end, your decision is a personal one, and we recommend looking at fit based on intended use and preferences on style. You can find them consistently online at a few places like The Container Store) andAmazon. Its made from 100% Merino wool with flatlock seam construction to prevent chafing. Theres a lot to like about this lightweight active baselayer from Helly Hansen. Looking for a base layer that fits as comfortably as your favorite T-shirt? Heavyweight And if you want to remove the shirt altogether, its nice not having to take off your helmet to do so. The Co-op recently updated their Merino Midweight Half-Zip design (200g/m) to the Merino 185. For just over half the price of the Smartwool above, the polyester Capilene Midweight by Patagonia offers similar warmth and moisture-wicking capabilities. Logically, lightweight baselayers are the best breathers but do the least in keeping you warm. Patagonias R1 collection has long been a staple of their lineup, and the R1 Air more recently joined the team with a highly technical design. Options can range from a puffy down jacket to a light fleece.Outer Layers The downside is stink prevention, which is an area of emphasis for many manufacturers. After theyre clean and dry, freezing your clothes for a few days (or weeks) in an airtight plastic bag will help make sure youve killed any unhatched pests (yuck, I know). As weve come to expect from Icebreaker, everything about the 260 Zone exudes quality, from the flatlock seams to prevent friction to the well-executed thumb loops. After wearing the Solution 150 for six days straight while hiking in Patagonia, we were impressed with how well it held its shape and resisted odor. Admittedly, these shirts get a lot of use, but thats still a very short lifespan. Smells attract bugs, and bad odors will set in if theyre stored that way. A base layer is a long or short-sleeved shirt youll wear to help keep you comfy and warm when running in cold weather. At just $45, its one of the cheapest options on this list yet still will keep you dry and decently warm in most conditions. In the typical three-layer ski clothing system, the midlayer is given the all-important insulating duties. Start with a merino wool base layer to stay warm on a snowy day. A zipper on the mens version lets you control your body temperature as you run. While you may not see any issues and youll want to clean your clothes anyway, its helpful to see if there are pieces that need some extra cleaning and attention.

Simply machine wash on warm on the gentle cycle and then tumble dry on low. We havent noticed much of a drop in terms of comfort or performance, but merino/synthetic blends are a step up in durability. In addition, polyester fabrics dont regulate temperatures as well, so its more important to match the fabric weight with intended use and conditions (more on that below). Youll feel like you are wearing much less baselayer, but the boost in coziness and moisture-wicking capabilities are still there. Even so, if were wearing a baselayer without anything overtop, well always opt for a fully synthetic piece such as the NW Alpine Black Spider Hoody. Where can I find a great deal on merino wool clothes? Merino: ExcellentBlends: Very goodPolyester: GoodSilk: Good. Learn how your comment data is processed. The low temperatures kill bacteria and will make your clothes feel fresh again. This number refers to the grams per square meter, often written as GSM or g/m2. But if you prioritize comfort above all else and like the feel of silk, the L.L. Youll stay comfortably warmnot hot and sweaty.

Its also an awesome midlayer. Bean Silk Crewneck. Get exclusive advice, tips, and news so you can run at your best. For working hard in frigid temps, we give the edge to the R1 Air, but the Woolx has its place as a premium wool alternative for less intensive activities.See the Men's Woolx Glacier. Unique New Balance HEAT technology pulls moisture away from your skin to keep you dry. The Wired Runner is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. Arcteryx places a premium on high performance, which shows in their baselayer collection. when you click on some of the links in this post. Merino wool is soft and isnt scratchy and unlike polyester shirts stays odor-free. Steps Beach, Pu, Glamping. But when active, we appreciate the ability to lower the zip and regulate heat. Below are our picks for the best baselayers of 2022. In a nutshell.

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. 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. The slim fit makes these easy to layer. Merino: Very goodBlends: GoodPolyester: Not goodSilk: Not good. In full transparency, we may collect a small commission (at no cost to you!) Isobaas focus on sustainability is notable throughout its supply chain, all the way down to the packaging. What do you sacrifice by going with a synthetic baselayer? Besides myself, we have a team of runners, cyclists, and cross-fitters who research, write, and edit everything on the website. 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. Youll be insulated from rain and snow, but heat and sweat are still pulled away from your body. For working hard in cold weather, the Icebreaker 260 Zone Crew offers one of the best combinations of warmth and breathability. 3 The outer layer adds additional warms and keeps you dry from the elements, like rain or snow. I am a huge fan of merino wool. The former indicates that sheep were treated humanely and in accordance with strict animal welfare and environmental standards (there are a number of certifications, including the Responsible Wool Standardand ZQ-certified wool). The semi-fit style is great if comfort is your main consideration. Merino wool clothing is expensive. These are ideal for early season skiing, bluebird days, and high-output activities such as cross-country skiing and cold-weather running. Merino wool, wool blends, and synthetics all perform well as base layers for cold weather. With polyester, youll likely have to wash and change your baselayers quite frequently, whereas wool keeps performance high over the course of a multi-day backcountry or ski trip. This shirt is tough yet wont weigh you down.

For high-output activities, such as hiking, backpacking and climbing, breathability is top priority. Whether constructed with silk, wool, polyester, or a blend, a baselayer is made to retain your bodys heat while transporting moisture away from the skin. They not only use sustainable materials (wool), but also work with their supply chain to reduce their carbon footprint wherever possible, offsetting the rest as a climate neutral company. If youre taking an extended backcountry trip and dont want to carry multiple baselayers or rinse them each night, merino is the way to go. The thickness and material of your baselayer will have big impacts on warmth and breathability, so make sure to keep this mind when making a purchase. The Compression Mock from Under Armour has a tight, compression fit that provides a solid base of warmth and dryness. Unfortunately, you can only find these on the womens shirt, not the mens. Most laundry detergent is made of enzymes that are designed to break down biological molecules like food stains. For sustainably, warmth, and durability, Ive found merino wool base layers and clothing to be worth it. Instead, our revenue to operate this website comes from affiliate links, including Amazon, Zappos, REI, and others. Material:100% recycled polyesterCategory: Light/midweightWeight: 6.2 oz.What we like: Cheaper and more durable than merino wool.What we dont: Not quite as soft. For the widest variety of conditions, a midweight baselayer makes the most sense. 1.6 oz.What we like: Very warm and soft; a great value for an all-merino baselayer.What we dont: Because of the thickness and cut, its not ideal for high-output activities. And importantly, you still get great mobility with gusseted underarms and raglan sleeves, along with a drop-tail hem for added coverage around back. This mens merino base layer is made from super soft 16.5 micron woo sourced from New Zealand. And while synthetics aren't blameless when it comes to their environmental impact (they often rely on fossil fuels for production and can leach plastics into the water with each washing), it helps that Patagonia crafts the Capilene Midweight with 100-percent recycled materials. In general, lightweight merino wool will offer the best in terms of breathability, although some high-quality lightweight synthetics are close. Outer layers are the most specialized part of the system, and their complex designs can get quite pricey. The womens version features a scoop neck, which is something I look for in a base layer after having thermals with higher necks stick out from underneath sweaters. 2 Add a second layer for warmth. Our review process starts with me, Ben Drew, The Wired Runner founder and head writer. And because of the clean styling and plethora of colorways and designs, you easily can wear it as a standalone piece. One thing to note is that the mens version is hoodless but sports the 1/4 zip, great for regulating temperature. Jeremy Moon launched the brand back in 1995, on a mission to make high quality outdoor and natural performance clothing without using petrochemical fibers. To get the most out of your technical clothing, its important think of everything as a system. The Long Sleeve Merino Crew is lightweight 100% merino wool, and looks great as an only layer while also performing well as a base layer. They have a few fun color options beyond the standard black and grey, and look chic enough as an only layer in warmer weather. Our go-to for ski touring this past winter, their Natural + Kinship Warm blends merino wool with stretchy polyester and nylon for a long sleeve that excels in mild temperatures and while building heat. This long-sleeved base layer shirt combines comfort, warmth, and safety. But wool can be finicky and not everyone wants to spend $100 or more on a baselayer, which is why we love Patagonias Capilene line. Silk, too, is noticeably warm for its thin makeup, but its lack of breathability is a strong drawback. My merino wool clothes and base layers still look almost new after years of wearing and washing. And it works easily as well for a base layer on cold days or an outer layer during cool and mild weather. Modern Slavery Statement The selection is much more limited, but if they do have something youre looking for (like a merino wool base layer! This baselayer will keep you comfortably toasty when running in cold weather. Men's wool base layers are among the most versatile pieces of gear you can own. Our top baselayer pick, the Smartwool Merino 250 Zip, is 100 percent merino. 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. Well start with the basics: The Ortovox 185 Merino long-sleeve crew is a standard merino baselayer. A product like the REI Co-op Merino 185 Half-Zipis on the opposite end of the spectrum, with a roomier fit that sacrifices a little in moisture wicking and breathability. This doesnt mean that your Capilene will get stinky super quicklyand Patagonia has made strides in this area with an anti-odor HeiQ Fresh treatmentbut you will find yourself putting it through the wash more often. Body-mapped fabric structures allow for efficient thermal regulation. For warm-weather adventuring, Odlo also makes the Kinship Light Crew, which uses soft Tencel fibers (sustainably sourced from wood) rather than wool.See the Men's Odlo Natural + Kinship Warm See the Women's Odlo Natural + Kinship Warm. It all adds up to a wildly modern, high-performance baselayer and one of the warmest offerings here. Black Diamonds Solution Wool lineup made waves at its debut, namely for its innovative NuYarn technology. Unfortunately, Patagonia doesnt provide a g/m spec for the R1, but the Glaciers 400g/m is unmistakably best suited for the coldest winter days, which may be good or bad depending on your intended use.

Merino wool base layers should be fitted. At approximately half the price of a comparable merino option, the cost saving is too significant to overlook. Each piece relies on the layers around it to perform well. Beans Silk Underwear is well made and more durable than most silk options. Spending less, particularly on a thick baselayer, will yield less breathability. All of Icebreakers clothing are made from merino wool, with a range from ultralightweight merino wool base layers to thick knitwear. 5 Airtight Storage. Ibex is another company that has been perfecting outdoor performance merino wool clothing for over two decades. This versatile fabric can be worn all year, and is also great for lightweight merino wool tees meant for warm weather. Here are a few tips for prepping and storing merino wool base layers and clothing: 1 Inspect and brush off your clothes. Use the right soap: One of the worst things you can do to your wool clothes is throw them in the wash with regular detergent. In this category, there currently are two key trends: responsibly sourced wool and the use of recycled synthetic materials. For all these reasons, the Capilene Air is best worn under a layer or two, unlike a highly durable baselayer like the NW Alpine Black Spider Hoody above.

Rethink Clean and Wash Less: I used to think it was gross if I didnt wash a piece of clothing after every wear. Winter conditions are much harsher, so durability takes precedence for ski jackets. Several pests like cloth moths and carpet bug larvae love organic materials like merino wool. Baselayers can range from simple, featureless crew tops like the Patagonia Capilene Midweight Crew to hooded half-zips with a chest pocket (the NW Alpine Black Spider Hoody, for example). And second, we just cant get enough of the styling on the RockNWoolif you want a merino baselayer with some flair, the multi-colored designs really stand out in the conservative and largely bland baselayer market. Lightweight As such, it is the one article of clothing youre most likely to swap out depending on weather conditions. This wool wash is rinse-free, which makes it really easy to hand wash too. We take your privacy seriously. We share both our love for exploring and photography by creating helpful travel and gear guides. Breathability Silk cant compete with merino or polyester in terms of warmth, moisture wicking, and durability, but its not without its place in the baselayer world. In the end, silk falls short of the wool and polyester options above in nearly every performance category. Paired with the matching bottoms, you can pick up a full long underwear set for $80 ($25 cheaper than just a merino top from Smartwool). I like these WeatherTight boxes. If its around a 50% blend (like 50% wool 50% tencel), then Ive used the gentle cycle on the washing machine without any issues. I wear merino wool t-shirts during the warm months, and layer up with wool during the winter, starting with a lightweight merino wool base layer. What are the downsides of the REI? Technically considered a fleece, the R1 Air toes the line between our baselayer and midlayer categories. Zip it up to protect your neck from the winter chill or leave it unzipped to reduce any build-up of body heat. Material: 100% merino woolCategory: MidweightWeight: 11.8 oz.What we like: Softer against the skin than Smartwool.What we dont: Slim fit and dense weave lags behind in breathability. Further, the performance-oriented fit is snug yet stretchy, and Odlo even eliminated seams along the shoulders for comfort while carrying a pack. Sweat and moisture are pulled away from your skin. Combining yak and sheeps wool means you get superior performance out of this fabric. 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. Smartwool also carries this long sleeve in a 250 weight, which makes a great merino wool mid layers or a thicker base layer for when you wont be very active outdoors. Some merino wool tees for hiking and warm weather are also made with this midweight merino wool. You can check out one of their 72 hour tests (complete with smell tests) here. A waterproof, breathable, and packable rain jacket is needed for activities like climbing and hiking/backpacking. Running shoes might get the most attention, but theyre not the only important piece of running gear youll need. If you do not accept the policy, the employee discount will not be applied to purchases at this time; however you will be prompted to review and accept the VF Employee Discount policy upon your next sign in to this website. This is helpful if youre wearing a backpack as the seams are offset from any straps.

The lower the number, the lighter weight the fabric. The merino long sleeve base layers are made from merino nylon blend with 87% merino wool and a nylon core to make the fabric stronger and more durable. Merino wool excels at pulling moisture away from your skin, and less sweat build up means less stink build up. Many folks opt for a crewneck style, but there are a number of reasons to think about a zippered shirt. But here is where the RockNWool stands out: First, the Ortovox Wool Promise ensures that their product comes from ethical and certified sheep farms. All of this means its adapted to trap air between the fibers to increase insulation and keep you warmer while also being incredibly breathable. The Kora Yushu Long Sleeve stands out on this list because its made of a merino wool and yak wool blend. Its ultra soft and comfortable, has superior temperature regulation, and resists odor.