Arcteryx base layer, waste of money?

Just was wondering if anyone out there has tried out the Arcteryx EON SLW or PHASE SL base layer (or any model for that matter). I have been using Patagonia for as long as I can remember and now I need some new stuff. Any comments or opinions on Smartwool long underwear? Recommendations for base layer t-shirts?

it's all about the cotton t-shirt, cap 1 OR superlight wool for a baselayer for me. climbing, hiking, ultra cycling, it's all the same. From summer to -a buzzilion those are the 3 things I use.

I'm a huge fan of merino wool baselayers. I changed from synthetic and won't ever go back, at least for light and midweight. I find I don't get that skin crawling feeling after a long day in merino like I used to in synthetic. Any of the merino base layers work, I have Ice Breaker, Smartwool, Swobo, etc. I built my collection up with whatever SAC had on super clearance.

I've been looking for a good base layer myself, thanks for the post. I'm wondering if Mammut's warm quality base layers are worth the price?

I would say Yes to the Arc'teryx or Mammut there not anything special except for the name and the price , That being said Ive tried the
Arc'teryx phase AR and SV tops there nice but like I said nothing special I don't find them or the Mammut any better than good ole merino wool + silk weight tops/bottoms...

Heres how I fly

mid to super cold = silk weight top w/ a mid weight merino zip neck

mid to cool= exchange the mid weight merino for a 150 weight top.Or if im workin hard just the silk weight top and something to block the wind to go over it when I stop.

Summer alpine just the silk weight zip neck top and something like the Rab Alpine light pants.Maybe throw a T-shirt on over the top

for the legs it's pretty much the same silk weight + light -mid merino wool for cool to cold weather.

I have several merino tops and bottoms none of which I paid full retail for you can find smokin deals starting around April and they just keep getting better the closer to summer it gets.

Buying climbing gear for me is a matter of buying cheap and storing it for next year....ie I buy all my winter gear in April- May and my
summer gear in September-October you find the best deals and will never pay close to retail for any of it... more like 30-70% off
and 99 times out of a hundred you will get the size/color/ brand you want....

cheers.

thin merino aint the most durable ... synthetics will likely last you longer

I've swung back and forth between synthetic and wool base layers for decades. While there's no disputing that wool has real advantages, I'm not buying any more of it*. Many of my cold weather outings involve a vigorous hour uphill with a full crag pack, followed by hours of stop-and-go climbing. With a good polyester base layer, my back - which inevitably gets damp against the pack - is dry within the first pitch. With wool, it's wet (as the ads say, it's WARM... and wet) for a couple hours. Dry & warm beats wet & warm in my book.

• My long johns OTOH are merino wool. Always.

Ibex makes some really nice stuff in wool.
Dallen

Yep ArcTeryx=too much $$, BUT I'd say find some Patagonia on sale, great stuff and it lasts and lasts and lasts, so it ends up being very cheap.