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Merino Base Layer

Original Post
Mike S · · Dallas, TX · Joined Sep 2020 · Points: 0

Are there any particularly good merino base layers? Or any brands to stay away from? Also I see now there are a lot of 3/4 length bottoms, so I guess they don’t have to compete with your socks for space? Is this a popular choice?

 I’ve been wearing merino socks for years, and have silk silk-weight base layers, but I’m still rocking synthetics for anything heavier. 

Daniel Kay · · Boulder, CO · Joined Sep 2014 · Points: 147

Adding a merino wool t-shirt under my base layer (Patagonia R1) has added an amazing amount of heat this season. Really recommend the move. 

I'm using Smartwool, bought them for cheap at a garage sale; no complaints.

Eric J · · St. Louis, MO · Joined Feb 2019 · Points: 0

I’m not an ice climber, but I use merino long sleeves for winter running. I like the ones by Icebreaker or Smartwool that are corespun with nylon, it makes them more durable than the 100% merino shirts. 

Insert name · · Harts Location · Joined Dec 2011 · Points: 57

Icebreaker and Minus 33 make pretty nice stuff.

I wear baselayers about 200-250 days a year and Smartwool stuff just doesn’t last as long as others. 

Tree Soloist · · Mammoth Lakes / Joshua Tree · Joined May 2018 · Points: 15

Ridge Merino (local to Mammoth Lakes) has nice merino blends as well. I found a long-sleeved shirt of theirs at a used gear shop and it quickly became one of my favorites. Can't weigh in on Icebreaker, but Ridge underwear seems to hold up better than Smartwool so far.

Karl Henize · · Boulder, CO · Joined Aug 2013 · Points: 643

I prefer 3/4 length bottoms.  

Merino wool is nice, but not nearly as durable as most synthetic alternatives.  Requires a bit more care and attention, particularly when it comes to washing and drying.  If you want merino, the Ortovox Rock N Wool is the best that I have tried (although they didn’t last long).  

nowhere · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2016 · Points: 0

I’ve had a Patagonia “merino air” top for a few years now that I love. It’s a blend of synthetic and merino, so you don’t have to baby it as much as a pure merino piece. It’s got a real open weave to it which makes it super breathable, I’ve found it to be comfortable through a wider range of temperatures/activity levels than any other base layer I’ve had.

Fabien M · · Cannes · Joined Dec 2019 · Points: 5
Linnaeus · · ID · Joined Aug 2011 · Points: 0

3/4 length bottoms are great for skiing, although in mountain boots I still prefer full length. 

With the new antimicrobial odor treatments on synthetics, I'm not sure if there is any significant benefit to merino that outweighs the downsides. I know there are plenty of people that swear by merino wool but it is more expensive, more fragile, heavier, and is much harder and takes longer to dry out. In lighter weights they are closer, in heavier weights the wool really loses to synthetic. I do like merino briefs and maybe would consider a short sleeve tee under other layers on multi day objectives but otherwise don't use them. I have synthetics that still perform like day 1 and look new after 10 years. I went BC skiing yesterday in 10 year old synthetic base layers in sleet/rain and I was soon soaked but never got cold; by the time I road my bike home in the rain all my base layers were dry. I had to hang up my puffy and soft shell layers, but the base layers I folded up and put on the shelf for next time - can't do that with wool!

Tjaard Breeuwer · · Duluth, MN · Joined Jun 2015 · Points: 16

Mons Royale has some great stuff, and i have tried many, many.

https://us.monsroyale.com/products/temple-tech-hood-black-grey-marl

This is by far the best baselayer shirt I have ever tried (out of dozens)m

  • fit: long sleeves, trim fit and a hood that actually works in cold weather. Size down, sleeves are plenty long.
  • corespun Merino offers decent durability with the feel, moisture properties and stink rellency of merino
  • thin. Almost all the time, thin is best. Especially in Merino. Thick takes to long to dry
  • perforated back. Your back is always hotter and less wind exposed than your front.

If you want a thicker baselayer, the Capilene Air is the only merino I would consider. I don’t like the lack of zipper and weird looking fit though.

Mostly, for thick baselayer, the Capilene thermal weight Is my pick. It wicks better than many lightweight baselayers.

Kai Larson · · Sandy, UT · Joined Jan 2006 · Points: 441

For cold conditions, Ullfrotte woolpower clothing is the best I've found.  It's got a merino terry loop fabric that traps heat.  These pieces are too hot for me to wear on my torso, but make great cold weather base layers for my legs.

Woolpower

Bryce Dahlgren · · Boston, Ma · Joined Oct 2020 · Points: 216

I these are my favorite merino base layers, they are from a hunting company called BlackOvis. They are great for ice climbing and they have a good variety of weights

https://www.blackovis.com/brands/blackovis?cat=917

zimick · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2012 · Points: 0

I have used the ortovox rock n wool for the past bunch of years and highly recommend them.

As to durability two of my long sleeve tops have at least 60 plus days on them and look new. The only care I subject them to is not yanking on them when the sweat soaked skin suction is strong and I never put them in the dryer.

I have other wool from icebreaker (that did tear…) , ll bean ( pretty nice and heavier than the Ortovox) and have tried some of the blended ones that have synthetic mix but have found that those do hold some oder so are not as good for multiple day use.

I don’t get the 3/4 length thing for bottoms… with full length you just do a small fold under the knee height to adjust length and you get that bit of extra calf warmth. 

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Ice Climbing
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