Merino Base Layer
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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). |
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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. |
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For ice climbing I use top and bottom from Icebreaker Specifically, those: https://www.icebreaker.com/en-ch/mens-baselayers/merino-200-oasis-3%2F4-thermal-leggings/104368.html?dwvar_104368_color=001 2 tops and one bottom is enough IMO, at least that's what I m working with. |
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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! |
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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
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. |
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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. |
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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 |
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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. |