Merino wool baselayer – which one?

I just got a Microweight Tee a week ago and like it a whole lot. Its loose fitting and super thin, so I think it will be great this summer. It worked well this weekend building trail in nearly 80* weather.

I've also got an Icebreaker Oasis L/S shirt. Its a heavier weight (200 g/sq m) and close fitting but still comfortable in 'warmer' weather. I like the feel of the Icebreaker a little more and I wouldn't hesitate recommending their products to you.

The only real reason I got the SW Microweight over a similar Icebreaker shirt is because it popped up on Steep and Cheap for a price I couldn't refuse. Both of the pieces I own have really impressed me and made me a convert to merino wool.

Adam

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The Icebreaker stuff drives me nuts the way it's marketed. I wish they would do away with all of the Superfine Lite, Ultra, Journey, Bodyfit, Travel, etc. Makes my head hurt.

I've been looking at Ibex Qu T's for awhile now but haven't pulled the trigger.

I'm wearing an Icebreaker Aero-T in 140 superfine (slim fit) for my main hiking layer on the Colorado Trail beginning in mid July. My only concession to warmth will be an Icebreaker Oasis crew neck in the 200 weight material (also slim fit) and a windshirt. The softest, most comfortable, merino around.

I wear merino wool every day, all year long and have done so for many years. I generally favor Ibex with the exception of my Smartwool Shadow Hoody which is, in my opinion, a nearly perfect base layer. If Ibex made a hoody like the Shadow in their finer 17.5 merino with an even more face hugging hood, I would buy it in an instant. I love my Qu T for warm weather running and biking and the 17.5 Polos for everyday wear. In the winter I wear the Shak and Hooded Shak. For the summer in Colorado I would recommend a light weight long sleeve, with a long zipper, in a light color. The Ibex Woolies Zip T-Neck in grey is a good example.

I have three depending on the season

Winter: Ibex Long Sleeve 1/2 zip woolie
3 Season: Ibex Outback long sleeve
Summer/hot weather: Icebreaker Tech T Lite

suprise.. nonbody mentioned the new BPL UL merino. Thats the lightest and finest merino wool available on earth. (In my knowledge)

Yeah, the BPL stuff is pretty light, but expensive and untested. The other brands at least have a proven track record. And it seems not everyone wants a black merino top…

The BPL Merino UL long sleeve is excellent. It is not as fragile as its ad sounds. I've worn mine for four days and plan to continue to use it as my primary shirt. We'll see how long it lasts. So far I love it.

I picked up an Icebreaker Atlas short sleeve a couple weeks ago and it's great. The fabric is lightweight (150g/m) and more comfortable on my skin than the smartwool midweight shirt I already own. The shirt has a slim cut, is comfortable in the heat, and is going to be my baselayer when I go backpacking in Yosemite this July.

I have used Smartwool, Icebreaker, and Patagonia wool baselayers. I am not a fan of Smartwool's microweight fabric, it does not have a good feel and durability is not as expected. If you choose Smartwool their lightweight fabric is very good.

Icebreakers products feel nice but can fit oddly. All of their bodyfit stuff fits very tight. I still can't grasp their ridiculous imagery and advertising, also made in china:(

Patagonias wool 2 is by far my favorite. Very comfortable and very light. Seems to work well in the heat of the summer or skiing in the winter. Actually quite durable for its weight. Made in USA :)

I prefer a zip-T to a crew neck for the added benefit of ventilation. There probably is a weight gain because of the zipper, but it's negligible considering the extra comfort of thermoregulation. Recently I picked up a short sleeve crew with a neck zipper (similar to a cycling jersy but without the back pockets) and it worked out so well that I'm thinking of having one added to my Smartwool ss crew T.

I don't know the weight of your Smartwool Microweight T, but my long sleeve zip-T Terramar (180g/m2) weighs 8 oz, as does the similar one by Duofold. The former cost $25, the latter $19 on sale from Campmor. So far I have no complaints as they have worn well and function well as baselayers. I also use an Icebreaker zip-T, 260g/m2, 10 oz, for colder weather or as a stand-alone. The neat thing about it is that it has longish sleeves with thumb holes, allowing the hands to be covered for additional warmth. Cool!

I've worn all three, and for comfort next to my skin there is absolutely no comparison. Icebreaker wins every time. It is the only brand I will buy in the future.

If you can find it, MontBell’s line of merino wool underwear is wonderful. Their “midweight” version is actually very lightweight and thin and feels wonderful against the skin. I’ve been wearing nothing but (can’t stand Smartwool and Icebreaker wool undershirts, though what I wore was about five years ago.. maybe they’ve improved since then), for three years now, even bought two pairs for use all through winter when I’m at work. My skin is very sensitive to the scratchiness of wool, even fine wool, so MontBell’s line was a very pleasant surprise. Last summer I wore two shirts for the entire month of traveling in the Alps and hot days or cold days they performed flawlessly. I really like the extra long length they have to fit nicely into the pants.

Don't forget Patagucci. Though late to the party I've found the Wool 2 to be the lightest weight, most breathable merino base layer. I'm also a big Ibex fan – slightly heavier but really tough.

Thanks for that link Miguel. Montbell also have a lovely looking line of silk underwear that I wouldn't mind trying as my jammy layer.

I only wear merino wool while hiking, no matter what the conditions are. I have a locker full of short/long sleeve, crew/zip neck, thick to thin.

I own several pieces from each of Icebreaker, Smartwool and, Ibex. I am satified with them all but, my critique would be the Icebreaker has the best feel, Ibex the most durable (hate the embroidered emblems, though) and, Smartwool just does it's job without standing out in any one area.

Personally, I would not go under 140 gm/m weight in any merino product. I think the smartwool microweight simply isn't durable enough as friends have had issues with that one.

And yes, why doesn't everyone use very light colors in their thin weight, short sleeve shirts! Aghhhhh! …. There, now I feel better.

And Miguel, stop trying to tempt me with those Mont-bell shirts! I have enough already! …. I think?

And yes, why doesn't everyone use very light colors in their thin weight, short sleeve shirts! Aghhhhh! …. There, now I feel better.

And Miguel, stop trying to tempt me with those Mont-bell shirts! I have enough already! …. I think?

Ahem! MONTBELL has their line of underwear in midweight and heavy weight in three colors, black, white, and "pewter", a light-greyish beige that I use. I have four short sleeve shirts in this color.

That tempting enough? (^•^)/"

Andy from Must Be This Way writes about New Zealand comapanySilkbody which has a blend of silk and wool underwear. You may want to be tempted by that, too!

Dark colors have better VU protection than lighter colors.

Naaah, the Silkbody stuff doesn't fit me, and doesn't really stretch enough to even push the sleeves up, and it's kinda heavy for a jammy layer…

Miguel, you are trying hard!

I checked Mont-bell's USA site and to my surpise, I couldn't find any merino clothing items. That really struck me as odd because last month, Mont-bell sent me a catalog at home in Florida, with the full selection of merino items!

Oh well, this must be a sign that I don't need to buy any more merino clothes ;)

I always believed in wool's properties, but only this spring did I buy some Icebreaker stuff that my skin will tolerate direct contact with.

Now I have 190 and 140 weight short sleeved T-shirts.

For my John Muir Trail hike this summer I'm going with a 190 gm/sq meter Icebreaker Kent Polo. I really like the way polo shirts give sun protection to the back of my neck and allow a little ventilation. If I hadn't found the Kent for $41 on sale I would have gone with the slightly lighter weight, lighter color Ibex Polo. Smartwool's polo is a bit heavier fabric.

Jim

The other day I went back to REI (Houston) and tried on the Smartwool Microweight LS crew again. After wearing it for a few minutes, I started to get kind of hot. Now that I think about it, I couldn't imagine hiking in something this warm unless temperatures were fairly cool (60s or below). Maybe my skin has a particular reaction to wool. I've noticed my same reaction to Smartwool socks–if it's blazing hot outside my feet won't tolerate the wool (unless maybe the absolute thinnest). Also, I couldn't really get the Smartwool Microweight tee to fit me right: the size small was too tight on the arms, and the size medium was too long on the arms. (I don't know if it would shrink shorter in the wash). After these observations, I am thinking of going with a lightweight synthetic base layer such as REI's MTS…it feels cooler. (Or, maybe I need to try one of the Icebreakers or Patagonia Wool 2, none of which REI carries).

Merino wool sounds like the most versatile baselayer, but could its versatility be overestimated?