Motbell Merino

Personally, I could never find them for sale anywhere in the US.

I use Icebreaker and Minus 33 merino wool base layers and am very happy with the value of Minus 33. Bottoms can be had in 170 gm

thanks I will look into Minus 33, before I make my purchase.

Consider IBEX. Light, warm and nice fit.

I'm also researching for a merino top for high humidity / continuous cold rain condition. Is it true that merino is warm even wet? My experiences are only with merino socks and possumdown glove (both are blends) and they both made me shivering when saturated with moisture.

I've never had any garment made of anything but neoprene be warm when it's soaking wet. The only stuff that stays warm might be heavy raw wool stuff laden with lanolin, which resists the penetration of water. Lighter wool doesn't completely lose it's insulating properties, but it also stays wet far longer than synthetics.

I have Merino from Smartwool if you're patience dealers like Moosejaw will get 50% discount so a $35-$45 is possible.

I came to Merino from having have silver-ion tops from Berghaus which have proved the most hard-wearing high-performing tops I owned, I bought 3 and they still going strong.

The issue with Merino is even with the microweights they are still too warm (not an issue in winter) and they soak up plenty of water and take an age try. I know BPL did studies and soak up roughly double a synthetic.

There is a UK make which you can't get in USA which is Paramo they do a reversible shirt type, my fave is the Explorer, it when wet you wear fleecy-side in and it makes a soaked garment warm or fleecy-side-out and it becomes cold again. So if I'm ascending I'd be in just the baselayer and then at the top reverse it and layer over windproof, it will then dry out without making me as cold. I prefer that to Merino when active.

Merino still wins on anti-pong though.

When its cold enough I'll have a synthetic base, Paramo's stink (Cambia), Paramo fleece reversible (fave is Explorer, but the Trekker Hoodie is good) and Paramo wateproofs, that combo does down to freezing and below that move to down.

In answer to your question about MontBell, Aaron, I've been wearing the MB Super Merino since they first came out in 2006. It is very well made and of the merino products I've worn until now (Smartwool, Icebreaker, Taras Boulba… Japanese outdoor clothing manufacturer…, Montane) probably the longest-lasting. The lightweight version is a bit heavier than the lightweight 150 versions of Icebreaker and lighter than the 200. I find the MB merino layers fine for winter, but because of their weight, moisture-absorbtion, and slow drying time, unsuitable for hot, humid summers. I now use the Montane Bionic (wool/polyester blend) for summers.

One thing you will find with MB merino shirts is that the cut is very long… too long in my opinion. While it keeps the shirts put inside the pants and keeps the shirts from pulling out when bending over, the length gets in the way sometimes.

If you want to go with merino I highly recommend MB's offerings.

Miguel… did you find it warm when wet?

Yes, to a certain extent… perhaps too warm sometimes. Wool has a small amount of heat-generating ability (known as “heat of sorption” This, from REI’s page on merino wool:

What about damp conditions? A property unique to wool is its ability to release small amounts of heat as it absorbs water. This effect is known by the arcane term “heat of sorption.” Energy, in the form of small amounts of heat, is produced through the work of moisture-absorption (and condensation) by wool fibers..

I’ve always found merino to be the most widely versatile baselayer at a wide spectrum of temperatures. The only conditions that I don’t like to use it in are very warm, humid conditions when it constantly stays wet from sweat and you just end up feeling hotter all the time.

Thanks Miguel – I will be wearing it mainly during the summer months, so maybe I should just keep my polyester clothes or look into the wool/polyester blend. Thanks everyoone for your input. great appriciated.

I have some Backcountry.com, Stoic, Smartwool, Patagonia and Icebreaker merino tops.

The Backcountry.com pieces are made in Canada, excellent quality. The Stoics are made in China, are a bit less soft, but fit a bit better than the BC.com version.

I LOVE Smartwool, but have found them to be less durable than Patagonia's.

My favorite is the Merino 2 from Patagonia, I have yet to find an equally versatile layer.

I ended up purchasing the Minus33 merino bottoms. They are super soft and fit well. I have a icebreaker ss shirt as well. I have not had a chance to wear the bottoms yet, but plan on hiking in them next weekend. i will keep everyone posted. thanks for all your help.

Did anyone ever get a chance to check out the Montbell merino bottoms?  I am a woman and really not sure what to do.  I would love to get merino leggings again for the PCT next summer (primary use for sleep, occasionally to hike in.  I run cold.  Will be wearing a merino dress and possibly-probably have a set of wind pants).

I have tried icebreaker and smartwool and they were too short.  I had some stoic merino bottoms but they were rather heavy and also seemed to deteriorate quickly (plus, can’t find them on sale anymore, I think they were discontinued?).  These aren’t the same as the stoic merino lightweight btw, they are too short on me.  I also tried a couple random brands I never heard of before here in Australia/NZ where I’m working currently, they are also too short so far.  I tried some men’s as well but the fit is just weird with the fly and not as much in hips and everything.

Wondering if anyone has advice or feedback here?  I also heard something about an arcteryx merino blend but I haven’t liked some merino shirts I tried from them previously.