Base layer that’s more than basic.
I own lots of merino wool — many short sleeved and long-sleeved tops, several jackets from lightweight to heavy, socks. I own pieces from SmartWool, Icebreaker, Unbound Merino, Darn Tough, and a couple of generic brands on Amazon that are likely from China. Most of it has ranged from expensive to very expensive. I’m a hiker/trekker who started buying merino wool when I was cold in New Zealand, and then for layering in the Nepali Himalayas. Merino wool is a revelation. It’s certainly wonderful for outdoor activities. It regulates temperature (makes you cooler on a hot day, warmer on a cold one), it’s soft and comfortable, and it layers like a champ. At night in a lodge deep in the Himalayas, I would put on a merino base layer, a merino hoody and then a lightweight, slim down jacket and I was as cozy as you could get. You can wear it for days on end - it just doesn’t smell and that includes socks that have been hiked in all day. I wash my merino wool clothing very infrequently - mostly when I spill something on it or just want to refresh its looks. But it’s not just for hiking or outdoor activities. It makes a great top to wear with a skirt or pants. I get that it’s expensive, but it’s not fast fashion; if you take care of it, it lasts a long time and so it’s kind of investment clothing. Taking care of it means not washing it more than necessary and storing it in a drawer that has cedar balls or shavings in it (because wool can attract moths and once you see little holes in your garment, you’ve waited too long). I was looking for a particular color of a light or mid-weight base layer to wear with a skirt I have and it just turned out that Meriwool had the color (wine) and from the pictures, perhaps the fit I wanted I was looking for a slim fit - I’m small and fit and don’t like my clothes to be baggy. Their price was less than what I would have paid at one of my usual places ($59 compared to $90-$115 at other companies) which actually made me a little bit nervous, as I know the quality of my other pieces. But I wanted that color, so I decided to give it a try. Well, I’m delighted with my Meriwool shirt. I bought a size small and it fits perfectly (I’m 5’2” and 125 pounds, 34 bust, 29 waist, 25 hips). It’s a great weight, beautiful color, beautiful fit. It’s soft (maybe not quite as soft as SmartWool, but it’s close, and the fit is better and the color more vibrant). If you like a looser fit, size up. One more thing - Meriwool uses ethically sourced wool from Australia, and this is an important point for me. You have two choices when purchasing clothes made from animals. You can choose to not give a damn if the animals are treated cruelly and their feathers, wool, etc., are harvested in painful ways. Or you can care and buy ethically sourced wool products, from farms where animals live natural lives and are not harmed or hurt in the harvesting of their wool. The latter is my choice and this is the disclaimer Meriwool has on their website: “Every Meriwool garment is crafted from ethically sourced wool obtained from sheep who are well-fed, treated humanely, and live natural, healthy lives.” So, I recommend Meriwool to you. It’s well-made and well-priced. I just ordered by second shirt this evening. Read more
