MERIWOOL Womens Base Layer 100 Merino Wool Midweight Long Sleeve Thermal Shirt

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

Very comfortable and soft, especially after washing this top (which i did on a gentle/wool cycle in the washing machine, but then hung up to dry and only put into the dryer for 5 minutes on wool setting to fluff up - super soft afterwards). Generally,I would not recommend to completely dry merino wool in the dryer- it makes the fabric stiffer. Size: I’m 5’8” and weigh 126 lb with a thin built (A cup bra), and got a SMALL, which fit me well, is not too tight, and the length is actually perfect and drops just below the hip on me (and Iam tall and have longer torso). This top is very comfortable and perfect for very cold to moderate temperature weather. I have worn this underneath of fleece tops/jackets, as well flannel shirts, and it looks also great and its on its own when temperatures are milder (I liked it under my a down vest). I got mine for a trip to Iceland (I just arrived now at the end of May and temperatures range between 30’s to mid 40’s degree Fahrenheit. the price is very reasonable and the quality is definitely comparable , if not better, than some of those famous brands. Read more

I use this as a base layer when I run or hike in the winter and it works great. Warm, lightweight, and it fits great. Read more

Very packable and light but keeps you warm. Great for cold weather layering. Read more

I grew up with scratchy wool and always thought I was allergic but based on the reviews and some chronic issues with trying to sleep comfortably in varying temperatures at night, I decided to try. it I wish I had tried it sooner. SO comfy. Fits great. Even when I do get too warm or dealing with hormone swings, I'm just damp, not soaked with sweat and feeling gross with the need to change When I'm cold, this warms me up in a cozy way. It's like magic how it regulates temperature and breathes. WAY better than anything else I've tried. Of note: It's too warm to wear when working hard outside in the cold and it's not warm enough to keep me warm when I'm just standing around in the cold. But for pajamas, it's perfect over a tank top. It's also great because I don't have to wash it very often and it still stays fresh. Plus when I do wash it, it always hangs dry by evening. (I did dry it in the dryer once accidentally and it came out just fine.) My only complaint is the tag. It's a flexible plastic square glued to the inside of the upper back. While the wool top breathes, that square doesn't so it sticks to your skin. It doesn't hurt to peel off, it's just not pleasant. I dealt with that most nights for months. The last time I washed it, I noticed the plastic had peeled off. Hurray!, I thought. Except just the plastic wore off, NOT the nasty glue that held the plastic on. At least an hour of effort with washing and rubbing t form tiny glue balls and then picking to get the glue balls off without damaging the wool... So yes, I removed one star for the tag. But if having a tag suctioned to your skin isn't a bother, and you consider picking glue balls off wool to be meditative, then enjoy this 5-start top! Read more