Ultimately, the best choice comes down to your activity. Is it soft, itchy, stretchy, static, warm, or cool? The most form-fitting layer next-to-skin is the Icebreaker 200 Oasis, and not far behind that the Outdoor Research Echo L/S. There are significant differences between a natural fiber (Merino wool, silk) and a synthetic fabric (polyester, polypropylene) when it comes to warmth. That's why we started with only the best models tops on the market and then proceeded to field test the heck out of them. Helly Hansen Lifa Stripe Crew ($40) Material: 100% polypropylene. Our Editors independently research, test, and rate the best products. … Comparatively, cotton can absorb up to 100% of its material weight in moisture, leaving you wet, cold, and miserable, and may be quite dangerous in certain situations in the backcountry. It kept me plenty warm. The standout tops for well-balanced warmth are the SmartWool Merino 250, the Patagonia Capilene Air, and Ridge Merino Inversion. Though soft, the Merino wool is slightly itchy at first and takes some breaking in (read: responsible washing and drying) before it is snuggly-comfy. 803 Franconia … The shortest path to the grave for both merino wool and silk is through consistent washing, and particularly tumble drying, of the garment. Then we developed appropriate tests to carry out in the field and lab to test each metric individually. When the fabric becomes saturated—as with handwashing—this base layer is comparatively slow to dry. If you're a rock-climber anticipating long-belay stances and short bursts of energy, check out the Patagonia Air Crew, Icebreaker 200, or SmartWool Merino 250, which all provide a solid level of warmth but still offer impressive breathability. The ability to layer well is an often overlooked consideration but is important for practical use in the outdoors. Thin material susceptible to dropping stitches. By testing and rating each of these layers relative to one another, we are able to highlight which score highest in the metrics that are significant for how you intend to use it. We're only human; we gravitated toward tops that were soft and comfortable next-to-skin. A breathable shirt will allow the moist air hovering over your skin to escape through the material without saturating the fabric, thus keeping you warm and dry. Something from the Trail Mix Fleece Collection might be perfect. Shop for Base Layers at REI - FREE SHIPPING With $50 minimum purchase. Within a layering system, it provides enough warmth to carry you through the deepest reaches of winter, but the nearly see-through material breathes incredibly well, too. Making our way down from the summit of Mt. This climb is a true test of a base layer. Are they too tight? Hood during a winter ascent. Despite its reputation as being a relatively short-term fabric, several of our testers have gotten many years of use out of their merino wool tops. While all layers performed well next to skin, a few did great in other areas also. ColdPruf Platinum Dual Layer at a Glance: Made From: Inner CPT … Air permeable layers that provide some warmth and protection, in addition to moisture management. The Patagonia Capilene Air, pictured here, traps heat extremely well in a layering system but as a stand-alone layer, air cuts right … This seemed to prove true as we had to agitate and compress the wool layers while submerged for the fibers to become saturated — a plus if you are planning to wear these layers stand-alone in wetter, more mild climates. Merino wool and silk, historically, are notorious for their lack of durability, wearing holes through the fabric or shrinking/losing its shape through washes. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. This top prefers to shuttle laps. Skinning and sweating in pre-dawn subfreezing temps for hours, then standing still on the windy summit, and finally 6,000 feet of downhill skiing. Patagonia Down Sweater ($229) Insulation: Down. Merino wool tops are typically more expensive and bulkier, but offer benefits like superior body-temperature regulation, moisture-wicking ability, and odor resistance. FREE Shipping by Amazon +5 colors/patterns Minus33 Merino Wool. We've never seen a base layer quite like this — well, because there's never been one. Finally then, as we move another layer down, right next to your skin, we come to the base layer. The thermo-regulating ActiveTemp™ in our Vigor fleece layers works with the grid fleece fabric to wick sweat and allow total breathability. Read review: Patagonia Long-Sleeve Capilene Cool Lightweight. Are there gusseted underarms, purposeful stitching patterns, or articulated zones to help freedom of movement? Weight: … Our ratings are based on specific tests we perform and backed up by personal experience while using each of these products extensively in the field. We hope Patagonia is able to improve the durability of the Capilene Air, which would make it a next-level layer. Knowing how to best layer other shirts and jackets with a down jacket will help you get the most of it. Other factors that contribute to staying-power are flatlock seams, which you will find featured on the majority of the layers in this review. Effectively, this is the ability to collect moisture (sweat) and move that moisture to the outside surface of the fabric, where it can freely evaporate. We tested each layer side-by-side in a temperature-controlled, indoor environment. 4.6 out of 5 stars 158. The Merino wool/polyester blends of the Patagonia Capilene Air and Smartwool Intraknit 200 did a great job at resisting absorption. An example of a layering system. “Down insulates best when it can loft to the maximum of the designed garment,” Alex says. Or are you managing moisture and using the down when you take a break and chill off? In other words, a 30-degree bag is good down to 30 degrees only if you pair it with a base layer. Category: Lightweight. Our lightest down layers, in the, , will be the easiest fit, says Charlie, but jackets in the. The Outdoor Research Echo L/S is one of the most valuable synthetic layers on the market today. Kari Traa Rose Half-Zip. If you need long sleeves for aerobic activities, this top from Patagonia is our strong recommendation. Armed with this long but scrutinizing list of questions to critique each layer, we learned a lot about how a layer will perform. You also might notice that these three layers tip the scales at relatively the same material weight — for Merino tops, there is a clear connection between weight and breathability. The breathability of a garment is determined by how quickly and efficiently a fabric can convert sweat to free water vapor. The Smartwool 250 rules in these environments. The boys all wore different weights of merino wool baselayers on this climb up Mt. With men's thermal underwear, you're set to take on cold conditions with ease. Similarly, the Smartwool Intraknit 200 didn't fare well here with unusually long arms, uncomfortably narrow shoulders, and tight-fitting biceps. It's worth addressing that the drying speed of a fabric can differ depending on whether it is being worn or left out to dry — flat dry times and dry times on the body sometimes vary. The REI Silk Crew, unfortunately, does not have the benefit of style or a graceful design. One of the best ways we believe to determine value is to start with the question: How do I intend to use this particular layer? This will increase the longevity of your shirt. Roland holds a degree in Outdoor Recreation Leadership and has guided rivers, backpacking, and climbing for 12 years throughout the US and Central America. All of these ingredients are essential to a layer's ability to keep you warm and dry through a range of temperatures. If you'll be wearing this top to scrape through slot canyons and drag yourself up rock chimneys, then durability is probably a quality you're going to want to think about. A passion for winter weather led him to a bachelor's degree in snow and climate science — as a ski patroller in the winter you can often find him huddled in a snow pit, happily freezing his butt off to discuss the finer details of stellar dendrites. Looking to cut the chill, but having trouble getting that campfire going? With longer, softer fibers, the MERIWOOL Men’s Base Layer 100% Merino Wool Thermal Pants is the best Men’s Bottom Layer on the market for you and your skin. 900 fill Primaloft Gold insulation is … Repair when possible. On my last steelhead trip, it was 32 degrees, I wore it … Or do I want something to run in when temperatures start to taper off in the fall? However, when it comes to breathability and drying out during activity, silk falls far behind rival synthetic materials. For a lot of folks, the performance benefits of merino wool outweigh the lack of durability, and if you take proper care of your merino top, it can serve you for a long time. By submitting them to the wear-and-tear of everyday use and a variety of outdoor activities across a spectrum of temperatures and environments, we are best able to dial-in which types of layers work best in what situations. The key here is that they both continue to insulate when wet. While the Ridge Merino Inversion is a little too heavy to comfortably wear for extended uphills in warmer weather, it feels great heading downhill. It is not just about simple heat retention, but rather the complex system of thermoregulation. Does it glide against your skin or cling too tightly? To test durability, we inspected the strength of the fabrics and the quality of the stitching and construction of the pieces as a whole. If possible, we always suggest trying garments on in person as it is the only way to know whether it will fit you well, and saves you the time, hassle, and the carbon impact of shipping and returning. , less durable than synthetic fabrics tend to be expected of natural fibers, this is Icebreaker. Obvious down base layer was that thinner fabrics dried significantly faster than thicker ones — big surprise, huh? an,. Not just about simple heat retention, but it is arguably the most important qualities to consider in your,. Assigned scores are determined relative to the moisture-wicking capability of a base layer, soft shell, and instead lying. The year 's a layer will perform this comprehensive review of the Air... 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