Merino wool base layer

 

A base layer (aka long underwear or thermals) is the shirt and pants that you wear as your first layer of clothing. It often is close fitting and meant to keep you warm when the temperatures start to plummet. It's essential for cold weather hiking and useful in the swing season when temperatures are fluctuating. In the warmer weather, a base layer is ideal as a dry layer for sleeping.

Merino wool is a natural fiber harvested from Merino sheep. Though Merino sheep originated from Spain, almost 80 percent of merino wool now is obtained from sheep raised in Australia and New Zealand. Merino wool is the gold standard for base layers because of its has many desirable qualities

WARMTH: Like most wool fabrics, merino wool is extremely warm. The individual fibers are slightly crimped, creating air pockets that trap warm air. It makes an excellent base layer for winter and swing season outings.

BREATHABILITY: Merino wool fibers are among the most breathable and moisture-wicking fabrics available. Each strand can absorb up to 30 percent of its weight in moisture; wicking it away from your skin and out towards your surrounding environment. As a result, the fabrics feel cool and dry against your skin even when you are sweating up a storm.

ODOR RESISTANCE: Merino wool is naturally resistant to odor-causing bacteria thanks to its ability to manage moisture. Without moisture, odor-causing bacteria cannot multiply and cause your wool shirt to stink. Because of its odor-control properties, merino wool clothing doesn't need to be washed as frequently as cotton or synthetic fabrics. When hiking, I can wear merino wool socks for up to a week and t-shirts for three days before washing.

UV PROTECTION: Merino wool naturally protects your skin from the sun's damaging rays. Most wool clothing has a UPF rating of 30+ or higher.

DURABILITY: Merino wool is naturally crimped, giving it some elasticity that allows it to bend and stretch instead of tearing when under stress. Each fiber also is made with keratin, the same tough fibrous protein molecules that make up our hair, nails, and outer layer of skin. Each wool fiber can be bent and flexed more than 30, 000 times before it is damaged.

COMFORT: Merino wool is known for its soft fibers that don't itch and feel great against your skin. Each strand is very thin compared to regular wool. It moves smoothly across your skin and doesn’t snag or poke you. As a result, you don't get the scratchy, itchy feeling you experience from the large fibers of regular wool. Most wool garments also are blends and mixed with stretchable fabrics like elastane, so that the clothing can move with you as you hike or climb.

QUICK DRY: Merino wool's thin fibers allow each garment to be finely spun and woven into a lightweight fabric that dries as quickly as most synthetic fabrics of equal weight.

 Clothing from Minus33 is made from superfine Merino wool that is softer than most merino wool clothing. The Chocorua has a roomy fit that isn't too baggy nor too skin tight. It’s perfect for wearing as a base layer in the winter or night-time camp clothing during the spring and fall. It has a drop-tail hem to keep your back covered and a regular fit that provides plenty of room.