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This summer, my husband and I are moving from Texas to Alaska, so my wardrobe needs a makeover! Goodbye, t-shirts and recycled rubber flip-flops. Hello, warm winter gear! I’ve queried Reddit, Quora, Facebook groups, and outdoor enthusiasts to find an answer to the question, “Who makes the best merino wool base layer?”
Best Merino Wool Base Layer
Is Merino Wool Itchy?
My husband used to live in Montana, so naturally I asked him for advice on how to stay warm when we move to Alaska. He told me that layering is important and that the base layer should be merino wool. As soon as I heard the word “wool,” I cringed.
When I moved to Oregon, my ex-husband’s aunt gave me a bunch of hand-me-down wool clothes that were so itchy I had to donate them to Goodwill.
“Merino wool is different,” my husband said. “It’s made of fine fibers that allow elasticity and eliminate itch.”
Why Smartwool is the Best Merino Wool Base Layer
As I said in the introduction, I asked countless people from the digital and real world, “Who makes the best merino wool base layer?” The most common brand that came up was Smartwool, so I bought a couple of shirts and pants and gave them a try. After a few months of wearing my Smartwool Merino base layers, I’ve got to say that I’m impressed.
Smartwool Merino Wool Base Layers Regulate Body Temperature
Everyone knows that wool will keep you warm, but did you know that it can keep you cool too? Smartwool Merino has the word “smart” in it for a reason.
I’ve tested my Smartwool Merino base layers in all weather, and am surprised at how comfortable I’ve been, temperature-wise. I’ve tested them in sub-zero temperatures underneath snowboarding pants – yes, it gets below freezing in Texas sometimes. And, I’ve worn them by themselves in warmer weather. Somehow, I’m never too hot and never too cold.
Nature Knows Best
Have you ever wondered how animals survive extreme cold without wearing coats?
One year at our tiny house in Texas, temperatures stayed in the negatives for about a week! I was so worried about our goats that I rushed to the store to buy them coats, but the coats were destroyed within an hour. The goats managed to Houdini their way out of them. They refused to go to their shed, opting instead to play in the snow while ice formed on their fur.
All of the neighboring farm animals fascinated me with their resilience.
Have you ever heard the phrase, “Don’t reinvent the wheel?” Nature knows best, meaning natural materials are often superior to synthetics, as leather-working artist Faes mentioned in a previous post. That’s why merino wool regulates temperature so effectively.
Merino Wool is Best for Odor Control
About a year ago, I bought a few pairs of running pants made from recycled synthetic material. I wore them every day for a couple of months, washing them after I wore them of course, but it wasn’t long before I noticed an odor that wouldn’t wash out. Unfortunately, I had to throw the pants away after not owning them for very long!
In contrast, I’ve worn my Smartwool Merino base layers for several months now, and they smell fresh and clean after each wash! Wool wicks sweat and moisture away, instead of trapping it, so you can smell better and keep your clothes for longer!
Other Smartwool Merino Base Layer Features
- Quick drying
- Protects from harmful sun rays
- Breathable
- Sustainably sourced
- Durable
- Comfortable
- Stylish!
Best Time to Buy Winter Clothes
I never said Smartwool Merino base layers are the cheapest. I said they are the best, and if you want the best clothes, you’ve got to think of it as an investment. I like to buy my clothes like I buy stocks – when the prices are low! The best time to buy winter clothes is from March through September. That’s when the best deals are!
Best Smartwool Merino Wool Base Layers
- Women’s Merino 250 Base Layer Bottom – In 24 different colors and patterns!
- Women’s Base Layer Top – In 23 different colors and patterns!
- Men’s Classic Thermal Merino Wool Top – In 21 different colors and patterns!
- Men’s Standard Merino Wool Base Layer Bottom – In 4 different colors!
- Women’s Classic Hike Light Cushion Crew Socks – In 12 different colors!
- Men’s Classic Hike Full Cushion Crew Socks – In 5 different colors!
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