Cai Rickards
If, like me, you have spent a great deal of time adventuring outside, you likely understand the immense value of a good base layer. As a major proponent of having good layering systems as the core of any outdoor gear and clothing setup, making sure that the foundation of that layering system is efficient, comfortable, and well made is incredibly important. It is with these tenets in mind that I often find myself hunting for well made wool base layers. There is a reason that humans have been using wool in clothing for millennia, and with those generations of knowledge and modern technology, it is not only a breathable, odor resistant, and self regulating material, but it is now also incredibly lightweight and comfortable. Few, if any materials compare to a well made merino wool for a skin layer and it is for that reason that I am such a fan of Minus33.
Minus 33 is an American wool apparel company that specializes in high quality performance pieces designed for outdoor adventuring. Beyond just their clothing lines, Minus 33 is avidly involved in maintaining the places in which we as outdoor lovers enjoy playing. They value long lasting quality in their clothing, prioritizing quality over quantity, an often overlooked value in today’s consumerist society. This means both better gear lifespan for customers and less waste and pollution. Not only are Minus 33’s production practices consumer and environmentally conscious, but they also engage in positive community engagement. They actively support wonderful outdoor organizations such as the Granite Outdoor Alliance, the U.S. Telemark Team, and various Search and Rescue groups across the country.
It is in support of these programs that they have started an initiative to take worn outdoor gear and make support packages for rescue groups to use when they are out keeping us safe in our favorite play places. This method of gear recycling puts to use apparel that would otherwise be dumped in a way that both helps prevent rescuers from having to damage or give up their own gear (a far too common occurrence in the field. Oftentimes victims found by Search and Rescue will need clothing and equipment, which is frequently provided by the rescuer, and is later cut off for ease of medical treatment). Minus 33 gives rescuers high quality, albeit worn, warm gear to provide for victims until receiving medical treatment. It is company initiatives like these that make me appreciate the outdoor community as much as I do, and I believe it is a standard of community engagement the entire industry should strive to support or otherwise replicate in other fields of outdoor fun.
But that is enough of my ravings about communal and environmental import in the outdoor industry; lets talk about the actual gear. Like I stated earlier, wool is one of the greatest materials for the outdoors, especially for the foundation or middle of a layering system. Minus 33 uses a wonderful lightweight merino wool as the base material in most of their clothing and maintains standards for comfort in their apparel. This quickly made the Lightweight Saratoga Bottoms and Microweight Quarter Zip Sun Hoodie staples in my adventure gear roster. Both layers being made of merino means they are incredibly soft against the skin, the fit is neither tight nor loose, and the flat stitching means no weird lumps in the fabric against your body.
The Lightweight Saratoga Bottoms are priced at $74.99. They are available in 4 colors and are one of the few base layer bottoms I have seen that not only come in XS-XXXL, but also have an option for most of those sizes to come in a longer fit (the tall options price at $94.99). Being made of 100% merino, the bottoms are beautifully soft as well as being fantastic for temperature regulation. I will wear them for anything from a skiing base layer to an extra spot of warmth while running, and have been pleasantly surprised by the fact that they stay on my legs where they are meant to. I often find base layer bottoms ride up on my leg, especially while skiing, which is most uncomfortable in ski boots. This is largely due to the ribbed cuff design that the Saratoga’s employ. The fit is also slightly more high waisted than many base layers I have worn. I am a massive fan of this. Lastly, I cannot overstate the temperature regulation capacity of the merino wool. I am more than comfortable in the Saratogas in most weather, from cold ski days under a pair of snow trousers, to running days when shorts seem like too cold a layer to wear, they genuinely are year-round base layers.
The top layer of my new favorite base layer duo, the Microweight Quarter Zip Sun Hoodie ($109.99), is even more suited for every season. Because it is a blend of merino (84%), nylon (12%) and spandex (4%), it is even more comfortable and better fitted. The actual fabric is composed of merino wound around strands of nylon which is why it is as durable, stretchy, and soft as it is. Although it was designed as a “Sun Hoodie”, it serves the role of a skin layer just as well as it does a hot weather top. Like the Saratogas, it breathes brilliantly and wicks sweat, I wear or pack it for just about any of my outdoor excursions. Even amidst the sweltering summer heat, the Microweight Quarter Zip Sun Hoodie lives up to its name and does a wonderful job of both temperature regulation and staving off burns. On the flip side of the temperature spectrum, it serves as a fantastic insulating layer. Especially on backcountry ski excursions, having a quarter length zip to regulate body heat and thumbholes (of which I am a massive fan) to both warm hands and keep the sleeves in place is incredibly helpful. There is also a massively handy zip pocket on the chest which is fantastic for a phone, ski pass, a snack, or any other small item you might want readily accessible. Lastly we should talk about the hood. Unlike many I have worn, it fully encompasses my head and the quarter zip goes well over the chin which I find quite cozy, both for cold evenings or windy days out in the snow.
I have hopefully sufficiently sung Minus 33’s praises enough to convince you that, not only do they make wonderful gear, but they are actively engaged in the communities they serve. In an industry that is ever evolving, advancing, and growing, I believe that looking for more than just good gear, and instead focusing also on the impact of the companies that make it is an increasingly important shopping practice. Remembering to help support those which keep us outside, and even more importantly investing in the wonderful wild places we play in some way, shape, or form, is quickly becoming a necessity, which is why I am so thrilled to get to review gear for a company like Minus 33 that is well deserving of all of the commendation I can provide.
Cai Rickards
Despite his age, Cai Rickards has managed to spend upwards of a decade and a half exploring nature. The first time he slept through the night was in a tent during a thunderstorm. He started his exploits before he could talk. Skiing almost as soon as he could walk, climbing not long after, hiking trips became a weekly occurrence before he was 2, and he began canoeing, climbing, and kayaking before he was 3.
Alongside a heavy presence of outdoor activities in his life, Cai has spent his free time being a nerd. From a very young age, he began learning about different world histories and mythologies, in particular, the legends of Camelot and history surrounding pirates. Later on, those interests shifted to fandoms such as Star Wars and Lord of the Rings, with academics and music (particularly violin) becoming central to his life.
Currently, Cai attends an arts school, climbing on a regular basis, playing D&D, and dressing in a manner preppy enough to annoy his father on a regular basis. Despite being a teenager he still does leave his room to see the world, with ski adventures and backpacking trips being the major perpetrators. He lives at 5280 with his dog, Baggins, and his father, Wil, both of which have and continue to support and further his interests in the outdoors.
Cai Rickards and Baggins
Leave a Reply