Engearment

Kate Agathon

The first merino base layers that I ever wore were Smartwool.

 

Over a decade ago, I had recently moved back to my home state of Colorado and was getting back into skiing. A friend suggested that I try out some Smartwool baselayers for their warmth and moisture-wicking properties.

Because I chafe easily (and quite frankly didn’t know anything about merino wool at the time), I was initially hesitant to try them; my previous experience with wool (non-merino) wasn’t great. Also, they were more expensive than the polyester fleece base layers I had originally been eyeing.

 

Thankfully, my friend convinced me to take the leap and invest in a quality pair of Smartwool base layers.

 

Over a decade later, Smartwool is still my go-to baselayer brand for its quality construction and colorful designs. And I wear Smartwool base layers for more than skiing. I wear them cycling, taking the dogs out, around my mountain town, and lounging at home.

Look

This season, they have updated the Smartwool Classic Thermal Merino BaseLayer Top and Bottom. The new and improved baselayers are available in new color options (an astounding 26 total!) and enhanced fit to improve functionality.

 

I was excited to try Smartwool’s Classic Thermal Merino base layers in their new Black Digi Snow print. To me, this is the one of the best prints they’ve ever come out with! I love the understated winter motif- almost too cute to cover up with a mid layer. Paired with the Smartwool Smartloft Vest, this is one of my favorite apres ski looks this season.

 

Fit

The upgraded Smartwool Classic Thermal Merino features include shoulder panels and flatlock seam construction to increase comfort.

 

Depending on the brand, I wear either a size small or a size medium in merino wool base layers. I was pleasantly surprised how well the size small base layer top and bottom fit on me  (for context, I am 5’0” and 130 pounds); especially since the base layers are a slim fit.

 

I like how the hem falls slightly below the hips and is neither too long nor too short. Being a petite woman, I was concerned about having to roll the cuffs of the sleeves and legs of these regular-sized base layers.

To my surprise and delight, no rolling was required. Especially nice because I have found that so many baselayers in non-extended sizes have the most ridiculously long sleeves.

 

Performance

The original purveyors of performance merino wool, Smartwool makes a wide array of baselayers rated for different activities and temperatures.

 

Smartwool smartly breaks down its baselayers into categories (Classic Thermal Merino, Classic All-Season Merino, and Intraknit) based on weather and type of activity.

 

The Classic Thermal Merino baselayer set that I wore is rated for “cool to cold weather” and is designated for all activities. It is a bit warmer than the Classic All-Season Merino, but I live in the mountains where it is much colder and the Classic Thermal Merino is perfectly suited; even indoors.

 

No matter what environment I was wearing them in, the Classic Thermal Merino baselayers were not restrictive, nor did they bunch up or chafe, and kept me toasty warm.

 

Because I get cold very easily, I opted to wear them for casual activity. They offer the perfect level of warmth without bulk, and were so delightfully soft that I didn’t want to take them off. On one particularly cold day where I remained indoors, I felt like I was wearing a custom made blanket all day long.

 

When I was exercising, they allowed for plenty of mobility, stayed in place and kept odor and moisture at bay. Even wearing them just casually indoors, I appreciated the odor-repelling properties (I’ve worn sweaters that retained odor and sweat- not really a comfortable feeling to have).

 

To be concise, the Smartwool Classic Merino baselayers are constructed from 100 percent merino wool for natural sweat management, odor-resistance, and temperature regulation.

Overall Impression

Not too light or too heavy, and available in a beautiful array of colors and prints, there’s a reason the Smartwool Classic Thermal Merino is aptly named “classic”.

 

Super comfortable, the versatile baselayers are favorites worn both indoors and outdoors. I loved the all-purpose baselayers for their warmth, stretch and quality construction. The beautiful Black Digi Snow print made these even better.

 

Founded in 1994 in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, Smartwool understands its customer base (outdoor recreation enthusiasts who want something functional and comfortable to keep them warm in a variety of settings).

 

The numbers say it all: With recent purchases nearing 2,000 on its website, the Smartwool Classic Thermal Merino is one of the company’s best sellers with overwhelmingly favorable customer reviews (92 percent). The wide availability of sizes (XS to 4X) and colors makes these a crowd favorite.

 

I definitely recommend the Smartwool Classic Merino baselayers. You don’t need to be doing any high output activity to appreciate this winter staple.

 

Kate Agathon

Dr. Of Stoke

Freelance writer, bicyclist, outdoor recreation enthusiast, social justice advocate, and mom to her furbaby, Sansa.

A Colorado native, Kate considers the outdoors her mother ship. She brings her passion for bicycling, the environment, and issues of diversity to her writing. Her primary outdoor recreation activities are mountain biking, road biking, nordic skiing, alpine skiing, hiking, snowshoeing, and peak bagging Colorado’s 14ers.

 

Kate earned a bachelor’s degree in History from Colorado State University and later an MSEd and Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from Purdue University. In addition to her education, Kate’s background serving on the Mayor’s Bicycle Advisory Committee and experience working for non-profits and bicycle sales well position her to bring depth and understanding to the complex changes currently taking place in the outdoor recreation industry.