A longtime favorite of outdoorsy people and knitwear designers, merino wool is a high-quality natural fiber that will keep you warm without getting sweaty or stinky. While it makes for gorgeous sweaters and cozy socks, merino wool is also ideal for base layers like long johns and henleys. You can layer with it easily, it helps regulate temperature and it won’t get too funky on your bare skin, even if you wear it skiing or hiking for hours.
Maria Dora, designer of the clothing brand Georgia, previously told HuffPost that merino can absorb 30% of its weight without becoming wet and is odor-resistant and moisture-wicking. It’s the perfect thing to wear under snow pants or jeans to keep you extra toasty on cold winter days, whether you’re hitting the slopes or walking your dog. And like other fabrics, merino wool comes in a variety of weights — often described in terms of grams per square meter, or gsm — that reflect how thick and heat retentive a piece is. Generally speaking, around 120 gsm is lightweight, best for warmer conditions, and 320 gsm or more constitutes a heavyweight construction that’s ideal for the very coldest conditions.
Despite its typical high prices, this versatile and super-soft fabric doesn’t have to break the bank or come from a high-end sporting-goods retailer. In fact, we found a stellar selection of 100% merino wool base layers on Amazon. From shirts to bottoms to two-piece sets, these pieces will help you stay cozy through the chilly months while always keeping you fresh.
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Promising review: "These were a perfect base layer for a December campout. We has snow and freezing rain with temps down to the 20s and I stayed toasty all night. I wish they were a little higher in the waist, but were warm and not itchy to wear." — MJ
Promising review: "So cute! A great fit that looks good on all body types! Comfortable and soft with the right amount of warmth and not bulky!" — Tari Jensen
Promising review: "The fit is absolutely perfect. The color is awesome! The comfort gets an A+ as well. Keeps me warm without being too hot. I ordered a size small as I do in most things and it fits perfectly. I am 5'7 and weigh 125 for reference. It is hand-washed, but with wool, I am not surprised by that. You will not regret adding this top to your wardrobe if you live an active outdoor life!" — Brice Hope
Promising review: "The warmest and softest tights I own. They are sold as a. Bottom layer but they look good enough and warm enough to wear as the primary. I have sensitive skin but no itching rash or irritation. I love these, I own 2 black and 2 gray, perfect" — Nancyanne
Promising review: "I bought this for a ski trip to Switzerland as a base layer, and ended up re-wearing it for every day of the trip because it did an excellent job wicking moister, and was so comfortable. Even ended up skiing without my coat on the sunny days because it was so warm! Great base layer for about half the price of other comparable options." — Amazon customer
Promising review: "Bought as an underlayer for our trip to Iceland! I'm really glad I had it! I wore a thin base layer with this over top and then my coat. I was never cold! It fit great, had enough stretch to it that I didn't feel claustrophobic and it was easy to get on and off if I needed to shed a layer." — Brittbritt13
Promising review: "I love this sweater. Very lightweight. I bought it to wear over another base layer tee. It is perfect. Kept me warm. It’s not scratchy. Hand wash and hung to dry. No shrinking. Looks and fits me great. Would buy again!!" — MimiG
Promising review: "Very nicely made merino wool shirt. Wore it in hot and cold climates and it did provide a good breathable insulation. Would buy again from this company. I am very happy with this t-shirt." — Ezra