Below you will find our first-hand reviews of various hiking base layers, both long- and short-sleeved, primarily made of Merino wool and/or synthetic materials. Underwear and tank tops with built-in bra are reviewed in a separate category. Please note that many of the base layers reviewed here are available both in men’s and women’s versions, which will only differ slightly (although they might be named differently). You might thus still learn something interesting about a base layer we have reviewed, even if it is meant for the opposite sex. If you want to learn more about how we test and review hiking products, you can read our Principles for Product Reviews.
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In the beginning of the year, I received the Woolona Remus long sleeve base layer for testing and since then I’ve been regularly wearing it for hiking, running, travelling and even bike commuting. Woolona is a Turkish company, established in 1952, which specializes in wool clothing. Many of their products are Woolmark certified which means…
In summer I received two t-shirts from Ibex Merino, while Blaz got a pair of hiking boxers in return for unbiased reviews. I previously reviewed the Ibex Merino Tencel t-shirt which was particularly great for hot weather, while the Ibex Journey t-shirt is a more classic Merino-Nylon blend (89%/11%). Nevertheless, it is actually my first…
For the past two years I noticed that more and more brands specializing in Merino clothing have begun offering base layers made of a mix of Merino wool and Tencel fibers. I have been curious to see what the fuss was about, and I was thus very excited when the American Merino specialist Ibex reached…
Isobaa is a British company which specializes in Merino wool apparel for sports and everyday use. I tested their products in the past and was always pleased with their performance, comfort and durability. In the spring I received their Long Sleeve Zip Neck for testing, and I immediately started wearing it for hiking, bike commuting…
At the end of summer 2021, I received the Patagonia Capilene Midweight Zip-Neck and since then I’ve been regularly wearing it for hiking and running. The Patagonia Capilene Midweight Zip-Neck is a warm base layer. It is made of a brushed polyester fabric to provide good warmth to weight ratio. I asked to test it…
In summer 2021 we were contacted by Patagonia, and offered to test some of the iconic brand’s outdoor clothing in return for unbiased reviews. I asked for the Capilene Cool Trail t-shirt, and have worn it as much as possible since for both outdoor activities and everyday life since I received it. I can thus…
In late spring we got in touch with the Swedish outdoor brand Houdini which is known for its high-quality products, manufactured in a sustainable manner. We agreed to test and review the Desoli Merino base layer for women and the Daybreak soft shell jacket for men (will be reviewed by Blaz soon). For the past…
In fall 2020 we received, tested and reviewed two things from the American start-up Arms of Andes, which specializes in Alpaca wool outdoor clothing: The brand’s hiking socks (reviewed here), and the 110 V-neck t-shirt for women (reviewed here). While I was impressed by the fabric of the latter, the shoulder construction was too narrow…
Merino wool clothing is in our opinion the best type of base layers for all but the warmest of summer days. British Isobaa makes soft and durable Merino apparel, which we have already been so fortunate to test before. I was, however, exactly looking for a zip neck base layer as I’m a big fan…
In early fall we were contacted by the American startup company Arms of Andes, which specializes in making mid- and base layers in Alpaca wool. Alpaca wool is said to have similar and/or superior characteristics in comparison with Merino wool, so we were of course thrilled to receive some apparel for testing in exchange for…
Merino base layers are to prefer over synthetic ones for all but the hottest summer days. Unlike the itching wool sweaters you remember from your childhood, Merino wool is soft and not itchy at all because it is made of wool fibers from Merino sheep which are much thinner (<20 microns) and suppler than conventional…
In a time where the majority of the (outdoor) apparel industry produces their products in more or less questionable facilities in Asia, far away from the homely headquarters, it is refreshing with a family company like Lasting which is based in and manufactures its apparel in the Czech Republic, in Central Europe. We were therefore…
From the spring onwards, I’ve been testing base layers from the Czech company Lasting. Lasting is a well-established company which produces base layers and socks for hiking, mountaineering, running and other outdoor sports. They produce both Merino wool and synthetic garments – all within the Czech Republic! I tested their Mars t-shirt which is made…
In the spring we were contacted by the Czech company Lasting which produces apparel for hiking, running, skiing and other outdoor sports. Lasting is an established company which has been on the market since 1991, and since 2006 it also has a distribution center in the United States. Lasting’s specialty is Merino wool apparel, but…
Last year I tested the Isobaa Merino 180 Women’s long-sleeved baselayer, and was so satisfied with it that it became a wardrobe staple for me – on and off the trails. This year I was so fortunate that I also got to test its lighter short-sleeved cousin – the Isobaa Merino 150 women’s t-shirt. I…
Being a new mom I was browsing the web in the beginning of the year for Merino nursing bras which I could use for hiking as well as for everyday life. I quickly stumbled upon the Swedish brand Boob Design (yes, that is the actual name!) which focus on making sustainable clothes for all stages…
In summer 2019 I received the Falke Silk-Wool underwear and t-shirt from the iconic German brand upon request. As I had been previously impressed by the durability of the Klattermusen Eir t-shirt, I was really keen to test other base layers made out of Merino wool and silk, which is a much less utilized material…
At Nail the Trail we can’t get enough of Merino base layers, but so far it has mainly been base layers for men we have been asked to test and review. Therefore, I was head over heels when I got the opportunity to test the Isobaa 180 crew-neck base layer. I really appreciate the brand’s…
