Base Layers and Underwear

Recent Base Layer Reviews

Black Diamond Men's Solution 150 Merino Base 3/4

Black Diamond's Solution 150 Merino Base 3/4 is a lightweight, polyester-reinforced merino wool base layer. Cool enough to wear under light shell clothing for high intensity activity at around-freezing temperatures without overheating, but easily layered over for use in colder conditions or at lower intensity. Stretch fabric gives a comfortable fit even on a slim frame and dries a little faster than 100 percent merino. 3/4 length works with high plastic cuff ski boots. (Preliminary review based… Full review

Black Diamond Men's Solution 150 Merino Base Crew

Black Diamond's Solution 150 Merino Base Crew is a lightweight, polyester-reinforced merino wool base layer. Cool enough to wear under light shell clothing for high intensity activity at around-freezing temperatures without overheating, but easily layered over for use in colder conditions or at lower intensity. Stretch fabric gives a comfortable fit even on a slim frame and dries a little faster than 100 percent merino. (Preliminary review based on the first month of use) Black Diamond’s Solution… Full review

Kari Traa Rose Long Sleeve

The Kari Traa Rose Longsleeve is a 100 percent merino base layer that is comfortable, warm, and durable. It's thin enough to layer without restricting movement, and incorporates a range of colors and sizes to appeal to a variety of adventurous ladies! Just be prepared to size up as this base layer runs SMALL! Testing Conditions: I tested the Kari Traa Rose Longsleeve from December 2018 to December 2019 as a member of the Trailspace Review Corps. Testing conditions ranged from -25 to 20 degrees… Full review

Kari Traa Rose Pant

The Kari Traa Rose Pant is a 100 percent merino base layer that is comfortable, warm, and durable. It's thin enough to layer without restricting movement, and incorporates a range of colors and sizes to appeal to a variety of adventurous ladies! Just be prepared to size up as this base layer runs SMALL! Testing Conditions: I tested the Kari Traa Rose Pant from December 2018 to December 2019 as a member of the Trailspace Review Corps. Testing conditions ranged from -25 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit in… Full review

Smartwool Merino Sport 150 Brief

Super comfortable undies, which will help you stay sweet smelling for days, with no chafing. Yeah, I'm reviewing underwear. Being a big Merino fan, I decided it was time to take the final step towards full commitment, by going right down to the basics. I decided to give these a try.   Fit: The overall fit is good. I'd read a couple of reviews criticizing the extra wide waistband, but in my opinion, it makes them much more stable and keeps them in place better than other briefs I've used. I like… Full review

Thinx Classic Undies

Dealing with periods in the backcountry can be incredibly frustrating. But Thinx unswear just might offer a solution. Periods are a regular part of most women's life. And yet they're still taboo to talk about. Instead of weighing all of our options, we pace along the period aisle in the grocery store, opting to use the most popular products (pads and tampons). But what other options are there? And how do you begin to handle periods in the backcountry? As someone who spends a lot of time in the wilderness,… Full review

Houdini Desoli Zip

The Houdini Desoli Zip is labeled as a base layer, but the 150g/sqm weight of the 100 percent Merino wool makes it double as an excellent backpacking shirt. The slim fit combined with the long arms and torso work well with various pack sizes. Soft wool and precise, flat stitching provide wonderful comfort that held up very well to use and abuse. Houdini impressed me with their Alpha Houdi a few years back so I took a chance on a couple of their Desoli Zip Merino wool shirts this year. I meant to… Full review

Minus33 Isolation Midweight Merino Zip-Neck

The Minus33 Isolation Midweight Merino Zip-Neck makes an excellent base layer top. I typically wear this to bed when camping. It helps keep you nice and warm, and is very comfortable. This product makes an excellent base layer. It keeps me nice and warm no matter what I’m doing, whether it's camping or working outside. It’s pretty lightweight but does its job very well. Whenever I’m camping in the summer (I sleep in a hammock) I’m usually good with just wearing a t-shirt with this base layer… Full review

Mont Slinx LS Zip

The single most comfortable fleece base or mid-layer around. I have to say, I've never been a fan of fleece, but this item changed my mind! Also, there is a distinct lack of Australian brands on this site and I think it's time to rectify that. The Mont Slinx LS Zip shirt is a long sleeve "polar base-layer" made from Polartec Power Stretch Pro. The cut is very form fitting, but the material moves with you like a second skin. I first tried this garment when on a guiding trip a co-guide (pictured right)… Full review