Review: Smartwool Merino Base Layers

A family friend once told me that the weather is never too cold, but rather you're not dressed properly for it. It's tough to believe that premise during those negative-degree days, but since getting my hands on the proper outdoor gear, I can confidently say the man had a point. 

Smartwool’s Classic Thermal Merino Base Layer Crew and Merino Base Layer Bottom make staying warm in frigid temperatures easy, especially when I’m out skiing. The merino wool helps regulate my temperature—I stay warm and dry outside, and don't overheat inside. After a long climb up the mountain, my base layer was drenched, but I didn't realize it until I was delayering at the car. If that’s not magic, I don’t know what is. 

Whether I’m wearing them under my bibs and jacket, or under my oversized mom jeans for a walk downtown, they adapt to just about any scenario. Thanks to my very sensitive skin, wool and acrylic sweaters stay far away from my closet. The scratchiness of the materials usually leaves me feeling itchy and uncomfortable, but Smartwool’s base layers are made with fine wool fibers, so I get the warming benefits without the scratchy component. 

These merino layers have become an essential part of my wardrobe during Montana's winters. There is no exaggeration when I say that I wear these nearly every day of the week.

Available online; $110 for each layer.