Stay warm during the winter, save money on heating and feel snug on night watch with the best Merino wool thermal base layer. We bring you some of the best environmentally friend natural fibre options available. The ubiquitous costume of form fitting all black that make us look like we\u2019re on an adventure to secretly deliver a box of chocolates, via an open window and a zip wire, like a svelte undercover agent. Alternatively, those of us who love food may resemble something entirely less elegant and more walrussy instead. You\u2019ll know which category you fall into, but nobody is judging because you wear this stuff under your clothes and foul weather gear. The best merino wool base layer is the one nobody but our significant other gets to see.\u00a0 It\u2019s our little secret.
\nIf not itching and not smelling, despite living in this stuff for days at a time isn\u2019t reason enough to go for a full outfit, how about the eco credentials? Merino wool is a natural fibre and is biodegradable. No plastic here thank you very much.<\/p>\n
Balaclava
\nEver try wearing a balaclava and end up feeling smothered and with a wet face? Try this one. You\u2019ll be able to breath more easily and the moisture wicks away fast.
\nMade with 200gm merino jersey fabric, the Oasis Merino wool Balaclava provides soft, breathable, odor-resistant performance and protection in icy cold conditions.
\nVentilation flap that form fits for your nose and mouth.<\/p>\n
200gm wool weight
\n100% Merino wool<\/p>\n
Price \u00a327
\nBuy Merino Wool Balaclava from Icebreaker.com
\nNote: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site, at no extra cost to you. This doesn\u2019t affect our editorial independence.<\/p>\n
Unisex Solid Heavyweight Merino Wool
\nThe buff is one of the staple items all sailors have in their kit bag, I have a variety of them, for headwear, neck wear and in different thicknesses. The merino one is quite simply the best you can get (IMHO) and they do it in a couple of different thicknesses.
\nPerfect for being on and around water all day every day or simply out for a hike to the shops, it can be worn as a neckerchief, headband, wristband, mask, hairband, balaclava, scarf, beanie or bandana.
\nThe lightweight buff is such a versatile neck tube, facemask, pull it up, push it down thing. You can breath into it for hours and not curse your own stinky breath. There\u2019s different thickness options too if you go to the main Buff website. Combining two buffs of different thickness at the same time gives a really great versatile option for cold weather.<\/p>\n
125gm lightweight buff
\n500gm heavy weight buff
\n100% Merino Wool<\/p>\n
Buy 100% Merino Light Wool Buff from Wiggle.co.uk
\nBuy 100% Merino Thick Wool Buff from Amazon
\nbuy 100% Merino heavy weight Buff from Amazon<\/p>\n
North Ridge Merino Wool Long Sleeve Top
\nA soft, lightweight Merino baselayer that will naturally keep you feeling warm, dry and fresh. This North Ridge top has a nice little zip to make pulling it on over your head in a tight space easy. The high collar keeps out drafts and helps seal in the warm when coupled with a neck tube. The merrow stitch seams are low profile and reduce chafing. Classic contoured styling to fit the average female form. Women\u2019s sizes go from UK 8 up to UK 18 and S to XL for the Men.
\nDesigned for adventurous travel and outdoor activity,\u00a0North Ridge\u2019s Convect-200 Merino LSZ Top\u00a0uses the wool\u2019s natural antibacterial and thermo-regulating properties to keep you cool in summer, warm in winter, and feeling fresh all year round.<\/p>\n
200gm wool weight
\n100% Merino Wool<\/p>\n
Buy WOMEN\u2019S North Ridge 100% Merino top from Gooutdoors.co.uk
\nBuy MEN\u2019S North Ridge 100% Merino top from Gooutdoors.co.uk
\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Unisex Altura Merino Wool long sleeve top
\nNow bear in mind a little advise about unisex base layers. If you\u2019re a muscular woman with solid shoulders then it will fit you well, but it\u2019s not contoured for a narrower or curvier female form. It will fit most men though just fine. It\u2019s a slinky one from Altura and feels really nice to the touch. Beware of snagging though, don\u2019t wash it with garments that have open zips or other snagging points.
\nFlatlock seams and smart paneling keep chafe away and it\u2019s got a handy zipped key pocket too. Comes in three sizes XS-S, M-L, XL-XXL. Watch out though as it comes up quite small. Go up a size for best fit.<\/p>\n
wool weight unknown
\n50% Merino \/ 50% polyester<\/p>\n
Buy Altura Merino blend base layer from Blacks
\nA more female shaped alternative to the crew neck style merino wool base layer is the ODLO
\nBuy ODLO 100% Merino Wool top from Gooutdoors.co.uk<\/p>\n
Adult Merino Wool Liner Glove
\nBoth of these gloves are in our best merino wool base layer buyers guide because they\u2019re both excellent, but offer different levels of thermal.
\nYou\u2019ve probably already got outer, waterproof gloves or winter mitts, but if you add these Decathlon liners inside them, you\u2019ll improve your thermal level by an extra 3\u00b0C degrees or so, even when it\u2019s freezing balls off brass monkeys.<\/p>\n
200gm wool weight
\n86% Merino wool<\/p>\n
Buy Adult Merino Wool Liner Glove from Decathlon.co.uk
\nQuantum Merino Wool Glove
\nThe Icebreaker glove has a thicker wool with a grippy palm. These are more likely to be worn without an outer glove. They also clip together so you don\u2019t lose one of them to the recesses of a dark kit bag.
\nOn both pairs of gloves shown here, the thumb and index finger are touch screen compatible so you can scroll around your navionics app with ease.<\/p>\n
260gm wool weight
\n98% Merino wool, 2% elastane<\/p>\n
Buy Icebreaker mid weight Merino Wool Glove from Wiggle.co.uk
\nFor more Icebreaker Merino Wool thermal baselayer products you can buy them at Icebreaker.com<\/p>\n
Odlo Women\u2019s Pant
\nDon\u2019t give up comfort for warmth, the Odlo Women\u2019s Merino Pants are constructed from 100% Merino wool for an ultra-soft feel. Odlo\u2019s Warm technology wicks away moisture whilst retaining heat, accompanied by natural odour resistance.<\/p>\n
17.5 micron wool (Premium softness)
\n100% Merino wool<\/p>\n
Buy Odlo Womens Merino pant from GoOutdoors.co.uk
\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
North Ridge Convect-200 Men\u2019s 100% Merino Pant
\nDesigned to keep you cool in summer, warm in winter this simple base layer could be your constant kit bag companion. They\u2019ll be just as good under a pair of old jeans as you potter about doing a bit of winter maintenance as well as in action under foul weather gear during a \u201cBritish Summer\u201d. Pocket \/overlay fly opening, merrow stitch flat locked seams to reduce chafe points.<\/p>\n
200gm
\n100% Merino Wool<\/p>\n
Buy North Ridge Merino Men\u2019s Pant from GoOutdoors.co.uk<\/p>\n
Helly Hansen Lifa Merino Wool Base Layer Pant
\nI\u2019m a sucker for a bit of yellow, especially in winter. The Helly Hansen Lifa Merino Lightweight Pant Base layer combines\u00a0 merino wool with technical Lifa fabric.<\/p>\n
Lightweight, breathable and durable, they feature a two-layer construction with a 100% Merino wool exterior, combined with Lifa Stay Warm Technology. Both layers work together to keep you cool when it is warm and warm when it is cold, as well as absorbing excess moisture. What the heck is Lifa? It\u2019s a form of polyester, it\u2019s 40% lighter with a 60% better insulation to weight ratio than regular polyester.\u00a0 It has\u00a0 anti-bacterial properties, it\u2019s 100% hypo-allergenic and is also 100% recyclable, so not at all bad then for a base layer.<\/p>\n
160gm Wool weight
\n100% Merino (in one of two layers)<\/p>\n
Buy Helly Hansen Lifa Merino Wool Base Layer Pant from Wiggle.co.uk<\/p>\n
Pantherella Classic Merino Wool Ribbed Knee High Socks
\nNothing says lady sock than one modelled on tippy toes and elegant calves, because I always like to wear thermal socks when I\u2019ve got some heels on. Oh but for you chaps out there, your socks are modelled on Cuban heels so you\u2019re not let off the dancing duties either. Most of us will be wearing sturdy boots with these, be that winter wellies or sailing boots, you\u2019ll be stuffing these socks in the kit bag as part of your basic packing ritual. Their merino wool content will help keep the stinking feet at bay too.<\/p>\n
70% Merino Wool 30% Nylon<\/p>\n
Buy Women\u2019s Pantherella Classic Merino Wool Ribbed Knee Sock at SockShop.co.uk
\nBuy Men\u2019s Pantherella Classic Merino Wool Ribbed Knee High Sock at SockShop.co.uk<\/p>\n
Woolpower Merino Wool Knee High Socks
\nThese knee high\u00a0 socks made of soft merino wool and polyamide are ideal for wearing inside your winter boots, on land and on the water.\u00a0 Blended material wicks body moisture outwards so you\u2019ll avoid a touch of the trench foot if you are prone to damp feet.\u00a0 They\u2019re non-itchy and odor neutral.\u00a0 The ribbed leg cuffs are useful to help them stop slipping down inside your boot too.<\/p>\n
400gm wool weight
\n65% Merino wool, 33% polyamide, 2% elastane<\/p>\n
Buy Woolpower Merino Wool Socks at AlpineTrek.co.uk<\/p>\n
Alpine Trek \u2013 Aclima overall one piece suit
\nIf you really want to up your Basildon Bond game,\u00a0 then here\u2019s your chance! A form fitting full merino wool one piece with hood. No waistband means a comfortable fit and no riding up or awkward tucking in under other layers. What about going to the toilet you ask? Ah, these have an unzippable seat so you can stay classy despite the thermal layering. Thumb holes in the sleeves mean pulling on other layers is a doddle.<\/p>\n
200gm wool weight
\n100% Merino wool<\/p>\n
Buy Aclima MENS One-Piece Merino Wool Suit from Alpinetrek.co.uk
\nBuy Aclima WOMENS One-Piece Merino Woll Suit from Alpinetrek.co.uk<\/p>\n
What we look for in a merino wool base layer<\/p>\n
Thickness \u2013 the weight of the merino tells you the thickness. You can have thin semi translucent fine knit 125gm or a chunkier knit 500gmfor arctic conditions. The finer knitted Merino base layers fit easily under clothes.
\nForm fit \u2013 are they cut for a specific gendered body shape or unisex? If you\u2019re a woman, then unisex invariably means a straighter cut so might be less form fitting than something specifically designed for your body shape.
\nSeams \u2013 flatlock are essential for a smooth chafe free fit. Base layer leggings are often paneled around the crotch area. You want\u00a0 flat seams here to avoid awkward chafe points.
\nWaistband and hems \u2013 we don\u2019t want a tight waistband digging in nor to we want tight ankles stopping us from fitting a base sock underneath or cutting off circulation.
\n100% or a blend? \u2013 There\u2019s different grades of merino and different percentage mixes. Added elastane can make a better form fitting structure. Adding nylon can reduce the pilling and price. A 100% merino is comfortable and shouldn\u2019t itch at all as it is a smooth non allergenic knitted fine fabric.<\/p>\n
Merino wool bobbling after 8 years of use \u2013 Best Merino Wool Base Layers | YBW.com
\nThere\u2019s a couple of minor downsides to the merino wool base layer, as they are made of a natural fibre, they are prone to pilling, ie the bobbling we get on woolly jumpers. The other downside, as these are a knitted, if you pierce them or rip them, you\u2019ll need to get that darned and repaired, else you\u2019ll find the hole will grow quickly. Be careful what you launder your merino wool base layers with, avoid sharp snagging objects.
\nthe fine knit of Merino wool base layer clothing \u2013 Best Merino Wool Base Layer | YBW.com
\nYou can\u00a0 read more winter sailing tips at Yachting Monthly
\nFor non merino base layers,\u00a0 see more at the Yachting World base layers buyers guide
\nIf you\u2019re looking for a\u00a0 small heater to keep onboard you can read more about those at YBW.com
\nDidn\u2019t find what you\u2019re looking for? Head to\u00a0Amazon\u2019s dedicated boating page\u00a0for more marine products.<\/p>\n
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\nThe post Best Merino Wool Thermal Base Layer \u2013 Buyers Guide appeared first on Yachting World.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Stay warm during the winter, save money on heating and feel snug on night watch with the best Merino wool thermal base layer. We bring you some of the best environmentally friend natural fibre options available. The ubiquitous costume of … <\/p>\n