First Experience with Wool Baselayer

j3fp54901

Member since  Sep 26, 2012

Posted on November 24, 2012

• Familiarity: I've used it several times

Here's a consumer equipment review for the canyon / orange SmartWool NTS lightweight zip top.

Wearer Stats:
Sex: Male
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 190 lbs

Purchased size large.
Used several times on 8 - 12 hour hikes in CT and NH, including Mt. Washington in November. Temperatures ranging from 5 - 55 °F.

Wearing the garment now to help recall previous thoughts of it's utility.

Product's best feature:
In my opinion, this product's best feature was it's combined ability to dry quickly, breathe, and retain warmth wet when.

Other important but less noticeable features:
The fabric's propensity to deter odor. (SmartWool marketing accurate)

Ergonomic fit seems to benefit kinetic energy. Fabric panel cuts enable easy flexing of elbow and overhead arm extension.

Downside:
Collar of shirt appears to be showing signs of wear. Collar losing integrity, may be stretching out and as a result has difficulty staying erect.

Observations:
Chose this top for use as part of my "action suit."

The incredibly deep-cut neck zipper allowed my chest and core to cool off when moving fast. Rapid adjustments to layering system were made easy, especially when combined with other zip tops.

This wool baselayer definitely kept me more warm when wet after many hours on the trail of sweating. While simultaneously drying quickly.

I've been unable to "wet out" this baselayer, as opposed to a synthetic layer of the same weight. In the past, synthetic baselayers of equal weight have "wet out" and given me the chills from many hours of comparable strenuous activity. (Note however, I may have been over dressed.)