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Made from super-soft merino wool, the Smartwool Men’s Midweight Crew Top provides next-to-skin comfort, odor resistance, and moisture management for cold winter pursuits like backcountry skiing and mountaineering. Flatlock seams and a crew neckline eliminate chafing from your epic day outdoors.
Bottom Line: A warm, natural alternative to synthetic baselayers.
All around awesome. Super soft, no itch, no funky odor when wet from sweat, rain, snow, etc. Also very durable so far w/ no sign of ill effects from repeated machine washing on cold or snagging from brushes w/ tree branches, brambles, rocks, etc.
I'm 6'2" tall, 185-190lbs, ~42.5" chest and have an XL. All the seams on the body hit in exactly the right spots and are super flat and non-chafing. The overall fit around the body, arms, and neck are perfect, not super loose and flappy but not so form fitted and painted on that I feel like a tool wearing it with a pair of jeans as casual wear. An extra 1/2" or so of length in the sleeves and body would be appreciated by me but I also have sort of long arms and torso and prefer a bit long of a fit in these areas to boot so probably perfect for the vast majority of people. I wouldn't say it runs short by any means, but maybe a little shorter than the lightweight NTS I have.
One warning, it may be branded as mid-weight, but this thing is WARM!!! I've tried wearing this under a short sleeved shirt to work on one of the chillier days so far this fall and wound up sweating all day. Still regulates and wicks pretty well, but I wouldn't recommend this as base layer for semi-sedentary activity levels any higher than 55-60F or anything more active in over 25-35F. By itself it might be ok up to 65F for very low-no impact and 40-50F for slightly higher intensity stuff but wind might get to you a little if you do get a sweat going. I've yet to experience anything worse than a wet and windy 39F mid-low intensity hike while wearing this, but it was awesome in these conditions w/ a Gore Tex Pro Stretch shell over the top. I'm thinking it will more than do the job down to 10F or so w/ a 200 weight fleece and this shell and a light down sweater as a midlayer or a fleece and a lightly insulated shell for anything below. I do tend to run a little bit warm in general though so YMMV.
NTS=Next-To-Skin - Smartwool's baselayer pieces. TML=Thermal Mid Layer - A heavier weight usually layered on top of NTS. PhD=Refers to their top level (highest degree of performance) socks. Introduced a few years ago.
If you are in cold conditions, I would recommend NTS midweight as the base layer. That is what I use until the temp goes above 32F.
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Well, you've just got to take the plung. $75 you won't regret. Everyone has already said what I'd say; doesn't smell, great fit, not itchy, temp regulating, wicking, good thoughts on the shoulder seams. It is just an essential piece of your everyday gear. You'd have to do some real bribing to get me back to synthetics. Go sheep!!!
The midweight is definitely a must if you are thinking about low output endeavors in cold weather. I use the term "endeavor" loosely because this piece's performance does not limit you to trekking around in the snow, but also good for times when you are just standing around thanks to its great thermal management. Also, there's no sacrifice on street aesthetic, so you can grab a beer or coffee in it without raising an eyebrow (or nose thanks to the odor fighting).
The material is soft + stretchy while fitting close to skin, but not like spandex. I am 5-11" 165 + the medium fits great for my trim cut preference, without looking like a tool. The stitching is also great - flat-locked seams that are set off the shoulders so a pack doesnt dig in.
This is the best shirt I have owned. I am about to buy a second one and had to post a review. I do a lot of boating offshore and this shirt is comfortable from 55 to 75 wet or dry. It is great on its own or as a base layer. It is definitely worth paying the extra $$. I am 6'3" and 190lbs and the XL is perfect. The shirt is an athletic fit with surprisingly long sleeve length.
This is one of my favorite tops; not only is the material far more comfortable then most but the seams are arranged so that they do not lay where the base layer applies pressure so it almost seems seamless. I do 70 miles a week on bike for a commute with additional miles for enjoyment and found that on low wind days in mid 30 degrees (Fahrenheit) the base layer could still stand by itself. I do tend to run a bit hotter then other people so it may seem a bit chilly in those conditions for others but I have already purchased a second for myself.
if you freeze when the weather is in the 60s, Your problem could be a circulation issue. try cw-x tights and support tops. the right pant can get your blood flowing better, keeping the rest of your body warm. for Florida, you don't need the insulator tight, but it might be good to have a pair of them for when it gets colder than usual. they enhance circulation and support your muscles. they are expensive, but remember backcountry's return policy. i heard the other day that with the recent cold weather in florida, cw-x dealers are trying to get whatever long cw-x pant they can get their hands on.
Smartwool is the only wool i can wear. all other wool itches me, even cashmere made by expensive designer brands. is great and you will love it, but if you freeze when the temp goes below 60, then you might have a circulation issue that you might want to talk to your doctor about, especially if you are diabetic. if you are diabetic, then talk to your doctor before trying cw-x support clothing, especially if you have edema. cant go wrong with smartwool. It is a good idea to own a variety of weights. you can start with midweight and go from there.
Great base layer that is very warm and comfortable but extremely light weight. Had a sweater over it and a jacket and stayed warm skiing in temperatures in the low teens (and lower).
Love this sweater! I got my first one on Steep and Cheap and promptly bought another one here! This shirt performs well with an undershirt or as the baselayer. I have sensitive skin and the wool doesn't irritate my skin at all.
I love this sort of shirt that I can use as a multitool... Additionally, it performs great technically and also looks great as a normal shirt. Go for it! You won't be disappointed!
merino wool from New Zealand where the climate is constant (climate control). they treat the animals humanely and they don't hurt them when shaving them.
All of Smartwool's Merino wool comes from New Zealand. Almost all sock manufacturing is in the eastern US and almost all clothing comes from Asia (mostly China).
This is the one piece of clothing I want with me when it all goes down. Seriously. Pants optional, mid-weight wool shirt required.
Fits snug-great for techy pursuits. I throw a t-shirt over it around town so as not to look like und sprocket.
This probably boosts my temp comfort about 20 degrees in the winter, and is still comfy when the temp gets to 60. I have had mine for two years, and it still looks new.
I really wish these guys made a union suit. Both because union suits are awesome, and because then I wouldn't have to choose between this shirt and pants for my one piece of clothing.
Under the shoulder (axiles) it is very tight? Wich one is looser under the shoulders, the "Midweight" or the "NTS Midweight"? (they have the seams different around shoulders) Thank you
P.S. not shure about wich is the one in this page since the picture is for a NTS. Please Backcountry clarify. Thank you
Hi Fernando- I am the Smartwool rep. A Midweight Crew top and an NTS Midweight Crew top are the same thing. NTS stands for Next To Skin, what we call our baselayers. The fit should be the same no matter what it is called by Backcountry. If it is too tight, you may want to consider the next size up. I'm a smaller guy (5'6"-145#) and I wear a small. If fits snug, but not constricting. Enjoy the wool!!!
I haven't tried the NTS, but I have a Smartwool Midweight Crew that I wear...probably 3 times a week. I wear it for both a casual and an active base. The material is quite stretchy so it does not seem "tight" around the shoulders/under the arms at all.
I bought this for my dad last year, and he has requested more. He's 6'3" with a long torso and a belly. It's a comfortable fit under his button downs and of course that cozy Smartwool fabric.
Is there something equivalent from Smartwool in midweight or lightweight but short sleeved? As baselayer in cold weather, when a long sleeve is too much but you still need something... not shure if their "T-Shirt" is just a casual tshirt or the short sleeved version of the mid or light weight longsleeves. Thank you
Smartwool makes short sleeve tees in a weight that is in between their lightweight and microweight NTS. The fit is a little looser (more like a tee shirt, less like base layer). They also make the same weight in a short sleeve trail running/mtn. bike tee (the Betasso jersey).
I tried to find a matching set on several sites. This was the only site that had what I needed in the size I needed and cheaper than some of the other sites! Shipping was reasonable and my item was shipped immediately! My boyfriend can only wear 100 percent wool and we will probably be being more! Thanks again!
I've worn long sleeve tshirts and cheap sweaters during the last few winters in the Northeast, and I decided it was finally time to invest in some good stuff. I've never worn merino wool before, but Smartwool really blew me away with their midweight crew. Material is comfortable, and I can go from hanging around the house to a hardcore workout to heading out on the town and this thing handles the changes in my core temperature perfectly. Seriously, make a good investment in a few of these and you won't be disappointed.
So I have had a set of Smartwool underwear for a while now (midweight bottoms, midweight crew top). They are unbelievable! Very warm and breathe very well. You can use them anywhere: I have had them backpacking, running, around the house and they were key for tailgating at homecoming this year (Fire up Chips!)I wore the set under jeans and a t-shirt in 25 degree temps and was nice and comfortable all day. Buy these!
Cost has got to be a factor. I own a ton of smartwool stuff but have never purchased it at regular price. I have 6 of these all great but I paid $37 for them each. I believe that is a fair value price. I would strongly recommend the product, but not at it's current price.
Curious why you don't think merino or SmartWool is worth paying full price?? You get what you pay for....A great fiber such as merino is worth full price, and much more in comfort..isn't that why you keep buying it? I would much rather pay more for a quality product, like SmartWool and quality fiber...next to my skin. Cost is a huge factor yes, thank goodness for SmartWool....no stink, no itch, and better breathability then any other fiber out there..worth it? Heck yes!
All around awesome. Super soft, no itch, no funky odor when wet from sweat, rain, snow, etc. Also very durable so far w/ no sign of ill effects from more...