SmartWool NTS Midweight Zip Top - Women's - 2009 BCS

This is the best base layer I have. Even though I have a couple different brands I reach for the smartwool every time- they just kill it! I wear this in 10 degree temps under my down jacket and ski shell. It keeps me warm, dry, and smelling as awesome as possible. The fit is really cute, too. I can wear it to the bar later and no one bats an eye. I wish I could wear it everyday...

This is the best next-to-skin garment I have ever owned. I was concerned about warmth and fit. I'm pleased to say that not only does it keep me toasty warm, but it's a perfect fit and it's SO comfortable. I'm 5'4" about 114 pounds and I ordered a size small. It's long enough to go over my hips so there's no skin exposure, the sleeves are long enough to reach over the wrists and it fits appropriately snug and classy. What I mean is that I don't think there's anything worse than someone who looks like a stuffed sausage in their clothes. This fits perfectly! I've worn it as underwear, outerwear and even sleepwear and it's great. I bought a micro-weight one as well and love it just as much! I wrote the same review for it as well because there's nothing more to say about perfection! :) Thanks Backcountry!

I have owned this top and the midweight pants now for 3 weeks, and have barely taken them off. Worn for walking the dog in 20-30 degree windy temps, as a base layer, then basically the rest of the day. Washed twice, no shrinking, but some pilling will make it less attractive as an outer layer in the future. I am 5'5" and 130lbs, ordered a M...with a comfortable fit.
Would buy again!

I need to make a correction to my review below. I was mistaken in stating that there were changes to the shirts from last year. Last year, I ordered the "Midweight Zip T," rather than the "NTS Midweight Zip T" shown here. So, the "changes" I mentioned below are actually comparisons between the NTS and the non-NTS midweight, the non-NTS being the one WITH princess seams (and it still has them, including the standard shoulder seam and thinner borders at the cuffs and bottom edge). Sorry for the confusion! Still great shirts!

Smartwool keeps changing their shirts for better and worse. If you bought a women's shirt from them maybe 4 years ago, you should know that they run much smaller now. Also, the great princess seams that help accentuate the feminine form are now gone. There is now just a side seam. Also, the shoulder seam is different. It used to be just a standard seam; now it's two seams.

A great change is that the shirts are now much longer. The shirt I just bought measures a full 4" longer than the same sized shirt I got last year. Body length is 24" for M and 25" for L. Also, the cuffs and bottom edge of the top now have a wider border.

If you're on the fence between SmartWool and IceBreaker, Smartwool is softer, has more of a "nap," and conforms more to the body. Icebreaker is smoother, with less of a nap, but also rougher on the skin and generally does not conform to curves as well (although their BodyFit is as good at this). If you like your tops to hug your waist, I recommend SmartWool over Icebreaker.

As for size, I'm 36-27-38 and wear both medium and large. Both sizes still show off my figure without making me look like a guy.

This top was the perfect base layer on my Christmas backpacking trip in Needles, Canyonlands. It was -7 at night and I lived in this shirt. Even after three days it wasn't stinky and it felt great against my skin. Now that I'm home, I love wearing it around the house. It is sooo comfy. I highly recommend this product. Smartwool rocks. So does backcountry.com.

I LOVE these smartwool tops. I just learned about them last year from a friend who was actually wearing an icebreaker top. So I got one of those and they are just not as nice as smartwool. Itchier for starters. And they don't wash as well as they end up wrinkled after washing. Now smartwool on the other hand looks stylish enough to wear going out here at any time of day or night. They are toasty and this year's style is longer than last years by a few inches so it is ideal for me as I am super long waisted. I have the deep purple heather and the black and I've been living in them of late as it's been damp and windy here. They can't be beat!

this top is just amazing. It keeps my neck warm, but hea if you get hot you just zip it down. I've been skate skiing in it alone, even in precipitation. It ventilates you and keeps you toasty, but not overheated when you're getting a good workout. Smart little animals sharing their knowledge-the lamb. I also spent a day on the slopes downhilling today- chilly weather. I wore it under my ski parka with nothing else. It is non bulky and just right. And it looks stylish enough to stand on its own, unlike other 'base layers.' Yup if I could I'd have it in all the colors, but I love the plum.

I would give this 4.5 stars if I could. My first Smartwool shirt arrived yesterday, and I haven't taken it off since. I'm generally anti-wool, but I would say this is 95% super-soft and 5% slightly-itchy. It's snug, comfy, and warm. My only complaint is that it could be a little longer. I'm 5'6", 120 lbs., and ordered the XS. The sleeves are great but the torso is shorter than I like. Other than that, I am very happy with this purchase, especially since I got lucky on SAC and saved a bunch.

I have trouble with many midweight wool shirts since they're fairly short and leave that annoying cold strip across my back (in spite of the fact that they're made for cold weather). This Smartwool shirt is nice and long even after washing. And the material is nice and soft! It's rather close fitting, so you might want to order a size up. Now if it only had thumb loops...

I bought this midweight top for my wife along with the matching bottoms. She has stayed toasty warm wearing this as a base layer for skiing or spending anytime outdoors in the cold. She also wears it around the house often. She loves the softness and warmth of this piece. I am sure we will be getting more of these in the future. We are new fans of smartwool.