I've been through various base layers through the multitude of sports and activities I take part in. Ordinarily for day to day use I use polyester tops that are lightweight and good at wicking, but for a lot of my Expedition and Mountaineering trips I needed something a bit warmer and a bit more versatile.
Merino wool had been heralded as a sort of "wonder" material with its excellent properties that kept you warm when cold and cool when its hot. It seemed a bit of an old fashioned approach to layering, wool features heavily in the clothing system for expeditions of old, but does it still have its place in the modern kit list? Well, yes.
My first Merino purchase was several years ago when I grabbed a bargain purchase of an IsoBaa merino t-shirt in a sale. I used it at that point for hiking in cooler weather and through to winter. Suitably impressed, I invested in more and they became my staple base layer for winter Mountaineering and Cold Expeditions. Merino also boasts natural anti-odour properties that prevents it from getting too stinky too soon despite repeated wear. Perfect for multi day trips.
This year IsoBaa have given me a few more items to try and put through their paces. Usually I've gone for the heavier weight long sleeved versions, but this time I went for the slightly lighter weight 150 Tee to see how much I could really do in it.
Fabric.
The Tee is made from 150 g/m2 of superfine 100% Merino wool. Merino of old use to be a bit itchy in places, never as bad as the cliché knitted woollen jumper from your Nan, but it wasn't always the softest on your skin. Fortunately it has evolved over time and this tshirt really is comfortable to wear against your skin now. The blend on this top is really fine and the IsoBaa Merino is easily the finest and most comfortable merino I have used to date.
The construction of the fabric allows some breathability as you move, whilst still providing you with a fair amount of warmth thanks to the wool. This is how it performs so well in a variety of conditions. For me Merino is still a bit too warm in the Summer, but it's ideal for hikes in the Winter and the cooler days of Spring and Autumn.
Over time there is some piling on some of my older tops which is to be expected on this sort of fabric. They have been on some pretty arduous trips though and I wore them for extended periods without washing them. The piling process is reduced the less you wash them, and thanks to the wonder of Merino, you don't need to wash it often.
Fit
In all of the IsoBaa tops I use I'm a size medium. I'm 6 foot, 32 inch waist and 40ish inch chest and the medium is the best fit. (There's plenty of arm length if you're looking at long sleeved versions). I would say they're a slim fit which is perfect for my intended use and activities. If you wanted them as a more casual/relaxed fit then consider sizing up. A really good feature of the Tees is the slightly dropped hem at the back. This provides a bit more coverage at the rear for whatever your activity is and helps with the inevitable riding up under a rucksack. IsoBaa have refined their sizing and fit compared to older versions, thanks to this they're much more comfortable and useable.
If washed and cared for properly they retain their size and shape well. Some of the older versions I had didn't, but this was down to my negligence in following the care instructions properly! Said care instructions are actually printed inside the tops to remove the need of those annoying scratchy labels.
Performance
So the big question, does it perform? On my Iceland Expedition I wore the same IsoBaa top for 21 days without washing or changing it, so I know it works well, in those extreme conditions it obviously did smell in the end.
I have been really rigorous with this tshirt and from the off tried pretty much everything I would ordinarily do. Running, cycling, scrambling, hiking and general day to day use. Whilst doing so I tried a re-run of the IsoBaa 30 day challenge, 30 days of use without washing the tshirt. This time around I didn't use it everyday due to work commitments and training, but I would say I used it more often than not.
I first got the tshirt in September and used it from the last day of Summer for cycling and hiking . October led to some travel for events in Wales and I wore it throughout my time there for a variety of activites. The biggest test for me was running in it. I've never run in Merino before, the other items I have are a bit too heavy weight and I assumed I'd probably overheat whilst running in wool. With the 150 Tee being made with the lighter weight material, I decided to give it a go as the temperature dropped off at the start of November.
During all of it I was superbly impressed with how it performed, especially when running. I run quite hot so I don't tend to layer up too much when exercising. I was a bit concerned how sweaty I would get when running or hiking fast with a heavy rucksack under other layers. Well fortunately the t-shirt wicked the sweat away really well and I didn't feel cold or clammy at any point during my activities. When running with a pack, inevitably your back gets quite sweaty where the pack sits, but I can't say I noticed it at any point. I was actually surprised when I stopped to see how damp the back had got and I was equally impressed with how quickly it dried off when I hung it up indoors. The same can be said for hiking. I picked some pretty grim days in Wales to hike whilst the temperatures were still pretty warm. Despite getting a bit sweaty around to the contact points of my rucksack, the t-shirt wicked it well and I didn't feel wet or uncomfortable at any time.
I used the tshirt in varying conditions, from cooler days at the end of September to pretty windy days in November. When running and cycling I used it as a stand alone layer and despite how strong the wind was, or the wind chill from cycling, I stayed comfortably warm without the need to layer up. On days hiking or scrambling I used the t-shirt under other layers and it kept me warm and comfortable throughout, without the need for too many layers, or removing any layers either. I did get a bit warm at times, but I do run quite warm usually.
The biggest test of all? The smell test. I was sure that after my first run in the top it was going to smell quite bad. Surprisingly it didn't, so I took it a few more times and let it dry out indoors after each run. To truly test its odour resistance, I employed my other half for the ultimate sniff test. Needless to say she was reluctant, having also known I had worn it since September. I wish I had recorded her face the moment she put her nose to the tshirt. It was a mixture of pure disgust followed by complete surprise when she realised it didn't stink. She described it as "musty, but ok." After 65 days, I can except musty!
So yes, I am really impressed with the performance of the 150 Tee and IsoBaa Merino in general. It does everything it claims it will do and provides a sustainable option thanks to needing less washing coming from a sustainable source. The price for Merino is a bit hefty but for the Expeditions and trips I have used it for I think its performance and comfort justifies the price tag. They're not made for running, and I don't think it would be my usual preference for long runs throughout the year, but my test does serve to show that it can still perform well when pushed.
Grab a Bargain
If all of that wasn't enough, you can get 25% off on the IsoBaa website!
Use code BENJ25 at www.isobaa.com/
What IsoBaa Say:
150gm 18.5 micron Superfine 100% Merino wool
Water-based print ISOBAA logo
Drop tail hem for additional coverage
Naturally soft, moisture wicking, odour resistant and breathable
ISOBAA folded cuff label
Printed care instructions directly onto the garment, to avoid scratchy labels
Easy care & quick drying
Recycled packaging
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