Polypropylene vs polyester base layer vs merino wool.

Polypropylene vs polyester base layer vs merino wool In our opinion 400 g/m 2 Merino wool mid-layers offer similar warmth as 200 g/m 2 Polartec fleece. Patagonia Merino Base Layers. Oct 25, 2022 · In this paper, I subject base layers in various weights made from merino, merino blends, and alpaca to the suite of tests I have developed to evaluate base layer performance. (Learn more about merino wool. Available in both short and long sleeves and in ¾ length or full-length trousers, the Mount Merino series is perfect for skiing and similar higher-intensity activities in cold weather where you don’t want Mar 16, 2022 · When to Choose Merino Wool vs. Merino wool is softer than regular wool and has a more comfortable feel on the skin. Both will keep you toasty warm when it's cold and will regulate body temperature when it's hot. For ease of digestion and relevance, we're going to cover only the materials included in our current review selection — merino wool, polyester, and silk — and lay out the pros and cons to each. It’s important to note that there are tons of types of polyester fabric on the market. Aug 1, 2024 · Merino Wool. Note that some people may mention polypropylene aka "polypro" base layers, which were popular 35-40 years ago and replaced by less stinky polyester. A variety of materials are used for such garments, each with different pros and cons. Alpaca: Battle of the Base Layers. LL Bean is a pretty reliable source for quality base layers. This unique fabric is based on a yarn technology that moves moisture away from the skin and transports it to the surface of the fabric, where it evaporates, keeping you warm, dry and comfortable. Anything else and some of us are guaranteed wet and clammy, even on the sub-zero days. Oct 16, 2018 · Base layers made of wool with a density of 170g/m 2 and less are suitable for use at high temperatures while others are mainly intended for winter, spring and fall use. So my question is: I primarily want to use this as a layer that won't pick up odor over long periods without washing. Jan 28, 2025 · Base layers made of synthetic fabric are usually made with Polyester or incorporate a blend of a natural fiber like Merino Wool with Polyester. ) woolen pants over my base. Merino wool has become extremely popular as a material for base layers, including socks. For some reason, the term "polypro" stuck, although AFIAK nobody has made polypro baselayers for at least two or three decades. Patagonia uses a Merino/Capilene blend for increased durability, to increase the wicking ability, and to reduce drying time over 100% Merino while maintaining odor resistance. You're dead right that polyester has mostly replaced polypropylene, but polyester has one major drawback: it doesn't keep you warm when it's saturated. A blend of merino wool and synthetic fabrics is the closest you can get to a one-size-fits all base layer. Polyester has more UV resistance than polypropylene. The Base layer should be a wicking layer. I like to layer merino of heavier weights on top of my base layer, depending on the temperature and my activity. If you're interested in a base layer constructed of 100% Merino wool far exceeding its modest price tag, we highly recommend the Merino. Adding polyester or nylon to Merino significantly increases durability and reduces stretching/sag after several days of use. This does not mean that there are no other decent base layer materials. But if I'm doing a single day hike, a 3D shoot, or just working outside I'll generally throw on a poly base layer under another shirt. Nov 12, 2021 · +1 for merino, I sort of feel like for most temp ranges I encounter wool is overrated, but not as a base layer in my experience this is one time the hype is real. It’s not great at handling lots of sweat though, for that your best bet is lightweight polyester or for super-rapid drying, polypropylene. Mar 6, 2025 · You’ll need a fabric that will keep you warm when wet and dry out quickly, with merino wool and polyester being the most common choices. When traveling, I pack several short sleeved base layer tops that can also be warn as a tee shirt when needed. I want to get some Merino wool base layers but the 100% merino wool are outside my budget. Oct 21, 2018 · Recently Brynje introduced a Merino wool version of their now famous mesh (famous for the first ascent of Everest in 1953). Feb 18, 2021 · Merino Wool Option. to/3e6ITs3Minus33 Bottom: https://amz I’m blown away by the popularity of wool as a base layer. From early November to mid-April I wear a wool sweater as a mid layer. Is that going to work out? Or will the Polypropylene/Polyester just stink up? Jan 16, 2024 · Helly uses a polypropylene (standalone in their synthetic, blended in their merino). I got a 95% merino 5% spandex set of Alaskan Hardgear from Duluth that I love, but they don't make it anymore. Apr 17, 2025 · Polyester materials are much easier to care for compared to polypropylene. That’s not to say there are not any other good base layer materials, but polypropylene and merino wool are the best that are widely available. The mid-layer and base layer, as well as your gloves, socks and hat, will usually be made of merino wool or synthetics. Nov 4, 2016 · Merino wool – the biggest seller of base layers in the last decade or so, it is hydrophilic and dries only slightly quicker than cotton, but it is naturally antibacterial (so doesn’t stink after lots of use with no wash) and has some insulation properties at all fabric thicknesses. It goes against all of my cold weather training. You're better off with a puffy weighing 100g more (if that weight is 80fill down) than a baselayer weighing 100g more, if warmth is your goal. How would they stack up to 100% A Buyers Guide to Base Layers - Base layers are designed to sit next to the skin and wick sweat away or provide an extra thermal layer as a second skin Apr 23, 2022 · Breathability: winner (merino for a base layer, polyester for a mid-layer) If we compare similarly thick merino and polyester fabric, merino is the undisputed winner. What’s the difference between merino wool and synthetic? What about blends? Merino wool comes from merino sheep and features thinner fibers than regular wool, usually less than 24 microns wide. This is because, as a fiber, Merino wool does not itch, it feels warm when wet and it tends not to harbor odors. Oct 25, 2022 · I like medium and heavy (“Polar”) weight polyester base layers from reputable brands like LL Bean or Patagonia. Below I have set out to review the basic advantages and disadvantages of the key materials and That said, base layers are designed to contribute to warmth via moisture dispersal. It's also not UV resistant, so for tops, it should primarily be used as a base layer vs. 39 million New Zealand sheep can’t be wrong. Merino base, wool sweater, and GoreTex shell is a solid old school new school layer blend that works for everyone from the heavy sweat crowd to the rare always dry folks. Polyester all the way. However, if we want to make a really thick merino fabric, it needs to be very dense. Nov 4, 2019 · When it comes to mid-layers polyester is your best bet. Thinner fabric is going to be less durable. . These base layers will keep the wearer warm when combined with ski wear. These consist of 100% polypropylene, 100% polyester, modacrylic/rayon/nylon blend, Nomex/spandex blend, merino wool/fire-resistant viscose blend and 100% Zirpro ®-treated Merino wool. Both are breathable and still provide warmth when wet. Feb 2, 2023 · I’ve stopped wearing merino base layers. Nov 4, 2019 · Polyester is going to be significantly lighter than merino wool. Speculation. Whichever you choose, they each offer their own benefits and drawbacks. Jan 4, 2023 · When you run cold, only wool is warm enough! I wear -33 (brand) merino wool base layers, top and bottom. You might choose merino wool base layers if comfort is a top priority and you have a higher spending budget. Merino wool isn’t just for cold weather– it helps regulate your body temperature even in warm months. I am struggling with cheaper polyester vs more expensive merino wool. There are polypropylene base layers, but they stink worse than polyester, wear out faster, are scratchier feeling, and can melt in the clothes dryer. Minus33 Top: https://amzn. I tend to prefer wool on longer trips due to its ability to resist smell. But that has all night to dry. In cold/wet synthetic base layers and wool fleece for warmth, it's a little heavier, a lot bulkier, but it's dependable warmth even if wet and doesn't hold a smell too strongly. Wool is hydrophilic, while polyester is hydrophobic. Nov 27, 2021 · My merino base is dry long before my camo synthetic that I wear over it. Polypropylene is great to. Wool doesn't help much either. We recommend that you steer clear of a cotton base layer because it absorbs moisture like a sponge. So one can argue that you get more value for your money with Merino wool. Merino wool mid-layers use wool with a density from 200 g/m 2 to 400 g/m 2 and thus in average weigh from 350 g to 700 g per garment. Synthetic Base Layers. There’s 3 layers, base layer is wicking, middle layer is your insulation and outer layer is your protection from wind and snow. I own two jackets one for "cold" weather days and one for "not so cold" weather days. I'm working on getting some new thermal base layers. Comfort. The change wasn’t deliberate, sudden, or driven by a deep concern for the wellbeing of rare sheep. Smartwool Merino 250 Wool Base Apr 1, 2019 · Decided to do a few test to see how merino wool base layers did versus synthetic base layers. synthetic base layers is the type of weather you expect to encounter. For base layer clothing, you want Merino wool that is graded as Ultrafine, Superfine, or Extra Fine, as anything coarser isn’t comfortable to be worn directly against the skin. Dec 8, 2010 · I decided to invest in thermal layer for my winter hill walking, but I am not sure what presents the best value for money. Merino Wool Option Nov 13, 2024 · For the full rundown of how alpaca performs compared to merino, check out our Merino Wool vs. It can be worn as a Sep 21, 2023 · Most base layers are made of either synthetic material or merino wool. tech Crew. Apr 5, 2015 · As to your question, wool is great. Odor resistance is still pretty good. Merino Wool (Kaibab series) vs. So far I have not found a Merino base layer I feel is as warm as the comparable polyester base layer. Polyester (Wasatch). May 17, 2023 · However, Merino wool fabrics are of a finer quality than that polyester. Merino Wool is a lightweight, super material that wicks moisture away from the body. Voormi makes some interesting base layers where the inside is wicking polyester and the outside is wool. My next AT hike is going to be in cotton. I think that a 50/50 blend makes the ideal base layer top for most conditions. The increased density reduces breathability. It's harder to find legitimate merino wool base layers, many of the cheaper like Target's are <26% blends. The Downsides of Merino Wool. When you buy your bae layer from Buckmans. May 24, 2022 · Polypropylene and merino wool are two materials that are quite good at what they do. I can't say why but my skin also feels dryer in most synthetic base layers than wool. I really haven't seen this issue with merino. In general, Polypro is more affordable and has a reputation for being the quicker drying option. Higher-end tech fabrics with branded names will out-perform cheap unbranded polyester. We've tested dozens of baselayers on stormy spring ski tours in the Pacific Northwest, frigid winter runs, and backpacking trips across the world, and below are our top 15 picks of 2025. So it’s obvious that we think merino wool is great. We recommend a cold-water wash and laying flat to dry. They’re designed for extreme cold weather use. These are the most common materials, though you may come across silk on the rare occasion. Merino wool has the following characteristics: Jan 28, 2025 · There are several materials that these tops can be made out of, including silk, cotton, Merino wool, polypropylene, polyester, etc. Our range of LIFA® Active and Solen base layers use LIFA®. I've used cotton, wool, and plastic bases and prefer a wool base (on cold days) and cotton on "warmer" days. Our favorite Alpaca base layers: Paka and AlpacaTek. My concerns are: 1) will polyester keep me warm? 2) will merino wool get wet and cold when exercising (intensive walking)? May 12, 2018 · So then we have Wilderness Wear's Merino Fusion which is a hybrid weave of Tasmanian merino wool (the best merino available - I may be biased ha ha) and ultrafine Schoeller polypropylene (the best polypro available) that creates a hard wearing soft feeling, moisture wicking, odour resistant material seemingly perfect for baselayer thermals. A merino-synthetic blend: Is generally more durable than full merino wool layers. I use Smartwool baselayers since they blend their Merino with synthetic fibers so you get the best of both worlds. Kari Traa Lam Base Layer Top (women’s only) Kari Traa Lam Base Layer Bottom (women’s only) REI Co-op Merino Wool Base Layer Crew Top; REI Co-op Merino Wool Base Layer Tights; Synthetic Option. I've never even heard of a nylon base layer. Merino wool and synthetic blend. If you’re looking for cheap, cheerful, and very washable (a great place to start), Blacks have a similar polyester base layer top and bottom set for just £21. But I do think a small fishnet base layer of Merino wool would be as Oct 8, 2024 · Merino Wool vs Polyester. Polypropylene, however, doesn't absorb water, so it has a unique ability to keep you warm even after you've taken an unforeseen dunking in a river, for example. They tend to not shrink in the drier and are true to size. Nov 1, 2019 · Unisex Wool Thermo T-Shirt Base Layer with Inlay; Unisex Wool Thermo Light Longs Base Layer with Inlay; Unisex Super Thermo T-Shirt Base Layer with Inlay; 70 Gram Wool Hat; At this point, since nomenclature can sometimes be confusing, it’s important to note that: Wool Thermo is a blend of (predominantly) merino wool and nylon (for durability). Cold days = below 25 degrees ALL day. Polyester Base Layers. Merino Wool Mid-Layers are way too dense for most activities. For deep snow I prefer insulated snowshoe pants; otherwise, I wear Johnson (Vt. Drying Time: Polyester tends to dry faster than nylon, making it a popular choice for base layers in high-intensity activities or humid conditions. I own a mix and use both. Merino wool has almost completely replaced traditional wool thanks to its soft, ultrafine fibers. We Blondes have said this before, and we’ll say it again. To help your merino wool layers last, wash and dry with care. Once evaporation becomes the dominant moisture transport mechanism (see the dark purple edge of the droplet near the top of the image), the fabric temperature cools because heat loss (from the fabric, air, and user’s body) occurs during evaporation. They also have an advantage over wool: Polyester I think it boils down to this: wool is the best weight to warmth ratio, but if you’re optimizing for weight, and don’t need the same amount of warmth, synthetic is the better option…it’s not as though a 1lb/ ~450g wool base layer is going to let you feel comfortable in considerably colder temperatures than a 1lb /~450g synthetic would…unless you’re very sensitive to temperature Polyester fibers have a hydrophobic nature, meaning they repel water and allow moisture to evaporate quickly, keeping you dry and comfortable during physical activity. Bamboo Pros. Base layers (as well as mid-layers) made of Merino wool with a density above 250g/m 2 tend to be too heavy (especially when soaked with sweat) to be efficiently used for sports Apr 15, 2019 · For low level use, merino wool has a great mix of next to skin comfort and odour resistance. Synthetic base layers will largely be made from polyester and polyester blends. And Polypropylene is shiny, like the threads running horizontally and the seams. Dec 3, 2018 · The main reason for this is that they are relatively heavy for the warmth that they provide. May 10, 2024 · SYNTHETIC BASE LAYERS. com, there's no wrong way to go with merino wool and polyester clothing products. However, polypropylene and merino wool are the best baselayer materials that are easily accessible. But perhaps the most impressive feature of this product is how light it is compared to the warmth it produces. Merino vs Polypro is one of the great debates, and ultimately it comes down to personal preference. It doesn't have the problem of never being able to dry like Merino, and doesn't hold a smell like synthetics. Mar 9, 2021 · Base layer aside, I'd be more interested in my jacket which can come off or go on when I stop to sit and glass. And at Ultimate Gear Lists merino wool is hands down our favourite material for hiking baselayers. I have seen a few different options out there that are wool blend, usually 60% polyester and 40% merino wool. Both polypropylene and merino wool do their jobs very well. Then if we get cold we can layer a heavier 250 gsm zip-up (like the to Smartwool Merino 250 Quarter-Zip Top) over the t-shirt and vent using the zip as needed. Merino’s biggest advantage is that it won’t stink after you sweat it in it, but polyester base layers actually do a better job wicking sweat. Sep 26, 2022 · Synthetic fabrics range from polyester to nylon, polypropylene, and more, but they generally all share similar properties. Polyester is relatively rough to the touch and is lighter on the skin. Nylon fibers absorb more Sep 2, 2014 · Synthetic Base Layers | Merino Wool | Bamboo | Cotton ‘Base layer’ is the name given to an item of clothing worn next to the skin during sport or activity. Therefore they can Oct 11, 2024 · Infrared image of a water droplet (purple) wicking through a hydrophilic polyester base layer fabric (yellow). Poly and synthetic are my go to for shorter and day hunts. Nylon absorbs a lot of water, can't imagine it making for a good base layer. Jun 9, 2022 · The Capilene Air Crew top is made from a blend of merino wool and recycled polyester to provide a base layer that has excellent moisture-wicking, odour control and durability. Patagonia offers Merino 1 (silkweight) in boxer briefs, briefs, T-shirt and Crew, Merino 2 (lightweight) in a Polo, Crew, Zip-neck and The Mount Merino Base Layer Top and Trousers combine wool and polyester, offering wool's natural benefits along with enhanced durability. Super soft; Lightweight breathability Mar 30, 2025 · While Merino wool ultimately takes the cake when it comes to superior performance, its typically expensive price tag can often be a barrier to entry for some shoppers. May 16, 2022 · I prefer to wear several layers of washable merino, if needed, wearing a short sleeved 100- 150 weight wool next to my body. Synthetic options are usually less expensive and more durable than their Merino friends, although they are typically less breathable and not as warm. Polypropylene is the worst when it comes to odor retention. ) Wool can also be blended with other fabrics, like spandex to enhance fit and flexibility. Jul 3, 2023 · Investing in a quality base layer, whether it's a merino base layer or a synthetic base layer, will significantly enhance your comfort and experience in the great outdoors. A selection of fabrics used as base-layer garments for first responder personnel were tested as part of the new study. Nov 10, 2021 · Cotton is unsuitable for a technical base layer as the fabric soaks up moisture and draws heat away from the body leaving the wearer cold and uncomfortable. This is not your grandparents' itchy woolies. Merino wool base layers. Polyester is by far the most common synthetic and a nice cost-effective alternative to merino: It keeps up in terms of moisture wicking, comfort is still fairly high, and it tends to be much more hardwearing. Nov 3, 2009 · The Patagonia mix, I read somewhere, is fibres spun with a polyester core and wool outside; Helly Hansen's layers are then something quite different (and if the polypro is on the inside, that would take away some of my concern about wool itch); Montane apparently has the merino on the inside and polyester on the outside. Sep 23, 2013 · A synthetic interior/wool exterior makes the most sense. It is in midlayers where you want to to concentrate on warmth. VERDICT: POLYESTER. The fibers are extremely thin, less than 24 microns in diameter. Alpaca base layers are best for: high-activity adventures, people with wool allergies, and cold-weather activities. Synthetic base layers are made of material like polyester, nylon, or polypropylene. Merino wool wins over polyester in a few categories, but definitely not all of them. I save my merino for hunting. I've got a few tees and base layers and those tees are amazing I started with Minus 33 and move up to some bigger brand names, Varusteleka has the best deal price-wise hands down if I prefer Smartwool or Merino Wool also. REI Co-op Midweight Base Layer Crew Top; REI Co-op Midweight Base Layer Bottoms; Middle-of-the-Road. a long sleeve top you can hike, camp, run in year-round. As wool gets thin you start to run into durability issues. Layering for Different Weather Conditions: Another key consideration when choosing between merino wool vs. I then compare the performance of these base layers with those of the polyester base layers I have recently reviewed. They are much cheaper of course, but not sure at what cost. Synthetics are much better at wicking than wool. Weight/Size: Winner(Polyester) Polyester is going to be significantly lighter than merino wool. bcypwd eljwze mpukh qfpwfc krr nocmb jmqc zbxlivdk zynu inrvqwi gnkaebbq ywa nuzsty uugt exrm