Trip Reports, Campsites & More
Smartwool Men's Classic Thermal Base Layer
Gear Review
I don’t like being cold on canoe trip. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that I don’t like it when it’s cold on trip, I just don’t like it when I can’t do anything about it. In fact, as long as I’m dressed properly, I much prefer the cooler days of early spring and late fall to the height of summer. But, that’s the key, right? Being dressed properly. If you’re on your ice out trip in May, or trying to sneak in one last trip at the tail end of October, you’re going to want to have the right clothing with you. For me, that starts with a solid base layer. Something light and warm that’s going to stay that way after a long day of paddling or even just a quiet night around the campfire. And that’s where Merino wool comes in.
Merino wool is what happens when a bunch of sheep look at your most advanced synthetic fibers, shrug, and say “is that all you got?”. Merino wool is soft and warm. It wicks and traps moisture away from your skin, and dries out relatively quickly. It’s breathable. A Merino wool base layer will keep you warm without making you feel overheated. Finally, and, most importantly after five days of tramping through the woods with a canoe on your shoulders, Merino wool is odor limiting. So while your typical cotton or synthetic base layer will probably smell like something that just came back from a vacation in your kids’ hockey bag after a few days on trip, your Merino wool base layer will smell like … nothing really. Campfire I guess?
Can you tell I’m a fan?
Merino wool base layers have been a staple of my spring and fall trip pack for as long as I’ve been canoe tripping. Which is why I was thrilled when Smartwool, Canada based and one of the biggest names is Merino wool, reached out to ask if I’d like to try out their newest base layer top. I’ve been wearing Smartwool for years, so I jumped at the chance to add to my Merino closet. I figured that unless they’d done something really strange, like add a layer of tacks to the inside of the top (they have not added a layer of tacks to the inside of the top), I’d be in for a very similar experience with their newest line compared to what I was used to. And I was right! Here’s what I found:
Warmth
Smartwool sent me a Men’s Medium Classic Thermal Base Layer Crew top. Given that this is relatively thin top, think slightly thicker than your average cotton t-shirt, it does a great job of regulating heat. I don’t find that I get overheated when I’m out hiking or running, while it still keeps the chill away when I’m wearing it for less sweat-inducing activities (it’s a godsend in some of the arenas where my son’s hockey team plays).
I’m not going to oversell the warmth here. Merino wool is warm, but this layer alone isn’t going to keep you cozy if the temperatures are below zero. Base layers are exactly that, layers. You would very likely want to pair this with a mid layer and an outer layer on that campsite at the beginning of May, but as part of that system it does the job well.
Comfort & Materials
Like all the other Smartwool tops that I’ve worn, this one was made of 100% Merino wool. I won’t bore you with a repeat of everything that’s good about Merino wool (because everything is good about it!), but I will say that the wool continues to live up to its billing as a very comfortable fabric.
If you’re anything like I was before trying my first Merino shirt, you probably have wool somewhere near fiberglass insulation on your “stuff that’s really itchy to wear” list. Traditional wool is thicker and rougher and, as a result, can be itchy against your skin (those sheep must be miserable 24/7). Merino wool is not. It’s a thinner, smoother fiber, and as a result I find it doesn’t feel that different from a cotton shirt when I’m wearing it. This particular top was no different, and I’ve been happily wearing it as a regular every day shirt as well as on more active outings.
Sweat, Baby Sweat
Actually, let’s talk about those active outings. While I’ve been talking about this top in the context of canoe tripping, I find these base layers are useful for any number of cold weather activities. Along with canoe tripping, I love to run. I run outside year round and when you live in Ottawa (Welcome to the 7th coldest capital city in the world!) a decent layering system is essential for outdoor running.
I’ve been wearing this top as my base layer on runs since early November and have found that, most days, it and a light jacket or hoodie have been more than enough to keep me warm. I can attest firsthand to how good the material is at wicking sweat (I tend to produce a lot of it according to my wife, kids, neighbours and everyone else who’s been unfortunate enough to be within half a block of me when I’m finishing a run). While the top may be wet by the time I’m done my run, it’s not cold. And that’s a huge plus. There’s nothing worse than finishing out a run in a clammy shirt with your core temperature falling along with the snow. With this shirt (and really every Merino shirt) that hasn’t been a problem at all.
Fit & Style
This is a crew neck top that Smartwool bills as a slim fit. I’m typically a medium size for most shirts, and I found this to one to be true to size. I’ll be honest, I usually find slim fit shirts to be a bit snugger than this particular top, but I wouldn’t say it’s overly baggy either. Regardless, it fits well.
Along with a couple of new design features (new shoulder panels that eliminate top shoulder seams, and an anti-chafing seam construction elsewhere), Smartwool has added some new colours to its line. And I’m a fan. My shirt combined dark grey arms with an eggplant purple body and it looks pretty awesome. If you’re worried about looking too much like Grimace, there are a wide variety of colours to pick from. If I hadn’t wanted to express my inner Barney, I probably would have gone with the blue body and black arm combo, but there are plenty of single colour options available as well.
The Verdict
I love Merino wool, and I love Smartwool base layers, so it’s probably not a surprise that I’m a fan of this top. From a canoe tripping perspective, this is an essential add to every shoulder season trip. Merino wool stands up well to a day of paddling and portaging, and is very comfortable as a sitting around the fire base layer option. In terms of overall activewear, this top has come with me on over a dozen runs and still looks (and smells) like new. If you’re looking for something lightweight and warm to add to your canoe pack, or looking for a great gift for the tripper/runner in your family, this base layer is a great option.
Gear reviews are featured in each issue of The Thunderbox. If you want to get my up to date thoughts on various pieces of gear, feel free to add your email in the box below. You’ll receive the monthly Thunderbox update and trip reports as they are published.