Review

Having a layering system that works well at a reduced weight is important and a base layer is one of the most important parts of that system. Having a base layer made of 100% Merino wool has its benefits and drawbacks, so why the Ice Breaker 175 base layer?

Why the 175 Merino wool base layer?

I previously used a synthetic base layer by Dare2B which was incredibly durable, but not very good at wicking off sweat. I’d heard about the benefits of Merino wool with moisture control while also being lightweight and breathable and having a fast dry time.

How did it do

The top is fantastic and it’s still my primary base layer top. It really wicks off sweat and is incredibly warm for its weight. It’s also very comfortable and well-fitting. The bottoms sadly were very thin and got a huge hole in the leg after just a couple of short hikes. The hair on my legs would also poke through the base layer bottoms making them feel very uncomfortable.

Value for money

For my size they came to around the £40 mark which isn’t bad for a 100% Merino wool base layer, but sadly, because of the issue I had with the bottoms, it’s best to save some money on those and just by the top on its own.

Gallery