Merino.tech Crew Review

Although not the warmest of base layers, the Merino.tech Crew is one of the lightest and most breathable. This top's lightweight fabric is a good choice for those who run hot or perspire generously or for those seeking a top that dries out quickly and doesn't hold onto a ton of moisture. The fit is on the slimmer side and should be worn close to the skin for the best performance. Layering up works well with tops piled on, but you won't want to wear it alone. The Merino.tech Crew is a great value, so long as you take the time to care for the more delicate fabric.

Performance Comparison

Warmth

For the weight of the fabric, the Merino.tech Crew is surprisingly warm. The 100% Merino wool is only at a 165 g/sm2 weight, so it's not going to compete with 250 g/sm2 tops, but we were still surprised at its performance. This may be because the finer spun wool traps more heat than a rougher thread.

On our exercise test in a controlled environment, I definitely started to feel the heat build up after a few minutes of vigorous movement, without a buildup of sweat. Once I finished, it took a few more minutes to get back to baseline. I'd suggest this top as an excellent warm layer for sleeping in while camping for a little extra warmth in comfort when nestled in a sleeping bag. It's likely too light for hardcore winter use, so bring along something heavier if you're going on a long snowshoe or ski tour. The lighter fabric weight of the Merino.tech Crew is usually what I pick for my chillier runs. I tend to build up a lot of heat, so a lighter base layer works best for me.

Breathability

Breathability is excellent in the Merino.tech Crew. Being sewn from such a thin fabric, this is of little surprise. If you're looking for a top that'll handle a high level of perspiration and activity, this may be a good fit. This would not be a good top if you are looking to stay warm while standing still for long periods of time in the cold.

Our portable air flow meter showed results that illustrated higher airflow through the fabric than the vast majority of the base layers we've tested. Good airflow usually corresponds roughly to a porous material, equating to good moisture wicking and evaporation of sweat, as water can easily move through to the surface of the fabric.

Comfort and Fit

The very finely spun and very thin 100% Merino is somewhat the standout of the Merino.tech Crew, offering a smooth face to the fabric. The fit is slimmer, so if you're between sizes, size up. There is a drop hem, and we measured the length to be 29" from the bottom hem to the collar.

There were a few details that could be improved upon. Many of the seams are overlock rather than flatlock, which can be annoying to more sensitive wearers. A seam also runs at the top of the shoulder, which can cause discomfort when carrying a pack. Overall, these infractions can be overlooked because of how thin and soft the fabric is and in reality, are not as noticeable as one may think. It's a little tight underneath the arms for me. If you're on the muscular side, consider sizing up.

Durability

The 165 g/sm weight of the 100% Merino fabric of the Merino.tech Crew is one of the lightest pure wool tops we've seen and is naturally a little more delicate than heavier wool, Merino blends, or synthetic tops. This top would be one you would only want to wear underneath an outer layer, where it will be protected from snagging on tree branches or suffering abrasion from rough surfaces.

You'll also want to be careful when caring for and washing the Merino.tech Crew. Although the manufacturer says it's okay to dry this top on low, it also recommends drying it on a flat surface. For the longest life of the product, you may even want to hand wash it. This may be a deal breaker to some, so be aware of the recommended care before investing. My personal rule is that all wool gets hung up to dry. I don't temp fate!

Drying Speed

For how thin the fabric is, drying time was fairly average, though it does beat out much heavier 100% Merino tops. Wool tends to dry slightly slower than synthetic tops, as the fibers are said to hold moisture into the core of its fibers, prolonging drying times.

Drying speed on the line corresponds roughly to drying speed on the body. Being so light, not a whole lot of moisture will be absorbed by the base layer. After the spin cycle, the size L only held onto 107 grams (or 64%) of the dry weight of the Merino.tech. All this means is that even when wet, this top shouldn't weigh you down in sweat.

Layering Ability

The smooth, thin fabric of the Merino.tech Crew works best as a slim-fitting, next-to-skin layer. This top just isn't durable enough as an outer layer by itself and may look a little too technical even in casual situations. There are no frills — no zipper, buttons, or thumb loops. The back features a drop hem, with a shirt length of 29 inches for a size Large.

Layering over the Merino.tech Crew posed no problems, as the smooth face of the fabric didn't catch or snag on any other fabric I wore with it. This is a thinner layer, so I didn't miss being able to dump heat the way you sometimes need to on thicker layers equipped with zip necks. The next-to-skin fit should help transfer any built-up moisture to the layer above.

Should You Buy the Merino.tech Crew?

The Merino.tech Crew is a great introduction to 100% Merino wool layers at a fair price. For summer duties, it's just enough extra warmth to supplement your sleeping bag at night and works well underneath a wind jacket to keep you comfortable while the base layer is protected. Buy it knowing that it's going to be more delicate than other tops, so don't try to scrub it clean on river rocks or toss it in a dryer at a high setting, as these activities are likely to cause an untimely end of the life of this shirt.

What Other Base Layers Should You Consider?