Description of SmartWool Microweight Crew Shirt - Long-Sleeve - Men's:
Wear the SmartWool Men's Microweight Long-Sleeve Crew Shirt for cool- or warm-weather aerobic activities or as a next-to-skin base layer. SmartWool's porous natural fibers move moisture while it is still in vapor form before it has a chance to condense on your skin; you stay drier and more comfortable throughout your entire workout. By comparison, synthetics transport moisture after it condenses, which means you must visibly sweat before any moisture management begins. SmartWool fiber adaptabls to a broad range of conditions, keeping you warm in winter and cool in spring. This naturally anti-microbial shirt features a crew neckline, chafe-reducing flatlock seams, and a body-hugging fit.
Bottom Line: It might be Microweight, but it's big on performance.
People aren't lying when they tell you that merino wool doesn't hold odor. This top breathes well, wicks sweat, and dries quickly when wet, and is cotton soft. Ultra-light. And doesn't smell. Not super warm, but they sell heavier weight tops if you want warmth. As it is, this has worked ideally for me in temps to the mid-50s under just a wind jacket so long as I'm moving some. Lower if I'm moving more. I haven't had any durability issues in 4 months and have worn it regularly for morning runs, day hikes and multi-day backpacking trips with heavy-ish packs. It's a base layer, i.e. always under something, so I don't know how it would respond to snags or abrasion. It holds up pretty well to washing, though you don't have to do it often as it never stinks, just gets dirty. I have two, and one I've been less careful with, allowing it to end up in a washing machine rather than hand washing, and it has started to pill ever so slightly and feels a tad bit rougher than the almost exclusively hand washed one. Either way, it's been 4 months and neither shows any major signs of wear. My only complaint is that even though the seams are flat, they still will chafe a tiny bit under a heavier pack (over 15 lbs, say). With a daypack, this hasn't been an issue. I'll probably get something with a raglan sleeve for backpacking, but it will definitely be made of merino wool.
I’m extremely sensitive to itchy stuff and didn’t get any itchy feel from this top at all. I’ve used this base layer for both cycling as well as running. As others have said, it breathes well, wicks well, dries quickly, and is great as a base layer under anything. I’ve worn this a few times at about 50-60 degrees without something over the arms and I would suggest always wearing a long-sleeve jacket/shell over it to give it a layer above it or you’ll get chilled very quickly. I’ve completely disregarded hand-washing it and I’ve just thrown it into the wash with my other tech wear and have had no problems or noticeable balling up on the surface yet and I’ve used this top at least twice a week for 2 months. All in all, love it and plan to buy many more.
Just got this in XL and fits me pretty well (I take a 46S jacket). Very lightweight and feels good, but just slightly itchy right out of the box. Hopefully it will get even softer after washing.
