In the coldest winter months, wear the Smartwool Men's Midweight Crew under your fleece jacket and waterproof shell. Thick, soft merino wool fibers manage moisture so you stay dry and warm while you rack up runs. Smartwool infused the fabric with an antimicrobial treatment that fights odors, so you can ride home from the mountain with the windows rolled up. This long-sleeve top has flat-lock seams that won't rub you the wrong way while you perfect your turns.
Bottom Line: The Smartwool Medweight Crew keeps you warm and dry when the mercury hovers in the teens.
Smartwool has made the perfect base layer. Marino Wool wicks moisture, keeps you warm when wet and is soft to the skin. Additionally, hollow crevasses in the fibers trap air, which is then warmed by your own body heat. As a result, the fabric retains heat very well. I've tried various synthetic materials for base layering and have found they aren't as efficient as wool. It would make sense however that cold weather clothing utilizing the fibers used in nature to keep animals warm would prove most effective.
This is the most important piece of clothing that I own. If I am heading out, this smartwool is in my pack. Its greatest strength is temperature regulation. I am continually amazed at its ability to keep me warm and cool at the same time, year round. No matter where I am going or what I activity am doing or what time of year it is, this is part of my layering system, or the only layer I need. The construction is very durable. I have had mine for over 2 years with no signs of wear. Merino wool is king. It is softer than synthetics (sometimes I wear this around the house just because it is so darn comfy), allows multiple wears before you notice any odor, regulates temperature, wicks sweat, keeps its warmth retention even when wet, and on and on. And this midweight smartwool is the best merino piece I own (and I own shirts by ibex, icebreaker, and horny toad). The fit is true to size and athletic. I am 6'3" 180lbs, and the large has a perfect snug fit. It is meant to be worn next to skin, but sometimes I will sneak a short sleeve base layer under it. I really can't say enough about this shirt. It would be well worth it at twice the price. Just get it, you wont regret it. 5 stars is not enough!
Some of my Icebreaker pieces could be considered my glamour pieces, but for mid and underlayer workhorses these Smartwool crews are unstoppable! I literally just wore this midweight top (black) in a marathon with just bandaid protection under it and a racing singlet over it in 45 degree windy conditions and it was PERFECT. It regulated heat--kept me from ever feeling cold but didn't make me sweat out all my moisture. The amazing thing is I wore it THE NEXT DAY and it didn't smell a bit. I'll be throwing this under other merino tops to form merino armor when it gets seriously cold, and by itself/under a shortsleeve or tank top tech piece when temps are moderate. I would perhaps go lightweight if temps were above say 65 and energy output was high but otherwise this is awesome!
