How to Choose Base Layers

Perfect for all of your sweatiest cold-weather activities, this minimalist Smartwool Intraknit Thermal Merino men's crew base layer top is lightweight and very moveable.
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Imported.
View the Smartwool Intraknit Product LineView all Smartwool Men's Base Layer TopsBest Use | Multisport |
---|---|
Shirt Type | T-shirt |
Fabric | 53% merino wool/45% polyester/2% elastane |
Moisture Wicking | Yes |
Underwear Weight | Midweight |
Sleeve Length | Long Sleeve |
Gender | Men's |
Sustainability | Contains ZQ merino wool |
S | M | L | XL | XXL | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chest | 36 - 38 | 39 - 41 | 42 - 44 | 45 - 48 | 49 - 51 |
Sleeve Length | 31 - 32 | 32 - 33 | 33 - 34 | 34 - 35 | 35 - 36 |
Waist | 29 - 31 | 32 - 34 | 34 - 37 | 38 - 40 | 41 - 44 |
Hip | 36 - 38 | 39 - 41 | 42 - 44 | 45 - 48 | 49 - 51 |
Inseam | 30 - 31 | 31 - 32 | 32 - 33 | 33 - 34 | 34 - 35 |
Measurements are stated in inches.
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Bought the small intraknit 200 top and it fits perfectly. It's slightly itchy at first, but after a few washes its fine. Noticed few of thread pulls when I first opened it so I immediately returned my first one without a hassle, rei sent out a new one right away. I've had the new one for 3 months now and have worn lightly, mostly on hikes. I wash it on the delicate cycle, light spin and always hang dry it5. After about a dozen washes its starting to have a few thread pulls again. I do recommend this product, but you must be very careful with it. Not sure the long term effects of thread pulls, but overall I love this product.
The material is really soft, albeit a bit itchy. The cut is all wrong for me: * The sleeves are too tight in the biceps (and I do not have large arms), yet too loose at the wrists * The flexibility is bad; when I lift my arms, the whole torso section scrunches up my body and then stays there in an uncomfortable bunch. The armpit is like an inch too far down the arms. If that's put in the right place, then there's a bunch of excess fabric on top of my shoulder and it makes the sleeve too short. I wanted a tight, form-fitting base layer. I'm a road cyclist, very used to form-fitting clothes! The form on this is all wrong, though, at least for me.
I am extremely disappointed as this is a comfortable and warm base layer for winter hiking. However, it has started falling apart after less than 20 uses. Unfortunately, it is past REI's return policy and the manufacturer is not willing to replace it. For a very expensive shirt, I would have expected them to stand behind their product.
Great fit and mobility, exactly the right amount of warmth for me. But it didn't last! Started tearing under the armpit at the end of one ski season, hole got bigger through the second season, had to throw it away the third season
Wore this as a base layer up skiing on a cold day. Not sure why but the threading seems to be coming out. I'm wondering if others have experienced this problem as I am thinking about returning it, worried that the issue will get progressively worse. Other than that fit and warmth are great.
I’ve never had an issue with wool before, however the Intraknit base later has been consistently itchy over multiple days of use at times, however it does a great job of wicking sweat and it never gets too hot. But my real problem has been the unexpected roughness - the product description suggests it is a fully 3D knit piece (like the Patagonia Capilene Air) and it looks true from the pictures as some parts of the fabric are thicker than others, but in reality there are seams all throughout the shirt. This is a big disappointment as I was expecting a largely seam free shirt, and it wouldn’t be such a problem was the stitching not so rough. All in all it’s an nice shirt and I’ll be keeping it for it’s great wicking and smell-repellant capabilities but I’m slightly disappointed that I didn’t know the piece wasn’t entirely 3D knit. The underarms sport ugly stitching, too.
Although I intend to use this more in the winter, I snuck in some testing during a few cooler beach nights in the pacific northwest. Wearing this base layer during camping kept me quite comfortable and warm. The material is classic Smartwool soft, breathes, but also keeps you warm. I'm a medium in everything and the medium fit well. It's very form fitting. I was pleasantly surprised by the navy color and design... if it was a regular cut I'd wear this as a casual sweater in the fall.
This base layer is very soft and comfortable and will keep you very warm in all seasons. I have used this in summer, backpacking and camping and use it for sleep wear and lounging in camp. Excited to use it in winter for a skiing base layer. Merino wool works very well against the skin and doesn't smell after sweating! I went a size smaller than t-shirt size to get a tighter fit. 6'2 and slim frame, went with a M.
I loved the look and fit of this. it keeps its shape if dried flat and the wool keeps it fresh for a couple of light workouts so I don't need to wash it all the time. however after only about a month of use, a snag in a loose thread of the outer layer produced a small tear that has quickly stretched to a gash showing the bright liner underneath. it pretty much ruins the look of it from the front. for me that's too fragile for such a high price.
I gravel bike ride 80 miles a week so far 30-50 degrees temps. Because I'm a first time purchaser I should've gone with the XL but went with the XXL. 6'1 215lbs. Shirt is very comfortable. Great job wicking sweat off the body. A plus. I've been committed to UA coldgear for years and still is. Smartwool is now apart of my baselayer arsenal. I've been wearing them every bike ride last three weeks unwashed 240 miles. They are still odorless for those that care. A great baselayer. Will be buying a second set XL this time I like form fitting baselayers. But don't be confused. The XXL top and bottom I purchased are excellent just prefer a little tighter is all