How to Choose Base Layers

Crafted from breathable alpaca, the women's Arms of Andes 160 Ultralight Alpaca Wool long-sleeve shirt keeps you dry during intense activities. Wear it alone in summer or as an extra layer in winter.
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Imported.
View all Arms of Andes Women's Base Layer TopsBest Use | Hiking |
---|---|
Shirt Type | T-shirt |
Fabric | 160 g alpaca wool |
Moisture Wicking | Yes |
Quick Drying | Yes |
Underwear Weight | Ultralightweight |
Sleeve Length | Long Sleeve |
Gender | Women's |
XS | S | M | L | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Chest | 31 - 33.5 | 33.5 - 36 | 36 - 39 | 39 - 42 |
Waist | 23 - 26 | 26 - 29 | 29 - 31.5 | 31.5 - 34 |
Hip | 31.5 - 34 | 34 - 37 | 37 - 40 | 40 - 42.5 |
Inseam | 26 - 27.5 | 27.5 - 29 | 29 - 30 | 30 - 31 |
Measurements are stated in inches.
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This shirt runs seriously small. I could barely get it on. I ordered a large and am well within size chart specs but this is barely a medium. I get it is an underlayer designed for a tight fit but this is clearly smaller than specified. I ordered the leggings and they fit fine so I think this issue is specific to the shirt. Fabric seems fine and quality looks good.
The shirt feels really nice and seems good quality - soft and well made. I also love that there is no branding on it so it can just be a shirt. I have never heard of the brand so I decided to order all three items in both my usual Medium and also in Large to be on the safe side since it said there was low stock at the time of ordering I didn't want to get the wrong size. I personally found this shirt to be too tight for my liking in the Large so I didn't try on the medium at all - some may like it as a tight baselayer but I prefer a very slightly looser fit. The bottoms in the large are really weird - tight in the thigh/hip area but too loose near the top... I was considering trying one size up since I really like the look/feel of these. The half zip top - fit more to my liking in a large but I would have liked to try and XL in all of them so I came to REI site to re-order... There doesn't seem to be an XL for women for any of these items (even on the brands website most of their womens items only go up to a large - although the men's seems to go up to XXL - why??) For reference I am a 5'5' and around 140lbs, low to medium muscle/curve - and evenly sized (not particularly bigger on top/bottom etc) - I usually wear a med/small and size 27-28 jeans... so overall I think the sizing is very disappointing. I can't decide if I should take a chance and keep the large items in the tight fit - but worried there may be some residual shrinking which would make them unwearable in my opinion... so I may just have to return my whole order. Anyways - wanted to put this so other people can order accordingly - if you are bigger than a size med or size 27 (size 4-6) - honestly I wouldn't bother.
I'm 4'11, 90 lbs, and the XS fits me great. I ordered the S too, just in case, but they were a little big in the shoulders. Seems from the other reviews that American vanity sizing causes confusion.
A great warm base layer. However it got a hole after a month of wear
This is now my favorite shirt! It’s very comfortable and good quality. I like this weight better than the heavier weight one. It does seem to run a little small. I wear xs in other brands, but got this one in a small.
Runs a little small, but I really love this base layer. I love how its odor resistant and warm and soft.
LOVE this top.. very lightweight yet super cozy. Perfect for layering. I got it in 2 colors (black and gray) and am reaching for them regularly over a large collection of other wool tops. HOWEVER, be sure to size up. I normally wear W’s XS/S in tops (5’3” 117lb, bust 33 waist 27 hip 37) and need a M in this one. The S was skintight. The M is fitted yet relaxed enough to layer over another shirt.
As someone who is sensitive to sheep wool, I was looking for a base layer that wouldn't make my skin act up. The alpaca fiber does not give me any issues. It's warm and moisture-wicking. The blue color doesn't look quite like the photo, but it's very pretty.
This is not very good quality alpaca; it is unbelievably itchy for alpaca. It feels like a mediocre quality merino wool, or perhaps the alpaca was not cleaned before carding and spinning so all the leaves twigs and sticks are still in the finished product