How to Choose Base Layers
Arms of Andes 300 Lightweight Alpaca Wool Half-Zip Base Layer Top - Men's
$145.00
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An all-seasons base layer, this men's Arms of Andes 300 Lightweight Alpaca Wool Half-Zip top is breathable for summer hikes and warm from the slopes to apres-ski in winter.
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- Half-zip design aids with temperature regulation
- Made with warm, breathable and supersoft royal alpaca wool
- High moisture-wicking capabilities keep you dry and prevent chafing
- Antibacterial properties means you can wash it less and stay fresh longer
- Naturally stretchy, allowing you to move freely without the fabric losing its shape
- Wool is sourced from gently sheared, free-grazing alpacas living high in the Andes of Peru
- PFAS-free
Imported.
View all Arms of Andes Men's Base Layer Tops| Best Use | Hiking |
|---|---|
| Shirt Type | Partial-zip |
| Fabric | 300 g alpaca wool |
| Moisture Wicking | Yes |
| Quick Drying | Yes |
| Underwear Weight | Lightweight |
| Sleeve Length | Long Sleeve |
| Gender | Men's |
Arms of Andes Clothing - Men's
| S | M | L | XL | XXL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chest | 35 - 38 | 38 - 40.5 | 40.5 - 43 | 43 - 46 | 46 - 49 |
| Waist | 28 - 31 | 31 - 34 | 34 - 36.5 | 36.5 - 39.5 | 39.5 - 42.5 |
| Hip | 33 - 35 | 35 - 38 | 38 - 40.5 | 40.5 - 43 | 43 - 45.5 |
| Inseam | 29.5 - 31 | 31 - 32 | 32 - 32.5 | 32.5 - 34 | 34 - 35.5 |
Sizing Notes
Measurements are stated in inches.
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Most Helpful Favorable Review
Nice fit, good Mid-layer base.
Harsh2 years ago
I first was puzzled about the 300 vs. Manufacture's 230 (From their own website). I emailed both. Both stated that the 300 is the actual Gram weight. AoA said they will phase out their 230 soon and sell 300 like the one on REI. This 3/4 quarter fits great. I ordered a XL, I normally wear L. Have a bit of a belly. Not too tight.
Soft to the touch, can slightly feel prickly fibers poke through my base layer underneath. Not a problem for me, not like full on sheep wool either. I recommend one size up. Light weight, equivalent to synthetic material weight. Have not tested in the arctic yet.
Harsh
San Antonio, Texas
5 people found this review helpful
Most Helpful Critical Review
Looks AMAZING, EXTREMELY breathable, but ITCHY!
James1 year ago
I bought this jacket a few months ago thinking I had found the perfect jacket, and absolutely loved the blue. In fact I had emailed this company a few years prior telling them if the made a quarter zip pullover like this I'd be their first customer, so when I saw it on here with free returns I ordered it immediately. Although it was probably the best looking, most flattering piece of clothing I've ever put on, it was absurdly itchy. I even tried all sorts of internet methods of making the wool less itchy by like soaking it in shampoo and then conditioner for days at a time, soaking it in vinegar, etc, and it just wouldn't stop itching. I've had plenty of other wool sweaters in the past, so I'm not historically someone that can't wear wool, but this alpaca wool must just not agree with me. I had my whole family wear it to confirm that I wasn't crazy and they all thought it was itchy too, so I had to return it. If the company ever does a different blend of wool or something, I'll be the first to try it again, because man that color and cut looks great, and after wearing it for a few days I've never had anything breathe as well as that jacket - warm when it needed to be warm, and cool when it needed to be cool.
If it has free returns where you live I'd give it a try, because if it doesn't itch for you it's the greatest jacket I've ever had the pleasure of putting on. But without free returns, I'd pass.
James
5 people found this review helpful
Customer Images
Doug G
Received free product
Bristow, VA
Like having a built in hiking thermostat
1 year ago
I typically hike in a synthetic base layer, and was not sure what to expect from a real wool base layer. What a found was akin to a hiking thermostat. Although it was cool and damp when I tested it, the wool ensured I stayed warm (almost too warm) and dry, much warmer than a comparable synthetic base layer. The half zip, however, allows you to create a vent when you need to cool down, allowing you to regulate your temperature as needed. My one concern with this shirt was that wool can by itchy when worn against bare skin. Unfortunately, this proved to be the case. I found a thin microfiber shirt worn under the wool served a quick fix for this problem, without significantly impacting the features of the shirt. Overall, I found this shirt kept me warmer than my usual synthetic base layer, while also remaining more versatile.
Age:45–54
Weight:175–200 lbs.
Height:5'9"
Yes , I recommend this product
Buzz
Received free product
Evergreen, CO
Versatile, soft and comfortable
1 year ago
Excellent base layer for hiking and skiing. An outstanding feature is the material is very soft and comfortable while functioning as a base layer. I used a thin short sleeve base layer underneath the Alpaca Wool under my shell for a cold ski day. It kept me warm from the weather and comfortable as I skied. It worked well as a single layer for hanging around the house and running errands. The comfort does require gentle washing and laying out to dry rather than using a dryer. The extra effort was worth it for the benefits. The fit was true to size. I'm a medium, 5'10', 175 lbs. I highly recommend the Andes Men Alpaca Wool.
Age:65–74
Weight:150–175 lbs.
Height:5'10"
Yes , I recommend this product
DC210912
Received free product
Central Oregon
Great warm, comfortable shirt! Absolutely love it!
1 year ago
This is a review of the “Arms of Andes” Alpaca wool long sleeve shirt. Specifically, it’s the Men’s “Royal Alpaca Base Layer: Half Zip Neck” in Navy Blue. After wearing this shirt several times in varying conditions, I’m very happy with it. It has performed extremely well, both as a base layer under heavier clothes in cold conditions, and by itself as a long-sleeved shirt in cool to somewhat warm temperatures. This morning, my wife borrowed the shirt and wore it under her outer jacket while we shoveled some snow in our driveway. It was 3 degrees F and breezy. Unlike me, she did not grow up wearing wool clothing and doesn’t usually choose to wear it. But she actually liked this Alpaca wool shirt! She admitted that it kept her warmer than her usual synthetic choice and that it was at least as comfortable and seemed more breathable. Alpaca wool is new to me, but I am a decades-long devoted fan of wool clothing as an essential part of a layering approach to outdoor wear. I found the Alpaca wool to be quite comfortable and functional. The first time I wore the shirt, it had a slightly rough feel to it, but not so much that it bothered me. After one or two days of wear and a washing, I was no longer aware of any roughness. In my years of wearing wool, this is the first time I have worn it as a base layer directly against my skin. Usually I wear a lightweight synthetic t-shirt (either long- or short-sleeved) under the wool. Some people say they don’t like wool because it is “scratchy”. I believe the amount of “scratchiness” depends both on the wool and the person. I think learning to wear most wool garments requires a brief initial “adaptation phase” that’s similar to wearing a ring, or a wristwatch, for the very first time. Initially it feels like a strange foreign object, and it draws attention to itself because of that new sensation. After a short time though, the skin and mind become desensitized to that new feeling, and it’s hardly noticed by the wearer. For this Alpaca wool shirt, I had no trouble wearing it next to my skin right from the start. It feels soft and smooth to the touch. It’s not shiny, glossy, slick or slippery feeling, like many synthetics can be. It’s not stretchy and does not sag or become baggy over time. The shirt looks and feels very well made, with good attention to details. The seams and hems are very well crafted, and aren’t noticeable against the skin. The neck and collar area is nicely finished. The overall cut of the shirt, combined with the subdued and nice quality of the seam and edge stitching, allows this shirt to go beyond the boundary of “technical wear” into the “casual urban wear” category. It looks more like a fine quality lightweight sweater. With the zipper fully closed, it looks even dressier. You could possibly wear it with a sport jacket for a casual night out. It’s a pleasant expansion of the shirt’s potential uses. I have received several compliments about the shirt, from people that didn’t realize it was “outdoor” wear. This has quickly become one of my favorite winter shirts. I strongly prefer natural fibers (whenever possible and suitable for the conditions). I generally choose outdoor clothing and gear having colors mimicking (or at least not standing out from) the natural vegetation and environment I expect to use them in, unless I absolutely "need" to be especially visible for some unusual and important reason, particularly safety. The shirt’s color is a nice understated dark blue. It has a more natural color tone and overall look than a typical sports/outdoor wear garment made of synthetic fabric. It’s more appealing than I expected. Unlike a lot of other outdoor wear, it’s not at all visually polluting. It’s a totally natural, non-invasive, environmentally compatible color to wear while wilderness hiking, camping, snowshoeing etc. But, it also fits in well in a more civilized or even urban setting. The sizing seems true. I generally would most likely wear a Medium, but for a winter base layer decided I wanted an overall snugger fit. For that purpose, this "Small" is just right for me. I'm 5'10" and 145 lbs, fairly lean overall (32" waist) with a somewhat robust build to my upper chest and shoulders. On me, the fit is snug enough to not be loose or baggy anywhere, but not too snug to be constricting. The sleeves are slightly longer than many typical long-sleeve fits, which benefits me because my arms are a bit longer than provided by most “Small” or even "Medium” shirts. The amount of extra length makes the sleeves easy to keep from sliding up towards the elbows when pulling on another layer. Each sleeve ends at the wrist with a very nicely finished seam that includes a small band of elastic that’s just tight enough so the sleeves don’t feel sloppy or baggy at the wrist. It also helps the sleeves stay up when wearing the shirt as a single layer with the sleeves pulled up shorter, as in a warmer environment. The shirt does not ride up during stretching, bending, crouching, etc., because the shirt body is cut long enough that it’s easily tucked in a few inches below the waist. Another inch or two of length in the body would be nice, so the shirt could be tucked in even deeper below the waist. But that would only make a difference for a few people, in a few particular use cases, so not a big issue. The front zipper has a very small pull, and from a short distance the zipper and pull are hardly noticeable, especially when pulled all the way up. The zipper is quite long. With the zipper all the way open the shirt is easy to get on and off. The long zipper also makes it possible to get a lot of ventilation, if desired. If the zipper is all the way up, the collar converts nicely into a mock turtleneck style, which does not get sloppy or baggy at the neck. If the zipper is down a few inches, the collar will lie flat, but it takes a little fiddling to get it right. In general, the collar tends to stand up unless the zipper is open a little further than I usually prefer. This isn’t an issue when I wear a lightweight dark colored t-shirt underneath the wool shirt. The shirt breathes well, and does not feel damp or clammy even during moderate to heavy exertion. In my experience, it didn’t seem to absorb and retain body odor under the arms, after a long active day. So far I have only worn it in cold, dry conditions though. In a warmer, more humid situation the results might be different. I wash the shirt in the washing machine on a gentle cycle with cold water. I lay it out flat to dry. When first out of the washer, the shirt has a very slight “wooly” odor, which is not unpleasant (remember, I am used to wool) and disappears as the shirt dries. After each wash, the shirt looks and feels great again. There’s been no real change in the fabric, other than possibly starting after the second wash the shirt has felt just a little smoother than when new. The shirt does not tend to collect fuzz or lint, in my experience. Overall, this is an excellent shirt, both in performance and appearance. It's an easy-care base or single outer layer that packs small, is very washable (probably even by hand), and dries relatively quickly without wrinkles. I highly recommend it.
Age:65–74
Weight:125–150 lbs.
Height:5'10"
Yes , I recommend this product
SFHiker
Received free product
SF Bay Area
Soft but prickly
1 year ago
I used this as a mid-layer instead of a base layer. The primary reason being that it is prickly (not itchy) whenever I first put it on. After awhile I get used to it and don't notice any discomfort. It's strange because it's soft and smooth when I run my hand on it. It breaths and wicks moisture really well. I carried my daughter in a child carrier for a hilly hike and never felt too sweaty or hot. On a separate occasion I wore it on a rainy cold day and it worked well as a mid layer with an outer rain shell. I plan to take it on a snowboarding trip soon and I expect it to work as well as my merino wool layers. In terms of fit, I have a small and the sleeves are long (there are no thumb holes).
Age:35–44
Weight:125–150 lbs.
Height:5'10"
Yes , I recommend this product
Harsh
San Antonio, Texas
Nice fit, good Mid-layer base.
2 years ago
I first was puzzled about the 300 vs. Manufacture's 230 (From their own website). I emailed both. Both stated that the 300 is the actual Gram weight. AoA said they will phase out their 230 soon and sell 300 like the one on REI. This 3/4 quarter fits great. I ordered a XL, I normally wear L. Have a bit of a belly. Not too tight. Soft to the touch, can slightly feel prickly fibers poke through my base layer underneath. Not a problem for me, not like full on sheep wool either. I recommend one size up. Light weight, equivalent to synthetic material weight. Have not tested in the arctic yet.
Age:45–54
Weight:150–175 lbs.
Height:5'9"
Yes , I recommend this product
Spicy Melk
Atlanta
Heavy!
4 months ago
I really wanted to love this shirt. I’m a big fan of Arms of Andes products, but this shirt is just too heavy for cold weather backpacking (what I’ll be using it for). I ordered a size Large which fit great, but it weighs 427g. It’s also very bulky. Ouch. Like other reviews noted, there’s some minor scratchiness when you first put it in, but it didn’t bother me at all. This would be great for day hikes, skiing, or chilling at the cabin. The weight and bulk is a showstopper for backpacking though. I’m going to try their 180g/m products instead.
Height:6'1"
Age:45–54
Weight:175–200 lbs.
Yes , I recommend this product
Jamie
Itchy, prickly, and uncomfortable unforunately
1 year ago
I did a lot of research on alpaca wool because I don't have anything made from this fabric. Pretty much every website said alpaca is superior to merino on every front including it's SOFTER and COMFORTABLE. Well.. that wasn't the case with this baselayer for me. The moment I slid my arm into the sleeve, I started to feel the itchy and prickly fibers irritating my skin. It was so uncomfortable to wear. I have other merino wool baselayers, and none of them felt like this. I was so disappointed, because I really like the fit and density. I can't imagine wearing this on a long hike anywhere. I'd read others use this as a midlayer, but that defeats the purpose of it being labeled as a baselayer. To give the company the benefit of the doubt, maybe it was just the item I received. I like supporting small companies and eco-friendly fibers, but this is a lot of money to spend on an item that seem to not fit the standard of what others are describing about alpaca wool.
Height:5'9"
No, I do not recommend this product
Jon144
Beautiful garment, but allergic reaction?
1 year ago
This is a beautiful soft alpaca top, but itchy, itchy, itchy. How can something so soft and fine be itchy? I'm guessing it's an allergic reaction.
James
Looks AMAZING, EXTREMELY breathable, but ITCHY!
1 year ago
I bought this jacket a few months ago thinking I had found the perfect jacket, and absolutely loved the blue. In fact I had emailed this company a few years prior telling them if the made a quarter zip pullover like this I'd be their first customer, so when I saw it on here with free returns I ordered it immediately. Although it was probably the best looking, most flattering piece of clothing I've ever put on, it was absurdly itchy. I even tried all sorts of internet methods of making the wool less itchy by like soaking it in shampoo and then conditioner for days at a time, soaking it in vinegar, etc, and it just wouldn't stop itching. I've had plenty of other wool sweaters in the past, so I'm not historically someone that can't wear wool, but this alpaca wool must just not agree with me. I had my whole family wear it to confirm that I wasn't crazy and they all thought it was itchy too, so I had to return it. If the company ever does a different blend of wool or something, I'll be the first to try it again, because man that color and cut looks great, and after wearing it for a few days I've never had anything breathe as well as that jacket - warm when it needed to be warm, and cool when it needed to be cool. If it has free returns where you live I'd give it a try, because if it doesn't itch for you it's the greatest jacket I've ever had the pleasure of putting on. But without free returns, I'd pass.
Height:5'11"
Age:25–34
Weight:200–225 lbs.
Arin
New York, NY
Its a tiny bit itchy because of no chemicals in it
1 year ago
This a great brand or authentic Alpaca wool. You'll notice its a bit itchy, but that's because its organic since they don't use chemicals in the fabric. Overtime, it will get softer with use, but it needs to use your body's own natural oils. Other than that its very warm, great fabric, and odor wicking.
Age:25–34
Weight:175–200 lbs.
Height:5'11"
Yes , I recommend this product
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