How to Choose Base Layers

Comfortable across seasons, the men's Arms of the Andes 300 Lightweight Alpaca Wool leggings withstand tough environments and keep you warm in winter and dry in summer.
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Imported.
View all Arms of Andes Men's Base Layer BottomsBest Use | Hiking |
---|---|
Fabric | Alpaca wool |
Moisture Wicking | Yes |
Quick Drying | Yes |
Fly Opening | No |
Underwear Weight | Lightweight |
Gender | 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 |
Measurements are stated in inches.
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I recently received a pair of Arms of Andes Men's 300 Lightweight Alpaca leggings from REI to test out. As a frequent winter hiker who uses leggings as a base layer in extreme cold conditions, as well as for a sleeping layer in more moderate conditions, I was excited to try these on trail. The size Medium I received weighs in at 246 grams. The pros: These leggings appear to be very well made, with excellent stitching. They have a buttery soft feel to them. The sizing was accurate and fit my proportions well with no oddities in construction or design. The leggings performed very well in keeping my lower body warm. The con(s): My only complaint with these leggings is that I find them to be consistently itchy. Despite their buttery softness, they produce a mild itching sensation pretty uniformly over my skin when I'm wearing them. I have not experienced this issue with other leggings.
Ordered size small which is bit short in the inseam these arent scratchy, good temp regulation in all conditions (45 F to 22F) without giving a chill..worn on winter trip hiking in Asheville with snow
I got the XL, didn't want these to be stretched too tightly. They are loose but not baggy, if that makes sense. They weigh 10.8 ounces and breath extremely well. Using a blow test, these AofA's seem like a 4/10, while a poly base layer of mine is a 7/10. (10 being no air gets through, 1 being no resistance, air moves freely) Which I don't get, because these were warmer and 2.5 oz heaver. Subjective, I know. But that's my assessment, breathable and warm. Wore them on some hikes and bike rides and yard work in the 50's and 30's (under very thin shorts) and 20's (as a base layer, under non-fleeced bibs). In these conditions they worked great. I believe I could get into the single digits hiking with these as a base layer. I washed them with a little baby shampoo and there was that wet wool smell, but I kind of liked that, left no doubt about this being real 100% animal fur. All but gone when dry. I am glad to move on from synthetics - too stinky and why use plastic if there is an alternative. . Pros- warm. soft. not polyester. real wool. long. wide/no roll waistband. wicks. less static still insulates when wet. Cons- smell when washing, no fly (never use it anyway). must follow washing/drying instructions. Care needed to avoid snagging on brush. I love them. If you are in the market, I highly recommend these.
These may well be the softest wool product I’ve ever worn. Hard to say enough about the softness, as it makes them really comfortable to wear. I have worn these outside as leggings under shorts in 30 degree (F) weather. It´s worth noting that while these kept my legs nice and warm, I never felt like I got hot. Other leggings, particularly the synthetic materials, tend to be either too warm or nowhere near warm enough. I really like the alpaca wool as it tends to be in the Goldilocks zone. They are definitely in the lightweight category, which makes them great for outdoor use in cooler weather. I found them comfortable for jogging and hiking.
I just tested these today while riding at a CO ski resort. My first impressions are that they are extremely soft, almost feel like silk. I sorta thought they would be loftier but this tight stitching makes sense for a base layer. I also imagined them being thicker but the 300 weight is nice. I got these for colder days. They performed well on the mountain but I think I will need something thicker for colder days, think below 15*, maybe 10*. I love alpaca fibers, they are the best. I'm happy to see these offered as a base layer. I am 140lbs and 5'8" and ordered the small. 28-31" waist and they fit well. Slim. Tight but good as a base layer. Hope this helps anyone.
I was interested to see how a natural alpaca wool compared to my synthetic tights and base layers in terms of comfort, warmth, moisture handling, and care requirements. My primary intended use was as a base layer for skiing. However since we are still waiting on the ski season to start here in Oregon, my comments are based on using them for hiking as a primary layer under hiking shorts with temps in the low 40’s. As a tall, slim, athletic person, it can be hard to find a good fit for my 34” waist, 34” inseam (6’2’’ tall and 170 lbs). These fit great in a size large and are just as described on the website, except possibly a little more generous in the length. The waist is just snug enough and could easily accommodate up to the 36.5” waist, as described. The waistband is thick and secure. The leggings fit snug to the legs, which seems great for me and what I wanted in a base layer. However I am not sure if this would be good for larger, thicker legs. They seem surprisingly stretchy for a natural fiber, but not as stretchy as some synthetics with lycra. The crotch is not gusseted but the seam is well made and not noticeable, and it sits fairly high, so does not inhibit movement. I initially hiked in these before washing them and found them to have a little bit of that wool scratchiness. However after washing, they are soft and very comfortable. The extra care required involves air-drying them by laying them flat. Unfortunately, I forgot to take them out of my load of delicate synthetics and accidentally dried them in the drier on the lowest setting. I was very surprised to find that they survived in perfect condition with no shrinking! Of course I will avoid this in the future, but nice to know they can handle mistakes like this. These seem to me to be a high-quality “midweight” layer and perfect for all-day wear on the slopes under my snow pants. Breathability seems excellent and it’s nice to have natural fibers next to your body.
These 300 AoA mid-layer bottoms fit tight. Legs are extra-long. I ordered Large, tight around the legs, long on the inseam. Perfect around the waist. I normally wear 36 waist, 34 inseam. Can feel slight prickly fibers through the base layer underneath. Not too irritating like full on wool. I will enjoy wearing them. Because of the long inseam, do not know if XL would be better for a looser fit in the legs. Inseams feel like a 36, but not a problem, it will be inside my boots anyway.
There are holes in them and I haven't used them hard at all. At the seat and crotch there a many small holes. I got xl's and they are not too tight, so I can't believe that's the cause. And no, there aren't any moths or other critters having a party, none of my other 100% wool has this issue. Not durable. I got these as a gift to review and initially gave them 5 stars, so I feel badly and want to warn others about the durability. What if Arms put a little nylon in these, like 15%? Wouldn't that really help the durability. I have a few shirts like that and they have been great.
This is what I was looking for during winter in New York. Great to wear as a layer for when it gets really cold. It's odor resistant and very warm.
These are great, the warmest base layer I’ve ever worn. I intend to get a top in the same product.