REI Co-op  Midweight Base Layer Bottoms - Men's

I recently received the REI Co-op Midweight Base Layer Bottoms in a size medium, and they have quickly become a staple in my outdoor gear lineup. Now used for multiple camping and backcountry experiences. At 5'6" with a 31-inch waist, finding the right fit can sometimes be a gamble, but the medium fits perfectly—even more so after the first wash! The waistband sits comfortably without digging in, and the length is just right—no awkward bunching at the ankles or pulling at the waist or crotch when moving around. The first thing I noticed was the incredibly soft feel against the skin. At first I thought they were part merino wool, only to learn that I’m getting the feel and warmth of wool without the high price. There is absolutely no scratchiness, making them comfortable enough to wear all day long under hiking pants, running shorts, or even as loungewear around camp—and I do like to lounge around the camp! When it comes to performance, they provide excellent warmth without causing me to overheat during active use. They insulate beautifully on those chilly mornings standing iaround the camp kitchen, while remaining breathable enough to regulate body temperature as things warm up. One subtle but highly practical design feature is the inclusion of a locker loop. It is incredibly handy for hanging them up to air out or dry overnight, whether you are using a hook in a cabin or a paracord line at a backcountry campsite. If you are looking for a reliable, comfortable, and well-designed thermal layer, these bottoms deliver.

So far so good with these base layers! For context I live in southwest Montana where the temperature has been dipping into the mid 20s at night and have been using them as part of my sleep system for wildland firefighting. They are very soft and stretchy so they are tight fitting and don’t bunch up at all. We got a good dusting of snow one night so I decided to wear them all day as the temperatures didn’t get above 40 all day. I did get a little extra sweaty hiking in then but not too bad and the extra warmth was appreciated when we stopped to clear trail and for lunch. I would say these are perfect for low intensity activities in the fall and more moderately intense activities during the winter.