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What are the best Merino wool base layer pants?
What are the main characteristics of Merino wool pants, and how to choose the ones? First of all, yes, they aren’t all the same, even though it may look like that at first. In order to make the best decision, you have to answer this one question first (not only for Merino activewear) — what are you going to use them for? In what environment?
Once you understand your needs, the rest is easy.
To read more about the benefits of Merino wool scroll down!
Table of Contents
Best Merino Wool Base Layer Pants For Men
What are the best options? And what to choose?
What are the best Merino pants for hiking and everyday?
1. Merino.tech Merino Wool Base Layer Mens Bottom Pants (click for more details)
High quality, multi-purpose Merino base layer pants for men.
Overall, the best Merino wool base layer pants, our favorite.
The best part about these mens base layer pants is that they are versatile. You can use them for almost any purpose, except for maybe a wedding, haha. They can be your Merino wool long underwear, jogging pants, everyday pants or ultra lightweight work pants. Thanks to their design they look good everywhere and for everything.
The pants are lightweight, extra comfortable and super easy to take care of — they are machine washable, dry fast and doesn’t really smell. Perfect choice for busy people.
Comes with a pair of Merino wool hiking socks.
FABRIC WEIGHT: 250 GSM
2. LAPASA Men’s 100% Merino Wool Thermal Underwear (click for more details)
100% Merino wool thermal underwear for men.
These Merino wool baselayer pants are available in 2 thicknesses — lightweight (200 GSM) and midweight (250 GSM). Choose the lightweight version if you want the most lightweight thermal underwear, or the other option if you care about the durability first. Made of 18.5 micron Merino wool, and designed for everyday use, these pants give you that second skin feeling.
The pants share all the best features of Merino wool — great moisture management, lightweightness, odor protection, and more.
They look great also when worn around the house.
FABRIC WEIGHT: 200 GSM / 250 GSM
3. Icebreaker Merino Mens 175 Everyday Cold Weather Leggings (click for more details)
Lightweight mens Merino wool base layer pants.
They are ultra-light, feel like second skin and you can wear them again and again. Thanks to Merino wool’s antibacterial properties, they also feel more fresh and doesn’t smell much longer than similar activewear made of different fabrics. That’s the best part about lightweight Merino activewear — it feels great every time.
Apart from that these casual design base layer pants are also machine washable, and easy to take care of. All of that put together makes them perfect for everything from everyday cold weather commute to winter hiking.
FABRIC WEIGHT: 175 GSM
4. Mountain Warehouse Mens Merino Baselayer Pants (click for more details)
Lightweight mens Merino wool underwear with fly.
First of all, these aren’t 100% Merino wool long johns. The pants are made of a Merino blend, they are 80% Merino Wool and 20% Polyester 20%. Designed both for everyday use and sports, they are highly comfortable, breathable and super fast drying. Thanks to Merino, they also don’t smell easily, and will keep you comfortable both during the summer and winter.
The pants feature an elastic waistband (like most thermals).
5. MERIWOOL 100% Merino Wool Thermal Pants (click for more details)
Super soft midweight Merino leggings for men.
Designed to keep you warm in winter and cool and dry in summer, at 250 GSM these pants offer 4-season comfort. They are soft, very lightweight and quick-drying. You won’t be walking in them around the town, but apart from that they can be used both as a sports base layer pants and everyday long underpants for cold weather.
These pants are naturally sun and odor resistant. Made of 100% Merino wool, they are also guaranteed to cause no allergic reactions.
FABRIC WEIGHT: 250 GSM
6. Minus33 Merino Wool 706 Kancamagus Men’s Midweight Bottom (click for more details)
Midweight 3-season baselayer pants available in several colors.
More lightweight that many other base layer pants, these 230 GSM 100% Merino wool pants are extra comfortable, and suitable both for outdoors and everyday use. Apart from that they are quick-drying, extremely good with moisture management (keeping you dry and warm/cool) and easy to take care of. Due to design, they aren’t meant to be worn on their own.
FABRIC WEIGHT: 230 GSM
5 Reasons to Choose Merino Wool Clothing
Is Merino wool itchy? Is Merino wool warm?
Here are the top benefits of Merino wool.
1. Odor Resistance
Merino wool is naturally antibacterial.
To put it simply, it doesn’t smell. In a way it’s resistant to it.
Well, of course, you shouldn’t expect wearing Merino pants or Merino base layer (Best Merino wool base layer for women) for months on end without washing them and feeling fresh. No, it won’t happen. You won’t feel fresh and nice that long. It’s just that Merino isn’t prone to absorbing odors.
It keeps you fresh much longer than most other fabrics.
2. It’s a Natural Material
Merino wool is a wool from merino sheep (New Zealand, Australia).
As a natural material it’s also much safer than synthetics for most us. No itching. No allergic reactions. In fact, Merino wool allergy neutrality is one of the top reasons why people choose Merino clothing not only for sports, but also for everyday.
Being 100% biodegradable, Merino wool is also better for the planet.
3. Outstanding Moisture Management
Merino wool adjusts to you and the environment you are in.
If it’s hot, it keeps you cool by transporting all the sweat and moisture away from your skin. If it’s cold, it keeps you warm. It keeps you fresh and comfortable in all conditions, even when it’s getting slightly dump. It’s all possible due to its fully natural moisture management system and moisture wicking features.
Speaking of the cold weather and winter activities, in order to stay warm it’s equally important to choose the right fabric weight — not all Merino wool base layers will keep you warm on cold winter days.
4. Breathability
Great breathability is a must in a base layer pants and shirts.
It’s what allows you to keep going long while staying comfortable.
5. Ease of Use and Longevity
Not only Merino is durable, but also easy to take care of.
Merino wool is machine washable. However, make sure to refer to the care instructions of the manufacturer of your shirt or pants, as they may differ. For the most lightweight Merino base layers, hand wash is the safest choice in long term.
How to Find the Best Merino Wool Base Layer Pants For Yourself?
How to find the best Merino wool base layer for yourself?
Let’s make this super simple.
Generally speaking mostly it’s about these 3 simple things.
1. Fabric Weight
What are you going to use it for? In what weather? Do you need these base layer pants for hiking and sports, or you plan to use them only for camping? Will you use them at home or for daily commute?
Fabric weight is one of the main characteristic of Merino wool clothing.
These 160 GSM, 200 GSM, 250 GSM (other times – g/m2), … to put it simply, they show how thin or thick is the fabric. The bigger the number, the warmer this base layer or these base layer pants will be. If you want something for everything, look for 200 – 230 GSM. They are usually called midweight base layers. For cold weather and, especially for activities that include a lot of sitting or standing in one position, look for base layer with GSM of at least 250.
If you want the most lightweight base layer — 165 – 180 GSM.
2. Style and Fit
Are you planning to wear it on its own?
There are several kind of base layer pants. While some look great also when you wear them on their own, others are made to be worn under or for sleeping only. Take that into account when choosing base layer pants for yourself.
3. Your Budget
Decide upon your budget.
And choose the base layer pants that fit into it, and the ones that suit your needs the best. There’s no reason to pay more for features you don’t need. Likewise, it’s not a good idea to get cheap Merino wool base layer pants, if you plan to use them a lot — higher price often also means better quality and comfort.
What is your experience with Merino clothing? Have you tried using Merino underwear? What are the best Merino wool base layer pants you have tried so far?
Featured photo by Gabriela Palai from Pexels
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