Belstaff Merino Base Layer in black

We are Merino aficionados. There's nothing comes close to Merino wool as far as base- and mid-layers are concerned. And it works when it's really warm, as well as when it's really cool.

 

The secret obviously is the merino sheep itself. Merino sheep are the hardiest of sheep, able to live through the harshest of conditions. In New Zealand the might have to endure 40 degree temperatures in the summer and negative, double-digit temperatures up in the mountains in the winter.

 

And it's their unique, wool coats that allow them to survive in such extreme weathers.

 

The wool is heavily 'grooved' for lack of a better description. But it is the hollow areas within the fibres that allow it to do three very particular things. 

 

They allow sweat to wick very effectively away from the body to help you stay cool.

 

They hold on to the heat generated by the body to help you stay warm.

 

They absorb large amounts of moisture to allow you to stay dry. This is more comfortable when you're hot and sweaty, but it can be a life saver when you're cold and sweaty because when it's cold you lose body heat 20 times faster through a wet environment than through a dry one.

 

Synthetic base layers cannot do all of these things; or rather no single synthetic layers can perform all these three things; even ones recommended by motorcycle influencers. Even ones that combine 'heat-rub' technology!

 

Now this long-sleeve top by Belstaff is 100% Merino wool. What we don't get from Belstaff is a weight, but we reckon the weight is around 200 g/m2. Now from our experience with Icebreaker what we would suggest is that this is what would be termed an all-year-round weight. It will store body heat when you're trying to hold on to it, but it's not too heavy to be effective at wicking sweat in the summer.

 

As ever, Merino wool is lovely next to the skin, and super comfortable. But what this base/mid layer has that Icebreaker, for example, doesn't have, is a Belstaff logo on the chest!