Wool base layers are all created equal, right? Wrong! I used to think that every merino base layer is pretty much functionally the same: wicks moisture, insulates, and doesn’t retain body odor. There’s never been a wool layer I didn’t like, and I never thought they could be improved upon. That’s until I wore the Scout from WoolPro. The company is a small manufacturer from Massachusetts that uses 100% Australian merino wool. But there are a few things they do to their base layers that sets them apart from the bigger competition, and they all can be found in the Scout.
The WoolPro Scout features:
- 100% Merino Wool
- Athletic cut with quarter-zip
- 195g (18.5 Microns) fabric construction
- ActiveSeam stitches for stretch and next-to-skin comfort
- Drop tail
- Side panels
- Raglan sleeves
I’ve been testing the WoolPro Scout on ski trips of both the resort and backcountry variety. While in-bounds skiing at Alta, I found this base layer to be absolutely phenomenal. With 18.5 micron merino fibers woven into a 195g fabric, this shirt is very warm in cold temperatures, especially when active. Merino breathes and wicks moisture better than other materials (in my opinion) so doing laps under the Wildcat lift, to hiking up steep boot-packs to Baldy Summit or Eddie’s High Nowhere kept me comfortable on frigid days. Then while riding the lift and not moving, the shirt continued to both breathe and insulate. Plus, the zip neck allowed me to regulate my temperature if I really started to over heat.
In the backcountry, however, I definitely maxed the Scout out. Skinning up mountains is sweaty work and I often do this wearing nothing but my base layer. But the Scout, as a mid-weight merino shirt, is just too warm for most backcountry activities. As a result, I’ve delegated the Scout to backcountry duty on only the coldest touring days in the Wasatch.
After months of testing on piste and off, there are a few thing that really make the Scout stand out. First is the ActiveSeam stitching. This is a proprietary technology available only from WoolPro. The company says ActiveSeam is two times more stretchable and 30% stronger than other types of stitching. In addition, the seams lay flat so they are almost unnoticeable against the skin. I really noticed the difference while moving through mountains as the stitching never got annoying like it does with some of my other wool base layers.
On a related note, the Raglan sleeves are another nice touch. By not having stitches on the shoulders, there are no chafing points under pack straps. Double props go to the drop tail, which keeps the crack covered when I bend over to buckle ski boots or lock my tech bindings.
Performance aside, the Scout just looks damn cool. It has an athletic, against-the-skin cut so there is no extra fabric getting in the way of your layering system. The lines are smooth and the styling is such that I can wear it to the P-Dog at Alta for post-ski beers and not look like I am partying in my underwear. I recently went on a yurt trip, and wore the Scout every night inside (even slept wearing it in my sleeping bag) and was never too hot, or too cold.
The Good: Small details like smooth stitching, Raglan sleeves, drop tail and zip neck make the Scout super functional and comfortable.
The Bad: Too warm for anything super active like backcountry skiing (but it’s perfect for the resorts), only available in black.
Final Word: The WoolPro Scout is a merino base layer with incredible attention to detail. Construction is solid, the shirt looks good on and off the slopes, and you rarely have to wash it. If you buy only one base layer for winter activities, you can’t go wrong with the Scout.
To purchase, check it out at WoolPro.cc