Merino wool is the end-all, be-all for cold weather baselayers. Well, that’s my opinion and probably the opinion of most winter sports enthusiasts. After wearing Merino for over a decade now, I didn’t think this natural fabric could be improved upon. Then I was introduced to Wūru Wool. They’re a company based right here in Salt Lake City, and I’ve got to say, they make what is now my favorite baselayers for skiing.
Wūru Wool Merino Tech Baselayers
Around the start of the new year, I received Wūru’s Tech Baselayer Long Sleeve and 7/8 Tech Baselayer Pant. These baselayers feature:
- Handmade in the USA from premium Australian wool
- Strategically placed thumbhole for enhanced movement
- Flatlock seams to eliminate chafing
- Naturally odor resistant and antibacterial
- Exceptionally soft Merino wool for pure comfort
- Blended with a touch of nylon for extra durability
- Made from sustainable and ethically sourced fabric
My first impression of these baselayers is that the fabric is crazy soft. I know Merino wool usually is soft, but this stuff is next level. The shirt is very comfortable and I really like how large the thumb loops are. I’ve never really liked thumb loops before because I’ve thought them to be uncomfortable. But Wūru’s are large enough to allow for plenty of mobility and helps keep the sleeves from riding up inside my insulative layer.
The pants are equally comfortable and soft. What makes them different from other brands is that they are a bit short in the legs. They’re not 3/4 short, but as the name implies, 7/8 short. That way, they are just the right length to stay out of my ski boot liners, but my lower legs are still plenty covered my my socks.
Testing Wūru Wool Baselayers
I’ve worn my Wūru Wool baselayers exclusively for the last month, skiing in them at the resort three times, and with one backcountry ski tour as well. On the skin track, I used the thumb loops under my gloves, which kept my wrists from being exposed to the elements. I think my fingers stayed warmer as a result as well. Inside my jacket and under pack and beacon straps, the shirt was very comfortable with no chafing. Heat regulation and moisture wicking is superb as well. I really liked wearing these base layers while backcountry skiing. And with that bit of nylon woven into the fabric, I have no worries about durability.
In bounds skiing, I was almost as happy with my Wūru Wool as I as in the skin track. But on one really cold morning I felt the pants were a little too thin to keep my legs warm. Then again, I wore uninsulated shells, so it’s not really the baselayer’s fault. But the weight of these layers I think makes them better suited for the skintrack or warmer resort days.
One of the advantages of Merino wool is that it does not collect body odor like its synthetic counterparts do. But just to be sure, I like to see how many days I can wear them without washing. Gross, I know, but it’s in the name of science. After three resort skiing days and one very sweaty backcountry tour in the Wasatch, I was unable to detect even a hint of B.O. Impressive.
Final Word
If you’re looking for a Merino Wool base layer, look no further than Wūru Wool. They’re a small local company that uses sustainable production practices. And while Merino is generally more expensive than synthetic fabrics, Wūru Wool is reasonably priced for that arena. Overall, I’m very happy with this baselayer’s performance. And it’s a good thing that they can be used several times without a wash, because I think I’ll be wearing them every ski day the rest of this season.
About Wūru Wool
Wūru Wool has a great origin story. The company was founded on a honeymoon in New Zealand, where the newlyweds, Kathryn and Matt Disney, we introduced by their hiking guides to using loose wool for blister prevention. This aha moment then came back to Salt Lake City, where the company has expanded from a wool-instead-of-duct-tape-for-blisters product into a full-blown lineup of outdoor clothing.
There’s a lot more to the story, which you can red about on their website at wuruwool.com.