table of contents
Test the abilities of Super Merino wool, which is also very popular as everyday wear
At Outdoor Gearzine, we have tried on a fair number of base layers (underwear) and compared them. icebreakers with comfort and design smart wool with heat retention , you can fully feel the benefits of merino wool, which is impossible for synthetic base layers, what is the power of Montbell Super Merino wool, which is probably the best-selling company in Japan? The price is reasonable, and there are already many rave reviews online from many different perspectives, so I would like to review the results of my actual try on with my OG eyes with all sorts of hope.
Detailed review
Item name (price)
Main Specifications and ratings
Comparisons with other items can be found on this page.
| item | Specifications and ratings |
|---|---|
| Fabric | 139g (L size) Super Merino wool 92% + 9% nylon *The breakdown varies depending on the weight. |
| Color | Black (BK)/Silver (SV) |
| Size | XS/S/M/L/XL |
| country of origin | China |
| weight | Light/Middle/Expedition *This review is lightweight |
| Fit (10 points) |
8 |
| Feel and comfort (10 points) |
8 |
| Mobility (10 points) |
8 |
| Temperature adjustment performance (20 points) |
16 |
| Quick drying (20 points) |
14 |
| Durability (10 points) |
6 |
| Form design (10 items) |
5 |
| Price (10 items) |
9 |
| Overall score | 74 |
This is amazing!
This may be a bit off topic from the beginning, but when I compare other high-priced Merino wool base layers, the amazing thing about this clothing is cost-effectiveness The characteristics of many reviews such as "warm," "difficult to get cold from sweat," "not irritating," and "no smell," as are often pointed out in many reviews, are not incorrect, but these are all merino wool base layers that are basically featured. It is not superior to other manufacturers' Merino wool base layers, but rather compared to cotton underwear and Uniqlo's Heattech. I felt that SmartWool and icebreaker would be better in terms of comfort, and in terms of warmth, SmartWool is better in terms of comfort. However, overall, none of these are enough drawbacks, and they are fully usable. Despite this price, it's only a subtle difference between clothing that is more than doubled in price, which is a huge appeal.
thin and light compared to other companies' products in the same class . The actual measurements are 139g, while the SmartWool NTS Micro150 crew is 149g in size (Montbell's lightweight is 8% nylon due to durability) .
Slantec(R) cuff that combines stretchability and comfort
Another thing I like is the fit that focuses on the arms . The stretchy stitching and the cuff stitching known as the spiral slantec cuff make it ideal to feel not too tight or too loose, and easy to move around in There is no problem with odor-resistant properties, and the washing is machine washable, just like other merino wool.
Well, I've said a lot, but in any case, the fact that it has enough features and realizes it at this low price is truly impressive in terms of Japanese quality.
This is not good
As can be seen in many Montbell products, the overall silhouette is...and the color and pattern variations are not very good. The neck is loose and the waist is too spacious, so the silhouette when worn is inevitably "underwear" (although the fit is fine). Of course, there are subjective aspects such as body shape and preferences, and I can somehow understand that I may not be the main target I am currently. However, it's a shame that I don't feel any awareness of design every time. It may be harsh to expect such a high price, but as its functional excellence is outstanding, it would be great if it could meet the needs of a wider age range.
Summary: What kind of activities do you recommend?
The reasonably priced product is perfect as the first mountain underwear for beginners outdoor activities. It's not too late to find out about durability and design as you go along with your particular preferences. Furthermore, this thinness and lightness make it a great feature of heat retention, making it a great outdoor activities for all three seasons (spring to fall). In winter, it is suitable for relatively mild winter sports such as low mountain hiking, snowshoes and skiing, but if you are using it in more severe environments, it is best to consider using layered or middle weights.
Additional information: Regarding selection criteria for lightweight or middle weights
As long as I wear it on the mountains in the winter several times and use it on a daily basis, a lightweight body may feel a little unsatisfied in the middle of winter, so if you are trying to use it in the mountains in the harsh winter, you might be happier if you start buying the middle weight from the start. Actually, I was also trying out the middleweight model at the same time, but to roughly express my impressions by comparing the warmth (although there are individual differences)
Super Merino Wool LW < Super Merino Wool MW = SmartWool NTS Micro 150 Crew = icebreaker Oasis Long Sleeve Crew
That's what it is like. Lightweight is the worst, and you can just layer it, and if you want to use it in the middle of summer, I don't think there's a middleweight, so I think it's a good idea to choose which one to use as the basics.