[A self-paying review without any consideration] Workman's Merino wool underwear and accessories are seriously ranked from the perspective of a minimalist hiker [Can you use it on the mountains? 】

With the arrival of the outdoor boom, Workman continues to inspire the industry and users.

The Merino series is a classic workman.

Merino wool is a natural material obtained from Merino sheep, and is considered the highest quality of wool, and has excellent moisture control, heat retention, and odor resistance, and has established its position in outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain climbing, and camping.

Although the price is generally high because it is a high quality natural material, Workman's Merino series is a popular product that must be sold out every year at a low price that is so unsurprising that it is hard to believe. If you've seen outdoor brand Merino products, what about Merino products you can get at such a price (low price)? You'll probably want to doubt this.

How about actually using it in the mountains? (A surprising number of reviews are rarely used in the mountains.)

Since I have such a question, I can't help but try it. So, I've tried using Workman's popular Merino Underwear and Accessories in the mountains and have thoroughly checked it, so I'll share the results.

In this article, we will review the materials and uses of Workman's 100% Merino wool in the first half, and in the second half we will introduce Merino unders and accessories in a ranking format.

About the materials of Workman's 100% Merino series

Super Extra Fine Merino is used in the 100% Merino series, including Workman's "Merino Wool Long Sleeve Round Neck Shirt."

Although it is all called merino wool, it comes in grades and is ranked according to the thickness of the fibers. The higher the grade, the finer the fibers and the higher the quality. Workman's 100% Merino series uses the highest grade "Super Extra Fine Merino", and the fiber thickness is 16.5 to 17.5 μm in diameter (micron) *1 μm is 0.001 mm

Items with this mark are made of the finest grade Super Extra Fine Merino.

It's amazing that even though it uses the finest grade of merino wool, it can be purchased for about 1/5 of the price compared to outdoor brand underwear.

Workman's Merino series feel

Before introducing Workman's under and accessories lineup, I'll just conclude abruptly.

Workman's Merino series has excellent benefits from the material Merino wool, "heat retention, moisture control, and odor-resistant," and is an item that allows you to fully feel the advantages of Merino wool. (It's not cheap or bad)

As a first layer in low-temperature environments where you want to place importance on heat retention, it provides "heating and humidity control" while also providing quick drying against sweating during activities and durability as a fabric, I felt that synthetic undersized fiber and understood created by outdoor brands would be the best.

However, when considering the cost aspects, Workman's underwear and accessories are just attractive.

I will review the Merino series created by Workman based on what I felt when I wore it in Yatsugatake, the Northern Alps, Okuchichibu, etc. (temperatures around 5--5°C).

It provides moisture-regulating and keeping heat in situations like wearing a shell jacket

It's cold if it stays in an environment with temperatures of around 5 to -5°C, but you'll feel hot while you're on the move. Although it feels hot, it is an environment where you cannot wear an underwear on ridges, so you will inevitably have to wear a shell jacket or middle layer for a long time.

When you act in such a situation, you will inevitably get sweaty and sweaty. Even when I was wearing a highly breathable shell jacket, there was no need to avoid a certain amount of stuffiness caused by sweating, but the merino underwear regulates moisture so I felt less discomfort and not sticky even when I was sweating.

When wearing synthetic underwear in the same case, sweating will make it difficult to dry out due to sweating, and it will become sticky and uncomfortable as sweating will return, but Merino will regulate moisture even when sweating, making it less likely to feel stuffy (if it becomes saturated, it will become sticky and stuffy).

Unless you get saturated due to overwork, you will not be easily discomfort while you are still at work.

The warmth is also very warm! Rather, the feeling that it doesn't get cold is more comfortable. Even if you move and sweat, it doesn't feel cold when it stops. This is another characteristic of merino wool, and even if it gets wet, its heat retention does not decrease, making it less likely to get cold from sweat.

It feels good on the skin and doesn't tingle, so you can wear it directly

Made of jersey knit, it stretches particularly well in the horizontal direction and does not feel any oppressiveness. The texture is soft, so it's comfortable to wear and didn't even tingle.

Check the smell after wearing it for 2 days

I'm a judgement about body odor, so please use this as a reference only, but even after wearing it for a whole two days it didn't smell (according to me)

I tried wearing it for three days for everyday use, but I didn't notice any smell.

It is a little thicker underwear when you are active

In my case, the unders plays the role of absorbing water and quick-drying, and the middle layer keeps the heat warm. Workman's Merino wool long sleeve round neck shirt is thick and has a high heat retention effect, so I found it a little difficult to use in an environment with a temperature of around 5 to -5°C.

When choosing an under, the key points to consider when choosing a material is "What do you want from the under?"

Synthetic fibers are best if you are expecting to sweat and are focused on absorbing water and quick-drying, and merino wool is best if you prioritize heat retention, humidity control, and odor prevention. A hybrid underwear made of a blend of wool and synthetic fibers will suit selfish people who need water absorption and quick drying, but also want heat retention, moisture control and odor-resistant. Workman's Merino wool long sleeve round neck shirt is an underwear that is recommended for those who want to prioritize heat retention.

In addition to choosing the material, the thickness of the fabric also plays a role, so it may be just underwear, but it is deep and deep. . .

I'm pretty cold, but when I go about my activities for a long time, I get quite sweaty. The first layer is a thin under layer, and I like it because it's more comfortable to regulate body temperature using middle layers, gloves, neck warmers, etc.

I'm worried about durability. It's difficult to choose for long-term traversing.

As it has the advantage of merino wool, it is a good idea to use it for a long time as a material, but I was concerned about its durability.

Merino wool, a natural material, is originally less durable than synthetic fabrics such as polyester and is prone to fuzzing, but after wearing it a few times, it started to tear through the seams and frayed the stitches. (Sew, repaired, and used)

It is possible that the author purchased the product was a problem, but the truth is that for long-term traversing and trails that are intended for hard use, I would definitely prefer to choose an outdoor brand underneath.

Workman's "Merino" unders and accessories are ranked without permission!

Although I knew that round neck shirts and tights existed, there was also a wide range of other excellent accessories.

From here, we will introduce six types of Workman's underwear and accessories in a ranking order of my favourite.

No. 1: Keep your stomach warm when it's cold but hot! Waist warmer (belly wrap)

I wear it over a T-shirt for photography, but in reality it is OK to wear it directly under the T-shirt.

The best thing I've tried using was this waist warmer.

Actually, this is my first time trying out a waist warmer.

I'm a pretty cold guy, but I was surprised that just keeping my stomach warm is so comfortable.

Even in winter, I would like to wear light clothes if it's low mountains, but it's really cold with just a T-shirt. However, it's hot to wear fleece. Waist warmers are useful in such situations.

It is a one-size size, and when measured flat, it is 37cm tall x 32cm wide. It is highly elastic and can be used with waists of 76 to 104cm. It keeps your stomach warm without dropping during your actions. It is also convenient to use to protect the cold when camping, and I use it for everyday running.

The actual weight is 48.3g. You may want to include it as an option if you're wondering whether to add a piece of clothing to keep you warm.

2nd place: Seamless mountains and towns. "Boxer shorts" are sure to be a hit

These boxer shorts are especially noticeable because the clothing is overlapping in both summer and winter, so they overlap with each other, making them particularly impressive in moisture control. It's amazing that you don't feel stuffy in your legs.

The author has always loved U-Nicro boxers in his daily life. I adjusted the underwear I would wear according to my mountain climbing plans, and controlled it so that I could go out wearing Merino Boxers on the day of the mountain climbing, but it's easy to get a 980 yen Merino Boxers to wear 7 days a week (in terms of cost).

One thing that caught my eye was the position of the seams on the back (butt side). It's fine when sitting on a cushioned chair, but when sitting on a hard chair, you'll notice the seams (though it's not so painful).

I was concerned about the back side and seams hitting them when I sat

3rd place: Preventing the cold starts from the neck! Neck Warmer

The golden rule to prevent the cold is to warm the three necks. Effectively take measures against the cold by keeping the neck, wrists, and ankles, which are the paths of thick blood vessels.

I think it's quite common to have a situation where you spend a long time on a mountain and get hot and your face is just too cold.

Workman's neck warmer is approximately 50cm long, so it can even cover your nose. It keeps the neck warm while you are on the move, and prevents the face from getting cold.

Another attractive feature is that the neck warmer is simply a tubular shape, and can also be used as a headband to keep your ears warm.

The neck warmer has a thickness of 3 and 4, so if you want to use it while you are active, it is 3. If you are focusing on keeping the cold, choose the thick 4.

4th place: A classic long-sleeved round neck shirt. Thickness is used according to the application

The classic "long-sleeved round neck shirt" is the classic. I would also recommend this for everyday wear. That's very competent (price and functionality)

There are two types of fabric thickness, and if you have an active activity under, we recommend choosing fabric thickness level "3". If you are looking for everyday use in the middle of winter or for keeping the cold away when camping, choose a thick type with a thickness of "4" fabric.

It's a raglan-shaped type, so it's not likely to interfere with movement, and you can wear it without worrying about shoulder width (the shape of the 4-layer thickness type is slightly different)

Perhaps because it is intended to be underwear, the sleeves are slightly shorter, so if you wear it underneath the top, there will be no underwear. I chose the M size for the Patagonia under, but I chose the LL size for the Workman under, which was just right.

The price is 1,900 yen for "fabric thickness level 3" and 2,900 yen for "fabric thickness level 4" (price includes tax, according to December 2024)

It's attractive for those who want to wear Merino Under 7 times a week but hesitate in price. It's easy to move seamlessly between the mountains and towns by wearing merino from everyday life.

5th place: Balaclava you should use when you're more active

When it comes to more active exercise such as speed hiking, running, skiing and snowboarding, neck warmers are more likely to slip. In such cases, it's Balaclava.

It covers everything except the eyes, making it a great heat retention effect, and it also covers the area around the head, making it an excellent heat retention effect. You can also wear it under a helmet or knit hat.

It is a concern that it is difficult to dry out if it gets wet due to exhalation, but even when it gets wet, its heat retention is not easily reduced, so it is less likely to feel uncomfortable when worn.

I was curious to see that the stitching is attached to the mouth, but the price is 1,280 yen so I have no complaints.

To emphasize heat retention, the fabric thickness level is only 4.

It's a shame that the seams come to the center (nose)

The actual weight is 46g. Since it is made of thick fabric, it is slightly heavier than synthetic fibers, but considering that it is prone to saliva from exhalation, the deodorizing properties of wool are attractive.

6th place: Long tights with high fit and ease of movement

After a round neck shirt, the long tights are the most popular. It fits better than a round neck shirt and fits tightly against your body, so you can wear it under your usual pants.

Perhaps because it is intended to wear mountaineering boots and boots, the hem length seems to be shorter (good when paired with longer socks).

When climbing or trekking in autumn and winter, it is also important to keep your lower body warm. Even if you regulate your upper body with layering, if your lower body is neglected, you will feel cold, and the lower body has the largest muscle (thighs) of the human body, so keep your thighs warm and keep your cold in place.

The back side is sewn to make it easy to move

The crotch has been designed to prevent movement, such as a gusset crotch to prevent movement.

The long tights are only available in "Level 3 fabric thickness" and cost 1,900 yen.

Summary: You can't miss out on buying the Merino Under series, which is useful for keeping you warm at campsites and day hiking in the winter!

We've reviewed Workman's Merino Under and introduced some recommended Merino items.

The author has worn the underwear of outdoor brands up until now. Workman's Merino Underwear is soft and comfortable to wear. You can feel the characteristics of merino wool, but the truth is that it doesn't stand out as much as the underwear of outdoor brands, which are packed with technology such as sewing details, durability, and blending.

However, from a price point of view, I wonder if it's okay to put you on the same level. . After all, it's an outstanding value for money.

Looking at the details, it may be better to see the under-the-shelf outdoor brands, but considering the balance between price and quality, it's understandable that it will become explosively popular.

The Workman Merino series has many benefits for keeping you warm, and from a hiker's perspective, I felt that it was more suitable for wearing on light mountain hiking than in long-term tough situations!

Enjoy the outdoors comfortably with Workman's Merino series this winter!

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Yosuke

People who act with just one backpack with the motto of "as light as possible" so that they don't get inconvenient.

From spring to autumn, I chase after char deep in the mountains and go fishing in the mountain stream. We walked the mountains in search of spectacular views that cannot be seen from the ground. Camping to be healed by the bonfire. Snowboarding is a floating mountain with a mountain of silver.

A freelance writer who enjoys outdoor activities all year round. I share my own experiences and tools that I've been using.

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