Smartwool Is Having a Huge Sale, and This Cozy Merino Base Layer Is 40% Off
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Why We Love This Deal
Smartwool is a brand that uses sweat-wicking merino wool to produce some truly premium clothing that stays fresh through strenuous activities. Examples include outdoor crew socks and smartly crafted base layer shirts. The good news is that Smartwool recently packed its own sale selection with rare 40% off deals, including this sharp-looking quarter zip base layer fit for hiking, running, and more.
The Smartwool Intraknit Thermal Max Merino Base Layer 1/4 Zip is now $93 at Smartwool, while notably still the regular $155 at REI. More deals worth checking out during Smartwool’s winter apparel sale include this long-sleeve shirt, which we consider to be one of the best workout shirts for men, and these high-durability hiking socks at just $15 a pair.
Smartwool Intraknit Thermal Max Merino Base Layer 1/4 Zip, $93 (was $155) at Smartwool
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What Shoppers Should Know
- Sizes Available: From small to 2XL
- Color Options: Blue, black, and green
- Fabric Blend: 97% merino wool, 2% polyamide, and 1% elastane
- Best Use Case: As a mid-layer for winter sports, running and hiking in cool weather, and more.
The goal of this Smartwool base layer is to give max comfort for the active man experiencing that weird juxtaposition of a hot body in a cold environment. Merino wool’s natural sweat-wicking and anti-odor properties make it perfect for keeping your body comfortable. Plus, the nature of it being a quarter-zip makes it perfect for throwing under a lightweight jacket or quarter-zip sweater, allowing for even more breathability on those days that heat up at 1 or 2 p.m.
This is a really intense merino base layer, made with a 97% merino wool fabric blend. This is certainly for people who love merino and know they love merino wool. But that doesn’t make it more exclusive. If you search for merino wool quarter-zips at REI, you’re going to primarily see three-digit prices for products that, on average, contain considerably less merino wool. This is the way to get the fullest merino wool experience.
But this base layer has more going for it than just merino wool. For starters, the other 3% is doing a lot, not just sitting there as plain polyester. Anybody who knows Levi’s stretchy jeans will know, intuitively, what even 1% elastane can do for a fabric’s stretch, especially with Smartwool’s specially designed intraknit stitching. Then, there’s the 2% polyamide, which is an umbrella term that includes things like silk and nylon.
Related: Marmot's 'Toasty Warm' Down Jacket Is Over $100 Off, and It's Perfect for Winter Adventures
What Shoppers Are Saying
How does it work in the field? One wearer from Maryland reported the following: “I sat in 15-degree temps with 20 to 30 mph winds and stayed warm, comfortable, and dry.”
Another shopper said, “I've owned several of these and use them for backpacking, skiing, and general outdoor fun.”
A final thing that you should know about this shirt is how to take care of it and merino wool in general. One shopper asked the Smartwool team if it was better to hand-wash merino wool, and the team showed just how easy it is to care for the product. “For the Men's Intraknit 250, we recommend machine washing on cold, inside out, and drying flat, but you can always wash and hang to dry.”
The Smartwool Intraknit Thermal Max Merino Base Layer 1/4 Zip is now down 40% as part of Smartwool’s winter apparel sale, which has rare deals you won’t find elsewhere.