Patagonia Wool 4 Baselayer : The Perfect Top

Patagonia's Wool 4 top, available for men and women in crew neck and half-zip styles, is going to make merino wool mainstream.

I've tested many merino wool garments over the years, and the Wool 4 is one of my favorites. This luxuriously thick shirt is smooth and densely knit on the surface, but turn it inside out, and it looks like loosely woven terry cloth. It feels like terry, too. It's so soft agianst my skin.

The best thing about the Wool 4 is the fit. Patagonia has done an excellent design job, utilizing raglan sleeves, chaffe-free flatlock seams, and a long, lean cut. The result feels like a custom fit top--not baggy, not tight, but exactly right. And no seams around the shoulders, so I have unrestricted movement. Nice.

I'm tall, so I have a hard time finding women's fitness and outdoor gear, much less base layers, that are long enough in the sleeves and torso. I usually end up going up a size, then putting up with tops that are too baggy. The Wool 4 is thoughtfully cut long so I get the coverage I need; I can even tuck in this shirt!

The Wool 4 is designed for stop-and-go activites in cold weather, so lucky for me, we've had some low temps this fall. I was glad I wore it on Halloween, when the temps dropped to freezing. I stood outside for hours, and my Wool 4 kept me toasty warm. I love the snug fit of the mock turtleneck--no need for a scarf or neck gaiter.

I've also been wearing my Wool 4 on power walks under my REI One Jacket in temps just below freezing. I often become too warm during the second half of my hour-long walks, but the top breathes so well that I never feel overheated or clammy. When I get home, my top and my back are both dry. That's serious moisture management. Better still, merino wool doesn't hold on to odor, so I can wear my Wool 4 several times before I need to wash it.

Bottom Line: THE perfect top for cold weather adventurers. This winter, make it merino!.-- E.D. (Dec '06)

Price: $125

Manufacturer's Site: www.patagonia.com

Buy Online: , Altrec.com,