Minus33 sent me Merino Wool products to try and review. These are my own opinions and I only suggest products that I think will interest you.
When I first started hiking, I wore cotton, which was easily accessible and affordable. But the problem with cotton is that it doesn’t dry quickly, it’s bulky to wear and you’ll stay cold when wet. Later, I discovered Merino Wool which fits next to the skin, dries quickly and keeps you warm when wet. It also wicks moisture away from your body preventing it from stinking after wearing it for multiple days. It isn’t itchy like typical wool and instead, cozy and comfortable next to your skin. As a bonus, you can wash it in the washing machine.
I’ve always loved wearing wool, so when I got the opportunity, I wanted to try the Minus33 Merino Wool clothing.
They have four different weight options from which you can choose: micro weight, lightweight, midweight and expedition.
- Micro Weight: Very lightweight material made to be worn as a single layer or a base layer combined with heavier layers.
- Lightweight: Providing breathability with a bit more warmth than the micro weight.
- Midweight: It’s the most popular selection as it provides warmth during the shoulder season and is used as a base layer in the winter.
- Expedition: This is the warmest weight to keep you warm with a combination of layers in the winter.
Minus 33 was awesome in providing me with three different samples of clothing to try:
- Midweight Ossipee Women’s Crew 100% Merino Wool
- Micro Weight Women’s 1/4 Zip Sun Hoodie Woolverino
- Midweight Crew Socks Mountain Heritage
I wore the Minus 33 Merino Wool Clothing while experiencing the spectacular Waterton fall hikes including Red Rock Canyon and Rowe Lakes in Waterton National Park. The scene made for the perfect background to showcase the clothes.
Table of Contents
Midweight Ossipee Women’s Crew 100% Merino Wool
Photo credit: Kelsey Stephenson
Price: $113
Size: Small
Colour: Burgundy
The Minus33 Midweight Ossipee Women’s Crew Merino Wool shirt was so comfy to wear! It fit nicely around my chest and waist. The shirt hung over my pants making it nice and tight without letting the cold air reach my stomach. It was comfortable around the arms; not too tight.
Based on their woman’s size chart, I fit in their medium-sized shirt but, typically I wear a size small. I decided to get the small shirt based on my typical measurements and it fit perfectly. This shirt fits comparably to other wool-sized shirts.
Micro Weight Women’s 1/4 Zip Sun Hoodie Woolverino
Photo credit: Kelsey Stephenson
Price: $156
Size: Medium
Colour: Mint
The recommended size based on the size chart was a medium for this shirt as well. Unsure which size to try, I inquired about their fitting with a customer service representative. They were awesome in helping me determine the size I should get. It was suggested I get a medium shirt which would allow me to wear a T-shirt underneath to use it as an outer layer while also being able to wear it as a base layer. Their advice was fantastic! It was comfortable and I appreciated being able to wear a T-shirt underneath.
Tip #1: Using it as a base layer, the zipper next to the skin can feel uncomfortable if you don’t like the sensory feeling like me.
Tip #2: The top is see-through when wearing a black bra with no underlayer. Plan accordingly.
This hoodie is a micro weight so there is very little chance of overheating. It has a UPF rating of 20, helping to protect you from the sun’s rays. The hoodie fits nicely over a baseball cap to protect your head from wind, and sun while allowing it to breathe. The small chest pocket is handy to fit a few credit cards.
I love the new mint colour. Nice to wear a vibrant colour in the woods. It contrasted beautifully with the red rock background.
Midweight Crew Socks Mountain Heritage
Photo credit: Kelsey Stephenson
Price: $30
Size: Medium
Colour: Ivy
The socks feel comfortable on the calves. Since they aren’t super tall socks, they allow for some air flow between the sock and pant leg. My legs and feet didn’t sweat which was much appreciated. The socks felt nice on the rock while letting my feet breathe. They provided a cushion between my feet and the rock. I liked wearing the earth-tone ivy colour on my feet.
How Minus33 Merino Wool Shirts Were Tested
Photo credit: Kelsey Stephenson
Both shirts were worn while hiking up to Rowe Lakes. This picture was taken at Lower Rowe Lakes while looking towards the mountain.
Midweight Ossipee Women’s Crew Merino Wool
The Midweight Ossipee Women’s Crew Merino Wool shirt was flexible and provided movability when I moved my arms around while wearing the Micro Weight Women’s 1/4 Zip Sun Hoodie Woolverino underneath. The sun hoodie fit comfortably as a mid-layer.
I loved that I stood out against the forest in my bright burgundy Minus33 Merino Wool shirt. It protected me from the wind while keeping me warm. It was very cozy against my skin, never once feeling itchy. Both tops didn’t bunch up; they stayed in place all day long, working in unison.
Micro Weight Women’s 1/4 Zip Sun Hoodie Woolverino
I typically don’t like hoodies because I don’t like the feeling of having something around my neck or preventing me from turning my head. With the hoodie being a medium size, it provided enough movability for me to turn my head with ease both sideways and up and down. The 1/4 zip provided the option to air out my chest if I needed additional ventilation.
The hoodie provided a break from the wind without my head overheating. It also protected my ears from getting cold, without having to wear a toque, so early in the fall season. I appreciated having thumb holes in the shirt to keep my hoodie in place while I put on the mid-layer. I didn’t keep my thumbs in the holes constantly with it bothering me due to the sensory feeling but it’s handy for keeping the shirt on your arm when adding an additional layer.
This sun hoodie is a game changer and a top I can see myself wearing regularly when doing exercise outdoors in nature!
For lunch, I used my MEC seat cushion which made it comfortable while sitting on the rocks. I brought my Camelbak Crux 2L Reservoir with me to keep me hydrated throughout the hike.
How Midweight Crew Socks Were Tested
Photo credit: Kelsey Stephenson
The midweight thickness felt cozy on my feet while hiking and didn’t result in blisters after the first time trying them out. They are thick enough to provide a buffer between the boot and the foot. They provide cushioning in the right places under the toes and the heel without making it feel excessive. The socks stayed in place and never felt like they were slipping downwards or forwards. I didn’t feel the seams; the socks were comfortable on my feet throughout the entire journey.
Final Thoughts
I was pleasantly surprised with the Minus33 Micro Weight Women’s 1/4 Zip Sun Hoodie! I was able to turn my head with ease in a medium size while also getting protection from the sun. My ears got sheltered from the wind allowing me some warmth without having to wear a toque early in the fall season. The Midweight Ossipee Women’s Crew Merino Wool was so nice against my skin. It provided warmth and made a great combo with the sun hoodie to wear together while hiking. The midweight Crew Socks provided cushioning under my feet while hiking. They are breathable while staying in place while you hike. I did not feel the sock seams which made the hike enjoyable. Everything stayed in place effectively.
I highly recommend these three products I’ve tested: Minus33 Micro Weight Women’s 1/4 Zip Sun Hoodie, Midweight Ossipee Women’s Crew Merino Wool and Midweight Crew Socks. Hopefully, you will enjoy the Minus33 products on your hike as well!
Additional Links
- Hiking Near Nordegg: Where Should I Go?
- Guide to Banff National Park Larch Hikes
- Fall Hikes in Banff and Yoho
- Where are the Gorgeous Hikes near Portland, Oregon?
- City to Wilderness Hiking: Where to Start?
This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through my links, I might receive a small commission, at no additional cost to you. I only recommend companies and products that I’ve used and tested myself. If you’d like to support me, I’d greatly appreciate it! It will help pay for the costs to run my website.
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