Product: Merino pant base layer – Women’s
Price: $130
Store: Smartwool Buy it Now
This Merino pant base layer for women is perfect for a day of cross-country skiing when the temperatures are below minus ten degrees Celsius. I generally use the base layer pants until the temperature drops to minus fifteen. When it gets colder, the pants will offer warmth at minus twenty-five, but the face and extremities will get cold quickly and it won’t be comfortable taking breaks too often. I prefer to ski when I can enjoy the activity and not freeze.
The base layer offers an abundance of warmth ensuring that the legs don’t get stiff and move with ease. If your body runs colder than most people, like me, the pants can be used at the start of spring or fall when it’s chillier outside.
Table of Contents
Movement
Wearing the pants allows for awesome movement. The Merino pant base layer descends to the ankle, stays in place, and doesn’t rise. Sometimes pants are two to three centimeters short. It can be frustrating when they rise unable to stay tucked under the thick cross-country skiing socks. The bottom base layer fits nicely along the entire leg without constricting it. When adding another pant layer on top, the layers move simultaneously.
Warmth with Merino Pant Base Layer
The Merino pant base layer provides an abundance of warmth cross-country skiing on cold winter days. The wind doesn’t go through two layers of pants. The Merino 250 Top Base Layer has the same efficiency as the bottom layer. Both are made of the same merino sheep wool material providing sweat and smell resistance with its wicking fabric allowing your body to exercise in warm and cold temperatures.
Conveniently, the top and bottom layers come in the same colour making you look like a professional skier instead of wearing mixed-matched clothing. The zipper for the top base layer provides comfort while skiing as it has a wonderful fabric lining between the zipper and the skin.
Colours and Size
The pant colours vary. My Merino pant base layer is twilight blue heather, although it looks green depending on the lighting. If you want a specific colour, if possible, try to buy the items in-store and compare the lighting on the rack to the change room. At Smartwool, they provide different colours such as grey, variations of blue, red and black to offer choices based on personal preference. Note that colours come and go regularly, and the availability can change.
Available sizes range from extra small to triple large. A size chart is provided to help you buy online. The Merino wool base layer provides a slim fit. Keep that in mind as it could be uncomfortable for some people by potentially compressing legs and stomach.
Tip: Measure yourself with a measuring tape and compare it to the online chart to ensure that you buy the right size. Stores have different size measurements.
Waist
The pant fits below the belly button. The waist is comfortable, not too tight like many other bottom base layers I’ve encountered. Most often other pants feel constricting around the waist causing the stomach to bulge and consequently making it uncomfortable to breathe. It’s miserable to move when the stomach is constricted causing potential digestion discomforts as well. Buying a larger size can offer more breathability but it could be loosely, which isn’t ideal.
Be assured that if you’re a slim fit, there’s a higher chance that this product will be a better fit for you.
Versatility of the Merino Pant Base Layer
Pros: The pants keep you warm during colder weather cross-country skiing. It makes a wonderful warm base layer. The pant leg extends down to the ankle staying in cross-country skiing socks while exercising. The pants don’t constrict the waist. It’s comfortable to wear and move while doing outdoor activities.
Cons: It’s a slim fit that could cause discomfort for some people. Sizes and colours could also be limiting. They might be a bit pricey for some folks.
Best for: Exercise in the cold or cooler temperatures, depending on your body temperature. The Merino pant base layer is a fantastic pant for cross-country skiing in Canada and in La Féclaz, allowing great movement.
Exercise in the outdoors will allow you to work up an appetite for a wonderful nutritious meal such as Butter Chicken or Pineapple Chicken Stirfry.
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