Different methods of putting fabric together result in a variety of qualities which impact how a garment breathes, wicks and ventilates as well as how it retains heat. backcountry This not only added comfort to the shirt, but added protection to an area that is often one of the first to wear out in a wool base layer. That zip reached past the end of my sternum, exposing even more area for venting. Since ancient times, wool has beenno I said I wasn't going to do that. Given the amount of use and several washings I don't find this wear to be unexpected. Smartwool describes the cut of the Intraknit Merino 250Thermal 1/4 Zip as a Slim Fit. 
smartwool intraknit (Sample for testing and review provided by Smartwool). Pure wool can't be beat for taking sweaty abuse and staying functional. A light shell over the top to block heavier winds completed a pretty versatile layering system. intraknit smartwool backcountry One thing I really liked about this shirt was how it worked well with other layers, above, below or both. This stitch is very tight, yet lets the material flex freely and as you can see, leaves a low profile that doesn't abrade skin, wet or dry. As a steam engine it is always a challenge to manage heat and moisture in cold weather. Take up to a full year! I measure the sleeve seam as roughly 23" from pit to cuff and the torso seam as roughly 21" from pit to the hem at the waist. Layering wasn't just functional, but also very comfortable. That was actually an advantage when it came to tucking the shirt in so I had no issues there. My only complaint is that I would have preferred them to extend the zipper even further like the Mountain Equipment Eclipse Hooded Zip-T which I reviewed a few years back. Even if you work it hard enough to make it stinky, which isn't easy, it recovers with some time to air out. smartwool Along with their Intraknit Merino 250Thermal Bottom, I've pretty much lived in this shirt over the Winter. Most of my experience has been with lighter weaves, around the 150g point or heavier wool sweater type garments. 
Depending on weight and weave it can keep you warm when wet, it dries rapidly when given a chance, wicks moisture from the skin, breathes well to ventilate when active and best of all, it resists odors and even if it becomes smelly will recover when given a chance. or review a different product, LoneStranger Touch device users, explore by touch or with swipe gestures. smartwool Be the first to know about promotions, special offers and product releases. Please note that measurements may vary by size. smartwool Browse Smartwool's top-rated base layers and underwear and more. Relative is the key here, as numbers can be used as a rough guide when comparing fabrics. Please turn it on so that you can experience the full capabilities of this site. Depending on how you are viewing you may want to look at that picture in full screen mode to see the multiple sections and how they are joined into a shaped section of fabric. While a 1/4 zip is the standard for base layers, I just knew a few more inches would have made it even better. This bulk-free, 100% Merino wool thermal layer brings a new dimension to active winter wear. 
I've used it alone, with layers below, above and both. Nike & Under Armour Sale -Up to 50% Off. You can see the how the fabric transitions from zone to zone smoothly. Versatile enough to handle a wide variety of cold weather activities. It didn't get in the way of action and never created any sense of friction or abrasion. That pairing also worked really well at managing sweat in colder temps. 
TOP10REVIEWER The 250 weight Intraknit Merino definitely was more of a barrier to air movement than the 150 weight of the Houdini Desoli Zip or the 135 weight of the WoolPro Skylark Ultralight Crew. The 1/4 Zip did not disappoint in the least I have to say if I'm being fair. Touch device users, explore by touch or with swipe gestures. Slim Fit is designed to follow the body's natural contours. Add a little activity to generate some heat and it was enough for me well below freezing. smartwool intraknit trekkinn Up To 30% Off Backcountry MTB Apparel .css-1081t4c{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}Shop Now, Basecamp Under The Stars Shop Coolers, Camp Furniture & More. The Smartwool Intraknit Merino 250 Thermal Quarter Zip brings 100% Merino wool in a comfortable and warm weave. Using 3D body mapping they cover specific areas with a variety of material. All Rights Reserved. IntraKnit Merino 250 Thermal 1/4-Zip Top - Men's, Backcountry Advocate ProgramBreaking Trail, Baselayer top offers for active pursuits in cold weather, Midweight insulation for wintery weather layering, Knit articulation builds range-of-motion into the body, Materials insulate yet dry quickly for high-intensity workouts, Merino wool naturally resists odors to preserve freshness, Mesh ventilation prevents overheating as you approach the summit. 
Get the latest updates on new products and upcoming sales, Smartwool Men's Intraknit Merino 250 Thermal 1/4 Zip, Smartwool Men's Intraknit Merino 200 Colorblock 1/4 Zip, Smartwool Men's Intraknit Merino 200 Bottom, Smartwool Men's Merino 250 Base Layer Crew, Mountain Hardwear Men's Canyon Long Sleeve Shirt, Arc'Teryx Men's Gamma Quick Dry Short 11", 100% Merino yarn provides the full power of Merino with unparalleled moisture management, insulation, thermoregulation and odor control, Engineered construction uses knit structures to enhance performance with a sophisticated finish, Insulating terry loops are seamlessly paired with mesh ventilation in gender-specific zones designed to balance warmth and breathability, 3D mapping results in near custom fit and freedom of movement while ribbed elbows provide added durability, Knit-in reflective elements enhance visibility in low light conditions. 
Trailspace's community of gear reviewers has field-tested and rated the top base layer tops. That area rides down the spine with the mesh increasing air flow through the fabric there. Both the shoulders and elbows are points where layers are at risk of binding and I had no problems like that at all. The flatlock stitching was well done throughout the garment. In camp and especially as sleepwear will be the focus on the update I'll be adding to this review later along with another look at wear. Folks who love to wear wool likely rank its ability to breath and wick moisture high on their reasons why. 
The only area I really noticed the extra material was the hem falling well below my waist. Please refer to the heading above for the fit type in text. I'll be talking about weave in the review as well as we dig into Smartwool's new Intraknit fabric. This is the interior of the shoulder yoke area after months of use and despite the zones of varying materials it remains intact with no signs of separation or stretching. 
I also did several multi-night Winter season backpacking trips in the Mahoosuc and White mountains. Smartwool takes a technical leap forward with their newly designed Intraknit Merino 250Thermal 1/4 Zip and I've had the pleasure of extensively testing it over the last four months. When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. smartwool Need to return an item? 
Again, wearing a base layer as outerwear exposes it to much more damage than when worn under another layer as intended. Men's-specific mesh ventilation zones provide additional breathability and comfort, This heavier, soft, 100% Merino wool fabric offers breathable warmth, moves sweat away from the body, and provides next-to-skin comfort in colder conditions, Men's Intraknit Merino 250 Thermal 1/4 Zip, Pinewood Derby, Raingutter Regatta, Space Derby, Women's Intraknit Merino 250 Thermal 1/4 Zip (2020), Men's Intraknit Merino 250 Thermal Bottom, Men's Intraknit 250 Thermal Colorblock Crew, Women's Intraknit Merino 250 Thermal Pattern 1/4 Zip, Men's Merino Sport 150 Long Sleeve Button Down, Men's Merino 150 Base Layer Micro Stripe Short Sleeve, 100% Merino yarn provides the full power of Merino with unparalleled moisture management, insulation, thermoregulation, and odor control, Engineered construction uses knit structures to enhance performance with a sophisticated finish, Insulating terry loops are seamlessly paired with mesh ventilation in gender-specific zones designed to balance warmth and breathability, 3D mapping results in near custom fit and freedom of movement while ribbed elbows provide added durability, Knit-in reflective elements enhance visibility in low light conditions. There was no sense of friction or binding. Opening the 1/4 zip and pushing up the sleeves to keep cool hauling heavy pack up Bond. Smartwool Intraknit Merino 250 Thermal 1/4 Zip, We accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express. This product is available for purchase in select store locations or by phone. 
Hunting Sale EventUp to 50% Off Whitetail & Waterfowl, | With Smartwool's flatlock seam construction and tailoring with an eye for activity including well shaped shoulder yoke and lightly articulated elbows the Intraknit Merino 250Thermal 1/4 Zip was made to be worn. Given the Smartwool sizing chart I requested the XL size to accommodate my 47" chest. Please share your experience. average rating Worn alone in a 50-60 environment while sitting still it was not enough to be comfortably warm. intraknit smartwool smartwool intraknit merino Meet the Men's Intraknit Merino 250 Thermal 1/4 Zip. Have an account? On occasions when I paired this shirt with a lighter wool base layer I really noticed how it pulled moisture from the inner shirt and passed it into the air without ever feeling damp. Ready to help! If you take your baselayer game seriously (and you should), the Smartwool Intraknit Merino 250 Thermal 1/4 Zip Baselayer Top is the holographic legendary version. Despite that additional material there was noticeable airflow while active. Paired with the Smartwool Smartloft-X 60 Hoodie, which I recently reviewed, temperature and wind resistance comfort ranges could really be extended. 
Most folks will find this shirt works best with other light layers or a jacket in cool or cold temperatures. Other than that there are few signs of wear on this shirt with the exception of these two little holes in one arm. smartwool intraknit merino zip smartwool merino thermal zip availability As I mentioned at the start of this review, I have virtually lived in this shirt for the last four months. Sorry, we dont currently have any of those types of reviews for this product. Not everyone has discovered the joy wool brings on trail yet, so it seems fair to bring them up to speed. When it comes to outdoor gear, gram weight is a common measure of fabrics used in clothing and shelters to give folks a relative idea of the material being talked about. I will be continuing my testing of the Smartwool Intraknit Merino 250Thermal over the next few months to see how I like it in warmer weather. While Smartwool uses blended fabric in some of their items such as the Intraknit Merino 200 line which uses a wool poly blend, the Intraknit Merino 250 Thermal Quarter Zip is 100% Merino wool. Functionally it worked for me on trail. With some light shining through it you can see an example of three different weaves from the shoulder yoke area. Actually I'm sort of surprised that it has held up this well given the heavy use. I frequently paired it with a lighter weight wool shirt underneath which I found added a bit more wind resistance. 
One other feature I noticed and appreciated was the slight articulation of the elbow on the sleeves. 
The fact that I wore this shirt as my only layer while carrying a 57lb winter pack certainly explains a lot of this wear. 
intraknit I've long been a fan of using wool layers in all four seasons to help me deal with that challenge. It really looks much as it did when it came out of the box other than the chest area and the one arm. A great base layer for cold weather, this bulk-free, 3D-knit, 100% Merino wool thermal layer brings a new dimension to active winter wear with its seamlessly integrated insulation and ventilation. The reason the numbers don't have more specific meaning is that weave plays a big role in how a wool fabric will perform as well. Find the best base layer for your next outdoor adventure using our independent reviews and ratings. The Smartwool Intraknit Merino 250 Thermal 1/4 Zip is comfortable thermal layer that offers insulation, flex zones, convenient ventilation, and comfortable merino fabrication. He and his family help maintain a section of the Cohos Trail in northern New Hampshire and are seasoned veterans of Maine's Baxter State Park. The 250 Intraknit Thermal line is among Smartwool's warmest base layer options, but cold weather comfort is all about layering. 
We rely on the IntraKnit Merino 250 Thermal -Zip Top for keeping us warm while chasing powder on the coldest days in the mountains. Long a fan of Smartwool socks and a fan of wool layers in general I was pretty excited to get a chance to test the Intraknit Merino 250 Thermals, top and bottom. If you meet him on a remote summit you'll recognize him by the Trailspace hat on his head and the cheese and sausage he's stuffing into his smiling face. Your browser's Javascript functionality is turned off. A ribbed crew neck, quarter-zip placket, long sleeves with ribbed cuffs, and allover 3D mapping for a comfortable wear. Oh and a few nights of back yard testing in the hammock too because sometimes you just have to sleep outside. I tested the Smartwool Intraknit Merino 250Thermal 1/4 Zip from late November through April in weather that ranged from mid 50F to about -10F. When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. For premier service, selection, and shipping, visit Zappos.com your one-stop shop for the latest in Shoes, Sandals, Dresses, Jeans and more! Sweaty folks like me will appreciate that it is warm enough to wear alone in the cold when active and great wicking ability. +13,063 Weekly reviews, exclusive deals, giveaways, and more: 2001-2022 Trailspace. I say comfortable twice because I'm wearing the shirt at the moment and it really is. The picture above was taken from video I shot while making a fast and sweaty push up a 2800' climb. Normally I'd wait until later in my review to discuss the materials and construction, but I think it is important to understand what Smartwool has done with their new Intraknit process. Not really needing the XL sizing for the rest of my body left me with a looser fit. Day hikes, snowshoeing, bus stop trips with my daughter and just sitting around the house were frequent activities. Given the chance to experiment over the last four months I've really come to appreciate the versatility of this 250 base layer. smartwool | updated May 29, 2020. Product measurements were taken using size MD. 
Source: received for testing via the Trailspace Review Corps This area takes a lot of abuse from pack straps, jacket zippers and hands. Easy to reach expert advice. SCHEELS uses cookies to provide a better shopping experience. Just click here to chat with the next available agent. One other thing to consider when looking at wool garments is the type of wool used and whether it is blended with other natural or synthetic textiles. 
Taking a close look at the elbow you can see how Smartwool used their new Intraknit process to both shape and reinforce the elbow. Smartwool used 100% Merino wool in a 250 weight weave to great effect in this shirt. This item is Out of Stock in our Stores but more is on its way. We rely on the IntraKnit Merino 250 Thermal -Zip Top for keeping us warm while chasing powder on the coldest days in the mountains. Please contact, Smartwool products can only be shipped within the United States, 2001-2022 evo - All rights reserved, all wrongs reversed |, Men's Smartwool Backcountry Outerwear & Layers. Prepare to perform at a high level in our Men's Intraknit Merino 250 Thermal Colorblock 1/4 Zip. 
Debit and credit card payments can be unsuccessful for a number of reasons. On the left the tighter weave has been enhanced with terry loops which transitions seamlessly to the weave without terry and then on to a more open mesh weave on the right. I appreciated what I was able to do with this shirt. Sign up to be the first to know about promotions, special offers and product releases. Coleman C300 Performance gas canister Review, Hummingbird Hammocks Starling Inflatable Pillow Review. When worn as an outer layer, either alone or with a lighter wool layer underneath, both aspects were apparent. smartwool intraknit merino The merino wool construction traps your body heat on windy lift rides, yet wicks moisture when you're bootpacking or ski-touring to the secret powder stash. Note the ice on my face as evidence that I was pumping out some moisture heh. IntraKnit Merino 250 Thermal 1/4-Zip Top - Men's. W. Baldpate summit after a single digit climb that benefited from several layers of Smartwool.