Not too long ago I completely fell in love with merino wool. I use merino wool for hiking socks, long johns and hiking shirts. It’s quite expensive, but it’s awesome! In this article I will discuss the best merino wool hiking shirts and I will talk about whether or not it’s worth the money.
Best short sleeve merino wool shirts for hiking
Let’s start by discussing the best short sleeve merino wool shirts that are great for hiking. These are not necessarily sorted in any way. I couldn’t really rank them because it comes down to personal preferences and situations. Also, these are all solid options and pretty similar in a lot of ways.
Icebreaker Merino Tech Lite T-Shirt
Fabrics: 87% Australian Merino Wool | 13% Nylon – weight: 150g/m
Next up we have the Icebreaker Merino Tech Lite T-Shirt, which is an absolutely amazing hiking shirt.
Icebreaker has been known, trusted and loved by a lot of hikers for quite some time now.
This t-shirt is slightly more expensive than the average tshirt but it’s lighter, more durable and has a higher percentage of merino wool. I would recommend buying this merino wool shirt as long as you aren’t on a tight budget.
On top of all that, this t-shirt is simply super comfortable. Merino wool does always feel comfortable, but there is still a difference between certain blends and also the quality of the merino wool. Also, if the seams aren’t done properly these might cause irritation. But this Merino wool hiking shirt has no real flaws by my knowledge, it truly is a very good shirt for hiking or other outdoor activities.
A lot of merino wool shirts are considered base layers and will have a very small fit. However, this one fits like a regular t-shirt – I guess it depends on the situation, but I really like a regular fit.
I would recommend this shirt to any hiker who is looking for a regular fit merino wool t-shirt.
The latest price can be found on amazon: Icebreaker Merino Men’s Tech Lite T-Shirt
or for women: Icebreaker Merino Women’s Tech Lite T-Shirt
SmartWool Men’s Merino 150 Baselayer Short Sleeve
Fabrics: 87% Merino Wool | 13% Nylon – weight: 150g/m
The Smartwool 150 baselayer is pretty similar to the Icebreaker Merino Tech Lite T-Shirt. I would say both are pretty similar in quality and in price. The main difference is that this merino wool hiking shirt is mainly used as a base layer. This means that it is worn underneath your other clothing. That said, you could still use it as a regular hiking shirt is you would like to do that.
Note that some hikers reported that this shirt is rather small. However, you should keep in mind that this is sold as a base layer, this means it has a much slimmer fit than a regular hiking shirt.
Since the blend is almost exactly the same as the Icebreaker Tech Lite, it also shares most of its benefits. It’s comfortable, lightweight, breathable and wicks moisture.
If you are looking for a solid merino wool hiking base layer, this is the one I would recommend!
The latest price can be found on amazon: SmartWool Men’s Merino 150 Baselayer Short Sleeve
Best long sleeve merino wool shirts for hiking
Now that I have talked about the best short sleeved merino wool hiking shirts I will discuss 2 of my personal favorite long sleeved merino shirts.
Icebreaker Merino Oasis Long Sleeve Crewe Top
Fabrics: 100% Merino Wool weight: 200g/m
It shouldn’t be a surprise that Icebreaker also made it on this list. They simply provide quality.
A long sleeved merino wool shirt is mostly used to keep your body warm. These types of shirts make the perfect base layer to keep you warm. Ones again, the reasons to buy this shirt are: it’s soft, it’s comfortable, breathable, wicks moisture and it will keep you warm.
However, this shirt is still pretty lightweight, which makes it awesome for hiking in every season. It’s breathable and light enough to wear it in summer, but it will also provide a lot of warmth when wearing it under multiple layers during winter.
Another cool extras that there are a lot of different looks you can go for – not the most important thing in the world, but a nice bonus nevertheless.
If you are interested in the latest price, or you just want to gain more information, feel free to take a look on amazon: Icebreaker Merino Men’s Oasis Long Sleeve Crewe Top
For women: Icebreaker Merino Women’s Oasis Long Sleeve Crewe Top
SmartWool NTS Mid 250 Crew Top
Fabrics: 100% Merino Wool weight: 250g/m
Once again, SmartWool’s long sleeved merino wool shirt is really similar to the Icebreaker alternative. So, which one is best? Well, I would probably go with the SmartWool during winter and with Icebreaker during any other season.
This hiking shirt simply provides a lot of warmth – more than the Icebreaker Merino Oasis. However, this product is also a bit heavier, which makes it less optimal if you don’t really need the warmth that it provides.
In terms of comfort, durability, breathability and moisture wicking abilities it’s truly neck and neck. The biggest difference is that this merino wool shirt is more of a mid layer than a base layer. The main reason for this is the fit, this shirt has a more loose fit than the Icebreaker Oasis Long sleeve.
The lowest price can usually be found on amazon: SmartWool NTS Mid 250 Crew Top
What to look for in a hiking shirt
When you are looking for a hiking shirt, you want it to be breathable, comfortable, lightweight, moisture wicking and not smelly. This completely rules out a cloth hiking shirt. You can either go with a synthetic fabric (like nylon) or with merino wool. I personally prefer a blend with around 90% merino wool and 10% nylon
When you are buying merino wool clothing, always make sure to check the blend. Merino wool is quite expensive and a lot of marketing agencies like to call a shirt a “merino wool hiking shirt” when it only contains 20% of merino wool.
You should always be aware what you are buying, but with merino wool, it becomes even more important.
Is a merino wool hiking shirt worth it?
The short answer: yes a merino wool hiking shirt is absolutely worth it. However, it is not needed. If you are on a super tight budget it makes a lot more sense to buy a polyester hiking shirt instead. Sure, it won’t be as effective at controlling odor – and it won’t be as comfortable but it’s still light, breathable, durable and dries quick.
It must be said that personal preference is also a pretty big factor. Some hikers even prefer polyester over merino wool because it’s more durable and lighter. That said, most hikers prefer merino wool because this fabric has better breathability, odor-control and is super comfy.
For a more in-depth comparison, I would recommend this article: polyester vs merino wool