Patagonia Wool 1 Tee

I'm a committed convert to tech tees, but I've never really considered wearing a wool tech tee until I tested Patagonia's Wool 1 base layer. Now I'm a committed convert to wool tech tees. These things rock for so many reasons.

Since February, I've been to Norway twice, Mexico twice, England, France,  the Virgin Islands,  the   Bahamas, Florida, California, Montana, and all over Colorado. Every new trip has left me increasingly annoyed with the amount of space my clothes take up in my bag, so I was super excited to watch my new Patagonia Wool 1 tee virtually disappear into my pack.

When carefully folded, it's just bigger than a deck of cards. My world rotated on its axis when I realized this -- I could use two of these Patagonia shirts in place of just one normal tech tee, or three in place or a regular t-shirt. Awesome. This makes a huge difference if you like to pack light or don't want to check baggage.

I spent a few weeks hiking and climbing around Norway last month, and wore my new shirt a lot. I loved how light and airy it is. The Merino wool wicks away moisture like a champ, and it's super light and soft. It's one of those few shirts that almost feels like it doesn't exist. Gotta love that, especially on a hot, humid day.  

I also really like the fact that it just doesn't smell like a   polyester shirt.  My typical base layers start to reek after a  few days  in  the  woods, but the Merino wool resists   odor quite  well.  People don't look  at me funny when I   make  a stop  in civilization  before  I get home for a shower.   When I wore a pack, I particularly appreciated the Wool 1 Tee's flat-lock seams. They don't rub or chafe and are extremely comfortable.  

Overall, this shirt is a winner, not only for its design and construction, but for its environmentally conscious qualities. The merino wool comes from sustainable farms in New Zealand, and the polyester (it's a blend of the two) is entirely recycled.

Available in men's and women's sizes, in a variety of colors.

Bottom LIne: My new favorite tee shirt. 'Nuff said. (NW, Aug. '09)

Price: $65

BUY ONLINE : Moosejaw.com ,

Manufacturer's Site: www.patagonia.com

Share on Facebook 

See All Footwear Reviews