100% Merino Wool Women's Midweight Base Layer Bottoms - Thermal Underwear - No Itch Renewable Fabric

I’m an outdoorsy old school real-wool winter lover. Skiing, snowblowing, snow walks, snow play, dog fun, all that. Skinny and pretty long legs (34 1/2” inseam). I’ve been wearing the same pair of loose-fit Hot Chilly’s heavyweight fleece long underwear almost since the company was invented — about 25 years! Sadly, most baselayers anymore are designed to be skin-tight with short inseams (less fabric is cheaper to manufacture). Well, there’s nothing warm about having a zero-airlock pant that doesn’t even reach your ankles. So after loving all of my Minus 33 merino wool tops for the past few years, I finally decided to give their baselayer pants a try. But rather than order my usual M size, I ordered their XXXL, to ensure I’d have the air lock and maybe more inseam!Sizewise, I am IMPRESSED — the pant fits exactly as I’d hoped — great length and loose enough for the airlock I sought! The fabric is smooth as silk, and not thick or heavyweight like fleece. I’m not sure how many ply it is, but would welcome doubling or tripling it for even better heat retention. One caveat, and I know this from owning other merino wool pieces — the fabric is quite fine, almost dressy, and won’t tolerate rough handling, seam overstretching, velcro, lots of rubbing (seat), or poking. It’s almost like pantyhose that way. In fact, I think I might just wear them as leggings with boots (Taos) and wool dresses this winter!Also, and I think some previous reviewers whom showed photos of holes need to hear this — clothes moths will absolutely DESTROY merino wool the instant they have the chance! And surprise — you have moths. Trust me, my home was ‘moth-free,’ they emerged from the very ether, and I learned the hard and expensive way. After treating for them all, anymore, I put all of my woolens in ziploc bags, closets, and drawers with smaller half-open bags of moth balls that have to be replenished every few months. As awful as the smell is, it dissipates quickly. I’ve not had a hole since!So in summary, this is a great almost-dressy midweight base layer, well-suited as leggings, but requires special care and especially, proper sizing. I’d advise buyers to size up at least 3 sizes for ‘success.’ 🙂

Quality: Best brand ever. I adore Minus 33 and have several pieces of their base layers. A few tank tops in the light weight along with the bottoms which I wear nearly for three seasons. These heavier weight bottoms I will not get as much use out of as the light weight ones. They are reserved for weather in the "teens" and lower or when I plan to be outside for extended periods of time. They will make your jeans fit a bit tighter. I do wash them on cold in a net laundry bag to protect them and hang up to dry even though they can be put in the dry. They are like any high quality knit wear and I handle them as such.Fit: I chose to go up one size to an XL primarily because I don't like my base layers fitting tight like a lycra dive skin and for some additional length. I'm 5'8" (and shrinking) but still have long legs. Usually wear at 32 to 34 inch inseam in pants. I found these to be more than adequate in length as they come down to just below the ankle bone as shown on the model with some length to spare. For some one 6 feet tall or taller they would most likely be short. They do, however, stretch in all directions. Maybe Minus 33 will someday make some with stirrups!! For very tall women the Capris might be more useful along with my heavy wool knee socks. I am thinking of buying some Capris to avoid the bulk of wearing heavy knee socks over these bottoms. Additionally, the rise was nice and long and didn't grab at the crotch like cheaper brands. The waist band came up to my natural waist line which I prefer so when bending over there is still come protection from the cold. Going up a size also provides for some stretch and flexibility IMO. Some reviewers said the light weight ones ran like nylons but I believe they most likely purchased a too tight size. Unless I tugged like crazy on the light weight style I can't see how someone could put a run into these. Who cares what size the label says if they fit well and are functional?? The lightweights are heavier weight than tights used as panty hose.Material: That wonderful 100% Merino wool. These are not twice the weight of the lightweight ones. I would guess about 50% heavier but their weight site should say what the oz are for each garment. Gauge from the fabric weight. These are so, so soft and comfortable even with/on very sensitive skin. They would make very comfortable PJs they are that soft. I'm evangelical about 100% Merino wool and now prefer over silk base layers. Cabelas use to make some very soft silk base layers in several different weights of which I have sets in both their heavy and light weights. But now I always reach for the Minus33. Just something comforting about the Merino. Although clothes do slip on more easily with the silk than the merino.Color: The red color is more of a bluish red than an orange red which I prefer. Matches my two tank tops from Minus33. With two dogs I can't wear dark colors -- even thought they are brushed until my shoulder aches.Durability: I've worn the tank tops daily, all winter long and if properly cared for I imagine I'll get years and years out of any MInus33 Merino garment. I imagine these heavier bottoms will last forever. I've only worn these heavier bottoms a couple times during the coldest days of Utah's winter. Usually with the light weight Minus33 tank top and a long sleeved tee shirt I can comfortably go outside run errands or walk the dogs with only a light weight fleece jacket. Until it drops below 25 degrees when I have to pull out a heavier jacket and these mid weight Merino bottoms.

A warm merino-wool baselayer. A bit out of shape and pilling after several washes. Knocked off another star for the exuberant price.

I am a cold person- cold all the time, even indoors, even when other people think it's too warm. My long johns go on when the temperature dips below 10C and stay on until it warms up. I have purchased Ibex, Icebreaker, and others (Stanfields used to make a 2 layer long john for women that I loved). These are a nice midweight base layer. They seemed thicker than the Icebreaker Vertex leggings I own, which are supposed to be a 260gm fabric, while the Minus33 website lists these as 220gm. The knit is great, very soft and seems durable. My only complaint is that they do seem to run a bit large. I am 5'8", 145lbs, and I vary between small and medium sizes depending on the fit of the clothing and whether I want it loose or fitted. I purchased these in medium and they work ok, but the waist is a bit large. The length is perfect, and I am concerned that they might shorten if I wash them and they shrink. They are also very high waisted, coming right up to the natural waistline, not below.

Warm, they are very comfortable. I am 5’7” and thought of getting a medium as my previous thermal layer pants (years ago) seemed snug for size. But these fit true to size. Large are too big for me (I weigh 132 and fit a size 6 pants). I like them baggy so that’s okay but if I’d needed them more fitted I would have ordered a medium or even small. I haven’t washed them yet so don’t know if they shrink.

Durable. It's spring by now and these pair are going to last at least a second year.My only regret is not getting the thicker weight, as these are not very thick. They are great for casual wear, esp if you mostly work indoor, but the thicker pair would be just plain awesome for outdoor play!On colder days, I wore these first and then my older fleece long johns over-top. What I noticed is that whereas fleece long johns are warm and thick, they do get sweaty when you move indoors, and the lack of stretch really restricts knee movement. With these wool ones, there is so much extra stretch for your knee movement. This is yet another reason why I'd rather drop more money on the thicker pair of these next time, as I'm confident those thick ones would still have way more stretch then my fleece ones.

These are great. Good quality wool, slightly thicker than the wool of my smartwool leggings. The colour is a deep red, and it maintains its colour even after multiple washes. I'm 5'10 and a half and about 160lbs and the large fits comfortably. I slept in them through a very cold winter. They do pill more than the smartwool does, but it's very small--almost like micro-pilling--and it doesn't detract from the way they look or feel.