Ortovox 120 Merino Competition Ls Crew
Best wicking baselayer from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
Steep uphill grunts, redlining training runs, haul- ing a ski trailer packed with gear and a baby—when we were really pushing it, this was our layer of choice. The Competition’s ultrafine 16.5- micron merino-and-nylon blend incorporates thinner sections under the arms and across the upper back (plus the upper chest on the women’s top). The result: It breathes well, siphons sweat lickity-split, and dries quickly.
THE DETAILS
A skintight fit works with the body- mapped construction to speed moisture management, but generous stretch preserves mobility. (“Although, if you have the slightest stomach pooch, good luck hiding it,” one tester opines.) Ding: The Competition’s short hem rode up, exposing bare skin during snowboarding wipeouts.
TRAIL CRED
“I wore this on a few hut trips—toting a heavy backpack on one, and my daughter strapped to my chest, directly over this top, on another—plus day tours and trail runs. No rips or pilling even after all that abuse,” a tester says.
Weight: 3.9 oz.
Sizes: Men’s S-XXL, Women’s XS-XL
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See more of the best Baselayers for Winter 2018
See the entire Winter Gear Guide
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