Our reviews are 100% organic. We do not accept payment for reviews or bundle with advertising budgets. In most cases, the brand is providing the product to our reviewers free of charge. Autumn running checks so many boxes to nurture a trail runner’s soul: vibrant colors, cool temperatures, damp trails and the satisfaction of a warm sweatshirt and cup of coffee after a hard effort. To that list we would add the pleasure of wearing cozy wool garments that are equally perfect for long trail days and lazy afternoons. We’ve tested a number of options this fall that simultaneously meet our performance needs and keep us warm on the trail.
Ibex GOAT Long Sleeve Crew ($95)
Fabric composition: 89% merino wool, 11% nylon, 150 g/m2*
Some of the most longstanding and frequently used wool shorts in our collection come from Ibex, a brand whose products have proven to have exceptional durability. Their GOAT collection is a rebranding of what was formerly called the Journey, made for a wide variety of activity intensities, with a modified fit in both men’s and women’s versions. Material construction features Beta Spun wool technology (generically referred to as core-spun; while other companies have proprietary names for a similar process) that wraps ultra-thin merino fibers around a nylon filament. This process keeps merino as the only fiber next to the skin, and maintains its natural odor resistance and insulation, but significantly enhances moisture-wicking, shape retention and durability. GOAT shirts have an extremely soft and comfortable feel during and after exercise, making them ideal for multi-day activities. A standard fit through the torso rests slightly loose when worn on its own, and layers easily into a mid-layer or shell when needed. The modified fit is most evident on the women’s versions, which have a straight drop on the sides rather than the contoured fit of Journey tees. Ibex’s GOAT tops are made in men’s and women’s tank, short and long sleeve options, plus a polo style if you want to class up the trail and are offered in two to four solid color options per model. All are available at www.ibex.com.
Ridge Merino Aspect Midweight Merino Wool Long Sleeve Shirt ($80)
Fabric composition: 84% Merino wool, 16% nylon, 180 g/m2*
There’s no better location for Ridge Merino than Mammoth Lakes, California, where year-round mountain activities demand durable and comfortable apparel for a wide variety of conditions. Their Aspect collection is a great example of product versatility, featuring mid-layers that are highly functional when worn alone, but layer as a thermal base when a stronger shell is used. On that point, one design note we appreciate is the long cut torso which helps the shirt stay securely in place when tucked in and provides increased coverage when worn alone. Aspect shirts come in crew, turtleneck and quarter-zip styles, all of which feature a proprietary (m)Force core-spinning technology. Super soft merino fibers are wrapped around a continuous nylon filament, resulting in durability that is 50% stronger than merino alone, with faster drying time and dependable shape retention. Other noteworthy details include Raglan sleeves for a seamless fit on the shoulders under hydration vest straps, and a sleeve with thumbholes that can anchor the shirt under a pair of gloves. The crew shirts have five color options for men and six for women, with some options such as offset sleeve colors, and a tree-dyed option that produces unique patterns in each garment as a result of the process. Available at www.ridgemerino.com.
Woolx Men’s Essential Tee ($110) and Women’s Remi ($110)
Fabric composition: 85% Australian merino wool, 12% nylon, 3% spandex. 150 g/m2*
Both models are lightweight all-season offerings made with almost identical material construction, and both feature a luxurious fabric with the most comfortable skin feel in our test groups. Depending on where we are in our laundry cycle, we use these models as much for comfy sleepwear as we do for demanding endurance workouts. The shirts take a different twist (pardon the pun) to the customary core-spun fabric construction with their DuraLite fabric sourced from 100% Woolmarck certified Australian merino. The DuraLite process wraps ultra-fine merino fibers around an interior fiber composed of both nylon and spandex, rather than nylon alone. The addition of spandex adds a noticeable stretch component along with the enhanced durability and moisture-wicking provided by the nylon. On both models, the torso has a regular fit, with a slight contour on the women’s Remi, and a long hemline that rests easily on the hips or tucks securely when needed. Slight variations on the men’s Essential tee include Raglan sleeves for mobility and underarm gussets for enhanced ventilation, while the women’s Remi has traditional shoulder seams and a scoop neck collar that adds to its fashionable styling for casual use. The Woolx Essential Tee and Remi are available at www.woolx.com.
Icebreaker 150 MerinoFine Ace Long Sleeve T-Shirt ($110)
Fabric composition: 100% merino wool, 150 g/m2*
Icebreaker has been the longtime industry standard for producing high performance wool apparel with responsible and sustainable methodology. Their Ace apparel line is made with an all-season lightweight thickness and designed for high intensity movement. This fabric uses another variant of the core-spinning process: because it is 100% New Zealand merino wool, interior nylon fiber isn’t used, but the yarn itself is made using an innovative Omega Twist technology that incorporates torsion of the fibers during construction. The resulting fabric has a cleaner appearance (less “hairy” per the manufacturer), a smoother skin feel, inherent resistance to pilling and better elongation and strength capacity. Ace tops have a slim or form-fitting torso shape for both men and women, so they are better suited for layering under a base layer. The torso hem is split at the sides for movement and its overall length is on the short side, so this model is most comfortably worn untucked. The fabric is completely comfortable as a standalone layer, but if you like a little roominess you can size up. Offset sleeves are completely seamless at the shoulders, meeting at a seam in the center back instead, which prevents any irritation under a pack. Ace tops come in short or long-sleeve options; the long-sleeve model has three solid color options for men and two for women. Available at www.icebreaker.com.
Smartwool Classic All-Season Merino Base Layer ($90)
Fabric Composition: 88% merino wool, 12% recycled nylon. 150g/m2*
Smartwool conveniently includes temperature ranges for their different categories of Classic apparel. The All-Season base layer we tested is said to insulate down to 25 degrees; we found this a bit too chilly and would put that number somewhere around 32 degrees. Nevertheless, the All-Season tops are extremely comfortable, with smooth flatlock seams throughout and a soft skin feel. Refreshingly, Smartwool refers to its construction technology as simply “Core Spun” without embellishment. The resulting performance features are the same, with the recycled nylon core adding strength, durability, moisture-wicking and shape retention, while maintaining only merino fabric against the body. These tops have a slim fit in the torso, with a moderate hourglass contour on the women’s version. They are not fully form-fitting, which allows a full range of natural movement when worn alone, but they are easy to layer, and a long hemline keeps them secure when tucked. We always appreciate Smartwool’s large range of color options, and that’s true here as well. Men’s All-Season tops come in five solid color and one jersey-style dual-color option, while women’s come in eight solid color options. We tested the regular crew version, but quarter-zip options are also available for both genders. All are available at www.smartwool.com.
Tracksmith Overland Long Sleeve ($125)
Fabric composition: 49% merino wool, 40% 37.5 nylon, 11% nylon, 160 gsm
Introduced as part of the brand’s new Overland collection this fall, this top has the lowest merino content in our test group and represents something of a mashup of two existing Tracksmith models. Much of its construction is similar to Tracksmith’s Brighton base layer, a form-fitting top made from a merino mesh fabric with four-way stretch capacity that moves and breathes somewhat like a second skin, and is so comfortable you may not even notice it. Overland shirts also incorporate the same 37.5 Technology seen on their Harrier shirt models, which further enhances moisture management and thermoregulation. New design elements here are the very noticeable shoulder overlays, intended to rest underneath an Overland hydration vest or any other pack. The overlays are made of polyester for abrasion resistance and shape retention, with a PFC-free DWR coating for light weather resistance if you are wearing the shirt without a vest or outer layer. The overlays didn’t strike us as extremely functional, but we liked the understated thumbhole on the inside seam of each cuff, which keeps the sleeves in place when worn alone or under gloves. Both men’s and women’s versions of this shirt have a slightly narrow, straight cut torso that lands just below the waist, and both are available in only one iron-gray color option. Available at www.tracksmith.com.
Oiselle Flyout Wool Classic Long Sleeve ($112)
Fabric Composition: 64% polyester, 36% wool
From the women’s-only brand, Oiselle, the Flyout Wool Classic long-sleeve shirt has a buttery texture and semi-relaxed fit that made it one of our female tester’s favorites for cold weather running. The light blend of wool and polyester helps wick moisture while regulating temperature, and with a looser fit, it’s perfect for cooler days as a single layer or under a heavier jacket when temperatures dipped below freezing. With extra-long sleeves that extend over the hands for added warmth, thumbholes keep them secured in place. Additional holes for a watch on either wrist make it convenient to keep track of your time and data without having to pull sleeves up while exposing them to cold temps. The hemline sits below the waist, keeping just enough length that, tucked in or out, the shirt keeps the midline warm when putting in the miles. With three colors to choose from, the shirt is available at www.oiselle.com.
*Grams per square meter, a standard measurement for merino weight. Higher numbers mean thicker and heavier garments. Frequently these measurements are described as one of four categories: Ultralight (less than 150 g/m2), Lightweight (155 to 190 g/m2), Midweight (195 to 250 g/m2), and Heavyweight (greater than 250 g/m2), but there is some inconsistency among companies with these categories.