Ortovox 185 Rock’n’wool Lengthy Sleeve Base Layer Assessment

Backside Line

We put the Ortovox 185 Merino Rock’n’Wool base layer via the check operating across the Rocky Mountains, climbing 14ers, and scrutinizing it in a managed setting. We discovered it to have the very best warmth-to-weight ratio of all of the base layers we examined.

This midweight base layer options ultra-soft positive wool fibers. The material, plus its comfortable match, is reassuring. The development of this base layer makes it really feel hotter than different base layers of comparable weight.

The material is 100% merino wool, profiting from pure moisture-wicking and odor-resistant properties.

Though it’s versatile sufficient to make use of year-round, the Rock’n’Wool isn’t probably the most breathable choice. It really works greatest as a standalone layer for cold-weather cardio actions however can retain an excessive amount of heat on summer time hikes.

Consolation

After we placed on the Ortovox Rock’n’Wool, we instantly seen the softness of the wool. Wool can generally be itchy, however the ultra-fine 19-micron fibers used within the Rock’n’Wool preserve it feeling plush. The seams are additionally extraordinarily low-profile, making them utterly unnoticeable when worn instantly in opposition to naked pores and skin.

The comfortable match of the Rock’n’Wool is a little bit of a double-edged sword. We love the best way it feels throughout cardio exercise as a standalone layer – it stretches and strikes with you surprisingly properly as a wool shirt. Nevertheless, after we built-in it right into a full layering system with a mid-layer and puffy jacket, we discovered that it has the potential to twist and bunch up beneath different layers. It’s not a deal breaker and should enhance with extra put on, however it’s one thing to contemplate in case you plan on utilizing the Rock’n’Wool for one thing like mountain climbing.

Heat

The midweight wool of the Ortovox Rock’n’Wool hits the temperature candy spot for many instances of the 12 months. If something, it leans barely within the hotter path. At 185g/ms, the material weight is on the lighter aspect of the midweight vary. Nevertheless, its comfortable match and tightly woven fibers retain warmth higher than different clothes of the identical cloth weight. This optimum warmth-to-weight ratio makes it excellent for ultralight backpacking when each ounce counts. 

The Rock’n’Wool makes for a comfortable sleep layer any time of 12 months and an ideal energetic layer through the colder months. We particularly like it as a standalone layer for ski touring or mountain climbing uphill on brisk mornings. Throughout the hotter months, the wool will get to be somewhat a lot for high-output actions.

Breathability

What the comfortable match and tightly woven cloth of the Rock’n’Wool positive factors in heat, it loses in breathability. In our drying velocity check, this prime dried faster than a number of the heaviest base layers, however it retained moisture longer than different wool and artificial base layers of comparable weight. This isn’t essentially a foul factor in case you worth heat over breathability. It additionally isn’t a difficulty if in case you have one other layer to alter into or management your output to handle how a lot you’re sweating. The Rock’n’Wool is designed to maintain you heat and sheltered from the wind quite than cooled by it.

Fortuitously, the Rock’n’Wool nonetheless advantages from merino wool’s pure moisture-wicking capabilities. When you could not really feel the breeze as a lot, and it might take somewhat longer to dry than different base layers, the material successfully wicks sweat away out of your physique so you may keep heat through the drying course of.

Versatility

The Ortovox Rock’n’Wool is somewhat dear, however it makes up for it with versatility. This base layer is our go-to for about 9 months out of the 12 months, not often leaving it out of our layering system. Even in the summertime months, we like it as a sleeping shirt in chillier areas just like the excessive Rockies.

The Ortovox Rock’n’Wool can match over a skin-tight base layer, however for probably the most half, we wouldn’t use it as a mid-layer. It additionally loses some versatility because of its lack of options. The Rock’n’Wool is an easy, minimalist base layer with no pockets, thumbholes, or zippers. Whereas we admire these helpful options, the absence of them is what retains this base layer’s match so comfortable and athletic.

Type

We perceive that type is a really subjective time period, so we attempt to price it primarily based on what number of coloration choices can be found and the way it compares to informal put on. The Ortovox Rock’n’Wool is a layer that emanates athleticism. Ortovox is a well-liked model within the aggressive cross-country snowboarding world, and its aesthetic displays that.

The newest model of the Rock’n’Wool includes a cut up, asymmetrical design with vibrant colours and multi-colored yarn that signifies the multi-faceted nature of outside actions. Whereas we do love the patterns and colours obtainable, we notice they may be somewhat too loud for some and wouldn’t simply match into a flowery cocktail hour. With solely 5 totally different colorways obtainable, the choices are somewhat on the low aspect.

Ought to You Purchase the Ortovox 185 Rock’n’wool Lengthy Sleeve?

The Ortovox Rock’n’Wool has a superb warmth-to-weight ratio and is right for ultralight backpackers, skiers, and climbers alike. It really works nice as a standalone energetic layer for chilly climate actions, however can get somewhat too steamy in hotter climate. The tightly woven fibers are nice for protecting you heat, however they don’t do an incredible job at letting the breeze in.

Merino wool is at all times a favourite fiber because of its odor resistance and moisture wicking properties. The Rock’n’Wool will preserve you hotter than different layers because it’s drying and can preserve you smelling contemporary for longer.

For folk that run scorching or desire extra breathability, there are higher choices on the market. Whereas we like it for a lot of cardio actions, it’s not your best option for mountain climbing in all day lengthy through the hotter months.

What Different Base Layers Ought to You Take into account?

REI Midweight Half Zip Assessment: The REI Midweight Half Zip is a equally heat base layer, however it has a neck zipper that means that you can extra simply dump extra warmth. It’s additionally artificial with extra breathability and extra versatile layering functionality. 

Smartwool Basic All-Season Assessment: The Basic All-Season is one other minimally designed wool base layer. It nonetheless supplies the pure advantages of merino wool, however is somewhat lighter and extra breathable than the Ortovox Rock’n’Wool, making it higher suited to heat climate cardio actions. 

Smartwool Basic Thermal: When you like merino wool and the heat of the Rock’n’Wool however need one thing with a extra relaxed match, the Basic Thermal could possibly be an incredible different. It matches free sufficient to be worn as a mid-layer, is trendy, and has many coloration choices.

Icebreaker Merino 200 Oasis: The Oasis 200 is a light-weight to midweight merino wool base layer just like the Smartwool Class All-Season however with a tiny bit extra heat. It scores not less than common all throughout the board, making it a stable all-around choice.