Smartwool Midweight Bottom

I'm not sure what I love most about Smartwool's Midweight Bottom - the buttery soft merino wool fabric or the "Deep Purple Heather" color. Both features make wearing this midweight baselayer bottom a real treat.

Of course, color doesn't influence performance, and men looking for a midweight baselayer will be happy to know that Smartwool makes this pant in men's sizes (and in manly colors like black and navy), too, but it's nice to have a dark-color option other than black.

Smartwool's "seriously comfortable" tag line is seriously true when it comes to the Midweight Bottom. It looks and feels a lot like a nice double-knit cotton, another one of my favorite fibers. I also like the flat-seam construction; in all of my outings I've never experienced any chafing. The covered elastic waistband is about an inch wide - just the right size to prevent curling under. I like how it lies flat against my body.

I really like the mid-rise cut of this pant. Most baselayers are very high-waisted, which is quite handy for tucking in my top but not always that comfortable as the day wears on. I prefer having my waistband lower, near my hips.

It doesn't get too cold in the winter where I live--our average temps are around 43 degrees F and our lows are around freezing--so I wear the Midweight Bottom most often for activities where I'm not moving around very much or if I head up to the mountains where it's colder. If I'm doing a lot of standing around in rainy, cold days, this pant under a hard shell pant is all I need. It does a great job of breathing and of keeping my legs warm. (For hiking and power walking in temps between freezing and mid-40's, I wear a lighter weight wool tight under rain pant.)

Because this pant is so warm, as well as effective at wicking away sweat, it's an ideal as a camping pajama (especially on cold, rainy nights when you'd rather be in a hotel).

Smartwool's Midweight Bottom is available for women in sizes XS-XL in Deep Purple Heather and for men in sizes S-XXL (in Black, Navy, Olive Heather). Also available in kids' sizes, and in a 3/4 length style. (See shopping link below.)

I tested a women's size M, and it was a perfect fit. I'm almost 6' tall and usually wear a size 10 in pants. I tried on the size L and liked the longer length in the legs, but didn't think the baggy fit would be ideal for layering. If you're going to use this pant as a baselayer (rather than as a lounge pant or pajama bottom) go with the snugger fit. The wool is pretty stretchy.

Bottom Line: Extremely comfortable, hard-working baselayer for cold winter outings. This pant is also ideal for travel when I need some extra warmth (for some reason I always seem to get colder while traveling).--E.D. (Feb 2011)

BUY ONLINE: $75, click to shop.

Manufacturer's Site: www.smartwool.com

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