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SmartWool Merino 150 Bottoms Review

A fantastic pair of lightweight merino bottoms that provide impressive warmth without being too hot, breathe extremely well and are very comfortable
SmartWool Merino 150 Bottoms
Photo: Smartwool
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Price:  $85 List | $59.50 at Backcountry
Compare prices at 3 resellers
Pros:  Warm, lightweight, breathable, versatile, comfortable, great thermoregulation
Cons:  Not very durable
Manufacturer:   Smartwool
By Roland Mott ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Nov 19, 2019
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67
OVERALL
SCORE

RANKED
#6 of 10
  • Warmth - 30% 6
  • Breathability - 30% 8
  • Comfort and Fit - 30% 7
  • Durability - 10% 4

Our Verdict

A comfortable and lightweight Merino layer that does an incredible job at regulating body temperature — keeping you warm when the digits drop and breathing terrifically when your heart rate is pumping. Created for high output activities in cool to cold weather, the SmartWool Merino 150 Bottoms are a super versatile pair of long underwear that can be used all year long and will perform at the highest levels. We suggest using them for backcountry skiing, trail running, walking your dog, reading a book in a log cabin, eating cereal, winter desert climbing, and backpacking — now that's a do-everything layer! These were one of the pairs that we had a tough time not giving an award. A really nice fit with a simple and efficient seam design and super comfy waistband, these bottoms became a go-to partner in crime anytime we were heading out to play. The downside, as always with Merino, is we wish they were a little tougher.

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Awards  Editors' Choice Award Top Pick Award   
Price $59.50 at Backcountry
Compare at 3 sellers		$110 List$69.00 at Amazon$89 List$59.00 at Backcountry
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Pros Warm, lightweight, breathable, versatile, comfortable, great thermoregulationSoft next-to-skin, super warm for its weight, durable and all-naturalUltra-lightweight, fast wicking and quick drying, breathabilityWarm, super comfy, durable, great fit, versatile, don’t stretch out100% recycled polyester, light fabric weight, impressive loft and warmth
Cons Not very durableA touch heavy for fabric weight, slow to dry after washingThin material is not warm, articulated seams could create constrictionsPricey, below-average breathabilityQuestionable durability, saggy bottom
Bottom Line A pair of bottoms that boast great warmth for how thin the merino is and breathe like a championThese bottoms offer top-quality performance in every category, and they’re super cozy to bootKiller breathability in a lightweight package make this a fantastic option for aerobic activityA bottom that stole our hearts, it's a comfortable fleece-lined synthetic bottom that fits like a gloveA light-feeling layer that offers midweight warmth, without sacrificing breathability or comfort
Rating Categories SmartWool Merino 150 Bottoms Ortovox Rock'N'Wool Pant Enigma Bottoms Arc'teryx Rho LT Bottoms Capilene Midweight Bottoms
Warmth (30%)
6
8
6
7
7
Breathability (30%)
8
7
9
5
8
Comfort And Fit (30%)
7
8
7
9
7
Durability (10%)
4
7
7
9
5
Specs SmartWool Merino... Ortovox... Enigma Bottoms Arc'teryx Rho LT... Capilene Midweight...
Material 87% Merino wool / 13% Nylon core 100% Merino wool driRelease (88% recycled polyester, 12% wool) Torrent (84% polyester, 16% elastane) 100% Recycled polyester with HeiQ Fresh
Fabric Weight 150 g/m² 185 g/m² 155 g/m² 175 g/m² 147 g/m²
Weight (size M) 4.94 oz (size S) 6.58 oz 4.97 oz 5.57 oz (size S) 5.88 oz
Insulation Weight Lightweight Midweight / Lightweight Lightweight Lightweight Midweight / Lightweight
3/4 Boot-Cut Available? Yes Yes No No No
Fly? Yes No Yes No Yes
Dryer safe? No No No Yes Yes

Our Analysis and Test Results

A stellar lightweight Merino base layer that holds true to SmartWool's reputation of being the masters of Merino. Thoughtfully built with great warmth and breathability, these bottoms are an all-around champion for everything except bitter colds.

Performance Comparison


Lightweight, comfortable for all day wear, and super breathable. The...
Lightweight, comfortable for all day wear, and super breathable. The perfect bottom for working hard in cool to cold weather.
Photo: Roland Mott

Warmth


For how thin these are, they are impressively warm. Merino has an incredible ability to provide insulation even with a thinner fabric. These do a great job of insulating when they are under a shell and able to hold onto heat. If you wear them with a thin, breathable pair of pants, they will be less warm which is why they are so versatile. Put them under an insulated pant for maximum warmth, a water-proof shell for medium warmth, and a light pair of breathable hiking pants for maximum breathability. We loved them for backcountry skiing when the temperatures weren't frigid and everything else that lives above ice cold. Backpacking, lounging, traveling, hiking, and alpine climbing — this pant does it all and is a perfect weight for active endeavors in everything except arctic conditions.

As long as there's still snow, we'll ski it. SmartWool Merino 150...
As long as there's still snow, we'll ski it. SmartWool Merino 150 does great in cold but is light and breathes well making it great for spring backcountry.
Photo: Kricket Servis

Breathability


These excel at breathability and wicking away sweat. The inherent qualities of awesomeness that Merino already possesses are increased by the thinner weight fabric. Take merino's ability to breathe, wick sweat, and dry quickly and multiply it and you have the SmartWool 150 pant. Skinning in warm conditions in the Rockies, these were the perfect layer, breathing and wicking away sweat on the uphill slogs, always keeping us dry but maintaining warmth when clouds rolled in and the temperatures dropped.

There's snow somewhere, we'll find it. Lightweight bottoms that...
There's snow somewhere, we'll find it. Lightweight bottoms that breathe well for warm weather outings but insulate enough for cold weather.
Photo: Kricket Servis

Comfort & Fit


A super comfortable pair of bottoms, we found they were good for wearing all day. They didn't stretch out as significantly as other Merino layers like the after heavy use. Maybe due to the fact that SmartWool wrapped a Merino fiber around a nylon core for added durability and shape retention, no matter the reason we aren't complaining. Comfortable next to skin, they fit tight like a traditional base layer.

Comfortable waistband and a great fit were one of many reasons we...
Comfortable waistband and a great fit were one of many reasons we loved these bottoms.
Photo: Jo Savage Photography

They have minimal flatlock seams that you don't even notice are there. A single inseam runs the length of the pant meeting up with the crotch. There is a tiny bit of crotch sag, but if you wear them at your bellybutton, they fit like a glove. The wide waistband is comfortable for all-day wear. The ankles are really tight and require some care pulling over your heal, or you could easily rip the thin merino fabric. Overall, great comfort and fit. One of our head testers, at 6 ft and wearing a small (30in waist), they were a tad bit short exposing a little bit of ankle. If we could change anything, it is to reduce the minimal crotch sag and lengthen the legs a bit.

The crotch sag in all of its glory. This looks worse than it is and...
The crotch sag in all of its glory. This looks worse than it is and is lessened after the first wash.
Photo: AJ Wojtalik

The Merino 150 bottoms from SmartWool on our lead tester.
The Merino 150 bottoms from SmartWool on our lead tester.
Photo: Roland Mott

Durability


Durability — the Achilles heel of the praiseworthy warrior of base layers, merino wool. These bottoms are no exception, they just aren't that durable. SmartWool attempted to increase durability by wrapping the Merino fabric around a nylon core which we think helps with shape retention and overall longevity but when it came down to our merciless abrasion test, we smoked a hole right through these bad boys.

The hole from our abrasion test. A little too easy to smoke through...
The hole from our abrasion test. A little too easy to smoke through this fabric
Photo: Roland Mott

Other Merinos of a slightly thicker fabric weight still bear the same scars from our abrasion test. As always with Merino wool, don't climb granite chimneys in your merino chonies and don't put them in the dryer. If you follow these two easy rules, a Merino base layer can last you for years of use.

Adam gearing up for a first ascent attempt in the Winds.
Adam gearing up for a first ascent attempt in the Winds.
Photo: Roland Mott

Value


This pair falls a little above the middle of the ground for pricing. These bottoms provide a solid balance of breathability, with just the right amount of warmth. Considering their ultra-soft next-to-skin feel — so soft that you might not want to ever take them off — combined with the quality of performance, they are well worth the price.

Heading up steep and unprotected late-season snow in the Wind River...
Heading up steep and unprotected late-season snow in the Wind River Range with the SmartWool Merino 150 bottoms providing a great base layer.
Photo: Roland Mott

Conclusion


Our conclusion… these things rock. A great versatile layer made of comfortable lightweight Merino wool that breathes exceptionally well and carries impressive warmth for how thin it is, we really enjoy these bottoms and think you will too!

— Roland Mott