Icebreaker Merino 200 Oasis Crewe - Women's Review

Our testing team can easily understand why the Merino 200 Oasis Crewe is one of Icebreaker's best-selling base layer tops. It features a 100% Merino wool design that is super soft next to your skin while remaining flexible enough to move with your body during cool-to-cold weather activity. We love the longer hem and have experienced no issues with durability, even though the fabric has no polyester or nylon. The Oasis Crewe is perfect on its own for the spring and fall or layered beneath your cold weather kit for the depths of winter.

Performance Comparison

Warmth

When considering the overall warmth offered by each base layer, we tested them both as a stand-alone piece as well as underneath additional layers. The Oasis Crewe received high marks for its 100% Merino wool construction featuring 200 grams/m². Though the Oasis Crewe wool is a tightly woven, less see-through base layer, it still allows for air to pass through the fabric and regulate temperature. Though 200 grams/m² can be indicative of a midweight, we consider this crew to be more of a lightweight due to the low-cut neckline and the thickness of the fabric.

During our testing period, the Oasis offered enough warmth to keep us focused on our training when layered beneath a lightweight vest for temperatures ranging from 35-50 degrees Fahrenheit. The fit features a longer drop tail hem which has several benefits, including enhanced warmth from the increased coverage. While not our first choice as a stand-alone layer for the coldest months of the year, the Oasis Crewe offers enough temperature regulation to perform well within a layered system and would be a great option for the spring and fall when you need a little extra to combat those crisp mornings and cooler evenings.

Breathability

We determined the breathability of each base layer by skinning uphill, hitting the trail for extended runs, and exposing ourselves to high winds. Ultimately, we found the 100% Merino wool fabric of the Oasis Crewe to lack the breathability of synthetic and blended polyester models. While it does a great job at wicking moisture away from the skin, moisture can pool in locations that aren't exposed to fresh air.

During some of our spring training runs, we layered this crew with a vest over the top and noticed that locations such as the inner arm, the back, and above the bra line would hold onto moisture due to lack of exposure to fresh air and wind. While the fabric successfully wicked moisture away from the body, it also required a longer drying time on the body relative to synthetic and blended polyester materials. Though not a top performer in the breathability metric, the Oasis Crewe still stands out due to its wicking capabilities within a completely Merino wool construction.

Comfort and Fit

Our testers loved the Oasis Crewe for its next-to-skin comfort thanks to the super soft 100% Merino wool fabric that features 18.9-micron fibers for increased softness. We had to take an extra look at the fabric construction for this layer because it felt like there was some sort of stretchy nylon blend added for a better range of motion. The layer moves with the body but maintains its snug fit and shape throughout multiple days of use between washes.

It's clear that Icebreaker put a lot of thought into the fit and design of the Oasis. It features gusseted underarms for enhanced mobility and strategically-placed flatlock seams that prevent friction or chafing when working up a sweat or carrying a heavy pack. The fit feels true to size, designed to be snug, slim, and close to the body for maximum warmth, moisture management, and layering ability.

Durability

When evaluating the durability within each base layer, we noted any issues, strengths and weaknesses of the design, and whether or not the layer retains odor. The Oasis Crewe really impressed us with its overall design and durability even though the material is 100% Merino wool.

The high-performing fabric feels like it has some stretch and give verses a rigid construction that may tear if overstretched. The flatlock seams appear to be very high quality and held together nicely, even when we tested their limits during our backcountry adventures. We also noted that this layer never held onto any odor, even after high-output mountain activity. The Oasis Crewe is built to last and Icebreaker offers a one-year manufacturer warranty.

Drying Speed

We measured the drying speed for each base layer from a few different testing angles. First, we soaked each layer in water and wrung it out before tossing it on a line to dry in the sun. For reference, the layers required somewhere between 35 minutes and one hour+ to fully dry. The Oasis Crewe required one hour to air dry, one of the slower drying speeds. It is worth mentioning that most layers that dried faster were either blended with polyester or see-through.

Next up, we got moving on the trails and worked up a sweat to determine how long it took each layer to dry on the body. The Oasis Crewe offered a slightly more competitive time between 35-40 minutes. While this layer didn't blow us away with a super fast drying speed, our testers attribute that to the tightly-woven Merino wool fabric and believe it's worth the wait.

Layering Ability

For this metric, we simply tried on each base layer in many different layered combinations to objectively measure the ease or difficulty of layering with different fabric interfaces. Icebreaker designed the Oasis Crewe with a slim and snug fit that remains close to the body. This fit enhances the layering ability of the crew by reducing any bulk when layered underneath vests, puffy jackets, wind layers, or outer shell jackets.

Even though the Oasis does not feature any thumb loops in its design, it was easy to pull the sleeves down to the middle of the palm where we could hold them in place with our fingertips when layering tighter fleece or midweight layers over the top. The drop tail hem also aids in layering as it sits below your natural waistline, allowing pants to sit above the hemline and assist in holding the layer in place during cold weather activity.

Should You Buy the Icebreaker Merino 200 Oasis Crewe?

If you're willing to spend a little extra money for a base layer crew that features a high-performing and super soft 100% Merino wool design, the Merino 200 Oasis Crewe is at the top of our list. This layer stands out for its overall comfort, stretchy fit, and thoughtful and quality construction. Whether easily layered beneath your cold weather kit or worn on its own during the cooler months of the year, this crew doesn't disappoint.

What Other Base Layers Should You Consider?