 This Product
Minus33 Franconia Midweight Wool Bottom | |||||
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| Awards |  Best Value for Merino Bottoms | Best Value for Synthetic Bottoms | Best on a Tight Budget | ||
| Price | $80 List $79.99 at Amazon | $75 List | $55 List $54.95 at REI | $40 List Check Price at REI | $36 List $36.99 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | These bottoms offer a ton of warmth and substantial comfort at a more affordable price | These affordable Merino bottoms feature a sleek and flattering fit that offers full coverage and structure that doesn't stretch out | These lightweight tights feature a soft and stretchy fabric that is easy to layer and maintains substantial warmth when dry | Lightweight, breathable, and highly affordable, these tights unfortunately lack warmth and require constant adjustment due to the stretchy fabric and wide waistband | While these bottoms lack warmth for the coldest months of the year, they are a great option for those seeking a three-season stand-alone legging |
| Rating Categories | Minus33 Franconia M... | Ridge Merino Aspect... | REI Co-op Midweight... | REI Co-op Lightweig... | Baleaf Fleeced Line... |
| Warmth (25%) | |||||
| Breathability (20%) | |||||
| Comfort and Fit (20%) | |||||
| Durability (15%) | |||||
| Drying Speed (10%) | |||||
| Layering Ability (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Minus33 Franconia M... | Ridge Merino Aspect... | REI Co-op Midweight... | REI Co-op Lightweig... | Baleaf Fleeced Line... |
| Measured Weight (Size Small) | 7.52 oz | 6.74 oz | 6.40 oz | 5.44 oz | 8.80 oz |
| Material | 100% Merino wool | 80% Merino wool, 14% nylon, 6% spandex | 92% recycled polyester, 8% spandex | 92% polyester, 8% spandex | 87% polyester, 13% spandex |
| Insulation Weight Class | Midwewight | Midweight | Midweight | Lightweight | Midwewight |
| Smelly Over Time? | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Odor Control Fabric | Naturally odor resistant | Naturally odor resistant | No | No | No |
| Cuts Avaliable | Full-length | Full-length | Full-length | Full-length | Full-length |
| Listed Fabric Weight (g/m²) | 235 g/m² | 240 g/m² | Not disclosed | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Inseam Length (Size) | 28.0-30.0 in (small - as listed), petite and tall options available | 29.0 in (small - measured) | 29.0 in. (all sizes - as listed), 26.5 in (petite all sizes) | 28.0 in (all sizes - as listed) | 27.5 in (small - measured) |
The Minus33 Franconia Midweight is the perfect cold-weather long underwear bottom for those seeking warmth and comfort during the coldest months of the year. Though they lack some breathability, these thick, midweight bottoms are perfect for winter camping or riding the chairlift at the ski resort around the holidays.
When it comes to the perfect long underwear bottoms for the coldest months of the year, the Franconia Midweight does not disappoint. These bottoms are constructed from super soft 100% Merino Wool that features 18.5-micron fibers in addition to a 235 g/m² thickness with an interlock knit. What does all that mean? Essentially, these bottoms are thick and soft, offering year-round warmth as well as a UPF Rating of 50+.
Weighing in at 7.52 ounces, only one other bottom is heavier in this review. Some other pairs of long underwear are constructed from a thinner, lightweight Merino wool that shines in motion. However, the Franconia Midweight quickly became one of our favorites for maximum warmth on those cold weather days you need it most. Whether riding the chairlift, hanging by the fire, or out for a dog walk in bitter-cold temperatures, these bottoms rise to the occasion, offering warmth and comfort despite cold weather conditions.
The Franconia Midweight did not receive the highest scores in terms of breathability, and we'll explain why. The thicker, midweight, interlock design simply doesn't offer any additional perforation or open grid patterning for perspiration to escape. Sweat pooled behind our knees and lower back, but it dried rather quickly on the body, especially considering the 100% Merino wool fabric.
This is also where the looser fit comes into play. We found that the loose fit allowed more air to permeate the fabric, speed up the drying time, and enhance overall breathability. Since these bottoms don't offer the best performance when considering breathability, we recommend them for more sedentary winter activities versus pushing the pace on the skin track in the backcountry.
The Franconia Midweight is a 100% Merino wool design that is noticeably softer next to your skin and perfect for everything from big mountain days to lounging around by the fire. These bottoms do not feature an athletically slim fit, even if they do offer enough stretch in their design to allow for an unlimited range of motion. Our testers never encountered an uncomfortable seam nor endured a tight fit they couldn't wait to get off. Though there are some drawbacks to this kind of stretch, comfort is not one of them.
The Franconia Midweight comes in a mid to high rise, which our testing team appreciated when it came to more coverage and overall warmth. The thin waistband is both functional and comfortable. Features like flatlock seams help reduce chafing during use, and a gusseted crotch helps increase the range of motion. If the looser fit isn't your favorite, try sizing down for a more athletic and slim fit. If comfort is at the top of your considerations when selecting the best pair of long underwear bottoms, the Franconia Midweight is worth checking out.
Our team is happy to report that the Franconia Midweight passed all durability testing scenarios, receiving a high score in this important metric. The 100% Merino wool construction is both high-performing and odor-free, and we love that the super-soft fabric has resisted pilling during our testing period. We even took these bottoms out for a day of rock climbing, and they withstood the sharp and abrasive rock faces without showing signs of wear.
Perhaps our only complaint is that the bottom can stretch out and lose its structure, even with only one use. We attribute that to the 100% Merino wool midweight design that is thick and heavy, without the core-spun nylon or polyester wrapped into the wool fibers that help strengthen the wool and provide more structure. We found this a bit of a trade-off because the midweight fabric also feels incredible next to your skin, even though it stretches, and the super thin, elastic waistband performs well to hold these bottoms in place. Do not worry — one wash will help restore the structure and be as good as new for your next adventure.
Considering that the Franconia Midweight is a thicker, midweight design that is 100% Merino wool, these bottoms crushed the drying tests both on the line and the body. During our line dry testing this spring in Bishop, California, with temperatures ranging from 36-45°F, 43% humidity, and four mph out of the northeast, these bottoms only required 58 minutes to fully dry; the fabric that is somewhat thicker around the ankle cuff took the longest to dry. Our testing team is used to seeing such times with synthetic options, so we were quite impressed when a thicker Merino wool bottom needed less than one hour on the line.
These bottoms also dried quickly on the body after we worked up a sweat with some hill sprints above Bishop near the Druids. Our testers hypothesize that this faster drying speed is due to the looser fabric, which essentially allows more airflow between the bottom and the body to more effectively wick sweat away from the body and release it through the fabric. Noticeable spots where sweat pooled were the lower back, waistband, and behind the knee. However, less than 20 minutes post-workout, our crew was dry and comfortable.
Though the Franconia Midweight scored well in most metrics, this is not one of them. The thicker fabric and looser fit will require more room in your layering kit, and though the waistband is thin, it still takes up more space than a thicker high waist option that lays completely flat against the waistline. While the ankle cuff is quite functional, helping to hold the bottoms in place, the thicker fabric took up more space in our ski boots, especially when layered with a thick ski sock.
Caveats aside, the soft Merino wool interfaces well with most outer layers, such as our ski bibs, puffies, and rain pants. Shell fabrics that are stiffer and have a nylon lining may not interface as well. Still overall, we found the Franconia Midweight to interface without “grabbing” the layer overtop or requiring a ton of adjustment during activity.
The Franconia Midweight is a long underwear bottom that offers great performance and is available at a price point that won't break the bank. These bottoms shine in warmth and comfort (thanks to the 100% Merino wool construction), durability (no pilling), and an impressive drying speed, especially for a thick, 235 g/m² midweight thickness. If warmth and comfort are at the top of your list and you don't mind the looser fit and limited breathability, the more affordable Franconia should be at the top.
The Minus33 Franconia Midweight offers high performance for a more affordable price. We love that these bottoms prioritize warmth and comfort during the coldest months of the year. If you're interested in another long underwear bottom that's even more affordable and offers similar warmth, check out the Meriwool Merino 250 Bottom. Just be aware that these feature a more rigid design with less stretch and a fit that leaves something to be desired. Looking to invest your dollars in a more breathable pair of long underwear bottoms that offer a great fit and fast drying speed? Check out our overall favorite, the Icebreaker 200 ZoneKnit Merino Thermal Leggings. These bottoms received high scores in nearly every testing metric. And if you're looking for something that combines the warmth of the Franconia with the breathability of the ZoneKnit, the Smartwool Intraknit Thermal Merino Bottom is not to be missed.
