Wool is commonly misconceived as itchy, scratchy, and uncomfortable even given its incredible warmth factor. However, all of that has completely changed and we must erase what we once knew wool as and give it the second chance it deserves.

Wool is not what your grandmother’s once was. It is now soft, itch-free and not only used for warmth, but acts a really effective temperature regulator and odor controller. Garments such as socks, base layers (both shirts and pants), midweight layers  (both tops and bottoms), blankets, hats, gloves, buffs, underwear, sports bras, etc. are being made with buttery merino wool.  There are several brands that make these highly sought after items that are well-loved by their owners:

• Darn Tough – Socks
• Smartwool – Socks, clothing, underwear, sports bras, etc.
• Icebreaker
• REI Co-Op

I have only named the few brands that we are familiar with. We have put a few of their products to the test during multiple backcountry trips. In doing so, we can tell you which brands we like the best, which products we enjoy the most and also, anything we dislike about certain items.

Socks top the list for some of our favorite wool garments. We have tried both Darn Tough and Smartwool. While both regulate temperature well, we have personally found that we prefer Darn Tough over Smartwool for two reasons:

1. Darn Tough is guaranteed for life.
2. Darn Tough socks are a bit softer and provide more cushion, which is noticed when you’re putting in the miles – your feet will appreciate the extra bit of comfort.

Smartwool does tend to offer promotions and discounts on a more regular basis compared to Darn Tough. While Darn Tough will cost you $20 – $25 for a pair of hiking specific socks, you can sometimes score a pair of Smartwool socks as low as $12 – $13 for a pair.

We have also compared REI Co-Op to Smartwool apparel. Smartwool offers great base layers and midweight items for colder days and nights in the backcountry. My first wool purchase ever was a Smartwool midweight hoodie. I love this hoodie. It adds an extra layer of warmth for when I need it. Also, the neck of the hoodie offers full coverage, like that of a turtle neck, which is an added bonus. It also features a hood to keep your noggin and ears warm too. Even though I really enjoy this item, I wanted to give REI Co-Op a shot with their wool apparel. I needed a long-sleeve that was slightly less weighted, so I purchased one from them. What I have found is this:

1. The REI Co-Op apparel is not as soft as the wool used by Smartwool.
2. REI Co-Op offers a lower price for their wool apparel and you can find it marked down once in awhile making it a more affordable investment.
3. Smartwool products will cost more, but they also go on sale and the comfort of their wool is noticeably softer.

With all this said, this does not mean that I hate my REI Co-Op long-sleeve. I do like it and wear it often, but I can notice the difference between the REI wool and the wool Smartwool uses. I cannot tell you what creates the difference as they are both merino products, but this is my own observation.

Chris has also tried Icebreakers midweight wool tights, which he loves. He purchased these for his Long Trail hike a few months back. A few nights got down into the low thirties and he was never cold. Of course, this cannot only be accredited to the wool tights, but they certainly helped.

Before making this purchase, Chris did try on Smartwool’s version, but he found them to be a bit looser than he wanted them to be. His goal was to find something that would stay close to his body and could be warm under other clothing items if needed. He could have done that with either product, but personal preference of a more fitted design prevailed. As far as price is concerned, Smartwool is a little less expensive than Icebreaker by about $20 – $30 for midweight tights. However, Chris was able to get a deal on the Icebreaker tights, which made his choice even easier. He would have spent extra to buy the IceBreaker tights over the Smartwool tights, though, simply because of the fit.

Although we rave about wool, one downside that we recently learned in talking with another active member of our community was that wool can trigger an eczema flare. Unfortunately, for her, anytime she wore wool her eczema would flare up. Of course, this may vary from person to person, but it is worthwhile to mention as a precaution. Personally, I have never had trouble eczema until this past year. Having newly learned this bit of information, I am trying to determine if my wool midweight is causing my eczema to flare up on my neck. I will plan to report back on that at a later date.

Even if the above turns out to the be the case, I will be sad to have to find a wool alternative – that is how much I truly love this material for the many benefits previously mentioned. It is one of the best temperature regulators that I have found yet, minimizes odor (Chris hardly smelled on his Long Trail trip), and is extremely comfortable. Wool is a material I look forward to wearing because it is highly effective.

As always, thanks so much for your support and readership. Questions and comments are always welcome. Please feel free to email us privately at fullscend@gmail.com or you can leave us a note below.