Oletko Viranomainen? Meiltä 10% Viranomais­alennus lähes kaikkiin tuotteisiin - Katso ohjeet »

Why choose a merino wool base layer?


Outdoor activities, How to choose -guides by Varuste.net, 10.2.2026

In collaboration with Devold

Merino wool has long been the trusted base layer material for hikers, outdoor enthusiasts, and active people. It is nature’s own super material, performing well both in everyday life and in demanding conditions. A merino wool base layer is often the first layer against the skin, which is why its properties are crucial for the overall functionality of your clothing system.

The best qualities of merino wool

A merino wool base layer is suitable for year-round use, as it adapts well to both warm and cold weather conditions.

  • Warm even when wet: Unlike many synthetic materials, merino wool insulates even when damp. This makes it especially reliable in changing and cold weather conditions.
  • Breathable and moisture-wicking: Merino wool efficiently wicks moisture away from the skin and helps keep you dry. It feels comfortable both during intense activity and breaks.
  • Naturally odor-resistant: Merino wool repels bacteria, so the garment doesn’t start to smell easily. This is a big advantage on multi-day hikes and trips when washing opportunities are limited.
  • Soft and pleasant against the skin: Modern merino wool does not itch. The fine fibers are suitable even for sensitive skin.
  • Versatile and durable choice: Merino wool base layers work in many different uses and environments. With proper use and care, they last a long time.

How to choose the right thickness for a merino wool base layer?

The thickness of merino wool is usually indicated in grams per square meter (g/m²). The right thickness depends on how and where you use the base layer.

For active movement and sunny weather, choose extra light: about 130 g/m²

Extra light merino wool is suitable for warm conditions and intense activities such as running, summer hiking, or active outdoor pursuits. It breathes efficiently and feels almost unnoticeable on.

Reliable all-round layer is light: 150–190 g/m²

Light merino wool base layers are a favorite for year-round use. They work well for everyday wear, hiking, and travel. Easy to combine with other layers.

Versatile and flexible, medium weight: 190–205 g/m²

Medium weight merino wool offers a good balance between warmth and breathability. It’s suitable for active outdoor use in cooler conditions, such as autumn hikes or winter sports with layering.

For cold and less active use, thick: 230–235 g/m²

Thick merino wool keeps you warm even in freezing temperatures. It’s a good choice for skiing, ice fishing, and other winter activities where you alternate between movement and standing still.

Extra thick for extreme cold: 235 g/m² and above

When the temperature drops well below zero, extra thick merino wool base layers provide maximum insulation. Especially suitable for arctic conditions and severe cold.

Made to last for generations

Devold is a pioneer in wool clothing, making wool garments with great passion from the very beginning. Most Devold garments are made from 100% merino wool or a combination of merino wool and other natural materials. Synthetic fibers are only used when they genuinely improve the garment’s durability or flexibility.

See all Devold products

Or browse below:

From -44%
Devold Breeze Merino 150 T-Shirt Mens
Sports‪»Outdoor activities‪»Clothes‪»Shirts‪»Undershirts‪»Men's‪»
Devold
Breeze Merino 150 T-Shirt Mens
44,99 - 63,92 €
(35,85 - 50,93 €, VAT 0)
150 g/m2
Available in stock
(107)
From -42%
Devold Expedition Zip Neck Mens
Sports‪»Outdoor activities‪»Clothes‪»Shirts‪»Undershirts‪»Men's‪»
Devold
Expedition Zip Neck Mens
69,00 - 95,92 €
(54,98 - 76,43 €, VAT 0)
235 g/m²
Available in stock
(350)
From -39%
Devold Breeze Merino 150 Shirt Mens
Sports‪»Outdoor activities‪»Clothes‪»Shirts‪»Undershirts‪»Men's‪»
Devold
Breeze Merino 150 Shirt Mens
55,00 - 71,92 €
(43,82 - 57,31 €, VAT 0)
150 g/m²
Available in stock
(77)
From -42%
Devold Expedition Merino 235 Zip Neck Womens
Sports‪»Outdoor activities‪»Clothes‪»Shirts‪»Undershirts‪»Women's‪»
Devold
Expedition Merino 235 Zip Neck Womens
69,00 - 95,92 €
(54,98 - 76,43 €, VAT 0)
Available in stock
(149)
From -40%
Devold Breeze Merino 150 Shirt Womens
Sports‪»Outdoor activities‪»Clothes‪»Shirts‪»Undershirts‪»Women's‪»
Devold
Breeze Merino 150 Shirt Womens
54,00 - 71,92 €
(43,03 - 57,31 €, VAT 0)
Available in stock
(66)
-20%
Devold Breeze Merino 150 Woman T-Shirt
Sports‪»Outdoor activities‪»Clothes‪»Shirts‪»Undershirts‪»Women's‪»
Devold
Breeze Merino 150 Woman T-Shirt
Campaign price 63,92 €
(50,93 €, VAT 0)
Available in stock
(23)
From -41%
Devold Lauparen Merino 190 Base Shirt Mens
Sports‪»Outdoor activities‪»Clothes‪»Shirts‪»Undershirts‪»Men's‪»
Devold
Lauparen Merino 190 Base Shirt Mens
59,00 - 79,92 €
(47,01 - 63,68 €, VAT 0)
Available in stock
(18)
From -34%
Devold Breeze Plus Merino 200 Shirt Mens
Sports‪»Outdoor activities‪»Clothes‪»Shirts‪»Undershirts‪»Men's‪»
Devold
Breeze Plus Merino 200 Shirt Mens
59,00 - 71,92 €
(47,01 - 57,31 €, VAT 0)
Available in stock
(3)
-20%
Devold Breeze Merino 150 Zip Neck Mens
Sports‪»Outdoor activities‪»Clothes‪»Shirts‪»Undershirts‪»Men's‪»
Devold
Breeze Merino 150 Zip Neck Mens
Campaign price 79,92 €
(63,68 €, VAT 0)
150 g/m2
Available in stock
(40)
From -41%
Devold Expedition Hoodie Mens
Sports‪»Outdoor activities‪»Clothes‪»Shirts‪»Undershirts‪»Men's‪»
Devold
Expedition Hoodie Mens
89,00 - 119,92 €
(70,92 - 95,55 €, VAT 0)
235 g/m2
Available in stock
(45)
-20%
Devold Breeze Plus Merino 200 Shirt Womens
Sports‪»Outdoor activities‪»Clothes‪»Shirts‪»Undershirts‪»Women's‪»
Devold
Breeze Plus Merino 200 Shirt Womens
Campaign price 71,92 €
(57,31 €, VAT 0)
Available in stock
(2)
-20%
Devold Breeze Merino 150 Zip Neck Womens
Sports‪»Outdoor activities‪»Clothes‪»Shirts‪»Undershirts‪»Women's‪»
Devold
Breeze Merino 150 Zip Neck Womens
Campaign price 79,92 €
(63,68 €, VAT 0)
Available in stock
(30)
From -45%
Devold Lauparen Merino 190 Zip Neck Mens
Sports‪»Outdoor activities‪»Clothes‪»Shirts‪»Undershirts‪»Men's‪»
Devold
Lauparen Merino 190 Zip Neck Mens
60,23 - 87,92 €
(47,99 - 70,06 €, VAT 0)
Available in stock
(13)
From -40%
Devold Breeze Merino 150 Singlet Womens
Sports‪»Outdoor activities‪»Clothes‪»Shirts‪»Undershirts‪»Women's‪»
Devold
Breeze Merino 150 Singlet Womens
39,00 - 51,92 €
(31,08 - 41,37 €, VAT 0)
Available in stock
-20%
Devold Expedition Shirt Mens
Sports‪»Outdoor activities‪»Clothes‪»Shirts‪»Undershirts‪»Men's‪»
Devold
Expedition Shirt Mens
Campaign price 79,92 €
(63,68 €, VAT 0)
235 g/m2
Available in stock
(33)
From -43%
Devold Lauparen Merino 190 Base Shirt Womens
Sports‪»Outdoor activities‪»Clothes‪»Shirts‪»Undershirts‪»Women's‪»
Devold
Lauparen Merino 190 Base Shirt Womens
57,00 - 79,92 €
(45,42 - 63,68 €, VAT 0)
Available in stock
(6)
From -43%
Devold Lauparen Merino 190 T-Shirt Mens
Sports‪»Outdoor activities‪»Clothes‪»Shirts‪»Undershirts‪»Men's‪»
Devold
Lauparen Merino 190 T-Shirt Mens
51,00 - 71,92 €
(40,64 - 57,31 €, VAT 0)
Available in stock
(4)
From -41%
Devold Wool Mesh Shirt Mens
Sports‪»Outdoor activities‪»Clothes‪»Shirts‪»Undershirts‪»Men's‪»
Devold
Wool Mesh Shirt Mens
65,00 - 87,92 €
(51,79 - 70,06 €, VAT 0)
190 g/m²
Available in stock
(23)
From -26%
Devold Wool Mesh Woman Shirt
Sports‪»Outdoor activities‪»Clothes‪»Shirts‪»Undershirts‪»Women's‪»
Devold
Wool Mesh Woman Shirt
66,00 - 73,34 €
(52,59 - 58,44 €, VAT 0)
Available in stock
(16)
-29%
Devold Classic Long Sleeve Mens
Sports‪»Outdoor activities‪»Clothes‪»Shirts‪»Long sleeve‪»Men's‪»
Devold
Classic Long Sleeve Mens
Campaign price 59,90 €
(47,73 €, VAT 0)
Available in stock
(2)
From -41%
Devold Expedition Hoodie Woman
Sports‪»Outdoor activities‪»Clothes‪»Shirts‪»Undershirts‪»Women's‪»
Devold
Expedition Hoodie Woman
89,00 - 97,90 €
(70,92 - 78,01 €, VAT 0)
Available in stock
(23)
From -45%
Devold Lauparen Merino 190 Zip Neck Womens
Sports‪»Outdoor activities‪»Clothes‪»Shirts‪»Undershirts‪»Women's‪»
Devold
Lauparen Merino 190 Zip Neck Womens
60,23 - 87,92 €
(47,99 - 70,06 €, VAT 0)
Available in stock
(10)
-42%
Devold Vams Shirt Womens
Sports‪»Outdoor activities‪»Clothes‪»Shirts‪»Undershirts‪»Women's‪»
Devold
Vams Shirt Womens
69,00 - 69,90 €
(54,98 - 55,70 €, VAT 0)
Available in stock
(5)
-20%
Devold Lauparen Merino 190 Zip Tee Mens
Sports‪»Outdoor activities‪»Clothes‪»Shirts‪»Undershirts‪»Men's‪»
Devold
Lauparen Merino 190 Zip Tee Mens
Campaign price 71,92 €
(57,31 €, VAT 0)
Available in stock
From -37%
Devold Expedition Merino Silk Shirt Womens
Sports‪»Outdoor activities‪»Clothes‪»Shirts‪»Undershirts‪»Women's‪»
Devold
Expedition Merino Silk Shirt Womens
75,00 - 95,92 €
(59,76 - 76,43 €, VAT 0)
Available in stock
(2)
-20%
Devold Expedition Merino Silk Shirt Mens
Sports‪»Outdoor activities‪»Clothes‪»Shirts‪»Undershirts‪»Men's‪»
Devold
Expedition Merino Silk Shirt Mens
Campaign price 95,92 €
(76,43 €, VAT 0)
Available in stock
(4)
From -41%
Devold Expedition Merino Silk Zip Neck Womens
Sports‪»Outdoor activities‪»Clothes‪»Shirts‪»Undershirts‪»Women's‪»
Devold
Expedition Merino Silk Zip Neck Womens
89,00 - 119,92 €
(70,92 - 95,55 €, VAT 0)
Available in stock
(1)
From -41%
Devold Kvitegga Hoodie Womens
Sports‪»Outdoor activities‪»Clothes‪»Shirts‪»Undershirts‪»Women's‪»
Devold
Kvitegga Hoodie Womens
89,00 - 119,92 €
(70,92 - 95,55 €, VAT 0)
Available in stock
(16)
From -36%
Devold Jakta Merino 200 T-Shirt Womens
Sports‪»Outdoor activities‪»Clothes‪»Shirts‪»Undershirts‪»Women's‪»
Devold
Jakta Merino 200 T-Shirt Womens
51,00 - 63,92 €
(40,64 - 50,93 €, VAT 0)
Available in stock
(1)
From -39%
Devold Kvitegga Merino 230 Cross Neck Womens
Sports‪»Outdoor activities‪»Clothes‪»Shirts‪»Undershirts‪»Women's‪»
Devold
Kvitegga Merino 230 Cross Neck Womens
79,00 - 103,92 €
(62,95 - 82,80 €, VAT 0)
Available in stock
(4)
From -40%
Devold Expedition Arctic Pro Hoodie Womens
Sports‪»Outdoor activities‪»Clothes‪»Shirts‪»Undershirts‪»Women's‪»
Devold
Expedition Arctic Pro Hoodie Womens
119,00 - 159,92 €
(94,82 - 127,43 €, VAT 0)
Available in stock
(6)
From -41%
Devold Expedition Merino Silk Zip Neck Mens
Sports‪»Outdoor activities‪»Clothes‪»Shirts‪»Undershirts‪»Men's‪»
Devold
Expedition Merino Silk Zip Neck Mens
89,00 - 119,92 €
(70,92 - 95,55 €, VAT 0)
Available in stock
(2)
From -37%
Devold Wool Mesh 190 Zip-Off Womens
Sports‪»Outdoor activities‪»Clothes‪»Shirts‪»Undershirts‪»Women's‪»
Devold
Wool Mesh 190 Zip-Off Womens
75,00 - 95,92 €
(59,76 - 76,43 €, VAT 0)
Available in stock
(1)
From -43%
Devold Basic T-Shirt Womens
Sports‪»Outdoor activities‪»Clothes‪»Shirts‪»Undershirts‪»Women's‪»
Devold
Basic T-Shirt Womens
34,00 - 44,90 €
(27,09 - 35,78 €, VAT 0)
Available in stock
(1)
From -40%
Devold Basic Shirt Mens
Sports‪»Outdoor activities‪»Clothes‪»Shirts‪»Undershirts‪»Men's‪»
Devold
Basic Shirt Mens
39,00 - 47,90 €
(31,08 - 38,17 €, VAT 0)
Available in stock
(4)
From -40%
Devold Expedition Arctic Pro Hoodie Mens
Sports‪»Outdoor activities‪»Clothes‪»Shirts‪»Undershirts‪»Men's‪»
Devold
Expedition Arctic Pro Hoodie Mens
119,00 - 159,92 €
(94,82 - 127,43 €, VAT 0)
Available in stock
(8)
From -50%
Devold Expedition Merino 235 Shirt Men
Sports‪»Outdoor activities‪»Clothes‪»Shirts‪»Undershirts‪»Men's‪»
Devold
Expedition Merino 235 Shirt Men
49,55 - 79,92 €
(39,48 - 63,68 €, VAT 0)
Available in stock
(1)
-20%
Devold Breeze Plus Merino 200 Zip Neck Mens
Sports‪»Outdoor activities‪»Clothes‪»Shirts‪»Undershirts‪»Men's‪»
Devold
Breeze Plus Merino 200 Zip Neck Mens
Campaign price 75,92 €
(60,49 €, VAT 0)
Available in stock
(1)
From -44%
Devold Basic Half Zip Womens
Sports‪»Outdoor activities‪»Clothes‪»Shirts‪»Undershirts‪»Women's‪»
Devold
Basic Half Zip Womens
44,99 - 59,90 €
(35,85 - 47,73 €, VAT 0)
Available in stock
(2)
From -40%
Devold Expedition Merino 235 Shirt Womens
Sports‪»Outdoor activities‪»Clothes‪»Shirts‪»Undershirts‪»Women's‪»
Devold
Expedition Merino 235 Shirt Womens
59,90 - 79,92 €
(47,73 - 63,68 €, VAT 0)
Available in stock
(6)
From -45%
Devold Basic Shirt Womens
Sports‪»Outdoor activities‪»Clothes‪»Shirts‪»Undershirts‪»Women's‪»
Devold
Basic Shirt Womens
35,83 - 47,90 €
(28,55 - 38,17 €, VAT 0)
Available in stock
From -38%
Devold Tuvegga Merino Hoodie Womens
Sports‪»Outdoor activities‪»Clothes‪»Shirts‪»Undershirts‪»Women's‪»
Devold
Tuvegga Merino Hoodie Womens
99,00 - 127,92 €
(78,88 - 101,93 €, VAT 0)
Available in stock
(1)
From -34%
Devold Lauparen Merino 190 Zip Tee Womens
Sports‪»Outdoor activities‪»Clothes‪»Shirts‪»Undershirts‪»Women's‪»
Devold
Lauparen Merino 190 Zip Tee Womens
59,00 - 71,92 €
(47,01 - 57,31 €, VAT 0)
Available in stock
From -30%
Devold Hovland Merino 200 Shirt Womens
Sports‪»Outdoor activities‪»Clothes‪»Shirts‪»Undershirts‪»Women's‪»
Devold
Hovland Merino 200 Shirt Womens
69,90 - 79,92 €
(55,70 - 63,68 €, VAT 0)
Available in stock
(1)
From -41%
Devold Expedition Arctic Hoodie Womens
Sports‪»Outdoor activities‪»Clothes‪»Shirts‪»Undershirts‪»Women's‪»
Devold
Expedition Arctic Hoodie Womens
99,90 - 135,92 €
(79,60 - 108,30 €, VAT 0)
Available in stock
(1)
-20%
Devold Breeze Plus Merino 200 Zip Neck Womens
Sports‪»Outdoor activities‪»Clothes‪»Shirts‪»Undershirts‪»Women's‪»
Devold
Breeze Plus Merino 200 Zip Neck Womens
Campaign price 75,92 €
(60,49 €, VAT 0)
Available in stock
From -40%
Devold Wool Mesh Man Half Zip Neck
Sports‪»Outdoor activities‪»Clothes‪»Shirts‪»Undershirts‪»Men's‪»
Devold
Wool Mesh Man Half Zip Neck
71,90 - 95,92 €
(57,29 - 76,43 €, VAT 0)
190 g/m2
Available in stock
(22)
From -28%
Devold Eika Merino Shirt Mens
Sports‪»Outdoor activities‪»Clothes‪»Shirts‪»Undershirts‪»Men's‪»
Devold
Eika Merino Shirt Mens
65,00 - 71,92 €
(51,79 - 57,31 €, VAT 0)
Available in stock
(4)

You might also be interested in

Comparison: Garmin Fenix 8, Tactix 8, and Enduro 3

In cooperation with Garmin Fenix 8, Tactix 8 and Enduro 3 represent the absolute elite of wrist-worn computers. Although these watches share a lot of common DNA, each has been fine-tuned to serve a specific purpose. We broke down the differences to atoms to make it easier for you...

Don't let thirst catch you by surprise - CamelBak is every mover's most important piece of gear

In collaboration with CamelBak Hydration is often thought of as something only elite athletes need to optimize, but in reality, drinking enough water is critical for every single one of us. Whether you commute by running or enjoy relaxing evening walks with your dog, your body ne...

How to Choose the Right Socks for Outdoor Activities

In collaboration with Bridgedale When it comes to outdoor gear, socks play a surprisingly important role. Choosing the right sock is not just a matter of comfort; it directly affects your stamina, moisture management, and blister prevention. A well-fitting and properly designed s...