Gear Review | Penguin Merino Base Layer Round Neck Shirt & Pants

First impression

The merino base layer shirt and the base layer pants stand out in a vertical striped look with pleasant blue tones. The material is soft to the touch and does not scratch the skin. The top has a very fitted cut with a discreet, casual logo on the chest. The trousers are available in two lengths: ¾ and long. I mainly wear the ¾ trousers as this is more comfortable in touring boots. Where the top is cut quite tight and close-fitting, the trousers are slightly larger at the waist and buttocks. There are two colours to choose from: Red or blue.

Tester and test conditions

I am 174 cm tall, weigh around 55 kg and wear a size S (36). The merino underwear has accompanied me on around 16 touring days so far, both in cold temperatures and in spring conditions on sweaty ascents and casual descents on touring skis. But also during other activities, such as ice climbing and snow profiling, where you spend hours standing in cold snow holes. The washing machine was also able to complete its test according to the days of use.

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Test report

The most important thing for me with functional underwear is that it absorbs sweat well and transports moisture away from the body, otherwise I cool down quickly when a fan comes in or I slow down. The Penguin underwear has very good absorbency, but it takes a little longer to dry, which is of course also due to the thickness of the fabric. Even if you sweat a lot or use the base layer several times, it doesn't smell unpleasant. In addition, both the top and the trousers are very comfortable on the skin and do not scratch.

I find the thickness of the merino underwear perfect for cold and medium temperatures. It keeps you warm but is not too warm for the ascent. At higher temperatures and in spring, however, I prefer to wear my thin merino shirt, which is less warm and dries a little faster.

The fit of the top is really great, but for my taste the sleeves could be a bit wider or more elasticated, as I like to roll them up on the ascent. The trousers are cut quite high, which makes for a warm back, but for me the waistband could be a little lower. However again, it is very comfortably narrow and not too tight.

Penguin underwear has also passed the frequent washing machine test. It retains its shape and colour. The material seems quite durable to me, which is unfortunately rarely the case with thin merino items.

Conclusion

Visually casual and functionally good merino underwear that makes a very resistant impression and feels pleasant on the skin.

Advantages and disadvantages

+ Retains its shape during washing

+ Good cut and subtle colours

+ Does not scratch

+ good absorbency

+ does not absorb odours

- Sleeves a little tight for my taste

- ¾ Trousers could be a few centimetres longer

Details

RRP: €89,- (shirt) and €69,- (3/4 pants)

83% merino wool (17.5 micron merino wool)

10% polyester, 7% nylon

Here is the link to the Penguin website with further information.

These products were provided to PowderGuide by the manufacturer free of charge for testing. You can find out how we test them in our test statement.