I usually wear a medium t-shirt (from any common, tight-fitting brand like American Apparel), but I found this medium crew top had its shoulder seams a full inch down my deltoids. I couldn't quite tell if this was a stylistic choice on the part of Minus33 or not, since the length of the sleeves was about right.
I decided to exchange for a small, because I'd rather have the shoulder seams line up correctly and have the top be form-fitting (since it is a base layer), even if the arm length may end up a little short. I should mention that I am fairly slim and not broad shouldered. If you have very wide shoulders then this might not apply, but if you're slim and usually wear a medium, consider ordering a size small instead. I do not know if this trend carries through the other sizes.
UPDATE: This crewneck has become my "go to" top when I am unsure of what temperature I'll be in. Whether that means going to a movie theater that might be cold or warm, or sleeping in winter without knowing what temp the house might end up at overnight. Only downside of this top is that it has made me aware of how lousy cotton tops (like henleys) are in contrast.
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I bought one of these a couple years ago and absolutely love it. It takes the place of a full on sweater with a fraction of the weight and volume. I live in coastal British Columbia and the weather can go from blazing hot to near freezing rain in 30 seconds and it seems like I am constantly getting splashed with water (either in the boat, kayaking or just feeding cattle). Under these conditions, wool is king. This shirt is perfect for layering and so comfortable and versatile it's amazing throw this over a t-shirt, top it with a fleece jacket and a raincoat and you're good from the Baja to the Arctic. I am just getting ready to take it on a 3 month trip through Chile and Argentina and it is so comfortable that it literally has replaced a whole collection of Pendleton shirts (sorry Pendleton, but I hardly wear you anymore since I got this talk about freeing up space in my luggage!). I also bought a couple of the lighter weight wool tops at the same time and they are all very high quality, very well made and super warm. I'm kind of a relic as I grew up on wool and never did make the switch to synthetics. I've always thought synthetics were were cold as all get out, uncomfortably clammy, totally overhyped and they always smell like some sort of toxic petroleum byproduct. Synthetic clothing is something that manufacturers wish people liked because it is cheap to make and old pop bottles are pretty available (basically free, we throw more in the ocean then we reuse), but humans are kind of a funny animal and we're hard to fool. Even after 30 years of pushing coal tar based plastic garments on people there are still millions of us Luddites haunting second hand and army surplus stores looking for high quality wool clothing. I guess somebody must have noticed because now it's available brand new at Amazon. Too cool! Have things gone full circle or what? I've got to try those crazy Minus33 wool t-shirts next, they look wonderful.Oh, and about the cost. For what you get, these things are dirt cheap. These will outlast any number of spun coal tar units. And, real people make them, real people grow the sheep, real people shear the sheep and, after treasuring them for years, when you finally do wear them out you can compost them and use them to grow vegetables. What more do you want?
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I advised my daughter to get this top, and a bottom too, for an extended stay through the winter in Patagonia on an environmental reserve. She is working outdoors in a cold, wet environment compounded by high winds. She reports the merino to be a "life saver." I know this from mountaineering. Merino makes the best base layer for almost any extreme environment, wicking moisture away from the skin and providing unsurpassed insulation. I have purchased Minus 33 merino items for several years and find the gear to be well made, and the company good to deal with: fast responses and returns/exchanges (all sizing issues, not quality issues) no problems.Honest reviews on Minus33 Merino Wool Men's Chocorua Midweight Crew
These shirts are so warm and comfy, they fit great look great, I am working in the mountains in Afghanistan, and have to use the laundry service that is provided, needless to say the tags are not getting read or washed according to instructions, that being said, they are doing great! the only thing i don't like, the wrist band is to narrow, it's like having a rubber band around your wrist which can get a little irritating, but other than that there just dandy! i would recommend these to anyone!Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Minus33 Merino Wool Men's Chocorua Midweight Crew
I'm a bicycle commuter and I commute year-round in the wonderful state of Colorado (which can get very cold in the winter!). I've been searching for a good material for commuting and I think I've hit the jackpot!I don't like the typical synthetic stuff you see many cyclists wear. It's not that great in cold weather and it needs to be washed constantly because it STINKS when you sweat in it. Also, most synthetic stuff geared for performance looks like synthetic stuff geared for performance I would never go to the bar wearing a lycra jersey, for instance. Merino wool solves all of these problems!
It's cool when it's warm, warm when it's cold and it's very comfortable once you break it in (I did experience very slight itching when I first used this product, but it went away after a couple wears and now it feels like a hug!). It amazes me how infrequently I have to wash this thing! I have gone on a half dozen sweaty rides before noticing any stink on this shirt, and it even passes the smell tests that my wife's super sensitive nose gives it. It air-dries amazingly fast, it's water repellent and it wicks sweat away much better than even the best synthetic stuff I own. Unlike other materials, you will still remain warm and cozy even it becomes wet. It also looks decent it may not be the most fashionable thing in the world, but you can wear it in public and not feel like you look ridiculous.
I would pair this shirt with a nice shell jacket, especially if you are a bicycle commuter. Merino wool is very breathable, which is awesome when it's warm out, but a bit chilly on the cooler days. With a shell and just this shirt I am comfortable well into the lower 30s(F).
The only downside is that the sleeves run a tad short for me. I'm 6'1, so maybe I should have gone with the tall version. This is a personal fit issue (and only slight) and I don't see many people complaining about it in general, so it's probably just my body type, however, I don't normally run into this issue with other long sleeve shirts.
Anyway, merino wool is amazing stuff! I'm slowly piecing together a nice collection.
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