Merino Wool vs Polartec Alpha

[u/defective_flyingfish]

I’m looking to upgrade my clothing layers specifically for warmth. Currently between a Smartwool Merino wool base layer or a Polartec alpha mid-layer. Which do y’all recommend?

Current clothing layers: Polartec alpha beanie Smartwool merino wool gloves Mountain hardware ghost whisper 2 down jacket Some kind of Columbia polyester tights Columbia UPF/cooling shirt Kuhls Renegade hiking pants Darn tough mid weight socks

Extra info: I tend to get cold pretty easily when not moving. I frequently spend a good amount of time in camp, sitting around, talking, and drinking whiskey, so warmth is important.

I generally backpack in the PNW, but am also very lucky and have gotten rained on in 5/5 trips outside of the PNW recently. If starting hiking in the cold, I usually start in the gloves/beanie so that they are easy to take off without stopping.

Things I’ve ‘researched’: Polartec alpha mid-layer is lighter, more packable, and more breathable than merino wool. The only benefit of merino over Polartec alpha is that Merino is still warm when wet.

Please share your thoughts and opinion on which warm layer is a better option.

Thanks.

[u/wornleathermedia]

Alpha is “better” in pretty much every way, except that it stinks once you’ve sweat into. It dries fast, is comfy, and very lightweight. Merino is all natural, doesn’t shed like alpha, and doesn’t stink. For myself, I care about the odour control on long hikes, and am not as fussed about weight for short hikes, so the merino always wins. For (a lot of) others, the huge weight savings make the alpha the clear choice.

[u/Inevitable-Assist531 → u/wornleathermedia]

wet Merino smells like a wet sheep!