Top 10 · Compare
Compare Best Long Underwear head to head
Pick any two picks from this list and see specs, current price, pros, cons and reader ratings side by side.
Back to the full Top 10
#8 on this list
Capilene Thermal Weight
Patagonia
The synthetic benchmark: grid fleece that dries faster than anything wool on this list.
- Price
- Check current price
- Reader rating
- No reader votes yet
- How we assessed it
- Specification researched
#9 on this list
Kancamagus Midweight
Minus33
New Hampshire Merino at half the price of the imports, with the same 18.5-micron feel.
- Price
- Check current price
- Reader rating
- No reader votes yet
- How we assessed it
- Specification researched
Specs side by side
| Spec | Capilene Thermal Weight | Kancamagus Midweight |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Polartec Power Grid (100% recycled polyester) | 100% Merino Wool |
| Weight | Heavyweight | Midweight (230 GSM) |
| Fit | Slim, next-to-skin | — |
| Odor Control | HeiQ Pure permanent odor control | — |
| Drying Speed | Very Fast | — |
| Environmental | Recycled materials, Fair Trade Certified sewn | — |
| Seams | — | Flatlock |
| Origin | — | Designed in USA |
| Micron Count | — | 18.5 |
What our reviewers liked and didn't
Capilene Thermal Weight
- Unmatched drying speed for a heavyweight base layer
- Excellent warmth-to-weight ratio with superior breathability
- Highly durable and abrasion-resistant synthetic construction
- Effective moisture wicking keeps skin dry during high exertion
- Made with 100% recycled content and Fair Trade Certified sewn
- Odor retention can be an issue over multi-day wear compared to wool
- Higher price point for a synthetic base layer
- Less comfortable for casual, static wear than softer merino blends
Kancamagus Midweight
- Excellent warmth-to-weight ratio for a midweight merino
- Superior odor resistance, ideal for multi-day trips
- Soft 18.5-micron merino wool for next-to-skin comfort
- Breathable and effective at moisture management
- Exceptional value compared to premium merino brands
- Dries slower than synthetic alternatives
- Durability, while good for merino, isn't as high as some synthetics
- Limited color and style options
Prices change constantly — the figure shown is the last verified catalog price, and the buy buttons always go to the current listing.