This Merino Wool Base Layer Is Traveler-approved

As a nomad of more than three years who travels with just carry-on luggage, I’m well-acquainted with packing light. But I’m also a fitness writer and editor and love a good outdoor adventure — and packing for cold-weather hikes in Norway or ski days in Argentina while keeping my travel wardrobe compact and agile is much easier said than done. 

Everything that goes into my suitcase needs to be multipurpose, and that’s true for even my workout clothes; I generally only pack black or neutral tones so I can layer them or dress them up as needed. One of the best pieces I’ve added to my collection this year is the Athleta Ascent Seamless Top: it’s a cozy, wool-blend base layer that works equally well with jeans or leggings and is currently on sale for $75. 

Athleta Ascent Seamless Top

I’ve tried a lot of base layers over the years, and while there are plenty of great choices out there, this Athleta piece will be No. 1 in my travel wardrobe rotation for the foreseeable future, mainly due to its versatility. Because this top is made of nearly 50 percent merino wool, it’s supersoft, has a knit look, and doesn’t scream “activewear.” The remaining blend is made up of nylon and spandex, a combo that ensures a comfy fit along with sweat-wicking and quick-drying  properties. 

The Ascent top is relatively thin (so it packs down easily) with ventilation detailing to boot, but I’ve found it to be surprisingly warm. It’s perfect for any temp under 70 degrees Fahrenheit, and can even make up for the lack of a proper mid-layer in temps below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. The thumb holes come in handy for keeping my hands warm on particularly cold days but aren’t super noticeable when dressed up. 

I’ve worn it on fall hikes in northern Japan, shoveling snow in Colorado, and biking around Lake Kawaguchi near Mt. Fuji. I’ve also worn it with jeans to meet friends for craft beers in Buenos Aires, layered under a T-shirt to walk around Tokyo, and as a comfy layer on long international flights. I snagged mine in the earthy pyrite colorway, but Athleta offers other classic neutrals as well as rotating seasonal colors like coastal blue.

Athleta Ascent Seamless Top 

I’ve long loved Athleta for its adaptable, high-quality, active-travel pieces, and what really seals the deal for me is that they’re a certified B Corp, meaning they meet high standards for social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. The merino wool used in the Ascent top also meets the Responsible Wool Standard, which sets requirements for animal welfare, land management, and social impact. As someone who wears the same 20 pieces of clothing on repeat, it’s much more important for me to have fewer quality pieces that stand the test of wear and time rather than more cheap clothing that disintegrates after a few washes — and I think that’s something we can all stand to prioritize, nomad or not.

I’m not the only fan of this Merino Wool base layer, either. Nearly 1,300 other shoppers have given the Ascent top a five-star rating on Athleta’s website, and swear by it for workouts, outdoor activity, wearing to the office, and on trips. 

Athleta Ascent Seamless Top 

“I have the Ascent Long Sleeve Seamless top in two colors — navy and chartreuse,” writes one reviewer. “I love them, wear [them] constantly, and would get more colors … They are very comfortable and include a bit [of] wool so are perfect for all but the hottest days. I wear this to the gym, a base layer skiing, hiking or walking, lounging, and definitely travel.”

As part of the Ascent collection, Athleta also offers a T-shirt and tank top with the same soft feel and seamless design, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t checking them out to add to my travel wardrobe. All the pieces are offered in size XXS-XL, which fits numeric sizes 00 to 18. If you’re outside that range or looking to scope out some other base layer options, peep the similar styles below. 

Shop More Top-rated Base Layer Tops:

Athleta Renew Seamless Mock Neck Top

If you’re crushing on my pyrite-colored top, you’re in luck: Athleta offers many other pieces in this colorway, and I think this mock-neck long-sleeve is another winning pick as an all-purpose travel item. It’s designed more for day-to-day wear versus heavy activity. Still, the odor-controlling antimicrobial silver ions knitted into the fabric means you can totally wear it and sweat without a worry. “I love this fashionable top. I can wear it with tights or if I pair it with a nice pair of trousers, it looks smashing, not athletic and I would be totally comfortable going out to a nice restaurant,” one reviewer wrote. “It’s also great for traveling … takes up almost no space, doesn’t wrinkle and I could wash it in a sink, hang it to dry, and be able to wear it the next day.”

Lululemon Hold Tight Long-sleeve Shirt

This ribbed long-sleeve from Lululemon is designed for more casual wear, but has sweat-wicking properties that kick into action if you do take it on a run or hike. It comes in nine different colors, so you can find the perfect one that pairs well with every other item in your suitcase. “These tops wash [and] dry quickly [and] are perfect for traveling lightweight!” one reviewer said. “The sleeve length is long enough to feel snuggly on the airplane (I paired it with a full-length scuba hoodie).” 

Vuori Long Sleeve Halo Ruched Tee

This Vuori long-sleeve shirt is ready-made for activity — the DreamKnit fabric is comprised of 89 percent recycled materials, offers great breathability, and wicks away moisture — but the ruched detail makes this suitable to wear for casual touring, too. “I don’t know what voodoo Vuori has, but I love all their stuff,” said one reviewer. “This is another beautiful basic that I know will get tons of wear.” 

Sweaty Betty Modal Dot High Neck Jacquard Base Layer Top

Turtlenecks make fantastic base layers for cold-weather sports and have the added perk of looking like a “real” shirt — not just a workout piece. This seamless option from Sweaty Betty is part of the brand’s HeatProtect collection, designed to be temperature-regulating and offer sweat-wicking protection in all elements. “I am so obsessed with this top that this was the second one I ordered!” one reviewer wrote. “Soft, comfy, warm, beautiful. I’ve worn it everywhere, from climbing mountains to walking dogs at the shelter to dressing it up at work. So glad I have another!”

Kari Traa Juliane Wool Long-Sleeve Base Layer Top

You can trust Kari Traa, a women’s sports brand started by a Norwegian Olympic freestyle skier with the same name, to do base layers right. If you don’t want a basic-looking long-sleeve but prefer something with hand-knit-sweater or mountain-getaway vibes, any of the brand’s pieces will be a winner. Consider this wool option, currently marked down by nearly $40.

Smartwool Women’s Classic Thermal Merino Baselayer Crew 

Before traveling with the Athleta Ascent top, I always packed a classic Smartwool base layer — one I’ve had for about a decade. (Honestly, the only thing that keeps it from being my go-to base layer to this day is the fact that mine is purple and just doesn’t go with much.) Made with 100-percent merino wool, it’s a hard-working long-sleeve that’ll last you years, and can be worn for anything from brunch to frigid skid days. It’s available in a whopping 30-plus colors on Amazon, so you can pick the one most compatible with your travel style.  

REI Co-op Midweight Long-sleeve Base Layer Top

This budget-friendly pick from REI is a solid option at a reasonable price point (not to mention currently on sale for over half off!) and comes in 10 colors and sizes up to 3X. It’s made of 92 percent recycled polyester and has a UPF rating of 50 to keep your skin protected from the sun during long days outside. Because it’s mid-weight, it’s fantastic for a wide range of temps during travel to different climates. “I absolutely loved this shirt!! I need it in every color,” wrote one reviewer. “It was a great base layer for multiple climates (rain, wind, snow). This shirt kept me warm on my recent trip to Iceland, and it’ll be a staple for late fall to early spring weather.”

FP Movement Cool Down Wool Base Layer

FP Movement, Free People’s activewear brand, makes some of my favorite hybrid active-lifestyle gear, and this ribbed mock-neck base layer seems like another winner. It’s made with a wool blend and comes in two classic colorways that’ll look great on the trail, slopes, or city sidewalk paired with a skirt, boots, and tights.

At the time of publishing, the price started at $75.

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