[Update: since I wrote this, I received the two shirts I ordered. They are slightly thinner than the Smartwool shirt I have, but otherwise every bit as good. All in all an excellent purchase and really like these.]

I've always hated fleece. When I got my first fleece pullover in the early 1980s, the static and what not literally gave me a headache. Then there's the stink. Before that, I managed to ice climb in sub-zero temps in Vermont and stay warm and reasonably comfortable with wool sweaters, wool knickers, wool socks, and even Dachstein wool mitts. Of course, this was all over a layer of Duofold cotton/wool underwear. Despite what the "Cotton=Death" crowd says, I never climbed with anyone who died because of wearing Duofolds.

Over the years, though, I've reluctantly put together a closet of fleece and polypro clothing. I still hate it and usually take it off as soon as I'm in from the outdoors and slip into good, new-fashioned, environmentally catastrophic cotton.

Last year, though, a friend gave me a Smartwool merino wool shirt. In short, it is awesome. It performs almost as well as synthetics in terms of wicking, it's warm, and it's about as comfy as cotton. Unless I'm mistaken (I haven't researched it), it should also be less environmentally damaging than either cotton or synthetic. It's also fairly pricey.

Anyway, I just noticed that Sierra Trading Post has merino wool shirts from Terramar onsale at really good prices. I've never heard of Terramar, but I snagged two for myself. Unfortunately, the mock turtle is only available in men's. The women have to settle for crew neck (which seems a little beside the point in a base layer, but there it is).

Terramar Woolskins Mock Turtleneck ($32.95)

Women's version ($24)

Compare this to a
SmartWool Midweight Long-Sleeve Zip-T ($80 at REI) (opens in a new window) or an Icebreaker merino shirt (I can't find one in a quick online look at the usual suspects, but in the local shop they're about 25% more than an equivalent Smartwool, but they are also luxurious).

I hope the Terramar is as nice as the Smartwool!