Smartwool Intimates

A shipment of this seasons Smartwool intimates and Phd Socks turned up at Backcountry Skiing Canada this spring. A few of us have been skinning up in Smartwool base layers and socks for quite a few years now but this is our first real intimates experience with Smartwool. Did we find it a turn on? Here are the details.

If you are not familiar with Smartwool and haven't read our previous review, here's a brief recap. Based out of Colorado, Smartwool source only the highest quality Merino wool that is certified to be humanely harvested, sustainable and fair trade. In manufacturing, the awesome qualities of the Merino yarns are enhanced using specialised knitting techniques to produce garments and socks that are temperature regulating, water repellant, low odour and naturally dirt repellant. On top of this Smartwool pre-treats all of their Merino wool so that the fibres are smooth and itch-free, this treatment also ensures that the garment won't be a size smaller when it comes out of the washing machine (to be safe I'd be sure to follow washing instructions).

Why Wool?

If you haven't been around over the last few years to experience the wool-revival in the outdoor apparel world all you need to know is that wool is the new awesome and here's why:
- It's made of the same stuff our skin and hair is made of (keratin).
- Wool keeps you warm when it’s cold and cool when it’s warm.
- Wool is hydrophobic (water repellant)
- It doesn't stink, thanks to it's moisture repellency.
- It is dirt repellant due to it's natural anti-static properties and the scales and crimps of it's fibres.

Merino wool is all this and more as it is the finest wool available meaning it's the softest wool available and it's itch free.

Layering Systems:

As part of their holistic approach Smartwool have their own layering system so, for example, Next-to-Skin (NTS) layers and Thermal Mid-Layers (TML) work together to optimize comfort and more importantly the technical advantages wool provides. The two NTS and TML layers combined are designed to reduce bulk and move sweat vapour away from your body whilst still trapping air in their fibres working together to keep you warmer and more comfortable.

PhD – A Doctorate in Philosophy?

I am still not one hundred per cent certain on the exact definition of Smartwools use of PhD but my best guess is that the PhD accreditation is applied to the products that have had some serious brain-power applied in their development. The PhD products typically have unique and innovative solutions designed to enhance fit, comfort and the technical capabilities of wool. Each solution is unique to the product and it's purpose.

Now, let's get to the juicy stuff ...

SMARTWOOL BRIEFS

Women's Smartwool NTS Micro 150 Bikini

Price: $31.99
Colors: Mineral, Berry, Silver Grey Heather, Black, Natural Pointelle
Sizes: XS-XL
Fabric: 96% Merino Wool, 4% Elastane

96 per cent Merino Wool keeps these mid rise bikini briefs dry no matter how hard you are working. With the focus on comfort Smartwool uses jersey knit fabric, flatlock seams with specialized smooth threads and a clean finish crotch panel.

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Women's Smartwool NTS Micro 150 Hiphugger

Price: $33.99
Colours: Berry, Silver Grey Heather, Black, Natural Pointelle
Sizes: XS-XL
Fabric: 96% Merino Wool, 4% Elastane

These babies offer a little more coverage than the Women's NTS Micro 150 Bikini with the same Smartwool formula of jersey knit fabric, flatlock seams with specialized smooth threads and a clean finish crotch panel.

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Men's Smartwool NTS Micro 150 Boxer Brief

Price: $64.99
Colours: Cadet Blue, Black, Silver Grey Heather, Chino
Sizes: XS-XL
Fabirc: 96% Merino Wool, 4% Elastane

Designed to be the ultimate foundation for layering, these mid rise boxers are constructed with the same materials as the Women's NTS Micro 150 briefs. They feature a smooth embossed logo elastic waistband with wool terry loop next to skin and a fully functional fly, a 4.75" (12cm) inseam (size M).

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Men's Smartwool Light 195 Boxer Brief

Price: $64.99
Colours: Deep Navy, Orange, Black
Sizes: XS-XL
Fabric: 100% Merino Wool

Using Smartwool's Light 195 baselayer fabric adds a little extra insulation compared to the Men's NTS Micro 150 Boxer Brief above. An articulated cut allows for zonal construction so that a lighter weight jersey fabric is used on the hip areas. Finished with a smooth embossed logo elastic waistband with wool terry loop next to skin and a fully functional fly, a 4.75" (12cm) inseam (size M).

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SMARTWOOL TOPS

Women's Smartwool PhD Seamless Strappy Bra

Price: $69.99
Colours: Spearmint, Lilac, Charcoal
Sizes: XS-XL
Outer Shell: 76% Polyester, 14% Nylon, 10% Elastane
Lining: 76% Merino Wool, 14% Elastane, 10% Nylon

A Merino wool lining is combined with elastine for mobility and comfort. Finished for comfort and support with a Merino covered elastic band at the ribcage, seamless Merino knit cups, adjustable straps, ribbed knit side panels and Smartwool's 4-Degree Elite Fit System for enhanced support.

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Women's Smartwool PhD Support Bra

Price: $94.99
Colours: Black
Sizes: S-L
Outer Shell: 47% Merino Wool, 46% Polyester, 7% Elastane
Lining: 75% Merino Wool, 25% Polyester

A real workout bra and stand-alone top designed for optimum support using Smartwool's 4-Degree Elite Fit System. Merino is featured in terry loop elastic band at ribcage and in the lining for next-to-skin comfort and temp regulation. Adjustable shoulder straps feature moulded seams for comfort as well as lined in spacer mesh for improved air circulation.

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Women's Smartwool NTS Micro 150 Cami

Price: $59.99
Colours: Colors: Mineral, Berry, Black, Natural Pointelle
Sizes: S-XXL
Fabric: 96% Merino Wool, 4% Elastane

Constructed with ultra-lightweight Merino wool fabric for all-day comfort. A flattering fit with adjustable spaghetti straps and shaped bottom hem. Flat-lock internal seams with specialized threads for smoothness and comfort.

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SMARTWOOL PHD SOCKS

Smartwool has investigated and mapped out the podiatry needs of a wide range of outdoor activities and then responded to those needs with strategically placed ventilation zones and cushion zones. Each of the socks below has zones customised to the specific acitivity with the goal of enhanced performance and comfort throughout. Two elastics are used in every sock as part of Smartwool's 4 Degree Elite Fit system—essentially an antidote to blisters and bunching. The high impact areas of the sock are finished off with their patented ReliaWool Technology for added durability.

Smartwool socks come in a range of heights for this review we looked at the micro height (1.5" height from ankle)

Smartwool PhD Outdoor Light Micro

Price: $21.99
Colours: Hemp, Seal
Sizes: S-XXL
Fabric: Knit in USA of 71% Merino Wool, 27% Nylon, 2% Elastane

Smartwool PhD Outdoor Ultra Light Micro

Price: $20.99
Colours: Hemp, Seal
Sizes: S-XXL
Fabirc: Knit in USA of 54% Merino Wool, 44% Nylon, 2% Elastane

Smartwool PhD Cycle Ultra Light Micro

Price: $19.99
Colours: Hemp, Seal
Sizes: S-XXL
Fabric: Knit in USA of 57% Merino Wool, 41% Nylon, 2% Elastane

Smartwool PhD Run Ultra Light Micro

Price: $19.99
Colours: Hemp, Seal
Sizes: S-XXL
Fabric: Knit in USA of 54% Merino Wool, 44% Nylon, 2% Elastane

Verdict:

I am already sold on the benefits of wool—it feels good; it keeps you warm, dry and sweet smelling; and it's a renewable resource. What's so cool about wool these days though is what manufacturers like Smartwool are doing with it. Smartwool's investment into newer technologies and application are particularly evident in their range of intimates as well as their PhD socks. I'll admit the thought or wearing merino briefs felt a little indulgent at first until I actually wore them. These are now the most comfortable underwear I own and when I can afford it, I will invest in more, wearing them is like wearing a warm hug. I never found myself clammy in them at all, however, our male reviewer still felt he had a bit of crotch rot, just not as much as normal. I expect this would depend on your physiology.

Women's NTS Micro 150 Cami is a year-round classic as a stand alone or base layer. Bras are a welcome addition to Smartwools line-up. For my athletic and smaller frame, the women's PhD Seamless Strappy Bra was a hit, I expect to be wearing this to death next ski touring season, I loved everything about it. If the Seamless strappy bra were a yoga instructor, the PhD Support Bra would its cross-fit trainer cousin. I found the PhD Support Bra less comfortable of the two but by far the most supportive and probably better suited to a lady who could fill it out and justify the addtional support. My pancakes weren't going anywhere in this bra. Both bras would work well as stand-alone tops on a crag or on the trail on a hot day, particularly the PhD Support Bra which would also work at the local gym.

My experience with Smartwool socks has been for skiing and they are on the top of my list for that. The PhD Outdoor, Cycle and Run socks are no different. The mapped venting works well though one reviewer felt their feet still got hot just not as hot as normal. The comfort level is superb thanks to the strategically placed cushioning.

PROS:

Merino wool and it's super qualities. Most comfortable briefs in the closet. PhD Seamless Strappy Bra is light, extra comfortable and flattering. PhD socks have wicked cushioning.

CONS:

PhD Support Bra can be a little overkill if you are smaller framed. Merino boxers didn't eliminate crotch rot completely.

Rating: 9/10

Fit/Comfort        1.5/2
Durability           1/2
Warmth              2/2
Features             2/2
Quality / Price    1.5/2

This is only our opinion. Do you disagree? Did we miss something? Are we totally out to lunch? Join the discussion in the forums here, and let us know what you think. People like/dislike gear for different reasons so chime in and we'll get a well-rounded evaluation.

Back to the rest of the reviews.

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