Caring for base and mid layers – merino wool and synthetics
Base and mid layers are an important (if not the most important!) part of what you wear for hiking and time outdoors. Base layers are made from synthetic fibres, merino wool or a blend of the two. This guide explains how to care for your base and mid layers.
Johanna works as an outdoor and hiking specialist at our Kuninkoja store in Raisio. She has been hiking and trekking since childhood, and still spends most of her free time out in nature. Johanna is also the hiking expert behind our guides.
Hiking expert Johanna's tips for caring for base and mid layers
Synthetic base and mid layers benefit from frequent washing. Follow the care instructions for each garment. Avoid bleach and fabric softener.
Wool base layers don't need washing nearly as often as synthetic ones. Today almost all wool base layers are made from merino wool, which is fine enough not to itch – even if ordinary wool clothing usually bothers you. The lanolin in wool gives it some useful properties: often a good airing is all it needs before you wear it again, and thanks to lanolin, wool keeps working well even when it's damp.
A wool base layer makes breaks on the trail more comfortable. Where a synthetic base layer turns cold and clammy as soon as your body stops producing as much heat, wool keeps you at a more even temperature. All the wool base layers we sell are machine washable, and the wool comes from mulesing-free farms. There are a few key things to keep in mind when washing wool:
- Only wash when needed – most of the time, airing is enough to freshen up a wool garment.
- Check the product's care label and follow it.
- Use your washing machine's wool or delicates programme.
- Always use a wool detergent, such as Nikwax Wool Wash. Wool detergent is the best way to preserve wool's natural properties!
- Dry wool garments flat – this stops them stretching out of shape.
Base and mid layers in our online store
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