L1-CLO-01 — Base layer — no cotton
“A base layer of wool or synthetic. No cotton next to the skin, in any season.”
L1-CLO-01 prohibits cotton next to skin and requires a base layer that retains insulating value when wet. Merino does this and synthetic does too — merino wins on odour over a multi-day session, which is a real quality-of-life factor when students share a shelter. The 200-weight is the general-purpose choice across three seasons.
What it does well
- Insulates when damp
- Resists odour over multi-day wear
- Wide temperature range for a single garment
What to know before you buy
- Less durable than synthetic; expect wear at pack contact points
- Costs several times what an equivalent synthetic does