Even Merino snobs gushed over this fabric’s ultrafine weave, featuring 16.5-micron, 150-gram wool that feels downright luxurious—something hikers especially appreciated during evenings at camp. “As temperatures in the Sierra Buttes dropped at night, I threw them on under my hiking pants and immediately warmed up, and wearing them as pajamas I felt none of the itch I often get from wool layers,” reported California tester Molly Street.

The looser, jogger-style cut makes them more versatile than standard long johns: Testers wore them alone, as camp loungers, and under rain pants. Weighing just 4 ounces, the leggings occupy negligible pack space. One snag? Some testers wished for a looser waistband.

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