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gear reviews

Gear reviews | Penguin Merino ski underwear

A comfortably soft feel

01/13/2026
Martin Svejkovsky
For many people, merino wool underwear, also known as a base layer, is the foundation of a warm and breathable ski outfit. The finely crimped merino fibers form many insulating air pockets and at the same time absorb water vapor, which they release to the outside. However, as the test of the "Merino Seamless Longsleeve Shirt" and the "Merino Seamless ¾ Leggings" from PowderGuide partner company Penguin showed, this is not the only practical feature of this stylish two-piece.

The first impression

Both the top and the trousers are soft and fluffy and feel pleasant against the skin. Both have a dark stripe pattern that is nevertheless striking. The shoulder and armpit areas of the top and the hip area of the trousers are excluded and feature gray details. The waistband is made of elastic material so that the pants neither slip nor stretch out.

Tester and test conditions

I am 187 cm tall, weigh 87 kilograms and wear both garments in size L. As is usual for ski underwear, the garments fit close to the body, but don't constrict or restrict me in any other way. The pants have enough room to move, especially in the thigh and crotch area, which I personally find very comfortable. I primarily use the underwear for skiing, even on particularly cold days. They have also been used for ski tours, tobogganing evenings and other outdoor activities. I have also washed them a few times. Compared to non-merino underwear, however, I have been able to save myself a few washes, but more on that in a moment.

Test report

The combination of long-sleeved shirt and 3/4 leggings impressed me with its pleasant wearing comfort. Both items of clothing met the requirements for ski underwear by far. Even on colder days, the soft, fluffy and not too thick merino fabric kept me warm. The breathability was particularly noticeable on ski tours or other sweat-inducing activities: I was never soaked in sweat at the summits and was able to take the skins off my skis in peace and prepare for the descent without freezing. Speaking of sweat: underwear made from 100% nylon or other synthetic fabrics is particularly prone to unpleasant odors. However, both the longsleeve and the leggings are made from 79% merino wool. The merino fiber buffers moisture better, creating a drier and bacteria-unfriendly climate and slowing down the development of odor-causing substances. This is a very pleasant property, especially on ski trips or in huts when a washing machine is not always available. After all, who wants to spoil the dinner of the person sitting next to them? What's more, fewer washes mean that the products last longer.

Conclusion

I would choose the Merino Seamless long-sleeved shirt and the Merino Seamless ¾ leggings again at any time. The warm and breathable function in particular, as well as the odour-neutralizing effect of merino, speak for themselves.

Advantages and disadvantages

+ Warm and soft

+ Odour-neutralizing

- Rather heavy

Details

- Stretchy

- Fine yarn for soft comfort, approx. 17µm

- Merino mix with 21% nylon for better durability

- Machine washable

- Biodegradable

- Mulesing-free

- Quick-drying

- Natural odor control

Photo gallery

Note

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