REVIEW
Being Wrong About MEC's T2 Merino Base Layer
Mochilero Stretch Wrinkles
Every once in a while I review a bike or product that challenges the order of things in my life. Like an obvious branch on my mountain biking timeline. A new favourite piece of clothing will shuffle out a well-worn go-to. A setup preference on a test bike will spring out to other bikes I ride. Some examples are; my brake levers are more horizontal, I'm riding flat pedals exclusively, I'm using handlebars with more backsweep.
One obvious example is my Kali Invader full-face helmets. I haven't ridden a mountain bike without a chin bar in a couple of years now. I've been exclusively descending janky trails in a full-face for longer than that, but always with a chin bar that was removable for climbs. Now I don't bother.
A more recent product experience that interrupted my regular setup, beyond mountain biking actually, was my review of MEC's Mochilero Stretch pants. These progressed from non-riding pants I thought would be good for riding to (now that I have more than one pair) what I wear most days wrenching in the shop, and multiple rides a week both commuting and mountain biking.
The T2 is a mid-weight base layer. I wear it over a lightweight layer and often under my weatherproof vest.
I ride a fair bit in the early morning and at night when it's cooler, so this is a 3-season piece for me. I wear a large.
If it's in the drawer or on the drying rack it's the first piece I grab without thinking.
Sprouting out of my Mochilero experience, Jo at MEC suggested that another excellent cross-over piece would be the hooded T2 Merino base layer. A nice looking piece, yes, but I politely declined based on my experiences with Merino-blends. The price of Merino, the stink of synthetic, the moisture absorption of cotton, and the durability of wool? No thank you.
Here I'm not talking about 13% nylon being added for some long-fiber durability or a cool next-to-skin feeling. MEC's T2 Merino base layers are only 46% Merino wool. The remaining material is 35% recycled polyester and 19% polyester. That's a hard no.
But you know how it is when someone seems politely certain about something? Like the first time, as a teenager, that I ever went for Sushi. Having not grown up an adventurous eater, it was all a bit much. We sat down and my friend Justin ordered this and that and the other thing and by the end, I was so full he practically had to carry me out.
There's also a version without a hood that's less expensive. And, I only rarely use the hood. But it can provide a great save at the coffee shop or waiting for a friend who's late, so it's worth the extra 20 CAD to me.
I was certain I wouldn't like 'raw fish' and now I take routes that purposely avoid my favourite sushi spots in North Vancouver because I can't stop at just a couple of rolls. I was certain that I'd never get along with a Merino blend, but I went out on a limb and this shirt is awesome.
It manages moisture well, it's warm enough but not too warm in that magical Merino way, and it's held up exceedingly well despite being washed multiple times a week. I don't wear any athletic wear for more than a ride without washing it, so I can't speak to multi-day funk, but thus far it has none of the odour build-up I'm used to experiencing with synthetic gear.
Is it worth 120 CAD? I'm not replacing any of my old gear prematurely but if I was starting my wardrobe from scratch I'd own two or three of these. As always, some folks run hot and some folks run cold and I'm not claiming this is a silver bullet layer for everyone. But I think it's worth checking out, even if you're the 100% Merino or bust type.
The MEC T2 Hooded Base Layer has a 180gsm fabric weight and sells for 120 CAD. It's true to size and I wear a large.
Height - Steve Buscemi-ish
Wait - Patiently
Ape Index - T-Rex
Age - The same as DOS
Favourite Trail(s) every week - Pipeline (thank you Ken!) to Lower Crippler (thank you Andy!)
Favourite Song(s) this week - I'm Your Man. Nick Cave (covering Leonard Cohen)
Favourite Colour - Cosmic Lilac
Bar Width - It depends
Reach & Stack & ETT - It depends
Crank Length - 175mm except when it's 170mm
Wheel Size - Hot For Mullets
Comments
kekoa
3 months ago
What are those pants? So awesomely bad they’re good.
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Chris D
3 months ago
These.
They were on sale dirt cheap over the holidays- $29 or something.
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kekoa
3 months ago
Thanks.
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Mammal
3 months ago
I think that's about the same blend ratio as the Costco merino tops, and they're the cat's ass. Cheap and they work. Too cold for just one? Double them up.
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kryten
3 months ago
I have multiple long and short sleeved ones from Costco I wear for riding daily and any outdoor stuff throughout the year. The ones they sell on the tables I think True North branded are either 90% or 100% merino depending on the batch. Usually $20 for short and $25 for long sleeve. I'm not sure how many locations sell them, but I just keep stocking up as they wear out. Have been doing that for 10 years now.
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Mammal
3 months ago
OK, I have one True North, and a couple that I think are another brand. Wasn't aware that the TN one was close to 100%. They're all good though, and yeah, I wear mine all the time as riding/hiking/whatever base layers when it's chilly out.
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Kenny
2 months, 2 weeks ago
I was just posting in the jersey materials thread and thought of this article.
I've been using a "Paradox" brand (also Costco) 1/4 zip long sleeve made from what they call dri-release. Only 11% merino which some would argue is a useless amount, but it's still much less plasticky than a standard poly jersey and man does it dry fast.
I was saying there how I'd brag that merino is still warm when wet, but truthfully, it's freaking almost always wet in my case. Haha.
Similar to Andrew I wash it after every ride so I can't say for sure, but I suspect on a multi day chilcotins ride type scenario it'd start to stink, I would stick to more merino for that case, but otherwise it's been quite the novelty the last few rides I've used it to have a relatively dry back most of the time.
I think it was 20 bucks? Not bad.
I am going to explore other blends. The MEC stuff seems promising.
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Onawalk
2 months, 4 weeks ago
Yeah, I've got several of the TN Costco tops, and bottoms. I'm a mechanical contractor, they get worn daily, and I've had em for years. They are an incredible value.
Friggin MEC, not sure what it is, but MEC branded gear has never fit me well, never. Whatever sizing model they use is off for me.
I have a real beef with MEC, and its only gotten worse since they sold out. Theyre "CO-OP" model just served to undercut better, independent outdoor retailers in lots of places, and they arent even a "CO-OP" anymore, but still trading under that premise.
F*ck MEC
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andrewc
2 months, 3 weeks ago
FWIW, they removed "co-op" from the name and replaced it with "company"
They aren't pretending to be a co-op anymore and IMO their business and product offering has vastly improved since becoming privately owned. The last few years of the "co-op" were pretty underwhelming. I find the current MEC iteration to be a welcome part of the Vancouver outdoor retailer landscape.
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XXX_er
3 months ago
I got a lot of brands of merino and it all developed holes, throwing some plastic in the mix should make merino stronger. The big draw with merino is it doesnt absorb body odors like plastic so it would stink less if I couldn't get to a washing M/C, I favor the light merino T-shirt which takes care of the stink also cheaper, I cover it ( and the holes ) with another non-merino layer. I've worn merino T's in the tropics so I think its too light to contribute much to warmth
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Michael Klein
3 months ago
I have found Mons Royale and Aklima to be very durable (as in several years without holes). Icebreaker not so much.
I don't wash my wool clothes much though.
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XXX_er
3 months ago
i got smartwool, Ibex, icebreaker, MEC probably at least 1/2 doz brands some of them obscure and It all gets holes IME
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Onawalk
2 months, 4 weeks ago
Thats interesting,
I've got Icebreaker items from 20 or more years ago, several different weight, not a single hole. I've got several pieces from Costco (True North) that get worn daily, in harsh climates/environments, and only develop holes in the sleeve cuffs (it sticks out from under my Stanny). Maybe your washing machine? or try washing in a delicate garment bag?
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Vik Banerjee
3 months ago
Sitting in a pair of Mochilero pants, sipping tea, reading a meaty article on NSMB, waiting for the sun to come up so I can hit the trail with a buddy. Nods head.
I'll keep an eye out for the T2 next time I have a reason for buying a fresh top. It's always good to try stuff you are pretty sure you won't like. Either you find something great you would have missed out on or your spidey sense gets tuned even better if you were right.
I'm riding some 820mm wide steel bars with a cross brace on two bikes. I would have assured you that was not going to happen before I tried 'em. Live and learn.
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Larrabee
3 months ago
“I'm riding some 820mm wide steel bars with a cross brace on two bikes. I would have assured you that was not going to happen before I tried 'em. Live and learn.“
Me too. So far on only one of my bikes. Loving it. Adult BMX FTW! Surly Sunrise bar. On my Straggler.
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Kos
3 months ago
I think you found the sweet spot for Merino. I love it, but not as a base layer, instead using it over a thin, skin-tight-ish, Craft polyester base.
Gotta check out the pants!
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Andy Eunson
3 months ago
I prefer actual Lifa polypropylene because it dries faster than wool. I can ski hard and have sweat dripping out of my tuque Nordic skiing and be dry when I get home from a 20 minute drive. Not so much with wool. Wool is still warm when wet they say, but I figure dry polypropylene is warmer than wet wool. And wool is fragile. Might be compostable but if I get three times the life from polypropylene or more, which is more environmentally sound? I have many Lifa short and long sleeved undershirts that I don’t remember buying. Might be 20 years old.
I do like my merino t shirts though for casual wear. Or for a jersey with Lifa underneath.
As for pants, those Mochilero look excellent. Similar to the Eddie Bauer guide pro pants I’m wearing at the moment. And for those frigid days we had recently, fleece lines Guide pants are super cozy. And no one buys Eddie Bauer at full price. Always a sale on or coming up. And locals discount for me in Whistler and probably a seniors discount too but I haven’t checked yet. Although I suspect the seniors discount is only for high waisted beige shit.
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mutton
3 months ago
Researched and found some Helly Hansen tops that are polypropylene. Got a deal and decided to give them a go. I got three short sleeve T’s for the price of one smart wool top and my existing smart wools are falling apart. Thx for the lead
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Andy Eunson
3 months ago
I forgot that I also own some Lifa pro wool tops. It’s a wool outer mated to polypropylene inner layer. (Or maybe wool inner?) Costly though but I wear it when it’s cooler because it’s a thicker garment.
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pbass
3 months ago
Hooded base layer plus vest is the go-to combo I ride in most of the time.
Synthetic Dri-release fabric usually.
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earle.b
3 months ago
Picked up a pair of the Mochilero pants shortly after your review. They have been great. So good in fact two more pair just arrived in the mail today.
Wasn't sure I was going to like that pocket layout but now I kinda want all pants to have pockets like that.
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silverbansheebike
3 months ago
Great to know, I've been looking for more layers but hesitant on blends.
How about those sushi places? What's your all-time, and what's the best, most affordable option?
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