Fall Gear Guide - Layering With Minus33 Merino Wool
The leaves are beginning to change colors here at the Minus33 headquarters in Ashland, New Hampshire, nature’s indicator that Summer has passed and Fall is underway. The change in leaves isn’t the only thing that Fall brings; crisp weather and sunlight shortages are becoming the norm across the country. In preparation for these changes, Minus33 has compiled a list of Merino wool gear to adequately help you make your own transition from Summer to Winter.
Upper Body
The shorter the days are, the quicker you are going to need to get your hikes completed. As you work your way up the mountains, you will most likely work up more of a sweat. No worries, Merino wool has great, natural moisture-wicking properties, making it the perfect fabric for your Fall adventures. We recommend using products from our Midweight collection, like our Chocorua Midweight Wool Crew for Men, or Ossipee Midweight Wool Crew for Women. These Merino wool pieces serve well as base or mid-layers, offering benefits like Flat Lock Seams which prevent chafing, and tagless labels to save your neck from itching. The Midweight interlock knit of the midweight series provides a happy medium between breathability, weight, and warmth to complement the brittle temperatures of Fall.
Our staff favorites for Fall are the Midweight 1/4 Zips. The Men's Isolation 1/4 Zip and Women's Sequoia 1/4 Zip feature the same midweight fabric from our best-selling base layers, with thumb holes, and 1/4 zips for venting and temperature regulating. These tops will help you create the perfect layering system regardless of the activity.
We also added a variety of necklines to our Midweight collection, including the Midweight Henleys, Midweight Mock Necks, Midweight Turtlenecks, and Midweight V-Neck Long-sleeve tops for a variety of breathability, and more relaxed leisure wear.
Fall of course means layering for various types of weather. When the mornings are cool and the afternoons are warm, you'll want layers you can add and remove as needed, whether you're going from home to the office, or from the trails to the summit. Our Wilderness Expedition collection has the layering pieces to stay warm or cool all day long. Our Wilderness Expedition Vests can be layered over our Midweight tops for an ideal layering system. For even cooler days, check out our Wilderness Expedition Full Zips to layer over t-shirts or long sleeves.
Lower Body
One thing all outdoors lovers have in common when venturing out in the Fall is finding the right choice of lower-body garments to wear. Should you wear shorts, pants, or both? While the answer to that question may lie in the many variables it takes to decide, Minus33 has one piece that complements both shorts and pants. The Woolverino Midweight Flyless Tights for Men and the Woolverino Midweight Leggings for Women both stand as a go-to no matter which activity you decide to take on this Fall. You can wear them underneath pants, shorts, or just straight up! These superfine, soft, and breathable Merino wool garments move with you, excellent as a solo layer for mild days, and heavenly as a base layer under pants when it gets chilly.
For colder days when you need a little more warmth, you can layer with our Midweight Bottoms - Men's Kancamagus Bottoms and Women's Franconia Bottoms, to create a base layer set.
Feet
Finally, we have hit our (and your) favorite part, socks! When choosing socks for this Fall season, we think it goes without saying that Merino Wool socks are an absolute must. The natural properties that Merino Wool offers cannot compare to any other sock fabric. Minus33 recommends our NH-made socks, the Mountain Heritage Collection. These USA-made socks feature three different cushion levels, and seven different heights, and are available in more than five different colorways. Featuring a seamless toe, cushioning in varying levels, and vented zones, you have yourself a sock for everyone, every activity, and every season.
Accessories
Fall weather means it's finally beanie season, and we have a variety of options to choose from to keep you warm whether you're summiting mountains or just out in search of fall foliage. High activity levels at lower temperatures means a few more essentials are required. Wearing hats, gloves, neck gaiters, and warmer socks is important as the weather changes, and we’ve got a variety of options for each!
Our best-selling Ridge Cuff Wool Beanie will be your go-to for all your fall activities! Available in 25+ different colors, and made from 100% Merino wool, this beanie will keep you warm and dry, while being small enough to pack an extra! The same Midweight fabric you know and love is also available in our Midweight Neck Gaiter and Midweight Balaclava, so you can be warm and prepared no matter where the season takes you.
Our Everyday Knit Collection make for great additions to your everyday wardrobe! Made from 100% Merino wool, this casual collection will be your new favorite to take the dog for a walk, or take that leaf-peeping day trip! With a variety of beanies, a Twist headband, scarves, and an Infinity scarf, there’s a piece for everyone, for any activity!
When the temperatures drop, are you always chilly and looking for a blanket to snuggle up in? Or how about needing blankets for the bleachers to cheer on your favorite teams? Or maybe just an extra blanket to keep in the car for emergencies? The White Mountain Woolen Collection features our favorite Camp and Lodge blankets! Check out the White Mountain Woolen Camp Blanket for a throw size, or the White Mountain Lodge Blanket for a larger twin-size blanket. Both blankets are made from recycled wool & fibers and are available in a variety of colors and plaids.
Whether you're out early in the morning for a hunt, leaf peeping, hiking your local trails, or enjoying warm drinks by a campfire, ensure you're always prepared and have a base layer system. Pack your essentials, plus a few extras, and enjoy the Fall chill!
Written by Meaghan Ruby for Minus33.
Featured image provided by Corey David Photography. Midweight Tops Image Credits to Mahting Productions and Corey David Photography. Midweight 1/4 Zip Tops Image Credits to Corey David Photography and Sam Davies - Three Peaks Media. Woolverino Midweight Bottoms Image Credits to Mahting Productions. Midweight Bottoms Image Credits to Corey David Photography and Mahting Productions. Sock Image Credit to Sam Davies - Three Peaks Media. Headwear Image Credit to Sam Davies - Three Peaks Media and Corey David Photography. Everyday Knit Headwear Image Credit to Corey David Photography. Blanket Image Credit to Khai Ren Quek & Mahting Productions.