What Rab say about the MeCo 165 long sleeve baselayer

The women's specific long-sleeved, zip neck baselayer is made from 165g MeCo fabric. New MeCo fabric is an intimate blend of 65% ethically sourced Australian Merino wool combined with 35% recycled polyester with Cocona® activated carbon technology.

Cocona® fabric is made using natural technology. Activated carbon is derived from discarded coconut shells and other natural micro porous particles. These particles are contained within the fibre and can’t wear out or wash off. Cocona® is extremely breathable and accelerates evaporation - making them ideal for use in baselayers.

Cocona® absorbs a wide range of odour molecules within the activated carbon and aids the natural anti-bacterial properties of Merino wool. The major benefit of MeCo blended fabrics is the vastly reduced drying time for these fabrics, this makes them excellent for use as a year round base layer and also saves washing and drying time.

Additional features:

• Deep venting YKK chest zip, chin guard
• Close fitting stand up collar
• Flatlock low bulk seams
• Reflective branding
• Slim fit

What I like about Rab MeCo 165 long sleeve baselayer

One thing I have against 100% Merino wool is its itchiness. It takes a few washes before I can cope with the wool against my skin. Polyester always feels much softer but it has the draw back of being whiffy. The Rab baselayer offers a good compromise and I was able to wear this baselayer against the skin of my arms (I had a baselayer t-shirt followed by the Rab Meco as a mid-layer). The fabric feels soft enough yet still hard wearing.

The baselayer does as it says it will. It is great at allowing sweat to wick away and very fast drying. It offers a light mid-layer amount of warmth and even after several wears during very sweaty activity there was very little pong. I had worried that 40% less Merino would cause the top to smell of body odour but it doesn’t.

The zip at the neck is useful for keeping you warmer or cooler as conditions demand. On a cold day I liked the high neck and I didn’t find it too annoying to have the neck zipped up to the top. I do have quite a long neck though so others might find it irritating.

What I am not so keen on

The label says slim fit. I was sent a size 10 and I am a slim size 10 but this top flared out too much from the waist to the hips. For a size 10 with wider hips this top will be a perfect fit but not for a slim-hipped person. The chest and shoulder area is perfect and the sleeve length is good. When a friend saw the top she said it would fit her really wel as she’s a shorter size 10 with proper hips!

I also think that RRP £65 is quite pricey. The top looks like it would be very hard wearing and long-lasting but I would have put the price at around £50. If you shop around you can buy for cheaper.

Summary of Rab MeCo 165 long sleeve baselayer

An excellent light-weight midlayer that offers the anti-itch comfort of a merino mix fabric but without losing the anti-bacterial and anti-odour benefits of Merino. For women with average size hips this top will fit like a glove. For slim-hipped ladies you’ll have a bit of flare at the bottom but nothing too noticeable.

(Scored out of 10)

Female fit: 6 (for me); 9 (for women with hips)

Moisture management: 9

Does what it says on the label: 9 (loses a point for stating “slim fit”)

Price: 6 (unless oyu shop around).

Stockists at Rab. Seen at Cotswold Outdoor

Note: This article was restored from the archives. It's published creation date is inaccurate.