When it comes to the cold conditions of Northern Norway in November there's no better material for base layers than Merino wool. However, not all merino is equal, and when you're in the Arctic Circle in winter you need to be sure that the merino garment's you choose are up to the task. For our 2 weeks in the northern latitudes we took a full set of base layers from Point6 to test in temperatures down to -20°C. The set comprised Men's Merino Wool Leggings and Men's Merino Wool Base Layer Long Sleeve Crew Neck..To compliment these we also took a couple of pairs of Point6's Medium Crew Merino Wool Socks

What Point6 say:

Base Layers -

Point6 has made the Best Base Layer Ever for the ultimate in comfort when you're in the elements.

The only company using fine 18.5 micron compact-spun wool, Point6 base layers feature extreme durability and unparalleled comfort and softness.

Point6 merino wool keeps you perfectly warm and is naturally moisture wicking and odour fighting, keeping you feeling great all day on the slopes or trails. With the temperature regulating and moisture controlling properties, our merino wool base layers help you stay at your optimal body temperature in all conditions.

• Fabric weight: 240 grams mid weight
• 100% extra fine merino wool 18.5 micron
• Compact spun yarn eliminates pilling and wear for ultimate durability
• Interlock knit, UPF +50
• Form fit
• Covered elastic waistband and traditional fly design
• Flat lock seams prevent chafing and rubbing
• Odor resistant merino wool keeps you fresh
• Imported

Socks -

These socks offer extra cushioning on the instep and around the leg to protect against pressure points from heavier footwear.

The cozy wool cushioning next to the skin insulates the foot from hot spots and the natural thermoregulating properties keep you warm and dry in all conditions. Perfect for hiking, walking, or long days on your feet.

Composition: 

Wool 70% Spandex 5% Nylon 25%

On Test:

It's really hard to take the leggings and the top seperately because the whole concept of layering relies on the way each component works with the other, and this is really true when it comes to the base layes. To put it simply, I've never used either the leggings or the top in isolation; they come as a pair.  They're designed that the top is long enough to overlap the top of the leggings to prevent cold spots and create what's almost its own microclimate.

In practical terms the first factor is comfort, and the Point6 base layers score a very healthy A++ here. They are supremely soft to the touch and comfortable to wear, even over prolonged periods. The fit is close without being constricting and the flat lock seams work perfectly. You really cannot tell there are seams, even with a mix of movement from being seated for long periods on a husky-pulled sledge to striding up snow covered slopes. There's enough stretch to handle movement and despite the soft and smooth feel there's very little "riding up" in the leggings. This again helps prevent cold spots between the leggings and socks. These are the things you can only tell from prolonged use in the field, but they're the important points that make the difference at -20°C plus windchill.

After comfort the next major test fro any base layer is how it deals with its role in keeping the skin at a comfortable temperature. This isn't just a matter of insulation, but of heat regulation and of wicking. A good set of baselayers needs to be able to deal with sudden changes in activity level, sometimes changing from long times in a sedentary position to sudden periods of exertion and from sitting on furs to sitting on ice (try not to do this too often) or at the other extreme in a super-heated environment around a log fire. This is where merino excels and it's a relief to say that no matter what was thrown at the Point6 base layers there was no noticeable change in either temperature or comfort.

The final aspect for a set of base layers is the combination of physical duarbility and to put it politely how long your nose will allow you to keep wearing them. On both the physical durability and smell tests we certainly put the Point6 base layers to the test. They claim to have "ultimate durability" and to be "Odour resistant", well thankfully they lived up to the claim. 17 days of continuous use was fine, although fortunately I was able to take a shower each night onboard Hurtigruten's coastal express. The moisture wicking was exceptional given the range of temperatures between a ship's restaurant, a log fire, time in the Ice Hotel at Kirkenes and out on the trail with huskies. In transporting the moisture away the merino also remained pretty much odour free.

As mentioned above, the Point6 base layes were complimented by the brand's 37.5 Hiking Essential Crew Merino Wool Socks.With a list price of £20 these are far from the most expensive merino socks I've tried and like most the merino iscombined with other materials to provide additional stretch and durability. IN the case of the Point6 socks these materials are 25% Nylon and 5% Spandex. 

As with the base layers the fit and comfort were both spot on and the extra cushioning was both noticeable and surprisingly welcome with midlayes sofshell trousers and outer layer salopettes collecting ice was reassuring to have socks that not only provided good wamth but softness against the skin. The elastication kept the socks perfectly in place through hours of use daily, irrespective of the activity, and kept the integrity of the merino base layer intact. There were no cold spots, but equally there wasn't an issue of overheating - just as important with prolonged periods sat with feel into the Arctic wind. Durability, of course, something that will take longer as unlike the base layers the socks were changed on a regular basis. But initial signs are positive and they're surprisingly good quality for the price.