Highland Hiker - Patagonia® Performance Baselayers Capilene® & Wool

Patagonia® Performance Baselayers

Capilene® Performance Characteristics

Quick to wick, quick to dry
Designed for fast-forward aerobic activities
Now with Gladiodor natural odor control
Made with recycled polyester (50% recycled content or more)
100% recyclable
Machine washable

Capilene® 1

Stay dry and cool in this silky baselayer designed for high-exertion, hot weather pursuits.

Ideal Uses: Trail running, sea kayaking, flats fishing, hiking, climbing, summer mountaineering.

Capilene® 2

Stay dry and cool in this highly breathable baselayer designed for a wide range of exertion levels.

Ideal Uses: Mountain biking, trail running, climbing, hiking.

Capilene® 3

Stay dry and warm in this versatile baselayer designed for moderate exertion in cool to cold weather.

Ideal Uses: Backcountry skiing/snowboarding, Nordic skiing, climbing, kayaking, hiking.

Capilene® 4

Stay dry and warm in this stretchy baselayer designed for high-output stop-and-go activities in cold weather.

Ideal Uses: Ice climbing, skiing, snowboarding, cold-weather mountaineering, fly fishing.

Wool Performance Characteristics

100% merino wool is the ideal natural fiber for performance baselayers
Regulates body temperature by controlling the rate of evaporative cooling
Soft next to skin
Naturally odor resistant
Chlorine-free
Machine washable

Wool 2

Stay warm and dry in this versatile natural-fiber baselayer designed for moderate exertion in cool to cold weather.

Ideal Uses: Mountaineering, skiing, trekking, snowboarding, climbing, cycling.

Wool 3

Stay dry and warm in this breathable natural-fiber baselayer designed for moderate exertion in cool to cold weather.

Ideal Uses: Mountaineering, skiing, trekking, snowboarding, climbing, cycling.

Wool 4

Stay dry and warm in this toasty natural-fiber baselayer designed for stop-and-go activities in cold conditions.

Ideal Uses: Mountainerring, skiing, trekking, snowboarding, sailing.

How to choose

Both fabrics move moisture away from the skin, provide environmentally safe odor control, and are machine washable, but there are some key differences between the two.

When should I choose wool over Capilene Polyester?

If you prefer the feel of a natural fiber on your skin
For a fabric that's warmer for its weight than Capilene polyester
For natural odor control that will not diminish even with repeated washings

When should I choose Capilene Polyester over Wool?

For more fast-forward aerobic activities
For hot-weather activities (Capilene 1)
For a quicker drying fabric
If you have an allergy to wool

Fabric: Capilene® Polyester Baselayer

Patagonia® Capilene® is still a moisture-wicking polyester fabric that keeps you warm even when wet and dries quickly. Now, Capilene Polyester is also recycled, recyclable and features Gladiodor™ natural odor control.

Technology: Gladiodor™ Natural Odor Control

The story

Most companies use heavy-metal (silver) ions to kill the bacteria that causes odor in their clothing:

Heavy metals are a major groundwater pollutant
Heavy metals are not safe for human ingestion
Bacteria can build resistance to silver

These risks were unacceptable to Patagonia®, so they developed a safe, nonpolluting alternative:

Gladiodor™ natural odor control comprises naturally derived amino acid chains
Gladiodor™ technology kills odor-causing bacteria
Gladiodor™ technology is nonpolluting and safe for humans
Gladiodor™ natural odor control is durable

Fabric: Merino Wool Baselayer

Only a few ranches in the world are capable of growing wool that meets Patagonia's standards for Performance Baselayers. Even though all wool retains its insulative qualities while wet, only exceptionally fine wool can wick moisture away from the skin. Patagonia buys only 100% merino wool from three superbly run ranches in the southern alps of New Zealand capable of producing wool fiber to an 18.5 micron fineness, or about 1/5 as thick as a human hair. Patagonia is confident that their wool is the best in the world for use as a moisture-managing baselayer. And it is exceptionally soft against the skin, naturally odor-resistant and machine washable.

There are other benefits. Environmental standards for stock raising are stringent. The ratio of head to hectare is low. The sheep graze on natural grass and drink spring water. They are not subject to painful mulesing. Their wool, because it is so fine can be slow-washed without environmentally harmful chlorine.

Wool performance charateristics:

100% merino wool is the ideal natural fiber for Performance Baselayers
Regulates body temperature by controlling the rate of evaporative cooling
Soft next to skin
Naturally moves moisture away from skin
Naturally odor resistant
Chlorine-free
Machine washable (lay flat to dry)