Here in Maine, where cold weather lasts five to six months, wearing thermal base layers helps a body stay warm, indoors and out. The key is to find breathable layering garments that fit well and feel good, are easy to wash and a pleasure to wear. Two winters ago, having previously tried, but not loved various lower-priced options—cotton waffle-weave (bulky and baggy), silk pointelle (fragile and lingerie-see-through), cotton-polyester (pill-prone and stinky), and cotton-spandex leggings (clingy with holey knees and rotting elastic)—I was ready to try something different. Preferably a blend of natural fibers, in a subtle color that, if peeking out from under a shirt or pant leg, would not shriek “long underwear!”
Looking online, I found Engel’s line of merino-silk thermal long johns. I ordered their Women’s Thermal Base Leggings in a heather grey, and have enjoyed wearing them so much that I recently ordered their Women’s Thermal Undershirt, a long-sleeved scoop-neck top in a soft slate blue. Made in Germany and sold by U.S. online retailer EcoAble, Engel’s base-layer garments are, from what I’ve seen, beautifully designed and made to fit, flatter, and wear well. They may be a little pricier than other options but are well worth the investment. They offer warmth without bulk, even when wet—a definite plus when your adventures take you near or on the water.
Photographs by the authorEngel’s line of thermal base layers features natural fabrics and classic soft colors. I have the long-sleeved scoop-neck top in Mountain Blue and the leggings in Light Grey Mélange. The leggings have a sleek, snug fit and are long enough to comfortably tuck into a pair of crew socks.
Unlike other leggings I’ve owned and worn, these are sleek and itch-free, warm yet light, and fit like a glove—no sagging or bagging, no riding up or down, no tightness in the seat, calf, or crotch. The snugly warm yet breathable fabric is a lightweight (190 gsm) blend of 70% organic merino wool spun with 30% mulberry silk in a fine-rib knit that stretches and moves with your body and next layer of clothing, or as a stand-alone layer. I may be lucky in being a good fit with their women’s size chart (EU 38–40, S/M; I’m 5′ 6″, 115 lbs, usually a size 6, S, or 36) but can confirm that their garments fit me well and run true to size. Although the leggings gently hug my calves, I routinely tuck the hems into my socks to keep them from riding up under my jeans.
Engel states that the merino-silk fabric’s moisture-wicking properties make its thermal wear ideal for year-round use, and its line of women’s base layers does, indeed, include a tank top, shorter long johns, and a lace-trimmed camisole. The tank ($55.99) and long-sleeved undershirt ($78.99) come in Natural, Black, Dusty Rose, Light Grey Mélange (heather grey), Walnut, Red Mallow, Navy, Copper, Olive, and Mountain Blue; the leggings ($85.99) have a more limited range of colors. The men’s styles include thermal leggings, long-sleeved tops, and shorter versions in Black, Light Grey Mélange, Navy, Copper, and Walnut. The company also makes kids’ and babies’ sizes, so you can outfit the whole family.
The merino-silk thermal base-layer garments are both breathable and odor resistant, and I often simply air them out between wearings. When they need laundering I hand-wash them in lukewarm water, and lay them flat to air-dry. After two winters of regular wear, the leggings have held their shape without any sign of shrinkage, and the fabric is colorfast. The top shows every sign of delivering the same performance.
The merino-silk fabric is breathable, amazingly durable, odor-resistant, and easy to care for: simply air out between wearings, and hand-wash or spot-clean as needed. (After inadvertently getting a few drips of coffee on my new top, I was relieved to find the Mountain Blue fabric is colorfast, so that the spots completely disappeared after soaking in cool water, spot-treating with an enzyme stain remover, and hand-washing in cool water.) The Grey Mélange leggings I purchased two winters ago and wear daily in cold weather are still like new, with no signs of wear. I hand-wash them every week or so in cool/lukewarm water using a mild liquid detergent, roll them in a towel to squeeze out excess water, lay them flat on a drying rack, and they air-dry quickly.
When ordering my long-sleeved top in February, I found EcoAble’s stock low in some colors, and emailed their customer care manager, concerned about availability in this age of tariffs and supply-chain issues. She assured me the lower stock was simply due to it being the end of the season, and that they would be replenishing their inventory. “We’ve proudly carried Engel for many years and absolutely plan to continue offering their products for the foreseeable future.” 
Jane Crosen is Small Boats’ proofreader, as well as a mapmaker, editor, and publisher of two cookbooks and historic atlases. When not reading or writing she enjoys paddling, camping, and exploring lakes and ponds in Downeast Maine.
Engel’s full line of merino-silk thermal base-layer garments is available in the U.S. from EcoAble, and in Europe from Engel; prices vary.
Is there a product that might be useful for boatbuilding, cruising, or shore-side camping that you’d like us to review? Please email your suggestions.
For more reviews of cold- (and not so cold-) weather clothing, see:
Sealskinz, waterproof warmth for the extremeties.
Kokatat’s Launch Socks, slip-on nylon socks to keep lower legs and feet dry.
Ankle Deck Boots, comfortable waterproof short boots from Xtratruf
I have not tried the merino/silk blend, but can speak very positively of merino wool itself for base layers. The principal virtue in my experience is the nearly-total absence of foul odors, even after wearing under a dry suit for several days at a time. This is in contrast to any synthetics I have tried, which quickly become rancid to the point of making nearby plant life wilt. REI has several merino items under the brand “Smart Wool.” I highly recommend.