Arc'Teryx's Satoro AR base layers top and bottom are high-end mid-weight (180g/m2) Merino baselayers designed for all-day backcountry use - and that means their job is to keep you warm when it's cold, and dry when you're working up a sweat.
The magical reputation of merino wool goes before it: it's not scratchy against the skin, it is a great insulator and doesn't retain odours. In all these respects we found Arc'teryx's baselayers delivered, plus, they are hardwearing.
This last quality has been by no means a given with other Merino baselayers, which have been too easy to damaged both on the trails and in the washing machine. Arc'teryx has managed this extra toughness with its clever Nucliex wool.
This yarn is created by wrapping Merino fibres around a nylon core filament, and Arc'teryx claims that it is 20 percent stronger in burst strength tests, and 50 percent more abrasion resistant than normal Merino wool.
We certainly never found it wanting on the toughness front, even after a few washes and multi-day camping adventures where we wore these base layers day and night for several days.
Figure-hugging but on the comfortable side of tight, the Satoro AR top and bottoms hold their shape well thanks to added Elastane fibres. This next-to-skin fit and that Merino wool magic meant that we were kept warm on those cold nights and dry when layered up and working hard in the daylight - just as we were promised.
There are absolutely no rubbing points here except perhaps the price. Arc'teryx devotees will be accustomed to this but even if you're not, all we can do is assure you that the versatility, performance, quality, toughness and odour resistance of these Satoro AR base layers will have you using them for years - and soon enough you'll have forgotten how much they cost.
