Customer Reviews Smartwool Merino 250 Base Layer Bottoms

I have many smartwool items and usually love them. The fit of these is off. There does not seem to be enough room in the butt which makes the waist line drop as soon as you do any actual movement. If it had a higher waistband or different fit in the butt these would be better

I purchased these for my upcoming backpacking trip since I'm a HUGE Smartwool fan (socks). Looking at the measurements and some comments on sizing I decided to size up, which now I'm conflicted about. The waistband feels like it sits weird (especially from the back) and the center crotch seam lowkey digs gnarly when I pull them up. It's not a very flexible seam so I don't even know if the M would've been comfortable. Either way, it feels like a woman didn't design these. Lots of bunching around my inner thighs. I love this brand so much and aside from the fit, the leggings are warm and feel great but like if the fit sucks, I'm not going to wear them comfortably. I paid a lot for leggings that don't fit me the way I'd like. Maybe I'll opt for the M. I really want these to work. I recommend Smartwool products all the time, but these leggings just fit so weird.

These are very warm, but they don't last. I've worn them a total of about 12 days, I was not hard on them, I washed according to the instructions, and yet there are holes all throughout them. The first hole, by the ankle, came on day three of wearing. There's now a few holes in the outside of one thigh, and several in the back, above my butt, as well as the crotch area. I love that these keep me warm while skiing, but I cannot pay 100+ dollars on a base layer pants that do not hold up with basic use.

I love the fabric (soft and cute pattern) but the rise is a bit short at the back for me, and the side seam on one leg twists around to the front.

Leg length is extremely long.

Wanted to love these - but seems to run short in the rise but really-really long in the legs. Will do the job - but much too Long for me (5'4"). Band sits below natural waist and doesn't quite cover the parts I want to keep warm.

Good fit but felt a little itchy.

These are super comfy but run large. I am true small in all of my pants but the small in these are noticeably loose on me.

Bought these as a base layer for colder weather. I would size up if you are bigger in the middle. Feels a little constricting. I am hoping they will loosen up with more wear. Otherwise, very soft and warm.

I bought this base layer to go snowboarding. It's super soft but it fits big and after wearing it for a bit the bottom part stretched and look sloppy. It looses its tight fit and shape.

I have a pair from 2017 and a pair from 2023. Both were gifted to me for Xmas. Obviously the older ones have sustained more wear, but they also keep shape better, have an entirely elastic wasitband, and have not had any holes. However the newer pit gets stretched out and falls down over time under my pants because they don't have an elastic waist. I also got a hole in the lower leg where the fabric was worn thin. These are still the best merino leggings I've had considering the warmth and price point, I just feel like the quality has decreased over time.

Fits great - plan to use as base layer under drysuit undergarment for polar diving. I think it'll work great.

Haven't worn this snowboarding yet, but it's so soft and washed well. I just wish it was a higher rise! For my long torso ladies/theydies, I don't think these are gonna stay on correctly when sitting, bending, or kneeling.

The pants are cute and the fabric is warm and cozy, but they are going back. Unfortunately camel toe is a thing :-(, and I would never want anyone to see that. Maybe an extra layer of fabric in that area or a different construction would help? I'm keeping the quarter zip top- love it!

I can't say how these perform because they were too large. They seem fine, but be wary of the sizing chart: I used it and my underlayer was definitely too large.

Nothing wrong with the actual leggings. Just not the color shown. They're actually more of a light blue vs the expected heathered white with light blue seams.

It came in very dirty from the factory. It's tends to be on the small size and not too starchy. I'll see how it'll hold after I wash it, hopfuly it wouldn't shrink.

These are my second pair. The first pair was perfect in every way, very comfortable and warm. But after washing the new pair they were extremely tight fitting. I'm hoping they will stretch out more with use.

For reference, I am 5' 6" and weigh 110 lbs. The medium was the right size. The small may be ok if you don't mind really tight pants that constrict your tummy. I prefer comfort over sexy so M would be my preference. However, I ended up returning these because it was quite clear, after trying them on for a few minutes, that I am allergic to wool. There were very itchy for me. Your experience may differ.

These were itchy and not that comfortable. Returned.

Waist fits nicely. Thighs run big!

Great product, runs too large. Customer support was quick to reply at first. Only way to get smaller size was to send back and re-order as opposed to exchange. Had bought original pair on sale so became too convoluted to get smaller size so just returned original.

Unfortunately I am an "Apple" shape. The legs fit perfectly but the waist is too tight.

This is rated less than the 250 base layer that I bought first (1/4 zip) which I rated 5 and am very enthusiastic about. I rated this one down, maybe should be to 3.5 because the fabric is not nearly as nice, not as substantial feeling, doesn't keep shape as well. I have no explanation other than this one is made in China and the other in Vietnam. Both are advertised as 100% merino wool. I will wear it because it is warm, and a good color. Another commenter indicated it was more like long underwear, which seems right, not form fitting.

I live in the Adirondacks year-round… The winters are very cold! I have loved my smart wool tights for brisk morning walks, even without another layer. It seems they are no longer manufacturing the outdoor tights with the pockets in the legs, much to my disappointment. I bought these, hoping they would be the same thing only without the pockets… Wrong! They are warm and toasty. Yes. I could wear them as pajama bottoms. But for single layer outdoors, they are just long underwear. And they don’t fit like tights… They are baggy. I am keeping them, in case I want an extra under layer, or as pajamas, but I’m disappointed that they cannot replace the ones with the pockets.