Customer Reviews Smartwool Merino 250 Base Layer Bottoms

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.

I wanted to go 100% Merino to reduce plastic use and still keep myself warm as well as Merino being more breathable. The problem is that it has started to develop holes in multiple places due to wear and I've only had them about 3 months.

As far as base layers go, it's warm. And soft as far as wool goes. It fits true to size. 3 stars because they don't stay up without me constantly pulling them up. I wish they had more elasticity so they'd stay on like typical leggings. Also attracts lint and hair

As a true baselayer it's a phenomenal piece. As a yoga pant replacement/leggings it isn't so great. The center seam causes bulging in the groin in a way that isn't so great. If these were made without a center seam they would be a perfect single purchase for every use item

Was really excited about the fun pattern of these and to have merino bottoms. Unfortunately the lack of any elastic or drawstring means these are constantly falling down. Sadly a letdown.

I was really disappointed in the quality of the product for the price. I washed them once right after I got them and on the first time wearing them noticed two holes right above the knee (one is already dime size). They are comfortable, but will not last long. I am sorry that I spent the money on them.

I have sensitive skin, and opt for merino wool over wool products because of this. This base layer was itchy right when I put it on, and the left leg felt smaller than the right around the buttocks.

The pants are ok. Pretty thin for the price, but the main issue is that a hole appeared pretty much right away. Will not buy their stuff again. I contacted them and had to sent them multiple pictures of the item and was asked to ship it back to them and then, in about 3 weeks!!! I would get the money back so I could purchase a new pair. It would be spring here then and I won't need wool pants.

I've purchased this item in three sizes. First, in size Small, which fit me perfectly 1-2 years ago. Now that I have gained weight (pay attention, younger ladies - this is what happens when you get older!), I ordered size Medium - since, logically, that's the next size up -and that's how all the other sizes have been for me. My size Small fit me better than size Medium - which was extremely tight and lower-waisted. Because of the tightness, the material was also super itchy in the beginning. Because the size Small had now become holey (?), I needed to order another pair, so I went according to the size chart and ordered a size Large. Well, the size Large is sadly baggier and not as close-fitting and cozily warm as the original size Small had been. I thought maybe if I wash them, they'll shrink and fit better. They didn't, too much. Something has changed in the sizing - and maybe if there was a little spandex or Latex, they would have a little stretch to help with the fit. These cost too much to have an improper fit.

This was purchased as a gift and was too small. The return process has been prohibitively difficult. I won't buy another smartwool product after this experience.

Really disappointed in your lack of a free return shipping option if the item doesn't fit, as most of your competitors have. Not worth ordering from you online if the customer has to take a risk and keep paying big bucks to courier it back to you. When I contacted customer service to confirm this was indeed the case (there was a bit of ambiguity in the online policy), they just copied and pasted the online policy I had told them I had already read and didn't really answer my question. I expected better from a big company like yours.

I wanted to love these. I was gifted a pair: soft, fit great, warm, but the crotch ripped after just 3 uses. Bummed about that.

Ended up havin to return them, as the legs fit me perfectly but the waist was too big

It doesn't fit me. I bought a merino base layer about 15 years ago (and I still wear it). So I ordered that same size. However, the new product is too snug around the waist for my preference, and the legs are way too long. I'm short and weigh about 110, so I'm not at all overweight. But this new version feels like a girdle--too constricting. Maybe some people want a tummy-flattening garment, but that wasn't my goal. If my (taller) daughter doesn't want it, I will return it.

I regularly wear wool-based clothing, including tights/leggings/bottoms such as these. I have never experienced excessive pilling such as I have with this item-- after just one washing (cool wash & line dry even) I am seeing large balls along the outside seam, from hip to thigh area! They have not been subjected to any high friction activity, and now look unwearable in public. I am very disappointed and expected better based upon the price.

I have worn various different brands of base layer leggings, and this was my first pair of smartwool base layers. I purchased them because friends rant and rave about the brand. I honestly was not that impressed with these leggings. For the price I expected a lot more. They felt like a thin pair of cheap leggings I could buy from just about anywhere. I really love my other smartwool clothing (fleece zip up, sweater, and socks), but I am pretty disappointed by this purchase.

These pants are weirdly low rise and slide down completely when hiking~by the end of 8 miles mine were barely holding on to cover my bottom. Maybe I would recommend them for men or extremely straight/narrow hipped women, but as someone with curvy hips the low rise was just painfully uncomfortable :(

Super long in the leg but short through the crotch, had to return.

Had hoped to replace my old waist high base layers, This version doesn't even rise above my navel, which, in my opinion, is useless for staying warm. They were also 3 inches longer than my old ones. I don't need leggings or tights to make fashion statements. I need good, warm, functional base layers

I use this under my scrubs at work... Working as a nurse outside, thanks to covid. The base layer top is amazing, the bottom's stitching have already begun to unravel after only a couple week's use. I expected better quality stitching for the price!