Winter warmth, summer cool, a hiking top that does everything?

Love merino wool but sometimes find its fibres delicate on tough outdoor days? This clever merino hiking top adds a touch of synthetic exactly where it’s needed but leaves the rest to nature.

Designed to deliver comfort on tough hill days, the Isobaa women’s merino 180 SS hiking top is also good-looking enough for travel wear. Perfect for changing weather conditions, it has a two fabric design with all the top-notch moisture wicking you’d expect from merino wool and improved durability in the shoulder area for those backpacking days.

Merino tops for walking can be on the shapeless side but this one came with a figure-hugging fit and attractive detailing. Both the pure merino lower and the Polyamide/merino blend upper sections are soft to the touch and I like the amount of stretch given throughout by the waffle fabric. The colour is a favourite of mine and the button neckline is more flattering than a plain round one.

4/5 ****

PROS

Polyamide strengthening for backpacking

Long enough to tuck in or leave out

Moisture wicking and comfortable

Front buttons for on-the-go venting

Non-mulesing merino

CONS

The bust seam wasn’t correctly positioned for me

Might be too clingy for some people

I would have to give it a 5/5 for comfort. The waffle fabric has plenty of stretch, which means the top didn’t ride up when I was walking. It allowed me to move freely and was super soft against my skin.

Both. Although this is a short sleeve merino top, I’m intending to pack it as a base layer on a forthcoming autumn trip to Scotland. I have also felt cool wearing it through this summer’s heatwaves. Merino wool is extremely breathable and efficiently wicks both rain and sweat without getting smelly.

With its super-fine fibres, merino wool isn’t known for its durability, but Isobaa have been very clever with their synthetic blend fabric where rucksack straps are likely to rub.

Only time will truly answer this question but I feel as though the waffle fabric will add the strength that is perhaps missing from some merino base layers. If it doesn’t, merino wool tops are such a favourite of mine, I’ve become quite adept at mending them. I’ve used and abused previous items of Isobaa merino gear and they have stood the test of time well.

With a full price of £95, this isn’t a cheap hiking top option but it will do the job of several tops and won’t smell after several days walking. Looking at price alone, it compares favourably with merino tops from other popular outdoor merino manufacturers but has more technical and style features.

Currently on sale at £45 (September 2025)