EDZ Merino 200g long sleeve V-neck top: review

Our reviewer loved this jumper for use in the winter — she found it to be warm without making you hot while riding

Having had a history of coming out in an itchy rash when wearing wool close to my skin, I was delighted to find I could wear this merino wool base layer top without experiencing any problems.

The top was accurately sized (I am a regular size 10 and the size 12 I had to test was on the large size for me as you would expect). It had good length in the body, meaning it didn’t ride up at the back leaving a gap between the top and my breeches – most important when you’re trying to stay warm while working on the yard or in the saddle. The arms were neither too short leaving my wrists to get cold, nor so long so they interfered with my gloves.

By adding this base layer to my normal winter wardrobe, I was able to stay toasty on cold days without adding additional layers. This allowed me to easily do normal horsey tasks like grooming and mucking out during the winter without being restricted by multiple layers of bulky clothing. I found that when I did get hot, I didn’t feel clammy and I didn’t start to smell (!) unlike when wearing some of my synthetic thermal long sleeved tops.

Being machine washable means this top is easy to care for. As the woolen cycle on my washing machine is broken, I washed it on the coloured cycle at 30degrees and it has not shown any pilling or shrinkage as a result. However, after a few washes, when separating it from other items in the wash, I managed to push a finger nail through the fabric, leading to a small hole developing on the back near my armpit (see picture above). I’ve continued to wear the item without any issues, and the hole hasn’t got any larger. Clearly I should have taken more care when handling the item while damp!

Verdict

I’d recommend this top to any rider looking for warmth without weight/thickness during the winter months