Peter Macfarlane recommends the Fjallraven Sinji Henley base layer top after rigorous testing. Find out why.

The Fjallraven Singi Henley has a ‘retro thermal’ style with the three button neck but the fabric and fit make it a contemporary base layer.

Peter Macfarlane recommends

The price is high but the understated looks of the Sinji have had me wearing it both on and off from the hills.
Pros
  • fit
  • comfort
  • fabric
Cons
  • price
Quick specs
Price: $150 / £150 (available from Fjallraven)
Weight: 272g (L)
Materials: 91% merino wool, 9% polyamide
Features: crew neck with button opening, flat seams
Sizes: XS-XXL
Women’s Version? Yes
fjallraven.com

The fit is slim with a long body and long arms. The arms end in low profile double fabric cuffs which layer very well with other clothing and winter gloves. The fabric is a merino and nylon blend which is a good use of both materials; the merino gives you comfort and excellent odour resistance over repeated wears, and the nylon adds strength. I find this mix gives a little less stretch in the fabric, but the cut more than compensates. Raising my arms results in no hem lift, and I can easily pull up the cuffs to dump heat. Moisture management is mostly great with the potential for wetting out if working hard. The crew neck is comfortable and works well with other layers.

On my size large the buttons give a 70mm opening, around the same as a 1/4 length zip. The buttons are easy to operate with light gloves on and they don’t catch chest hair or a beard like zips often do. Old fashioned and simple solutions are sometimes the best.

The Sinji is quite a warm top – the merino is a slightly heavier than standard 210gsm, so its best suited for spring, autumn and winter use. The price is high but the understated looks of the Fjallraven Sinji Henley have had me wearing it both on and off from the hills.

Testing conditions

Peter has used these base layers as daily wear for nearly a year, on and off the hills, working hard on Munros or while repairing deer fencing as a countryside ranger. Each had a week’s constant wear to test the anti-odour qualities, and they’ve been through dozens of wash cycles. Peter is a size large and is 5’9’ tall. This review was first published in the March 2025 issue of The Great Outdoors.