The Alpkit Kepler Long Sleeve is particularly good value for a pure merino base layer, and is also lovely and soft, and I found little or no discernible itch when wearing it next to my skin. It’s a simple design, but effective, with slim raglan sleeves, a crew neck, bound cuffs and neck, and thumb loops to hold the cuffs in place. Flat lock seams ensure that there’s no chafing on the skin.
Lucy’s verdict
It is warm, comfortable, if a little snug, and practical for winter use especially in cold dry conditions.- Warm
- Good Odour management
- Excellent value merino base layer
- merino doesn’t suit all users and conditions
| Quick specs | |
|---|---|
| Price: £59.99 Weight: 141g (size 12) Materials: 100% non-mulesing merino wool Features: crew neck, flatlock seams, long sleeves, thumb loops Sizes: 8-18 Men’s version: yes https://alpkit.com/ |
The size 12 that I tested feels snug. The fit on the Alpkit Kepler Long Sleeve is intended to be figure hugging, but there is not as much stretch in the fabric as I would like so it can feel a bit restrictive. The good news is that it’s available in a relatively wide range of sizes, going up to a size 18. I would probably feel more comfortable going up a size.
Like all pure merino, it copes well with body odours over multiple days but is slower to dry than synthetic fibres. If it gets sweaty, it can stay damp, but doesn’t feel cold or clammy, because the wool continues to insulate even when damp (unlike cotton for example). The Kepler is warm, and is ideal as a cold weather base layer, or a warm layer for cool mornings and evenings.
Alpkit source their wool from high welfare non-mulesing sources (mulesing is a method of preventing fly strike on sheep by removing skin from the buttocks of sheep, causing scarring), making this natural fibre base layer an ethical choice. It is warm, comfortable, if a little snug, and practical for winter use especially in cold dry conditions.
