Lara Dunn rates the Berghaus Women’s MTN Guide Long Sleeve Half Zip her Best in Test – and it wins in our Gear of the Year Awards baselayer category. Find out why.

With a mix of synthetic and wool the Berghaus Women’s MTN Guide Long Sleeve Half Zip is a light-to-midweight baselayer designed to be an all-rounder for all seasons and levels of energy expenditure.

Lara Dunn’s Best in Test

With excellent levels of comfort and temperature maintenance, a versatile level of warmth and lifetime repairability, it’s hard to argue with the MTN Guide as a great all-round baselayer.
Pros
  • versatile
  • warmth to weight ratio
  • breathable
Cons
  • can catch on dry or rough skin
Quick specs
Price: $115 / £85 (available from Berghaus)
Weight: 151g (size 16)
Materials: 64% polyester/36% wool
Features: Deep ½ zip, gusseted underarms, flatlocked seams, elastic loops at cuffs
Sizes: UK8-18
Men’s Version? Yes
berghaus.com

The fabric is extremely stretchy, very soft and highly breathable, lightweight, yet warm when layered. One of the key selling points of this top, and one that arguably justifies the slightly elevated price point, is that it is part of Berghaus’ Repairhaus programme. This means that the garment is eligible for free repairs throughout its life, with postage being the only cost to the owner – the ultimate in sustainability. I’m happy to spend an extra £20 or so for an eternal garment.

The fit is ample in the torso and sleeves, but not too long. Soft elastic loops at the cuffs give a secure fit when layering up and allow for extra wrist cosiness, while the sleeves are stretchy enough to roll up if too warm. A dropped rear hemline and a bold reflective logo in the middle of the back mean it’s a useful top for running and cycling (when it might be more often worn alone) as well as hiking, while the underarm gussets mean that there’s plenty of freedom of movement for climbers and scramblers too.

The deep front zip gives plenty of ventilation and the airy fabric doesn’t overheat easily. There’s just one tiny snag in this exceptionally capable top and that is that the soft knit Polartecâ PowerWoolä fabric does catch a little on any dry or rough skin, which can be off-putting for those who tend to have rough hands.

With excellent levels of comfort and temperature maintenance, a versatile level of warmth and lifetime repairability, it’s hard to argue with the MTN Guide as a great all-round baselayer.

Testing Conditions

Lara wore the baselayers during wet autumn and cold, snowy winter conditions on a mix of walks in the Malvern Hills, Brecon Beacons and Black Mountains. She takes a high street size 14, sometimes 16 and is 5’5” tall.

This review was first published in the March 2025 issue of The Great Outdoors.