Falke Merino Wool Tech Tights and Vest review

Whether you’re just not putting the heating on, or you’re out being active, these Falke Merino base layers will keep you cosy.

• Price: £89.00 tights, £74.00 singlet
• From: Falke

These thermal under garments arrived in late October, and they’ve been an indispensable part of my wardrobe this winter. The vest (or singlet, as it is officially titled) is in fact a men’s one, though a women’s cut is available. The tights are a women’s specific fit.

The tights are made of 55% Merino Wool, 43% Polyamide, 2% Elastane, and the knit is mapped to fit around the body and give flexibility of movement during sports. The Singlet is also knitted to give flexibility, but has a very slightly different mix at 55% Virgin Wool, 44% Polyamide, and 1% Elastane. The Singlet is meant for warm and cold outdoor weather, while the tights are for cold to very cold.

Whether it’s the knit or the colour that makes the difference, I’m not sure, but the vest would be passable as an outer garment. However, the tights are definitely undergarments only – they’re very thin and somewhat see through. Don’t be wearing them to a yoga class! I like the fact that they’re full length, and a good long fit even on my 32inch inseam – no cold ankles! Another reason to keep the tights as undergarments is to prolong their life – like anything knitted, they’re not friend to brambles and spikes. I would be very sad to put a hole in these, I want to wear them for many winters to come!

What both these items really have in their favour is that they are completely not itchy. I am ridiculously sensitive to wool, and prone to finding itchy what others consider to be super soft. If it weren’t for how cosy these are, I wouldn’t think they have wool in. They’re easy to wash too – 30 degrees in the machine is fine.

Both fit like a second skin, fine and snug enough to fit under most clothes. I’ve worn them on bike rides, just sitting around working from home, at the climbing wall, and they’re coming snowboarding. You can wear them for plenty of days and they don’t go saggy or baggy – a massive plus when it comes to leggings, as far as I’m concerned.

Overall

I’ve been the owner of a pair of Falke merino knee socks for what must be at least six years now, and they’re still going strong. If these leggings and singlet prove to be as long lasting, they’ll be well worth the slightly higher price tag compared to some other merino options. However, I do think you get what you pay for when it comes to merino, and if you want the softest itch free fine fabric, then you’ll find it right here.

Review Info

Hannah Dobson

Managing Editor

I came to Singletrack having decided there must be more to life than meetings. I like all bikes, but especially unusual ones. More than bikes, I like what bikes do. I think that they link people and places; that cycling creates a connection between us and our environment; bikes create communities; deliver freedom; bring joy; and improve fitness. They're environmentally friendly and create friendly environments. I try to write about all these things in the hope that others might discover the joy of bikes too.

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