Updated October 16, 2026. Prices checked October 16, 2026.
Two long-sleeve tops cost less than $60 and have independent tests behind them. The Helly Hansen LIFA Stripe Crew has the most evidence, with CleverHiker, OutdoorGearLab and Switchback Travel all listing it as a budget layer. The Merino.tech long sleeve is merino wool at $49.99, which helps with odor on multi-day trips, but OutdoorGearLab found the thin fabric less durable. The LIFA Stripe is a synthetic that CleverHiker says will start to smell over time.
How these scores are built. Base layers are judged mainly on breathability, which counts for 45% of the score. Comfort and fit counts 25%, and the other two criteria count 15% each. Based on: Independent tests by OutdoorGearLab, CleverHiker and Switchback Travel, manufacturer specifications and prices read on REI and a brand page. Most tests cover general outdoor use, not only hiking. Breathability comes from OutdoorGearLab's and GearJunkie's breathability scores where they cover the product, and from our estimate where no test scores it. We do not test products in person. 5 source pages are linked under the 2 products so you can check each finding. How we score.
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Product
Best for
Breathability
Score
1
Merino.tech Men's Merino Long Sleeve 165
Cheapest merino
8
7
2
Helly Hansen LIFA Stripe Crew
Best budget wicking
8
6.5
01
Merino.tech Men's Merino Long Sleeve 165
Cheapest merino, $49.99
7/10
Breathability 45%
8/10
Comfort and fit 25%
6.5/10
Odor control 15%
7.5/10
Durability 15%
4.5/10
Pros
OutdoorGearLab (67) gave the Merino.tech Crew a Best Buy award for value in 100% merino wool and praises its breathability.
Merino wool resists odor, as CleverHiker and Switchback Travel note for the other merino tops they tested.
Cons
OutdoorGearLab found the thin fabric not as durable and noticed overlock seams.
We matched the tested Merino.tech Crew to the long sleeve 165 on the brand's site by price and fabric, and could not confirm it is the same garment. OutdoorGearLab is the only independent test.
Readers in Germany, Canada, Spain, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, the United Kingdom and Sweden are sent to their own Amazon store, where prices show in local currency. The prices on this page are US prices.
02
Helly Hansen LIFA Stripe Crew
Best budget wicking, $50.00
6.5/10
Breathability 45%
8/10
Comfort and fit 25%
6.5/10
Odor control 15%
3/10
Durability 15%
5.5/10
Pros
CleverHiker (4.2 of 5), OutdoorGearLab (70) and Switchback Travel (best budget) list it and praise its breathability, quick drying and light weight, between 4.2 and 5.2 oz.
CleverHiker says it excels at wicking and dries very quickly.
Cons
CleverHiker says it is not odor resistant and will start to smell over time, and Switchback Travel says it is not warm enough for truly cold days.
Switchback Travel found cuff stitching that unraveled, and CleverHiker says it runs small. REI shows no owner reviews for this model.
Readers in Germany, Canada, Spain, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, the United Kingdom and Sweden are sent to their own Amazon store, where prices show in local currency. The prices on this page are US prices.
How we picked
Each score comes from independent tests (OutdoorGearLab, CleverHiker and Switchback Travel), manufacturer specifications and the price on a retailer or brand page. The tests cover general outdoor use as well as hiking. We do not test tops in person. Ratings are our assessment from what the reviewers report. Where a test says nothing about odor, we use the general finding for the fabric: synthetics score low and merino scores high.
What we left out
MEETYOO Men’s Thermal Underwear Set ($29, rated 6.8 of 10 by GearJunkie): Amazon showed our browser a price in euros, so we could not read a US price.
Carhartt Base Force Midweight Crew (about $39, rated 72 by OutdoorGearLab): the Carhartt site did not show prices to our browser, and OutdoorGearLab rates it for non-technical use.
REI Co-op Lightweight Crew, Long-Sleeve Crew and Half-Zip ($34.95 to $49.95): owner reviews only, no independent test.
Thermajohn compression top ($25, rated 62 by OutdoorGearLab): pilling after a few washes.
What to look for
Fabric: synthetic dries faster and costs less, and merino smells less on multi-day trips
Weight: a lightweight top suits warm days and hard climbs, and a midweight one suits cold mornings
Fit: several budget tops run small, so check the sizing notes
Questions
Why only two tops?
Only two long-sleeve tops under $60 had a price we could read and an independent test. The REI Co-op Lightweight tops cost $34.95 to $49.95, but we found no independent test for them.
Where do the prices come from?
The regular price on REI and Merino.tech on October 16, 2026. Sale and outlet prices are ignored.