This Badlands merino wool jersey could just as easily have been included in the baselayer section, with its lightweight, high wicking properties and super-comfortable fine merino wool mix perfect next to the skin.
In fact would have excelled there as we are currently finding out, using it as we are in the colder months of the year underneath multiple layers, through all sorts of weather.
The long body with extended back coverage is superb, as are the long sleeves and comfortable crew neck, all adding up to a real comforting jersey to pull on.
Yet the styling and slightly looser cut than a standard baselayer mean it can just as happily be worn as a jersey on its own for a summer's day on the trail, where effective moisture transfer and open weave keep it dry and comfortable at all times. Long sleeves keep the sun off while the slightest breeze can blow through, cooling when needed. Yet throw a light windproof over it and the Badlands quickly traps air to insulate.
Unfortunately, as with all Sweet Protection kit, it isn't cheap. But you get what you pay for in quality, and it has rapidly become one of those multi-purpose garments that just gets used again and again. In that sense it starts to look better value.
