Outdoor Research Alpine Onset Merino 150 Hoodie Base Layer Review

Bottom Line

After thoroughly testing our favorite base layers in various conditions, from powder days in the Rockies to windy trips in the dry, sandy desert, we’ve concluded that the Outdoor Research Alpine Onset Merino 150 Hoodie is specially designed to handle the toughest conditions.

The thumb holes and the unique three-panel hood with a built-in balaclava provide full coverage to shield you from wind, cold, and sun exposure. It also makes for an especially comfortable sleep layer, potentially removing the need for a beanie and buff. 

In terms of warmth, the Alpine Onset Hoodie hits the sweet spot for a year-round base layer. It retains body heat through the neck and head for active winter activities but isn’t too warm for summer mountain outings.

For the hot and humid conditions of the East Coast, however, there are better options available. Overall, we believe the Alpine Onset Merino 150 Hoodie provides great value in tough conditions that more than justify its higher price.

How We Tested

For measurable features like moisture-wicking and drying time, we test each base layer through a round of lab testing. We also spend hundreds of days in the backcountry skiing, hiking, and backpacking to gain real-world experience with every piece of gear. 

Comfort

The OR Alpine Onset hoodie offers comparable comfort to most other base layers, with a focus on cold weather practicality. The non-mulesed merino wool feels comfortable against the skin – it has that characteristic mild itchiness of brand new wool, but not excessively so – and the flat-seam construction prevents seams from rubbing and chafing.

The hoodie also features raglan sleeves, which enhance mobility. Its longer fit works well as a foundation for a complete layering system, but it may be unnecessary as a standalone layer.

The signature hood with a built-in balaclava places the Alpine Onset hoodie into a niche category. While it’s pretty comfortable when wearing it, it tends to bunch up around the neck underneath other layers when not in use. It can take some time to figure out exactly where the extra material should rest. Using the hood alone without the facemask is possible, but a bit awkward.

Moisture Management

This hoodie manages moisture reasonably well, but we wouldn’t recommend relying on it as a high-activity base layer. In our lab testing, we found that it wicks moisture surprisingly effectively for a wool base layer, rivaling some of the synthetic layers on our list. Its breathability is average, making it comparable to other layers without standing out.

The warm, 150gsm merino wool dries reasonably quickly, but its weak spot in moisture management is definitely drying time. To compensate, its impressive moisture-wicking ability helps move wetness to the outer layers of the fabric and away from the skin, reducing the chilling effect of wearing a sweaty base layer.

Warmth

The Alpine Onset Hoodie offers a balanced level of medium warmth to keep you comfortable on most adventures without feeling suffocated. At first glance, this hoodie functions well as an active winter base layer. Its full-coverage hoodie and balaclava add extra warmth from the waist to the crown, and the extended torso stays securely tucked into your pants.

That said, it’s still light and breathable enough for shoulder seasons and even some chilly summer outings. Because of the extra material on the hood, we wouldn’t recommend this hoodie for humid, muggy conditions.

Wool is one of our favorite base layer materials because of its lightweight and breathable warmth. We think that anywhere from 150-200 grams per square meter in fabric weight is the sweet spot for a year-round base layer, and the Alpine Onset falls at the lower end of that range. Although it’s a bit light to serve as a standalone layer in cold weather, the Alpine Onset Hoodie significantly boosts your warmth as part of a full layering system.

Features & Versatility

The Alpine Onset Hoodie is a highly functional and versatile base layer. It features raglan sleeves for better mobility, thumb holes that secure the sleeves and provide extra warmth and protection for the hands, and, most notably, a three-panel hood with a built-in balaclava.

The hood and balaclava help retain body heat where it matters most. We love it as a sleep layer when backpacking or as a built-in ski mask that fits easily under a helmet.

Less obviously, the hood and face mask provide extra protection from UV rays and wind. When we say the balaclava offers full coverage, it really provides full coverage. The face mask easily extends all the way up to the eyeballs so that no skin on the face goes unprotected.

With the mentioned features and capabilities, this hoodie is a viable option for adventures in most seasons, depending on the conditions.

Should You Buy the Outdoor Research Alpine Onset Hoodie?

If you’re looking for a 3.5-season base layer to keep you protected in harsh conditions, the Alpine Onset hoodie could be a game-changing piece of gear for you. Its thorough and cohesive feature set eliminates the need for extra gear, reducing pack weight and simplifying layering. From the thumb holes to the balaclava hood, this layer has all the features you need. 

The 150gsm fabric weight hits the ideal balance for versatile warmth, and its decent moisture-wicking and breathability help reduce any chilling from a sweaty back. Although it dries infinitely faster than cotton, the Alpine Onset isn’t the quickest drying layer on our list. 

It is admittedly one of the pricier base layers, but the cost is justified by the numerous extra features. Overall, we believe the Alpine Onset hoodie could be the ideal base layer for harsh conditions and is worth the investment.

What Other Base Layers Should You Consider?

Why just rely on a single base layer all year round? Check out all the other base layers to equip yourself with an entire arsenal of favorites.

Smartwool Intraknit Thermal Review: The Intraknit is made from a similar blend of wool, polyester, and elastane to provide both warmth and mobility. With its mesh ventilation zones, it’s designed for high-output activity while remaining exceptionally warm.

REI Midweight Half Zip Review: For a warm, versatile, and feature-rich base layer, the REI Midweight half-zip is hard to beat for the price. Its feature set differs from the Alpine Onset hoodie, but it offers much more than a blank canvas and is easy on the wallet.

Ibex Woolies Pro Tech Review: If the hood and face-mask seem a bit much to you, this is a simple and straightforward base layer that will keep you just as warm. It’s similarly weighted, has a long torso, and features one of the softest wool blends we’ve ever felt.