Patagonia women's Merino Tank

Soft top for hard wear

Product

Women’s Merino 1 Tank

Promise

With more eco-credentials than Sting (even the labels are recycled), this top promises to keep the wearer dry, fresh smelling and comfortable no matter how high temperatures rise.

Performance

The combination of 63% chlorine-free merino wool and 37% all-recycled polyester makes this top unbelievably soft and incredibly light while the natural sweat-wicking, breathable properties of the fabric kept our skin remarkably cool in even the hottest, stickiest conditions. It’s technically a base layer but works just as well as a top because the proportions are just right; plenty of room at the neck and arm holes for ventilation and ease of movement but enough material to avoid inadvertently flashing your bra or tummy. And, if the vibrant Fusion Sunset colour isn’t to your taste, opt for the black version, which is smart enough to layer under a jacket or cardigan in the evening, giving you more for your money.

After a day’s wear, it was astonishingly pong-free and dried almost instantly after a cool wash. Disappointingly, though, after only one day the fabric started to ‘pil’ on the sides, making it look (as well as feel) like a much-worn and washed old top.

Luckily, like all their products, this tank is covered by the Patagonia Ironclad Guarantee, which means that, if it doesn’t perform to your satisfaction, you can get a repair, replacement or refund, which goes some way to justifying the price tag. Plus, you can console yourself that at the end of its life, your top will go to a good place thanks to Patagonia’s Common Threads Recycling Program, which ensures your retired garment is turned into a brand, spanking new item, ready for a whole new adventure.

Verdict   

Feels fantastic, performs like a top-class athlete but the fabric lacks staying power.