Reiff · Women's Base Layer Leggings
Women's Thermal Base Layer Leggings, 100% Merino Wool
German-made midweight merino wool leggings from heritage manufacturer Reiff. Fine, soft merino designed for layering through cold weather, from hiking to everyday wear. Certified organic, naturally breathable, and built to last.
About the Maker
Reiff: Heritage German Knitwear Since 1939
Reiff has been producing organic wool and wool-blend apparel in Gingen, Germany since 1939, when founder Adolf Reiff established the company with a single knitting machine. Today, now in its third generation of family ownership, Reiff remains committed to hand-finished, in-house flat knitting and full-process control over its organic merino pieces.
In 2002, siblings Axel and Andrea Reiff took over the business and shifted production exclusively to organic textiles. The company sources merino from kbT-certified organic farms in South America (Patagonia), processing and knitting it in Germany. Reiff's commitment to transparency, fair labor, and chemical-free production has made it a trusted choice for families and adults seeking natural fiber basics that hold up through years of wear and multiple children.
When to Wear
Layering for Cold Weather
These midweight merino leggings are designed as a primary base layer for cool and cold weather, typically 5–15°C (41–59°F). Worn alone or as the first layer under pants or snow gear, they provide steady, breathable warmth without bulk. The rib knit is stretchy and forgiving, making them comfortable for active outdoor use—hiking, skiing, exploring—as well as everyday wear under everyday clothes for those in genuinely cold climates.
Many wearers keep a pair in regular rotation through autumn, winter, and early spring; they transition well between seasons depending on what you layer over them. In very cold conditions (below 5°C / 23°F), pair with a midweight or heavier outer layer. In mild cold (10–15°C / 50–59°F), they often stand alone or under light pants.
What It's Made Of
Materials & Construction
Fiber
100% merino wool, GOTS-certified organic. Merino is naturally soft (fine micron count), temperature-regulating, and naturally resistant to odor and bacteria. Unlike synthetic base layers, merino doesn't trap odors and can be worn multiple times between washes.
Construction
Fine rib knit—elastic, stretchy, and form-fitting. The ribbed structure creates an air-trapping layer close to skin while remaining lightweight and compressible enough to layer easily under other clothes.
Certifications
GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) and kbT (kontrolliert biologische Tierhaltung). kbT means the wool comes from certified organic livestock farms with strict animal welfare standards and no routine antibiotics or growth promoters.
Made in Germany
Designed and produced in Gingen, Germany by Reiff. In-house flat knitting and finishing ensure quality control from yarn to finished garment.
What Makes It Work
Core Benefits
Temperature Regulating
Merino wool naturally adapts to your body temperature, warming when you're cold and releasing heat when you're active. No overheating, even during movement.
Odor Resistant
Merino resists bacterial growth that causes odor. These leggings can be worn multiple times between washes, making them practical for travel and reducing laundry load.
Stretchy & Lightweight
The rib knit is forgiving and stretchy without feeling bulky. Easy to layer under everyday pants or snow gear without adding visible bulk at the ankle or waist.
Soft & Gentle on Skin
Fine merino wool at 17–19 microns is soft enough for sensitive skin. The fabric softens further with gentle washing and wear over time.
How to Fit
Size Chart
Sizing note: European sizing runs slightly slim. If you're between sizes or prefer a snug fit, size up.
| Size |
Inseam (in) |
Rise (in) |
Waist (in) |
| X-Small |
28 |
10 |
22–28 |
| Small |
28 |
10 |
24–30 |
| Medium |
28 |
11 |
25–31 |
| Large |
28.5 |
11.5 |
26–32 |
| X-Large |
28.5 |
12 |
27–33 |
Be Real About It
What You Should Know
Best For
Cold-weather athletes, outdoor enthusiasts, and anyone who layers thoughtfully. These work for people with sensitive or eczema-prone skin looking for natural fiber base layers. Also ideal for those who dislike synthetic feel and want genuine temperature regulation over high-tech marketing. Good travel companion—wear multiple days without washing.
Trade-Offs
Wool sensitivity: Fine merino at 17–19 microns is soft enough for most sensitive-skinned people and babies. However, a small percentage of people remain sensitive to wool fiber itself, regardless of micron count. If your skin has reacted to wool before, start with a wool/silk blend instead (Reiff offers this option). Care commitment: Wool requires hand or delicate machine washing in cold water with wool-specific detergent. Hot water, agitation, and tumble drying will felt and shrink the leggings. Price: Organic merino from a heritage German maker costs more than synthetic alternatives. The trade-off is durability, breathability, and no chemical treatment.
Investment Case
A quality pair of wool base layer leggings can last 5–10 years of regular use with proper care. Unlike synthetic base layers that pill and degrade, merino improves with wear and washing. If you live in a cold climate or travel frequently, this is a one-time purchase that justifies itself through longevity and reduced replacement cycles. Made by a maker that has been in business for 85 years and stands behind its products.
How to Care
Washing & Maintenance
Hand wash or delicate cycle Cold water only Wool detergent Lay flat to dry No tumble dry
Washing: Hand wash or use the wool/delicate cycle on your machine with cold water and a wool-specific detergent (such as Eucalan or Sonett). Fill the machine half to three-quarters full. Do not soak for extended periods. Gently press water out of the garment—never wring or twist. Spin speed should not exceed 400 revolutions per minute (most delicate cycles meet this).
Drying: Lay flat to dry away from direct heat or sunlight. Wool naturally resists odor and rarely needs washing after single wears—air drying between uses is often enough. With proper care, these leggings will soften and improve over years of use.
Why it matters: Hot water, heavy agitation, and high heat cause wool fibers to felt together, creating permanent shrinkage and loss of stretch. Once felted, wool cannot be restored to its original state. Learning to hand-wash wool takes 5 minutes and becomes automatic.
Questions
Frequently Asked
Will these make me itch?
Fine merino at 17–19 microns is soft and unlikely to cause irritation in most people. However, wool sensitivity is real for a small percentage. If you've had bad experiences with wool before, try a wool/silk blend first—the silk softens the hand and is gentler on reactive skin. You can also "break in" wool by wearing it briefly at first and washing gently in cool water; over time, the fiber becomes softer as lanolin in the wool conditions your skin contact.
How often should I wash them?
Merino resists odor naturally. Most people wear merino base layers 3–5 times before washing. Air them out between wears. If they need spot cleaning, use cold water and wool wash on a small area and let air dry. Full washing can happen monthly or less frequently depending on use.
Can I machine wash on delicate?
Yes, if your machine has a genuine wool or delicate cycle with cold water and low spin (under 400 rpm). Use wool-specific detergent. Do not use regular laundry detergent, which can strip the natural lanolin and make the fiber brittle. Air dry afterward.
What temperature range are these for?
These midweight merino leggings work as a primary base layer for 5–15°C (41–59°F). In colder conditions, layer them under heavier pants or thermal bottoms. In warmer transitional weather, they may overheat if worn under heavy outerwear, but they excel as a solo layer or under light pants in cool fall and spring.
Are they see-through?
No. The rib knit and merino density provide full opacity. They're opaque enough to wear alone or layered, depending on your preference.
Will they shrink?
Only if washed incorrectly (hot water, agitation, or tumble drying). Wash in cold water with wool detergent and lay flat to dry, and they will retain their size and stretch indefinitely.
Why are they more expensive than synthetic base layers?
Organic merino is more costly to source than petroleum-based synthetics, and Reiff's in-house German production adds labor costs. The return on investment comes from durability—these leggings last 5–10 years instead of 1–2, and they improve with wear rather than pill and degrade. Plus, you're supporting a company that has been making ethical, transparent textiles since 1939.
