• Tern Ultralight Merino Wool Tee (Original Nylon Blend)
  • Tern Ultralight Merino Wool Tee (Original Nylon Blend)
  • Tern Ultralight Merino Wool Tee (Original Nylon Blend)
  • Tern Ultralight Merino Wool Tee (Original Nylon Blend)
  • Tern Ultralight Merino Wool Tee (Original Nylon Blend)
  • Tern Ultralight Merino Wool Tee (Original Nylon Blend)
  • Tern Ultralight Merino Wool Tee (Original Nylon Blend)
  • Tern Ultralight Merino Wool Tee (Original Nylon Blend)
  • Tern Ultralight Merino Wool Tee (Original Nylon Blend)
  • Tern Ultralight Merino Wool Tee (Original Nylon Blend)
  • Tern Ultralight Merino Wool Tee (Original Nylon Blend)
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Tern Ultralight Merino Wool Tee (Original Nylon Blend)

Odor Resistant Base Layer For The Backcountry

$49.97 $54.97
Membership Pricing: $44.97
  • Naturally odor and bacteria resistant merino wool
  • Ultralight weight
  • Dries faster than typical merino wool blends
Fabric
Size
Color
7 in stock
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Description

The Tern Ultralight Tee is designed to give you the comfort of merino wool with the performance needed for real backcountry use. Built with an ultralight NuYarn™ merino blend, it delivers breathability, odor resistance, and temperature regulation in a layer that adapts to changing conditions. Whether you're hiking in exposed sun, moving through cool mornings, or dealing with shifting weather, it helps you stay comfortable without constantly changing layers.

At just around 5 oz, the Tern works as both a sun shirt and a base layer, giving you full coverage without unnecessary bulk. It dries faster and holds its shape better than traditional merino, while still offering the natural feel and multi-day performance wool is known for. For backpacking, travel, and long days outdoors, it’s a versatile layer built to do more than a standard shirt.
Specs
  • Fabric: 115 GSM Merino Wool blend - 58% merino (18 micron) / 42% nylon, knit
  • Fit: Close
  • The Tern hoodie should fit close to skin and fit easily beneath other layers.
  • Gender: Men's sizing (see product images for how the Tern fits women)
  • PFAS free


Care: This product is built for ultralight performance, & was not built to withstand abrasion.

Do not wash in a machine that has an agitator. Use mild detergent on a delicate cycle with cold water. Hang dry.

Note: If used with a backpack, some pilling may occur. Pilling will not affect performance, & is not covered under warranty.

Warranty: Outdoor Vitals Performance Promise
Key Features

True Flat-Lock Seams

Raglan Sleeves

Minimal Clean Collar Hood

Excellent Stretch

Moisture Wicking

Bacteria/Odor Resistant

Quick Drying

UPF Rating 36+

Merino vs. Synthetic - Which Is Better?

Stronger Than Traditional Merino

Where The Tern Tee Fits In Your System

Merino vs. Synthetic - Which Is Better?

Synthetic tops excel in extreme heat and fast drying, but they tend to retain odor and feel less comfortable over time. The Tern combines natural odor resistance, temperature regulation, and improved durability to create a more versatile layer for multi-day use.

If your priority is comfort, versatility, and extended wear, the Tern is the better choice.

Merino vs. Synthetic - Which Is Better?

Synthetic tops excel in extreme heat and fast drying, but they tend to retain odor and feel less comfortable over time. The Tern combines natural odor resistance, temperature regulation, and improved durability to create a more versatile layer for multi-day use.

If your priority is comfort, versatility, and extended wear, the Tern is the better choice.

Stronger Than Traditional Merino

The Tern uses NuYarn™ technology, which wraps merino fibers around a synthetic core to improve durability, stretch, and shape retention. This makes it significantly stronger than traditional merino wool while maintaining the natural comfort and performance of wool.

It’s built for real use in backpacking and outdoor conditions — not just casual wear.

Stronger Than Traditional Merino

The Tern uses NuYarn™ technology, which wraps merino fibers around a synthetic core to improve durability, stretch, and shape retention. This makes it significantly stronger than traditional merino wool while maintaining the natural comfort and performance of wool.

It’s built for real use in backpacking and outdoor conditions — not just casual wear.

Where The Tern Tee Fits In Your System

The Tern Ultralight Tee is designed as a primary base layer that adapts to changing conditions.

  • Warm weather → worn alone as a sun layer
  • Cool conditions → base layer under insulation
  • Variable conditions → all-day wear

It’s built to reduce the need to constantly change layers, making it one of the most versatile pieces in your kit.

Where The Tern Tee Fits In Your System

The Tern Ultralight Tee is designed as a primary base layer that adapts to changing conditions.

  • Warm weather → worn alone as a sun layer
  • Cool conditions → base layer under insulation
  • Variable conditions → all-day wear

It’s built to reduce the need to constantly change layers, making it one of the most versatile pieces in your kit.

Key Features

Moisture Management

Experience excellent moisture-wicking capabilities, allowing the merino wool blend to effectively draw moisture away from your body while retaining its shape exceptionally well. Ideal for both hot weather and as a base layer in cold temperatures. 

Comfortable Fit

The athletic fit of the Tern ensures comfort without being tight or restrictive. This design enhances the merino wool's moisture-wicking properties. With no hardware, simplicity reigns, contributing to decreased weight for high activity.

Moisture Management

Experience excellent moisture-wicking capabilities, allowing the merino wool blend to effectively draw moisture away from your body while retaining its shape exceptionally well. Ideal for both hot weather and as a base layer in cold temperatures. 

Comfortable Fit

The athletic fit of the Tern ensures comfort without being tight or restrictive. This design enhances the merino wool's moisture-wicking properties. With no hardware, simplicity reigns, contributing to decreased weight for high activity.

Odor and Bacteria Resistance

Benefit from the natural odor-resistant properties of merino wool, making the Tern perfect for travel, running, hiking, and everyday use. The ultralight weight adds to its versatility.

Better Shape Retention

the new Poly blend Tern fabric holds its shape exceptionally well for merino wool, even when wet.  It will stretch sufficiently without “bagging out” & becoming shapeless. 

Odor and Bacteria Resistance

Benefit from the natural odor-resistant properties of merino wool, making the Tern perfect for travel, running, hiking, and everyday use. The ultralight weight adds to its versatility.

Better Shape Retention

the new Poly blend Tern fabric holds its shape exceptionally well for merino wool, even when wet.  It will stretch sufficiently without “bagging out” & becoming shapeless. 

Ideal For

  • sun shirt + base layer hybrid
  • multi-day backpacking
  • variable conditions
  • trail running
  • year round base layer

Testimonials

OV Media Mentions OV Media Mentions OV Media Mentions

Design Story

Performance Metrics Relative To OV Products

Base Layer

Warmth

Breathability

Water Resistance

Wind Resistance

Durability

Stretch

Packability

Tern Ultralight Merino Wool Tee (Original Nylon Blend)

Frequently Asked Questions

Product, Shipping, & Warranty Info

Full Description

The Tern Ultralight Merino Wool Tee is engineered for optimal moisture-wicking, comfort, sun protection, and quick-drying performance while managing odor & bacteria buildup. 

  • Moisture Management: Experience excellent moisture-wicking capabilities, allowing the merino wool blend to effectively draw moisture away from your body while retaining its shape exceptionally well. Ideal for both hot weather and as a base layer in cold temperatures. 
  • Comfortable Fit: The athletic fit of the Tern ensures comfort without being tight or restrictive. This design enhances the merino wool's moisture-wicking properties. With no hardware, simplicity reigns, contributing to decreased weight for high activity.
  • Odor and Bacteria Resistance: Benefit from the natural odor-resistant properties of merino wool, making the Tern perfect for travel, running, hiking, and everyday use. The ultralight weight adds to its versatility.
  • Better Shape Retention: the new Poly blend Tern fabric holds its shape exceptionally well for merino wool, even when wet.  It will stretch sufficiently without “bagging out” & becoming shapeless. 
  • Faster Dry Times: the Tern dries faster than typical merino wool blends.  This gives you better performance in high-output activities & will help you regulate your temperature better.

The natural odor resistant & ultralight properties of merino wool make the shirt perfect for travel, running, hiking, and everyday use.

The fit should be athletic, but not tight or restrictive- this allows the merino wool blend to more effectively wick moisture from your body.  There is no hardware, adding to the simplicity and decreasing weight.  The Tern is a high performance piece for high activity.

Whether shielding yourself from the sun on warm days or using it as a base layer for colder temperatures, the Tern Ultralight Merino Wool Tee offers unmatched performance. Elevate your outdoor experiences with a shirt that adapts to your lifestyle.
Product Care

Your Tern Ultralight Merino Wool apparel is a high performance piece of gear. It needs some extra attention to keep it performing at the highest level.

Please read through the care instructions below to ensure that you care for it properly:

Before Washing

  • Never wash your merino wool with anything with velcro or similar hook & loop characteristics.
  • Never wash your merino wool in a washing machine that has an agitator.
  • If you cannot follow any of these prior instructions you should hand wash your product using the detergent and drying process described below.


The Wash & Dry Process

  1. Use a mild detergent like Dreft (for babies) or Nikwax (for technical gear).
  2. Choose Low Spin or Delicate wash.
  3. Choose Cold Wash & Cold Rinse (add extra rinse if possible).
  4. Hang dry until the product is completely dry.


For more information on caring for your gear please visit https://outdoorvitals.com/pages/care-guide-faq

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