As far as I’m concerned, dressing for cold weather is an Olympic sport. After years freezing on my morning commute, I finally got practical and realized: layering is a skill. Now, I’m really good at it.

My secret weapon is merino wool. Not to be confused with itchy-grandma-sweater wool, merino is lightweight, moisture-wicking, and naturally regulates body temperature. Plus, it's surprisingly soft. Woolly makes my all-time favorite merino wool basics, which have become absolute staples under sweaters, jackets, and even pants on particularly cold days. Turns out, what you wear underneath everything else can make all the difference. Here are five reasons I'm hooked on the brand’s basics.