400g Merino Half-Zip vs Henley Guide Sweater: Which Wool Top?
By Filson - Better Outdoor Clothes & Gear | Published: 2026-11-03
Category: Confronti
Compare the 400g Merino Wool Half-Zip and Henley Guide Sweater on warmth, weather protection, and layering. Find which cold-weather wool top fits your needs.
Quick answer
Choose the 400g Merino Wool Long Sleeve Half-Zip for a soft, moisture-wicking base layer that also works as a light sweater. Choose the Henley Guide Sweater when you need a warm midlayer with a water-resistant waxed-cotton cape over the shoulders for wet weather.
Warmth and breathability
The 400g Merino Half-Zip uses heavyweight 400-gram ultrafine wool, which provides substantial warmth while remaining soft and moisture-wicking next to skin. The half-zip front and short collar let you vent heat quickly during activity. The Henley Guide Sweater is made from 100% merino wool with tightly spun yarns, giving it a firm surface that resists pilling and snags. It is a pullover style with a Henley neck, so it offers less ventilation control than a half-zip but works well as a warm midlayer.
Weather protection
The Henley Guide Sweater includes a cape over the shoulders and arms made from Filson’s signature waxed Shelter Cloth, which provides water-resistant protection in wet weather. The 400g Merino Half-Zip has no such overlay, so it is not water-resistant on its own. If you often face drizzle or damp conditions, the Henley’s cape adds a useful shield over your shoulders and upper arms.
Layering and fit considerations
The 400g Merino Half-Zip is designed as a next-to-skin base layer in frigid conditions and can double as a light sweater in cooler weather. Its half-zip makes it easy to regulate temperature without removing layers. The Henley Guide Sweater is bulkier due to the waxed cape and works best as a midlayer over a base layer. Neither product’s fit is specified in the catalog, so check the size chart and consider your layering system before ordering.
Key trade-offs
- Moisture management vs weather resistance: The 400g Merino Half-Zip excels at wicking sweat and resisting odors, making it ideal for high-output activities. The Henley Guide Sweater adds water-resistant protection but its waxed cape reduces breathability in that area. If you sweat heavily, prioritize the half-zip; if you face wet weather, prioritize the Henley.
- Ventilation control: The half-zip’s front zipper allows quick temperature regulation without removing layers. The Henley’s pullover design offers no easy venting. Choose the half-zip if you run hot or alternate between activity and rest.
- Layering role: The 400g Merino Half-Zip works as a base layer or standalone light sweater. The Henley Guide Sweater is best as a midlayer due to its bulkier cape. Plan your layering system: base layer only vs midlayer with added protection.
Product facts
- 400g Merino Wool Long Sleeve Half-zip - Dark Olive: Heavyweight 400g ultrafine merino wool is soft, moisture-wicking, and odor-resistant. This makes it an effective base layer that manages sweat and stays fresh during active cold-weather use.
400g Merino Wool Long Sleeve Half-zip - Dark Olive - Henley Guide Sweater: Features a water-resistant waxed Shelter Cloth cape over the shoulders and arms. The cape adds protection in wet weather without needing a separate shell over your shoulders.
Henley Guide Sweater
Which should you choose?
Best for
- Active cold-weather pursuits where moisture management and ventilation matter
- Those who want a versatile base layer that can double as a light sweater
Not for
- Wet weather without an additional shell
- Those who prefer a pullover style with no zipper
