105 Miles In A Seaweed Sweater On The Tour Du Mont Blanc

On a trek, every inch of pack space counts. I gave some of mine to seaweed.

105 miles. Three countries. One sweater.

The Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB) is a renowned 105-mile trek, looping through France, Italy, and Switzerland over the course of 10 days. Most hikers spend the evenings in mountain huts, where they are served a communal dinner and breakfast before heading out for the next day’s journey.

My Oliver Charles SeaCell Crew Neck had already passed the test on the 5 Adventure Challenge at home and while exploring big cities. So when I set out on the TMB, it seemed like the right time to see if SeaCell could handle something bigger.

What To Pack For The Tour Du Mont Blanc

Packing for any multi-day trek is serious business, and the TMB is no exception. While this epic trail passes through small alpine towns along the way, hikers need to fit all of their gear and clothing in their packs. This means packing quality, versatile layers is key!

High performance wool has become a go-to for hikers, and I wanted to see if seaweed could earn a spot in that conversation. So, I decided to bring my SeaCell Crew Neck as my base layer. SeaCell is lush against bare skin and breathable, two things I’d need on long climbs. It’s also low maintenance. I wouldn’t need to baby it in my pack, and it goes straight into the washer and dryer when I get home.

Here’s everything I packed for the trek.

My Hiking Base Layer, Dressed Up For Dinner

A common starting point for the TMB is Chamonix, France. Chamonix is a colorful mountain town located about one hour from Geneva, Switzerland. We chose to stay in Chamonix for two nights before starting our hike to enjoy the beautiful day hikes, restaurants, and scenery that the area has to offer.

I loved that I was able to dress up my crew neck with a pair of loafers and light linen pants for our Chamonix dinners, fitting right in with the town’s mountaineer-meets-chic vibe. When everything has to fit in one pack, a base layer that doubles as a dinner top earns its spot.

Can A Seaweed Base Layer Handle The Alps?

Despite months of preparation, planning, and research, hiking the TMB was nothing like I expected. With such dramatic elevation changes come widely varied temperatures throughout each day, sometimes going from intense, direct sun to frigid winds in a matter of a few miles.

My SeaCell sweater quite literally saved me throughout the trek. I was super impressed by how dry I stayed, even when working through intense ascents.

It was also incredibly soft. The SeaCell fabric felt smooth and light, and because it’s 3D-knit without seams, there was nothing to rub or chafe under my pack straps, even with repetitive movement.

Staying Fresh For Hut Nights On The TMB

One of the best parts about hiking the TMB is spending cozy nights at the huts. It’s impossible not to make friends on this trail, so evenings are filled with lively meals, adventures around the hut grounds, games, and laughter.

I once again pulled on my SeaCell crew neck as my go-to for relaxing. Even after eight days on the trail, it stayed fresh. Sharing tables and close quarters with new friends, that mattered more than I expected.

Was SeaCell Worth The Space In My Pack?

When I decided to pack my SeaCell Crew Neck as my base layer for the TMB, I was, admittedly, worried I was taking up valuable space with a niche sweater. I could not have been more wrong!

Versatility is so important when packing for a trek, and this sweater proved it. I wore my crew neck for a day in New York City, through two long travel days, and across eight days of hiking, washing it only once before heading on to my next adventure in Paris.

It kept me dry on the climbs and comfortable through big temperature swings. It dressed up for dinner in Chamonix and stayed fresh through every hut night. And best of all, it was so soft on my skin, even with constant movement on the trail.

Wool may be the hiker’s go-to, but seaweed has earned its spot in that conversation. It’s machine washable and backed by Oliver Charles’ lifetime repair guarantee, so I know it’ll be ready for whatever comes next.

New York. Chamonix. 105 miles through the Alps. Paris. Still one sweater.

If you believe that every good wardrobe starts with owning less and owning better, consider buying yourself an OLIVER CHARLES sweater.