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Post by justonemore on Jun 26, 2016 17:10:48 GMT -8
Hi all,
I've looked around and found a few articles on the topic and we touched on it a bit on another thread, but I thought I'd like to get some opinions here as to Merino in general for all year use...
I've seen mentioned that light Merino t-shirts/polos/button down shirts can be used in the heat of summer (i.e. Icebreaker 150 and lower)?
To my understanding the downsides are cost, durability, and moisture retention(compared to synthetics)?
What are the hard negatives and positives everyone has found of Merino out in the field?
I understand that it will come down to fine tuning my personal preferences but any examples of layering with Merino as to numbers? i.e. For skiing, would I put a "200"long sleeve T-shirt, a "260" sweater, a soft shell, and then a hard shell? What about the bottoms for skiing? Is it usually just the base and then the ski pants? or do you use 3 layers for below the waist as well?
Thanks in advance...
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Post by trinity on Jun 26, 2016 17:26:18 GMT -8
I have some lightweight Icebreaker shortsleeve tees that are just about the only thing I wear when backpacking anymore. If the days are chilly I might break out the 200 wt longsleeve. I really love this stuff, but in my experience you are exactly right with the downsides. As far as cost, I just wait until I see sales, I can't really afford Icebreaker stuff unless it is 30-40% off, which you can find if you keep an eye out. Lightweight merino is, in my experience, a little less durable than capilene, but I have shirts that I've been wearing for 5-6 years with very little noticeable wear. And moisture retention is not quite as good as synthetics, but it's not all that bad, either. But I find it comfortable, and much less stinky than capilene, though capilene is still my go to for cold weather use. I can't really comment on the performance of merino in cold weather, as I rarely use it in cold conditions.
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BigLoad
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Post by BigLoad on Jun 26, 2016 21:25:04 GMT -8
It gets fairly individual when you get down to specific weights. Some people burn hotter than others, and anyone can switch gears after acclimating. Whether the air is dry or damp makes a difference, too.
Anyway, I can wear a lightweight wool t-shirt in summer. My typical base layer in fall and spring is 200, and that's also what I bring for high altitudes in summer. I'll wear something heavier for temps in the teens and below, or in place of a fleece top.
As noted by others, wool is far more odor-resistant than most synthetics and it wicks fairly well. It's not very absorbent, so it dries fairly quickly when exposed to air.
In daily life at home, I wear wool pretty much all the time.
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Post by ashepabst on Jun 27, 2016 7:25:16 GMT -8
I've tried a few Merino tees (both Icebreaker), but couldn't get used to the feel of it as a base layer.
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Post by hikerjer on Jun 27, 2016 7:35:39 GMT -8
I have a mid-weight Icebreaker merino wool base layer. Absolutely love it. It is the stuff the gods wear.
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almostthere
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Post by almostthere on Jun 27, 2016 7:56:07 GMT -8
I love wool. I hate that it wears out so fast. I have shirts light enough to wear in summer, and base layers. Most of my socks are wool. I keep the wool shirts as long as I can, where the synthetics get tossed when the Eternal Stench sets in - the smell that starts after you put on the freshly-laundered shirt and your body heat warms it up? Yeah, that's ridiculous. Never happens with wool.
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franco
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Post by franco on Jun 27, 2016 15:29:46 GMT -8
I have merino from at least 4 different manufacturers. Apart from the weight difference (140/150/190/200 and unknown) they do feel different from one another. The least favourite now are the Icebreaker, I find the other brands (local/house brands) to be nicer on my skin. As an aside, I have the first version imported by a local brand called Kathmandu (bought it on clearance at the end of the season) , the versions after that don't feel anything like it, so don't assume that if you buy the same brand it will be the same from season to season. BTW, I have used 140/150 and 190 at 100f or so.
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panatomicx
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Post by panatomicx on Jun 27, 2016 15:33:51 GMT -8
Another vote for merino wool-I think that Icebreaker 150 T-shirt is probably one of my favorite backpacking pieces. That and a midweight long sleeve, layering on and off are all I need for 90% of my trips. I've also found that I have no blister problems after switching to wool liner socks from Coolmax. Buy the stuff when it goes on sale.
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tigger
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Post by tigger on Jun 27, 2016 20:27:28 GMT -8
Although I love my Smartwool, I tend to avoid it in summer and reserve it for winter in regards to base layers excluding my socks. Pretty much all my hiking socks are Merino Wool.
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reuben
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Post by reuben on Jun 27, 2016 23:41:50 GMT -8
Ditto what tigger said.
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jazzmom
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Post by jazzmom on Jul 2, 2016 4:40:22 GMT -8
Here's a good chance to try some out. Patagonia summer weight merino-capilene blends on sale at Campsaver. Good sale prices plus an additional 4th of July 20% coupon off.
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Post by trinity on Jul 2, 2016 8:46:53 GMT -8
Patagonia summer weight merino-capilene blends Have you tried these blends, Jazzmom? I've wondered about this stuff, I gather that it is supposed to be more durable than 100% merino. Can anyone compare Patagonia's merino line with Icebreaker's?
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BigLoad
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Post by BigLoad on Jul 2, 2016 9:39:05 GMT -8
Can anyone compare Patagonia's merino line with Icebreaker's? The heaviest wool I take backpacking is an older version of the Patagonia Wool 4. It's warm and fairly light for the warmth, which is accomplished by being aggressively fulled (non-textile folks will have to look that one up) and fairly loosely knit. It's comfortable, but probably not too durable. Patagonia made some changes after that, and I haven't seen anything from them that's as heavy. I have quite a bit of Icebreaker stuff, and in general it's less heavily fulled and more tightly knit. I find it comfortable and reasonably durable. The same with Ibex. I would rate Smartwool below those two, and maybe around the same as Patagonia. Very good deals on both brands, especially at the right time of year and in less popular colors.
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Post by justonemore on Jul 3, 2016 9:04:56 GMT -8
Thanks all. I took a few pair of Icebreaker 150s with me to Rome and did about 15-20 miles a day in them...comfortable enough to be unnoticeable in such heat & no chafing. Durability will have to be verified a bit later but I think we have a winner.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Jul 3, 2016 9:30:51 GMT -8
Wool is a personal choice I wish I could wear it, and I am fine with Smartwool socks. But when I put the stuff next to my skin in more sensitive places...irritation city. I stick with synthetics or silk (not as good for warming) for base layers.
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