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Post by stefanw on Nov 29, 2016 14:26:17 GMT -8
My name is Stefan Warnaar, and I have started a Kickstarter campaign. I wasn't going to post this as I am just new to the forum (and have mostly hung around certain Reddit subreddits previously), but since there is already a conversation about allowing people to promote their products I hoped it would be okay.
Last year I travelled through Mongolia, Central Asia and the Himalayas, spending most of my time hiking, camping and living with local herders. I was surrounded by yaks, goats and sheep, and found that yak fiber is amazingly soft and warm. Coming from New Zealand I knew a lot about merino, but the idea to use yak fiber instead was something that I wanted to explore more.
Long story short, I got back to New Zealand and spent 12 months developing yak fiber into fabric and then baselayers that I believe are as good or better than any other product on the market. Yak is warmer, softer and more breathable than merino, giving it a massive advantage right from the start.
One thing that I found during the development and testing was that 100% wool fiber baselayers have serious problems with durability (and this was always my main problem with merino). In my opinion the best clothing is a blend of fibers that compliment each other and ensure that the main characteristics that you want are meet. The five things that we knew were needed were warmth, comfort, durability, breathability and odor resistance. To achieve this we blended the Yak fiber with Tencel (a natural fiber made from the Eucalyptus tree).
What are you guys normally wearing? Merino or synthetics or something else? Are you happy with what you are currently wearing or do you think their is something better? How much does yak fiber interest you? Or do you just see it as a niche that only certain people will buy?
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Nov 29, 2016 16:40:48 GMT -8
Sorry. Kickstarter campaigns are expressing forbidden, with the only exception being long time posters who we have seen in our midst for many years and versions of this forum. Some guy, no matter how well intentioned, adding 3 posts before asking us to help fund him is not the idea. Thanks for your understanding.
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tigger
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Post by tigger on Nov 29, 2016 17:09:23 GMT -8
My insulation layers are primarily down. My base layers are merino wool or synthetic. I use them for specific purpose. Down is by far the most efficient insulation layer. I prefer wicking base layers that keep my skin dry and the material itself is quick dry. I am quite happy with my current setups. However, I am always interested in materials that perform better and are lighter.
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Post by stefanw on Nov 29, 2016 17:15:05 GMT -8
That's fair. Feel free to remove this thread.
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trinity
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Post by trinity on Nov 29, 2016 18:12:27 GMT -8
What are you guys normally wearing? Merino or synthetics or something else? Are you happy with what you are currently wearing or do you think their is something better? How much does yak fiber interest you? Or do you just see it as a niche that only certain people will buy? I usually wear merino (Icebreaker) or capilene. I love the merino, but I would concur with your assessment about durability. I am kind of shocked at how quickly the lightweight merino pieces are developing holes, considering how much I paid for them. Capilene is not quite as comfortable (to me), but not bad, very lightweight, dries quickly, and provides good warmth. I just bought my first merino/synthetic blend, a thermal weight baselayer from Ibex. I haven't field tested it yet, so I can't comment on performance or durability, but it seems promising. So, to answer your question, I am reasonably satisfied with what I have right now, but, like Tigger, I am always interested in materials that perform better and are lighter. If you wind up with a product that has the characteristics you list (warmth, comfort, durability, breathability and odor resistance), I would definitely be interested. Budget permitting, of course.
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toejam
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Post by toejam on Nov 30, 2016 5:26:38 GMT -8
I love merino products. Would love to try the yak wool.
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Post by bluefish on Nov 30, 2016 5:50:37 GMT -8
Yak hair, for some reason is now getting very difficult to find in the US. I use it for fly tying and I have great problems finding it the past 2 years. It makes extremely durable flies, so I can see it outperforming Merino on that count. I found a supplier in the US for Yak wool outdoor products , but the price is 40-50% more than Icebreaker and Smartwool products. I was considering a Merino base layer, as I really have grown disenchanted with Capilene. Not encouraging to hear the durability issues! Yechhhhh.....
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Deborah
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Post by Deborah on Nov 30, 2016 6:04:58 GMT -8
Given the price of Yak fiber I suspect any finished products are going to be cost prohibitive for most people.
I like silk for a base layer. It can be purchased in various weights at "Winter Silks" and probably other sources too.
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Post by hikingtiger on Nov 30, 2016 9:20:16 GMT -8
Given the price of Yak fiber I suspect any finished products are going to be cost prohibitive for most people. I wonder if it would be less expensive to import a couple of yaks. Perpetual fiber source, y'know?
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Nov 30, 2016 9:43:40 GMT -8
less expensive to import a couple of yaks. Perpetual fiber source, That's a great idea. Maybe I'll have a couple of Arctic Musk Ox delivered to Denver.
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tigger
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Post by tigger on Nov 30, 2016 9:43:54 GMT -8
I was considering a Merino base layer, as I really have grown disenchanted with Capilene. Not encouraging to hear the durability issues! Yechhhhh..... I have not had any durability issues with my merino wool base layers at all. Mind you, I only wear my Smartwool shirt when hiking. Heck, I treat my hiking gear better than I do my dress suits and ties and such.
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tigger
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Post by tigger on Nov 30, 2016 9:45:18 GMT -8
Maybe I'll have a couple of Arctic Musk Ox delivered to Denver. From what I was told in Greenland, they aren't actually native to the area but were imported because they thought they would thrive in the environment. They were right.
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Post by hikingtiger on Nov 30, 2016 10:02:23 GMT -8
That's a great idea. Maybe I'll have a couple of Arctic Musk Ox delivered to Denver. I'm sure there are a couple of folks on here who'd be interested in helping collect the duff.
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Nov 30, 2016 10:09:23 GMT -8
I had a person in mind, although I said Denver so as to not give away too much info.
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Post by hikingtiger on Nov 30, 2016 10:21:11 GMT -8
At least two near there. Some further west, another further east. Better not say any more about it. Soon I'll be getting hate mail asking why there's no duff to collect.
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