Deborah
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Post by Deborah on Nov 30, 2016 10:24:43 GMT -8
Colorado has at least one herd of Yaks. One of the blends they do is with marino. Another blend is with bamboo. Bamboo and tencel are both extruded fibers like rayon.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 30, 2016 10:29:04 GMT -8
I use polypropylene as a base layer, and am satisfied with it.
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Post by bluefish on Nov 30, 2016 14:08:31 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. Tigger, so do I. Actually don't even own a suit anymore. Does the Merino stand up to wearing a pack? I would only use it backpacking or out on snowshoes. You've got me encouraged. |
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Post by stefanw on Nov 30, 2016 14:17:45 GMT -8
I don't think anyone is making a lot of money with a small amount of yak fiber. It's probably more trouble than it would be worth to bring/farm yaks in the US.
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tigger
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Post by tigger on Nov 30, 2016 14:25:26 GMT -8
Does the Merino stand up to wearing a pack? I couldn't honestly tell you. I use a synthetic base layer when hiking with my primary winter pack because it wicks better than my Merino wool layer. I use it around camp and to go out from my basecamp using my daypack setup (roughly 10 lbs - bivy, stove, food, camera, firstaid, etc). For that, it works just fine. |
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BigLoad
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Post by BigLoad on Nov 30, 2016 15:19:52 GMT -8
I use merino base layers on the trail, and sometimes synthetics. I've had no problems with durability. I wear wool almost exclusively in everyday life, too (shirt, pants, socks, outerwear). In appropriate weather, I often wear layers of other natural fabric, most often alpaca or cashmere.
I agree with Deborah on the likelihood of cost being an obstacle with yak. Mrs. big_load once wove samples for a designer introducing a line in exotic fabrics, and she had difficulty because the designer couldn't afford to provide enough fiber to account for normal loom waste for the sample size. She's also seen a lot of quality variation in yak fiber from other sources. You need to be really sure of what you're getting. Not all the hair on a yak is created equal (or is even usable), and not everything somebody tells you is yak really is.
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Post by stefanw on Nov 30, 2016 16:53:38 GMT -8
I agree with Deborah on the likelihood of cost being an obstacle with yak. Mrs. big_load once wove samples for a designer introducing a line in exotic fabrics, and she had difficulty because the designer couldn't afford to provide enough fiber to account for normal loom waste for the sample size. She's also seen a lot of quality variation in yak fiber from other sources. You need to be really sure of what you're getting. Not all the hair on a yak is created equal (or is even usable), and not everything somebody tells you is yak really is. Yak is more expensive than merino, but not ridiculously expensive. Part of the reason is that as you said, not all yak fiber is created equal, so you separate out the fiber based on its fineness. In the end only about 25% is used. The same thing is done with all wool, but the % that gets kept changes. Getting the supply organised and trusting who you are buying from is a big deal. A lot of the fake yak comes from Nepal and maybe India, where they sell to tourists. Is this a problem in the US as well? |
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Post by trinity on Nov 30, 2016 17:43:45 GMT -8
I use polypropylene as a base layer, and am satisfied with it. Dude, you really need to join the 21st century!  |
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BigLoad
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Post by BigLoad on Nov 30, 2016 19:29:00 GMT -8
Getting the supply organised and trusting who you are buying from is a big deal. A lot of the fake yak comes from Nepal and maybe India, where they sell to tourists. Is this a problem in the US as well? The stuff I was most suspicious of came from Nepal. I haven't seen enough to form a general opinion but I agree that managing supplier relationships is critical. Good luck! |
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Deborah
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Post by Deborah on Dec 1, 2016 6:14:53 GMT -8
Personally, I have found wool to be quite durable. If merino is not to your liking, there are dozens of other varieties of sheep wool, many of which are suitable for use next to the skin especially if blended with Tencel (which is a trade name).
Yak is fabulous for handknits, it is soft and a pleasure to work with. But, honestly, I do not see it as practical for commercial purposes. As you have already mentioned finding a reliable source for a quality product can be a challenge. Plus the additional cost must be taken into account and people who do not understand the properties of different wools are not likely to "get it" and be willing to pay that extra 20 or 30 dollars for a shirt.
Sorry to be a downer. If you go with it, I hope you are successful. Fufilling a dream is a wonderful thing.
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reuben
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Post by reuben on Dec 1, 2016 6:49:15 GMT -8
So yaks wear wool baselayers. Ya learn sumpthin' ever' day...
(I wonder how the sheep and goats feel about that)
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 1, 2016 10:47:30 GMT -8
I use polypropylene as a base layer, and am satisfied with it. Dude, you really need to join the 21st century! But it goes so well with my ca 1988 MSR Whisperlite!   |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 5, 2016 3:03:56 GMT -8
I too, spend the money for wool base layers and have a couple of sets of icebreakers...So, yes, I'd be interested if they offer something that's desirable and at a competitive price......that said, I bought a set from Duluth Trading Company a couple of years ago and they're now my favorites.
I really like that the bottoms are high waisted, which means everything doesn't bunch up in one place around my waistline.....the top has a longer tail in the back which I also really like, and slots in the sleeves for my thumbs which help when adding or removing layers...but, the biggest thing is, because they fit like I want them to, they're very comfortable.
The bad thing is, they've been discontinued and are no longer available....which is a shame, as I've spent several hours searching for something similar, and haven't found it yet.....
I really like the top of the line Duofold, although not 100% wool.....I no long buy them because they don't have a fly....
The Icebreakers are fine, just wish they had a higher waist....
Bring on the Yak...I'd probably try them if they had the right fit....
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Post by Christian on Dec 22, 2016 19:49:29 GMT -8
Funny how I have found the most helpful threads to be the ones which were started by kick-starters or adds hahah
I've been doing some research trying to.figure out what would be a good material for some long johns to wear primarily for sleeping in, possibly as a base layer while hiking in the cold. Mostly just sleeping in. What I've gathered is that I couldn't go wrong with merino wool. My main concerns are wicking and how comfortable the fabric is. As I said, primarily for sleeping in, so durability isn't necessarily a massive concern.
Any suggestions or comments that may help me out?
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