Any suggestions for a technical shirt with the performance of Merino but without the drawbacks?

[Martin 888]

Thus far on over 2000 kms of Camino trails I have always used Icebreaker Merino tee’s as my ‘go-to’ shirt to walk in. Generally great performance, quick dry, warm in cold conditions and breathable in hot. Also smell and stain resistant and easy to hand wash in the evening. The things I don’t like about them being wool is they tend to rub up in areas where your backpack grinds away and they also cling somewhat (making me on occasion look like a sack of wrestling ferrets!).
I’m beginning to wonder in this age of technology whether there isn’t a better alternative out there made from some kind of man made technical material which provides the functionality and lightness of merino but is perhaps nicer to wear? I’m thinking of brands like Mammut or Fjallraven or similar.
Does anybody have any recommendations? It‘s through this wonderful forum that I discovered Topo Athletic trail runners which I’d never heard of before and I’ve never looked back!
Muchas Gracias in advance.

 

[Tincatinker]

I’m beginning to wonder in this age of technology whether there isn’t a better alternative out there made from some kind of man made technical material

IMO no. If you want to experiment with recycled plastic go for it. I’ll stick with what our fellow mammals suggest

 

[henrythedog]

I’m a devotee of merino base layers, but IMHO Icebreaker and Smartwool just aren’t as robust as they used to be. I still find them comfortable and can get two or three days camino out of one without smelling like a pole-cat. I don’t think they’re especially ‘quick dry’ though.

Latterly I’ve switched to the OMM range of technical running t-shirts and base layers. Comfortable, hard wearing and quick-dry. There is a slightly heavier weight also described as ‘insulated’.

They may only be easily available in the UK. OMM is ‘original mountain marathon’; which in the days when everything was right with the world, was the Karrimor Mountain Marathon - in which I competed without distinction when both my knees worked properly.

 

[SabsP]

I stick with the Wooolpower brand.

80% Merino wool
20% Polyamide

Base Layer - Woolpower

Closest to the body, a heat-insulating and moisture-transporting base layer is required. A base layer in wool possesses all the qualities necessary to keep you warm.

woolpower.se

 

[Telelama]

I really like the Arc'teryx T-shirts.

I was aghast when my wife bought me my first one for $40 USD ten years ago, but then it went with me on four Caminos and it still looks like new. I wore it for training and just fun hikes in the last 10 years too. We bought another before our last Camino in May and it, like the 10-year old one, fits well, does not stink after a day of hiking/walking, is very lightweight (96 grams, new version is 110 grams), super comfortable, good looking (does not look too technical) does not show stains, cool in the hot weather, very comfortable under the backpack and dries quickly.

Expensive, but is worth the price in my mind, and I'm very frugal!!

 

[J Willhaus]

We also use Ibex brand and Unbound Merino wool shirts. I ordered a dress from WoolX to take on my Camino starting next week so we'll see about that brand. MyIcebreaker t-shirts always seemed to want to pill. I still use Icebreaker socks that I had on my first Camino in 2016 for hiking around here and taking 2 pairs which are a couple of years old with me next week along with a pair of Darn Tough socks.

We rarely use anything but wool and I don't usually take new wool stuff because I know it will get muffed up from taking my backpack on and off (usually catching the front of my shirt in the belt clip of my backpack causing some little holes). Even have some wool pants and leggings although I usually wear Duluth Flexpedition pants (non-wool) which have good pockets and wear like iron.

I have tried Bamboo shirts and socks, but they don't dry very fast. I do wear a PFG fishing shirt for sun protection which is not wool. In the military I had some polypro stuff, but that was almost 20 years ago now so perhaps there are better technical fibers.

 

[Damien Reynolds]

Ok... this may be a bit controversial. I dislike merino clothes in general. they are expensive, and they ALWAYS get holes. Think like top brands. I used to spend a ton of money on shirts like those.

Nowadays... I get something like this...

Amazon.com

Set of 4 for $34! They are great.

 

[K_Lynn]

I have a couple of Patagonia Capilene Cool t-shirts and have taken one on Camino. Comfortable, did not stink, dries quickly, perfect for a warm weather Camino. The two I have are both 4 years old and have gone through multiple machine washes with no damage. I probably would not take them for late autumn or winter Caminos as they provide no warmth.

 

[David Tallan]

I’m a devotee of merino base layers, but IMHO Icebreaker and Smartwool just aren’t as robust as they used to be. I still find them comfortable and can get two or three days camino out of one without smelling like a pole-cat. I don’t think they’re especially ‘quick dry’ though.

Latterly I’ve switched to the OMM range of technical running t-shirts and base layers. Comfortable, hard wearing and quick-dry. There is a slightly heavier weight also described as ‘insulated’.

They may only be easily available in the UK. OMM is ‘original mountain marathon’; which in the days when everything was right with the world, was the Karrimor Mountain Marathon - in which I competed without distinction when both my knees worked properly.

I think the key question is "do they have the odour resistant qualities of merino?". I tried merino shirts for the first time on this year's Camino and was quite frankly amazed by the difference in that area from any of the technical fabrics I had used on previous Caminos.

 

[David Tallan]

I have a couple of Patagonia Capilene Cool t-shirts and have taken one on Camino. Comfortable, did not stink, dries quickly, perfect for a warm weather Camino. The two I have are both 4 years old and have gone through multiple machine washes with no damage. I probably would not take them for late autumn or winter Caminos as they provide no warmth.

There appear to be four varieties of Capilene Cool Ts: Lightweight, Daily, Merino, and Trail. Which do you have? The Merino one is the only one that is advertised as "naturally cooling and odor resistant". But if one of the others is also odor resistant....

 

[trecile]

I really like the Arc'teryx T-shirts.

I was aghast when my wife bought me my first one for $40 USD ten years ago, but then it went with me on four Caminos and it still looks like new.

Check out the current prices!

Cormac Crew Neck Shirt SS Men's

Comfortable performance tee for trail runs and high-output mountain adventures.

arcteryx.com

 

[Damien Reynolds]

Alll I can say is if you can name the brand of your shirt... it's a waste of money.

As far as stink... the camino isn't exactly the wilderness... I mean just wash your clothes on occasion. .

 

[J Willhaus]

Alll I can say is if you can name the brand of your shirt... it's a waste of money.

As far as stink... the camino isn't exactly the wilderness... I mean just wash your clothes on occasion. .

Ok, now I have bought some really poorly made things from Amazon. I've also bought some nicely made and favorite things from Target or the military px non-name brand. It does not have to be name brand, but things that really work for the person who buys them. I find merino wool usually works better for me than synthetics and it usually the more expensive stuff (with some exceptions). If you find something really great, I think we should share the information. Just as you shared the long sleeved shirt packs from Amazon. In the end we can only really say what worked best for each of us individually.

 

[Damien Reynolds]

Ok, now I have bought some really poorly made things from Amazon. I've also bought some nicely made and favorite things from Target or the military px non-name brand. It does not have to be name brand, but things that really work for the person who buys them. I find merino wool usually works better for me than synthetics and it usually the more expensive stuff (with some exceptions). If you find something really great, I think we should share the information. Just as you shared the long sleeved shirt packs from Amazon. In the end we can only really say what worked best for each of us individually.

Those are good. For me .

 

[Damien Reynolds]

One thing I would like to add... socks (definitely go with brand), underwear (same thing, go with brand), backpack (go with brand), shoes (darn straight go with brand)... rain jacket (go with brand), shorts (not so sure there but I like Kuhl)... shirts... um no.

 

[Joynz]

For multi-day walking, I have Macpac tee shirts where the front panel and sleeves/sides & under arms are a merino/nylon mix (87% merino). The back and lower side panels are a polyester/propylene/merino mix (66%/25%/9% merino ). This strikes the perfect balance between durability and odour control.

I also have a ‘polartec’ tee shirt with polygiene - quick drying and doesn’t smell because of the polygiene. Was perfect for Egyptian heat - no smell and quick drying.

 

[ranthr]

80% Merino and 20% silk is softer and stronger, Mine is from Northern Playground who repairs them as well if needed.

 

[Camino Jim]

I like ScotteVest

 

[NamaMama]

I thought Icebreaker was the bees knees a few years ago. The quality of their products have declined to the point that I am looking for a replacement brand. I had a pair of base layer tights that developed multiple holes ( and I mean multiple). I only wore these tights twice a year. Icebreaker did not stand behind the product because I couldn’t produce a receipt and I had bought them greater than a year prior to contacting them. We ae walking the Kumano Kodo next November. I am researching for a new short sleeved shirt. Not a long walk and laundry facilities are good. I do like the wearability of merino though.

 

[BobY333]

My new go-to is 32 Degrees Men's Air Mesh Tee 4-pack from Costco in black. $16 for 4! They weigh nothing, don’t stink, and dry extremely quickly. I’ve worn them in my last two Caminos with no issues.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

As far as stink... the camino isn't exactly the wilderness... I mean just wash your clothes on occasion. .

Washing isn't always sufficient. Here's a snippet from a technical paper.

Although laundering is used to remove soils and bad odors, malodor can still continue to emanate from laundered clothing, with both intensity and quality influenced by fiber type. Over time as clothing is repeatedly worn and washed there is incomplete removal of soils via laundering, most notably in hydrophobic polyester fabrics, leading to perceptible odor still emanating from freshly laundered fabrics. This is because the attraction of non-polar soils and odorous compounds to oleophilic polyester fibers play a major role in the build-up and persistence of odor on polyester clothing. In a study examining the build-up of body odor in cotton and polyester jersey knit fabrics (both with 5% spandex), stronger odor intensity was perceived in polyester fabrics before as well as after laundering.​

This is the paper. 39 PDF pages but with a third of them listing its 154 references.

McQueen, R. H., & Vaezafshar, S.
Odor in textiles: A review of evaluation methods, fabric characteristics, and odor control technologies.
Textile Research Journal, Volume: 90, Issue: 9-10, pp. 1157-1173.
Copyright © The Authors. 2019.
DOI: doi.org/10.1177/0040517519883952

Edit: Thanks to @J Willhaus and her post below I was able to create the linked URL above.

This worked in getting a free copy but the text was smaller on the phone.

McQueen, R. H., & Vaezafshar, S. Odor in textiles: A review of evaluation methods, fabric characteristics, and odor control technologies. - PDF Free Download

McQueen, R. H., & Vaezafshar, S. Odor in textiles: A review of evaluation methods, fabric characteristics, and odor control technologies. Textile Research Journal, Volume: 90, Issue: 9-10, pp

docplayer.net

 

[J Willhaus]

If you paste the doi number in doi.org/10.1177/0040517519883952
It will take you to the journal article.

 

[good_old_shoes]

I've got merino clothes from different sources.

Mainly cheap brands and second hand bought clothes that are not specifically made for hiking but work just as well, and with the benefit that they look like normal clothes so I can wear them at home in everyday life, too. Socks are one thing I buy new, they are from a small german manufacturer and last for years.

I can't say that the merino gets holes more easily than other fabrics. After years of use, yes, there are a few holes here and there. But that's normal. I just mend them and still wear it.

The only downside to merino/wool for me is the fact that animals are used to produce it. My compromise is to try and buy second hand if possible.

In hot summer temperatures I also use very lightweight and quickly drying cotton/linen.

 

[walking sticKs]

Recycled soda bottles, but I had success with these on the Primitivo in 2019 and since.

Patagonia Men's Long-Sleeved Capilene® Cool Trail Shirt

Our Patagonia® Men’s Long-Sleeved Capilene® Cool Trail Shirt is designed to keep you cool and dry when you’re active, providing daylong comfort.

www.patagonia.com

They also have a short sleeve version which I wear year round.

 

[BarbaraW]

Inspired partly by all the positive comments about merino in this forum, I started looking for another merino top as a replacement for an ageing one which I bought in a special offer ("when it's gone it's gone") in a discount supermarket chain. I found similar tops in outdoor stores running at £50+ per item. In a local ladieswear store I found a 100% merino jumper for about £30. I bought it and found it to be just very slightly bulkier and about 10 grammes heavier than my "outdoor" top.

The company Uniqlo also sells merino tops which are considerably cheaper than items sold as merino base-layers. Nicer colours too.

Are there significant differences between different types of merino wool, or is this a case of a premium price for a more specialist market?

 

[J Willhaus]

Inspired partly by all the positive comments about merino in this forum, I started looking for another merino top as a replacement for an ageing one which I bought in a special offer ("when it's gone it's gone") in a discount supermarket chain. I found similar tops in outdoor stores running at £50+ per item. In a local ladieswear store I found a 100% merino jumper for about £30. I bought it and found it to be just very slightly bulkier and about 10 grammes heavier than my "outdoor" top.

The company Uniqlo also sells merino tops which are considerably cheaper than items sold as merino base-layers. Nicer colours too.

Are there significant differences between different types of merino wool, or is this a case of a premium price for a more specialist market?

I have some different weaves of merino. I have some pants and tights in a boucle weave which is much heavier, but stretchy. Some of my winter zip neck shirts are a heavier merino similar in weight to a fleece shirt and then I have the really lightweight t-shirt jersey type shirts and dresses for summer. Boucle tends to snag easily.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Are there significant differences between different types of merino wool, or is this a case of a premium price for a more specialist market?

Towards the end of this article on merino wool the grades of the wool are discussed. While it talks about the fineness of the wool fibers I believe grading also considers the fibers' length. Longer is better.

What is Merino Wool Fabric: Properties, How its Made and Where

Merino wool is one of the world’s most popular fabric materials. Derived from Merino sheep, merino wool is both inexpensive and durable, adding to its appeal. Like all types of wool, merino wool is also highly absorbent, water-resistant, and insulative, making garments made with this type of...

sewport.com

 

[Macker]

Hello,
I was also a big fan of Merino. But Merino clothing breaks down too quickly. By chance I came across clothing made from polypropylene (PP) from LIOD. Clothing made from this synthetic fiber is only slightly heavier than Merino, dries extremely quickly (it's already dry when it comes out of the washing machine), but is much more robust than Merino. I've only been wearing clothes like this for years.
Greetings from Reinhard

 

[MikeJS]

I just use inexpensive no branded tee shirts made from Polyester. Quick dry and easy to wash. They do the task well and never seen the need for anything else.

 

[CindyMX]

Walked my first Camino in June (the Norte) while wearing a shirt from Jolly Gear. It’s a small company started by a thru hiker. Worked great. I love the hoodie and the pocket placement. Available in short and long sleeves. Not cheap, but really comfortable, not smelly, and good sun protection. https://jollygear.com/

 

[CA_Pilgrim]

Thus far on over 2000 kms of Camino trails I have always used Icebreaker Merino tee’s as my ‘go-to’ shirt to walk in. Generally great performance, quick dry, warm in cold conditions and breathable in hot. Also smell and stain resistant and easy to hand wash in the evening. The things I don’t like about them being wool is they tend to rub up in areas where your backpack grinds away and they also cling somewhat (making me on occasion look like a sack of wrestling ferrets!).
I’m beginning to wonder in this age of technology whether there isn’t a better alternative out there made from some kind of man made technical material which provides the functionality and lightness of merino but is perhaps nicer to wear? I’m thinking of brands like Mammut or Fjallraven or similar.
Does anybody have any recommendations? It‘s through this wonderful forum that I discovered Topo Athletic trail runners which I’d never heard of before and I’ve never looked back!
Muchas Gracias in advance.

I'm a huge fan of Patagonia hiking shirts made with their Capilene fabric. It's pretty much the only hiking shirt I were. It is light weight and very comfortable to wear and the shirt dries extremely quickly after being washed. No scratching like wool can be sometimes.

Keep in mind that the fabric is very light and doesn't have a lot of insulating capacity, which is OK for me. It makes a great base layer. On cold days, I will were a technical T-shirt over it to keep my core body warm. If it's really cold, you can then layer a vest or jacket over that combination. I'm a big believer in layering for hiking.

Here's a link to it on the Patagonia web site: https://www.patagonia.com/product/m...aphic-shirt/45190.html?dwvar_45190_color=SNGX

 

[maruska89]

I thought Icebreaker was the bees knees a few years ago. The quality of their products have declined to the point that I am looking for a replacement brand. I had a pair of base layer tights that developed multiple holes ( and I mean multiple). I only wore these tights twice a year. Icebreaker did not stand behind the product because I couldn’t produce a receipt and I had bought them greater than a year prior to contacting them. We ae walking the Kumano Kodo next November. I am researching for a new short sleeved shirt. Not a long walk and laundry facilities are good. I do like the wearability of merino though.

I found the same thing regarding Icebreaker standing by their quality. I wrote to them about several fairly new underwear with holes in them and they refused any return as I didn't have the receipt. I would not have thought to keep it as I never thought I'd need to return them, but at that price and with the holes showing up so early on, I thought I would. Oh well. It's too bad their quality in general is getting worse.

 

[yawl21]

Thus far on over 2000 kms of Camino trails I have always used Icebreaker Merino tee’s as my ‘go-to’ shirt to walk in. Generally great performance, quick dry, warm in cold conditions and breathable in hot. Also smell and stain resistant and easy to hand wash in the evening. The things I don’t like about them being wool is they tend to rub up in areas where your backpack grinds away and they also cling somewhat (making me on occasion look like a sack of wrestling ferrets!).
I’m beginning to wonder in this age of technology whether there isn’t a better alternative out there made from some kind of man made technical material which provides the functionality and lightness of merino but is perhaps nicer to wear? I’m thinking of brands like Mammut or Fjallraven or similar.
Does anybody have any recommendations? It‘s through this wonderful forum that I discovered Topo Athletic trail runners which I’d never heard of before and I’ve never looked back!
Muchas Gracias in advance.

ORVIS brand Drirelease t-shirts. These were designed to control odor, to dry very quickly and very durable. I have used the t-shirts on a daily basis, fly fishing and on three Caminos.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

ORVIS brand Drirelease t-shirts.

I got curious about this. There are a number of fabric blends branded as Drirelease (Drirelease Cotton, Drirelease Wool, etc) and a number of clothing manufacturers that use these fabrics, ORVIS is just one. It's probably best to check out the properties of each blend before buying anything.

Home - drirelease

drirelease blends comfort technology that performs As a pioneer of textile technology, drirelease® is literally a part of the fabric on which today’s active wear market was built. It’s what ... Read more

drirelease.com

 

[ElCee]

I have fully embraced wool socks but the thought of wool clothing in warm weather makes my skin crawl. I bought synthetic sport t-shirts from 4 brands: Uniqlo, Athleta, Gap and Old Navy. I’m guessing I paid $20-40 each. They all performed well on my Fall CP. I don’t understand how synthetics have gotten such a bad rep around here for retaining odours. None of them smelled at all. The cheapest Old Navy one was the fastest dryer. My Old Navy pants also dry incredibly quickly. I probably spent more on socks than the rest of my wardrobe.

 

[Rick Davidson]

Thus far on over 2000 kms of Camino trails I have always used Icebreaker Merino tee’s as my ‘go-to’ shirt to walk in. Generally great performance, quick dry, warm in cold conditions and breathable in hot. Also smell and stain resistant and easy to hand wash in the evening. The things I don’t like about them being wool is they tend to rub up in areas where your backpack grinds away and they also cling somewhat (making me on occasion look like a sack of wrestling ferrets!).
I’m beginning to wonder in this age of technology whether there isn’t a better alternative out there made from some kind of man made technical material which provides the functionality and lightness of merino but is perhaps nicer to wear? I’m thinking of brands like Mammut or Fjallraven or similar.
Does anybody have any recommendations? It‘s through this wonderful forum that I discovered Topo Athletic trail runners which I’d never heard of before and I’ve never looked back!
Muchas Gracias in advance.

I look mainly to OR and Patagonia for technical base layers and tops. It seems to me that there has been a move away from 100% merino. Maybe cost…maybe durability…I don’t know. First it seems like you get most of the features of 100% merino with a 50/50 merino/polyester blend…but with lower cost and much improved durability. It also seems, however, like 100% polyester has really got its act together. Today‘s 100% poly is moisture wicking, dries quickly and now also has very effective odor control…along with lower cost and very good durability. Trekking…mostly at high elevation…so maybe sweating is not the issue that it can be in August closer to sea level…I get great performance from polyester. After a day trekking I change clothes. Hang my base layer top and socks on a line in my tent…change out of my trekking trousers or shorts…wash up a bit. My trek outfit is ready to go the next morning. I’ll now go 2 weeks doing minimal laundry. I think that getting out of your trekking clothes and letting them air dry greatly extends their wearability. i have Smartwool tops and bottoms that I wear for skiing but for hiking, trekking, cycling I now use more 100% poly than anything else.

 

[K_Lynn]

There appear to be four varieties of Capilene Cool Ts: Lightweight, Daily, Merino, and Trail. Which do you have? The Merino one is the only one that is advertised as "naturally cooling and odor resistant". But if one of the others is also odor resistant....

Sorry for not including that detail. Lightweight. Women's in size Medium is 60g. I sweated like a pig in the heat climbing up all the dang mountains that should have a tunnel through them by now, and my shirt was frequently soaked through and I did not smell like a gorilla that had strolled through a swamp at the end of the day.
I also have one of their Capilene Cool Merino shirts that I love but it does not hold up to frequent machine washing, it's starting to look a bit see-through.

 

[cathietherese]

Like many things there is no false equivalence with merino clothing and their supply chains, fibre quality, and ecological/social cost. Buyer responsibility can save you some stress and provide you greater comfort and wearability. While naming a brand brings issues, non transparency is a greater risk beyond personal concern, so here goes : Mountainsilk, Untouched World, Wool Inc, Maggie Marilyn all offer information around production processes and while your outlay might be more expensive initially they are designed for longer wear and actively resist fast fashion processes. For instance, an organic wool (or cotton if you have skin allergies) garment will decompose naturally and ultimately avoids landfill dumping and associated ecological costs.
Mons Royale is another brand that offers a clear guideline to consumers about its production practices. For instance:

Mons Royale Sustainable Merino Wear - Insight into the Process

Mons Royale is proud for the collaboration with their manufacturing partners in China. Here is an insight into the process behind making a Mons Royale garments.

www.weekendbee.com

 

[trecile]

I have fully embraced wool socks but the thought of wool clothing in warm weather makes my skin crawl.

Merino wool T-shirts are practically indistinguishable from cotton T-shirts (except for price!), as far as weight, but merino doesn't hold onto moisture like cotton does. And it doesn't feel sticky when I'm sweaty like some synthetics do.

 

[Rex]

Outdoor Research SPF hoodies and quarter zip turtlenecks. Super lightweight but warm enough for all seasons except Winter. Line Dry quickly and don’t seem to retain smells. 960 miles into the VF and no issues so far. Bought all four of them on a 1/2 price sale at the OR outlet store just south of Seattle. Lots of interesting new ideas here. Mele Kalikimaka.

 

[brian560]

Inspired partly by all the positive comments about merino in this forum, I started looking for another merino top as a replacement for an ageing one which I bought in a special offer ("when it's gone it's gone") in a discount supermarket chain. I found similar tops in outdoor stores running at £50+ per item. In a local ladieswear store I found a 100% merino jumper for about £30. I bought it and found it to be just very slightly bulkier and about 10 grammes heavier than my "outdoor" top.

The company Uniqlo also sells merino tops which are considerably cheaper than items sold as merino base-layers. Nicer colours too.

Are there significant differences between different types of merino wool, or is this a case of a premium price for a more specialist market?

I swear by my Aldi wool T shirt bought for about 30 AUD. It saw 4 caminos and a quite a few shower stomp washes and was still going strong until it fell off my pack somewhere between Puenta del Reina and Los Arcos 16 October. Hopefully someone is using it.

 

[good_old_shoes]

Inspired partly by all the positive comments about merino in this forum, I started looking for another merino top as a replacement for an ageing one which I bought in a special offer ("when it's gone it's gone") in a discount supermarket chain. I found similar tops in outdoor stores running at £50+ per item. In a local ladieswear store I found a 100% merino jumper for about £30. I bought it and found it to be just very slightly bulkier and about 10 grammes heavier than my "outdoor" top.

The company Uniqlo also sells merino tops which are considerably cheaper than items sold as merino base-layers. Nicer colours too.

Are there significant differences between different types of merino wool, or is this a case of a premium price for a more specialist market?

There are differences but I wouldn't say that the more expensive things made for hiking are necessarily better quality or last longer.

I have merino clothing from uniqlo, too, and love it. Also shirts and leggings from Aldi and Decathlon. Happy with the quality.

Some items like jumpers and cardigans I bought on flea markets and in second hand shops. All very durable. Wear them a lot, on and off Camino.

I often hear that merino clothes get holes easily, but usually I hear those comments from people who bought the super expensive finest-quality outdoor-brands .

All of my merino wool items have lasted for years now.

I think that the superfine, super lightweight expensive merino might be more fragile?

I'm happy with a few more grams of weight if it means better durability!

 

[Geebee]

I used Aldi merino t-shirts on my recent walk, good value, wore well, looked and smelled fine even after weeks of wear (and not too many washes) and as you say about $A30 !

 

[AlwynWellington]

The things I don’t like about them being wool is they tend to rub up in areas where your backpack grinds away

An interesting observation above.
Will rubbing always occur with your backpack, no matter what you wear?

This is not what I have experienced over the past 12 years.
My backpack is arched away from the back with a mesh "trapeze". This means by pack is always breathing and with the sternum strap, nicely, but not tightly, anchored.

and they also cling somewhat

This might be a function of sizing your tops.

I buy one or two sizes over normal.

This practice means, when needed, I can layer all three merino tops I have en camino and have an air gap to be warmed by body temperature.

I have found synthetic tops retain heat and lead to unpleasantness.

In many cases, what we buy is governed by what the local outdoor shops stock.

Kia kaha (take care, be strong)

 

[bellamira]

Great thread! I've been on the hunt for a merino alternative too but completely paranoid about the stink factor of any substitute I try. You won't know if all the anti odour claims hold up or not until you buy it and try it. It can be an expensive exercise.

I recently bought two Icebreaker shirts on the Black Friday sales and one shirt had holes in the sleeves and holes in the section around the hem. Not sure what that's about but thankfully they are happy to replace.

Back to the stink factor though, I've heard about this detergent called Atsko Sport Wash which is said to remove the stink from fabrics. If that works (anyone tried it?) I might be more open to trying something other than merino.

 

[Bowmanfamily36]

If you are walking in the heat of summer then an ASICS Australian cricket shirt takes some beating. Designed for players who stay out in the sun for 6 hours in 40C heat. All white to reflect heat and very lightweight to keep you as cool as possible and with a generous collar to protect your neck. Last year I walked the Via Francigena for 1200kms and wore the same shirt every day. Dried overnight after washing each evening. Only cost the equivalent of $US20.

 

[MartaM]

There appear to be four varieties of Capilene Cool Ts: Lightweight, Daily, Merino, and Trail. Which do you have? The Merino one is the only one that is advertised as "naturally cooling and odor resistant". But if one of the others is also odor resistant....

I have 3 Capilene cool daily T shirts and one long sleeve hoody. Took 2 of the T’s on the Camino and 1 Woolx merino T. If I could only own one, it would be tough to decide. I still wear both styles all the time. The Capilene hold odor a bit more but hand washing removes it. They’re almost indestructible except my grey heather one has become quite faded, probably from the sun more than anything.They dry very quickly.

 

[Telelama]

Check out the current prices!

Oh I know! The one we bought in April was $80 USD, which is astounding to me! However, this shirt wears great, looks great, performs great... I often wear it simply because it's so darn comfortable.

Lots of great info on this post!

 

[ajpm2222]

Greetings Martin,

I have a brand that I love and trust, but they are quite dear when it comes to price. I trekked my Camino Frances last year kitted out primarily in their clothing, and everything performed tremendously well.

The company is Vollebak.They make adventure clothing out of revolutionary fabrics, such as ceramic, microorganism-imbued cotton, wood, graphene, etc. Sadly for you and my potential testimonial, I wore Vollebak Merino shirts on my Camino, haha. Here is a link to potential products of interest:

T Shirts

Our t shirts are designed for the hottest and coldest places on the planet. We also make the world’s two toughest t shirts. One is engineered with 100,000 ceramic particles. The other is woven with 120 metres of carbon fibre normally found in jet engines.

vollebak.com

The price point is generally far and above premium brands such as Arc’teryx and Norrona, but the quality and ingenuity are par none.

Cheers!

 

[Anhalter]

For my first Camino i bought 2 very light T-Shirts from Ortovox for a lot of money. They are a merino-synthetic mix. I used them for my second camino as well as lots of day hikes and sports activities. Mashine washed multiple times, even in those automatic ones in Spain.
And i still use them. No holes. No pilling. I have to say i am impressed. We are easily talking 3000km between the two of them.

However, if i sweat a lot and have a backpack rubbing on the other side there is some itching. Not horrible, but it is there.
If wool is a no-go, you could look into the Tencel/Lyocell material. Have some yoga shirts made out of it and it is incredibly soft and comfortable. But i have no idea about durability and if the perform well on a hike.

 

[Jarrad]

I used a long-sleeved Patagonia Capilene running shirt and loved it. It was probably comparable to what they now market as a "light weight" Capilene shirt. I love wool too, but as I get older my skin gets a bit thinner, more sensitive, and doesn't love the merino as much. Never had a problem with smell and it dried pretty quickly. I'm looking for other options since my beloved shirt had to get tossed after I got a big gob of pine sap on it (agh!). I used a more recent version of the Patagonia long-sleeved Capilene as well as a similar Marmot shirt last year, loved them, but then managed to lose that one too when I lost some luggage on another trek (not a Camino). In fact, I liked the Marmot even more as it had a smoother, softer texture.

 

[jmounteer]

Thus far on over 2000 kms of Camino trails I have always used Icebreaker Merino tee’s as my ‘go-to’ shirt to walk in. Generally great performance, quick dry, warm in cold conditions and breathable in hot. Also smell and stain resistant and easy to hand wash in the evening. The things I don’t like about them being wool is they tend to rub up in areas where your backpack grinds away and they also cling somewhat (making me on occasion look like a sack of wrestling ferrets!).
I’m beginning to wonder in this age of technology whether there isn’t a better alternative out there made from some kind of man made technical material which provides the functionality and lightness of merino but is perhaps nicer to wear? I’m thinking of brands like Mammut or Fjallraven or similar.
Does anybody have any recommendations? It‘s through this wonderful forum that I discovered Topo Athletic trail runners which I’d never heard of before and I’ve never looked back!
Muchas Gracias in advance.

You shoud look at Eddie Bauer. They have many styles of tops with Polygiene, a silver treatment that prevents odor. Don't pay full price; they always have sales that make the prices reasonable. I recently got polyester/polygiene t-shirts for my wife for $15 with all of the discounts, full price is $40. Here's an example of a men's long sleeve quarter zip shirt: https://www.eddiebauer.com/p/129507...3D675A4612EA0A495D83%40AdobeOrg|TS=1704124187
My favorite merino shirts are Minus 33 brand Wolverino line which are very soft, lightweght and quick drying. It is wool wrapped around a nylon core making a vet durable fabric.

 

[Martin 888]

Greetings Martin,

I have a brand that I love and trust, but they are quite dear when it comes to price. I trekked my Camino Frances last year kitted out primarily in their clothing, and everything performed tremendously well.

The company is Vollebak.They make adventure clothing out of revolutionary fabrics, such as ceramic, microorganism-imbued cotton, wood, graphene, etc. Sadly for you and my potential testimonial, I wore Vollebak Merino shirts on my Camino, haha. Here is a link to potential products of interest:

T Shirts

Our t shirts are designed for the hottest and coldest places on the planet. We also make the world’s two toughest t shirts. One is engineered with 100,000 ceramic particles. The other is woven with 120 metres of carbon fibre normally found in jet engines.

vollebak.com

The price point is generally far and above premium brands such as Arc’teryx and Norrona, but the quality and ingenuity are par none.

Cheers!

Hello…..wow, they look really interesting but the price is gobsmacking! I’d be willing to give them a try but as they are in London and I’m in Canada, it would be tricky to return something that wasn’t right. They have a huge range of short sleeve tees…..do you have one particular shirt of their‘s that you have had a great experience with ? Thanks !

 

[Roland49]

Thus far on over 2000 kms of Camino trails I have always used Icebreaker Merino tee’s as my ‘go-to’ shirt to walk in.

Nope. There is no real alternative to Merino. Merino blend (65-85%) is common, maybe cotton or tech-fiber. They will last longer (especially if handwashed), but do have the advantages of Merino.
I wouldn't mind of the "grinding".

 

[ajpm2222]

Hello…..wow, they look really interesting but the price is gobsmacking! I’d be willing to give them a try but as they are in London and I’m in Canada, it would be tricky to return something that wasn’t right. They have a huge range of short sleeve tees…..do you have one particular shirt of their‘s that you have had a great experience with ? Thanks !

Hi Martin, Indeed, pricey, but intriguing!

I own the ceramic t-shirt. Apart from looking and fitting great, I haven’t truly field tested the ceramic t-shirt just yet. I know the ceramic fabric is slightly thicker than merino and has a tad-bit less give, but boasts many similar properties, and is more durable.

Here is a link to a seemingly objective long-term review of one of their ceramic t-shirts that I found for you:

700 Days With The Condition Black Ceramic T-Shirt | Vinjatek

I once said this was the best t-shirt ever made. After 700 days of wearing it continuously among just 3 other t-shirts around the world, it still is. Nimbly armored with ceramic particles to an advanced textile with active stitching, this is the most technical and tactical t-shirt ever made...

vinjatek.com

Good luck!

 

[AlwynWellington]

If you are walking in the heat of summer then an ASICS Australian cricket shirt takes some beating. Designed for players who stay out in the sun for 6 hours in 40C heat.

Kia ora and what is the fabric these shirts are made off.

The Kiwi online ASICS store does not stock this particular garment.

Kia kaha

 

[Martin 888]

Hi Martin, Indeed, pricey, but intriguing!

I own the ceramic t-shirt. Apart from looking and fitting great, I haven’t truly field tested the ceramic t-shirt just yet. I know the ceramic fabric is slightly thicker than merino and has a tad-bit less give, but boasts many similar properties, and is more durable.

Here is a link to a seemingly objective long-term review of one of their ceramic t-shirts that I found for you:

700 Days With The Condition Black Ceramic T-Shirt | Vinjatek

I once said this was the best t-shirt ever made. After 700 days of wearing it continuously among just 3 other t-shirts around the world, it still is. Nimbly armored with ceramic particles to an advanced textile with active stitching, this is the most technical and tactical t-shirt ever made...

vinjatek.com

Good luck!

I’m going to buy a couple of their Equator tees and see what they’re like……I’ll close my eyes when I fill out the payment section. Here’s hoping……thanks for the reco !!

 

[ajpm2222]

I’m hoping they work out for you, my good man! Haha, I hear you! The prices are not for the faint of heart!

I have several of their other items as well, and they are all holding up great. I actually used their Race to Zero vest during my Camino quite a bit. It’s super light, but has enough padding to alleviate backpack shoulder strap fatigue, and is perfectly thick enough (meaning not much) for early morning starts/evenings when I trekked from beginning of June to end of July.

Plus, the side zipper vents helped to cool things down without having to take the whole vest off in many cases. Just my two cents.

Good luck!

 

[ElCee]

Merino wool T-shirts are practically indistinguishable from cotton T-shirts (except for price!), as far as weight, but merino doesn't hold onto moisture like cotton does. And it doesn't feel sticky when I'm sweaty like some synthetics do.

I dont wear cotton t-shirts. They take too long to dry. I don’t find synthetic t-shirts “sticky”. My Old Navy $20 quick dry synthetic t-shirt worked great for me.

 

[Sarita Louise]

And, I love merino because it doesn't hold the stink of my sweat, no matter how long I wear it before washing it...

 

[Henry B]

I am a recent convert to merino for both base and mierd layers and not only are they relativley odour free but just as importantly as wool they stay warm when wet.
Brands: Isobaa;Fjern;Mountain Warehouse.
Only ever bought at sale prices.
No scratching or grinding issues.

 

[Martin 888]

Greetings Martin,

I have a brand that I love and trust, but they are quite dear when it comes to price. I trekked my Camino Frances last year kitted out primarily in their clothing, and everything performed tremendously well.

The company is Vollebak.They make adventure clothing out of revolutionary fabrics, such as ceramic, microorganism-imbued cotton, wood, graphene, etc. Sadly for you and my potential testimonial, I wore Vollebak Merino shirts on my Camino, haha. Here is a link to potential products of interest:

T Shirts

Our t shirts are designed for the hottest and coldest places on the planet. We also make the world’s two toughest t shirts. One is engineered with 100,000 ceramic particles. The other is woven with 120 metres of carbon fibre normally found in jet engines.

vollebak.com

The price point is generally far and above premium brands such as Arc’teryx and Norrona, but the quality and ingenuity are par none.

Cheers!

Hello……just wanted to let you know that my two Vollebak Equator tee shirts arrived here in eastern Canada today from their warehouse in Holland. Free shipping through DHL was smooth and quick, so great customer service. They look and feel fantastic and if they perform on the trail like they promise, they are going to be well worth the lofty price point. I got one dark green and one dark grey and the former was in their discount ’vault’ (as they call it) at 50% off. The fit is perfect with a great neckline and plenty of room in the upper arms……can’t wait to try them. I’m re-walking the Portuguese from Porto in March and then heading on up to Gijon on the north coast in Asturias to walk back to SdC on the Norte, all in all about 650 kms so they’ll be put through their paces. Thank you soooo much for the reco as I had not previously heard of this company!

 

[malingerer]

I’m a devotee of merino base layers, but IMHO Icebreaker and Smartwool just aren’t as robust as they used to be. I still find them comfortable and can get two or three days camino out of one without smelling like a pole-cat. I don’t think they’re especially ‘quick dry’ though.

Latterly I’ve switched to the OMM range of technical running t-shirts and base layers. Comfortable, hard wearing and quick-dry. There is a slightly heavier weight also described as ‘insulated’.

They may only be easily available in the UK. OMM is ‘original mountain marathon’; which in the days when everything was right with the world, was the Karrimor Mountain Marathon - in which I competed without distinction when both my knees worked properly.

I still have and use my OMM ruck! I didn't know they made clothing As my walking days are over what I have will probably see me out Its back to proper tweed jackets and cords as befitting my great age. The hip flask will also have to be recommissioned. It can be fun getting old except when the damn walker gets stuck on the bus when I'm trying to get off I still haven't figured out how to use one on the trail!
Buen Camino

Samarkand.

 

[dreaming]

I too wore Aldi merino T-shirt and long sleeved merino wool top on CF in October. I only handwashed both. I did notice the long sleeved top was smelly when it was so hot in France. I wore the T Shirt for two weeks straight under my hiking shirt with no smell when the weather was cold and rainy. Both were great and cheap

 

[chinacat]

For those who don’t have the financial wherewithal to purchase Volleback there’s a new fabric from Polartec.
Here’s a link to an article about it:

Cool as mint: why this fresh new tech could transform hot-weather hiking

This groundbreaking new offering from the experts in thermal regulation, Polartec, offers the best of all worlds. Here’s how it works…

www.thegreatoutdoorsmag.com

For the UK there’s even a rather trippy top from Ron Hill in this new fabric!