I am also a recent convert to merino and based on previous posts on this forum tried Icebreaker (t-shirts and underwear) and really liked them, found them to be less stinky (able to get 2-3 days wear on t-shirts without washing; similarly on underwear with disposable panty liners - was that TMI?). Dried super fast even when hung indoors, underwear dry within a couple of hours, t-shirts definitely by next morning - faster when I could hang outside in the sun.
As others have noted, be careful to read labels, not all are 100% merino (even Icebreaker) and have some synthetic yarns added which in my experience tend to retain odors (although maybe make them faster drying?).
Like others, I experienced some small holes. I didn't notice them upon opening items delivered in manufacturer's plastic bag, only after first wear - tiny little holes, maybe moths? or a snag on something? Hard to tell, but if moths that meant they were sent to me with holes. REI took them back for full refund, no questions even though worn (love REI! - slightly off topic, but found Hikegoo on their website, saved my feet from blisters, highly recommend). I recommend checking them carefully before wear - hold them up to the light to see. Other than the holes of unknown origin, the 2 shirts held up well for my 6 week walk. I did not wear merino bottoms, instead alternating between leggings and a skort, depending on weather, neither dried completely when hung in the bathroom after hand washing , better when I could hang outdoors in sun, but mostly just a damp waistband, which wasn't uncomfortable to wear, but I didn't want to pack them damp.
I was walking in spring on the Norte and Primitivo and didn't find them too warm, not sure how they would fare in summer. Icebreaker makes a very thin version, but too see through for me. I bought t-shirts in Icebreaker's Tech Lite II fabric, the super thin version is Sphere II. Mornings were chilly, fleece top and t-shirt were good for start (until mid-May when I stopped wearing the fleece and was warm enough after a half hour or so to not feel the chill), t-shirt felt fine in the hotter weather - but this was spring and north is cooler in any event.
For socks I used a variety of different brands, all with merino (there have been lots of posts on socks, so won't repeat here) - I brought at least 6-8 pairs because I wanted to change mid-day and kept the dirty ones in a small dry sack so they wouldn't stink up the rest of my clothes before I could wash them.
- New Zealand actually banned the practice of mulesing a few years ago, so there's another reason to buy NZ brands! (but still worth checking individual company policy since many are not now manufactured here).
