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Thanks for the info. I plan to get a t-shirt and try it. Never tried it before as all my shirts are the synthetic. Appreciate the recommendation. EdI've only been wearing 100% Merino Wool shirts & fleeces for the past couple of years. Back in the late 70's/early 80's I had lots of itchy/heavy wool that I wore out in the field and I think that is why I favored the modern synthetics.
But synthetics stink when you perspire. Even the anti-microbial treated synthetics get really funky smelling after a while because the treatments wear out. Pilgrims have a reputation for being stinky.
You can fight that odor problem with 100% Merino Wool. Its also nice and cool in the summer when worn as a sun-shirt, yet it insulates well in the winter. And, unlike synthetics it insulates when wet. Over the past couple of years I find that Merino shirts tend to regulate my body temperature better than synthetics.
If you are unfamiliar with 100% Merino Wool clothing they are often advertised by weight. 150 weight fabric is lightweight, about as thick as a typical men's undershirt. As the fabric weight goes up, 200, 260, 400 so does the insulation properties. As a baselayer shirt in cooler weather or as a summer shirt look for 150 weight. In cold weather step it up to 200 or 260 weight.
Icebreaker is one of the better known brands, but also consider the following brands STOIC, IBEX, Mountain Khaki, Smartwool. A new brand called Voormi looks very interesting for water proof fleeces, but I've never tried one. I own various types of clothing from each of the other brands and all are good. I've worn some for multiple days when hiking and doing laundry could not be done and they resist order amazingly well. They also sink wash and hang dry just about as quickly as any similar weight synthetic.
So do yourself a favor and try some Merino Wool. The people walking with you may be the ones who thank you for not being stinky and you may find ~like I did~ that modern Merino Wool is NOT like the wool that was available a few decades ago.
Shop around, you can find some long-sleeve options on sale from 'last season' on several webstores. Check the "outlet" links on the websites of Moosejaw, Backcountry, REI, etc.Thanks for the info. I plan to get a t-shirt and try it. Never tried it before as all my shirts are the synthetic. Appreciate the recommendation. Ed
iMerino is the best stink free.
However the testicles where a hole in mens boxers after 200 km. I have tried 2 brands same result.
Different for women.
I prefer merino anytime. I love this fibre.
Oz
I have just seen your post. I have a 260 weight merino wool hooded Icebreaker jacket. I have hiked with it in the mountains of western Canada for a couple of years. I would not want to be without it. If it is very cold at night, I wear it inside my down bag with the hood up and am cozy. At that weight, the fabric is unlikely to run or tear. However, it does fray around the wrists and needs a certain amount of mending on my return. I am taking it with me on my camino as my major source of warmth in cool weather. The fraying is a nuisance, but not a deal breaker for me.I would take a merino wool jacket on my next trip (leaving in 10 days). Now I'm worried -- based on other people's comments about fabric tears
... I am not telling anyone in Calgary that, on a 32C day I just made a special trip downtown to buy wool underwear...
Just finished hiking across England along the Hadrian's Wall National Trail and wore an Icebreaker Merino fleece jacket every day ... it was between 40F and 55F every day, strong winds & rain. My baselayer shirt was a 150 weight Stoic, topped by the Icebreaker Fleece Jacket, and, in rain/wind topped that with a Marmot Artemis rain jacket.Quick question: Has anyone backpacked in an Icebreaker (or similar brand) merino wool jacket? I've always hiked in North Face fleece but thought I would take a merino wool jacket on my next trip (leaving in 10 days). Now I'm worried -- based on other people's comments about fabric tears -- that it won't hold up as well as synthetic fleece against friction from the hip belt of the backpack. Never occurred to me to worry about this, until now...
I am wearing a new merino wool base layer for the first time today. It is hot out, the hottest day so far this year and the first day that I did not wear or bring a sweater or jacket.
hot out? No need for sweater or a jacket? I suppose we all have different ideas of what hot is...
I was wearing my Marino 120 weight on the flight back from my Camino today. Staying in Bangkok for a few days. It's 36 degrees C here. Like a couple of days on the CF. Is the shirt hot? You bet ya!
But maybe I just sweat a lot....
I was at the Ice Breaker outlet in Toronto today. i got last year's stock for 50% off. i picked up underwear, t shirts, and an amazing pair of Merino wool shorts. Thy even had long pants
Yes, there's a product called Hikers Wool - you can order online through their website hikerswool.co.nz. Some swear by it, I took some on my Camino but didn't need to use it so can't speak for its effectiveness. As far as I can tell it's just finely carded (and clean!) lambswool, so you could probably buy the equivalent in Canada.I LOVE New Zealand... and I will trust any of you when it come to expertise with wool.
May I ask an unrelated question? I have heard from several people who alked the Camino that in New Zealand you can buy actual wool to apply to hot spys on skin to stop them from blistering? What is that producr called? Is it sold outside New Zealand?
Or you can just remove it from the fences as you walk over the Pyrenees - at least, that is what I've read several times in this forum.Yes, there's a product called Hikers Wool - you can order online through their website hikerswool.co.nz. ...Buen Camino!
Or you can just remove it from the fences as you walk over the Pyrenees - at least, that is what I've read several times in this forum.
Suzanne
Hi KangaFor any Aussies reading this thread I see that next Saturday Aldi has cheap merino mid-weight motorcycle jumpers - like an ordinary jumper but with a zip up collar. They are in men's sizes but who cares, in a jumper? I bought one last year, I presume the same, and it was fantastic for the Camino.
My housemate, who bought it in bulk (from Aldi she thinks) and transferred it to another container, doesn't remember.What does the label say? On the soaker?
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