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Another vote for merino wool.As a lifelong lover of cotton, I'm having to re-frame my thinking as I plan my walking wardrobe for a Sept-Oct Camino. The long-sleeved shirts that are said to wick away perspiration are made of either mostly polyester or mostly nylon. Research tells me that polyester rejects moisture better and dries faster but that nylon retains less odor and lasts longer. Can anyone shed light on which of these two fabrics are preferable for day after day walking?
Hi, Walking in May/June, I took merino - one short sleeved t, one long sleeved light tee, and one heavier with hood. I layered when needed. I also took one of the polyester travel shirts you reference, and preferred the merino. The polyester always looked wrinkled and didn't dry any faster. The only good thing about it was that the collar protected my neck. However, when not using my one Buff around my head, that worked for my neck with the t shirts. I also had a pair of merino underwear, but the travel nylon ones were better for drying. Buen Camino!As a lifelong lover of cotton, I'm having to re-frame my thinking as I plan my walking wardrobe for a Sept-Oct Camino. The long-sleeved shirts that are said to wick away perspiration are made of either mostly polyester or mostly nylon. Research tells me that polyester rejects moisture better and dries faster but that nylon retains less odor and lasts longer. Can anyone shed light on which of these two fabrics are preferable for day after day walking?
I've made a dress out of merino that I'll be using on the Camino. I washed it in the sink and wrung it out by hand (not very well) and it dried within a few hours. In fact it was mostly dry in less than two hours. I was very surprised at how quickly it dried.Another vote for merino wool.
I had 2 short sleeve and 1 long sleeve merino wool with me on my June/July Camino. I wore merino when hiking across England. When hiking in Scotland. When hiking in the mountains in the US. It is my year round fabric of choice.
It also dries overnight if washed in a sink and wrung out by hand and hung to dry. Perfect for any Camino weather.
Merino wool, hands down, for any weather any season.As a lifelong lover of cotton, I'm having to re-frame my thinking as I plan my walking wardrobe for a Sept-Oct Camino. The long-sleeved shirts that are said to wick away perspiration are made of either mostly polyester or mostly nylon. Research tells me that polyester rejects moisture better and dries faster but that nylon retains less odor and lasts longer. Can anyone shed light on which of these two fabrics are preferable for day after day walking?
I have an old faithful merino and silk base layer vest which has travelled around the globe a few times and pair this with a high wicking mesh lined polyester shirt.
This article is a great guide to how the different materials preform and what they are best sited for: Comparison of Base Layer Materials
Interesting comments.I prefer the blousiness of polyester long sleeve shirts.
...
They are definitely not itchy!
Regards
Gerard
Define 'hot' and 'very hot'. I am sitting here in Houston, Tx where it is 97 F at 8pm and 70% humidity. Are you saying merino wool would be the choice hiking here as well?I'm in the merinovoteclub, use shortsleeve merino in very hot summerdays too. After some years of reluctance, I have, after trying it in very hot Mallorcamountains some years ago, never used anything else for walking.
A merino long sleeved layer has the benefit of being considerably warmer than a poly/pro long sleeved layer, can be worn for about 3 consecutive days before odour becomes an issue and can usefully serve as an extra warm layer in a cold dormitory. The drawbacks would be that it takes considerably longer to dry when washed and is a fair bit more expensive to buy. Perhaps carry 1 merino long sleeved top and 1 long sleeved poly/pro top. I would avoid cotton layers totally, they are a very poor insulator when wet, take a long time to dry and heavy compared to wool or poly/ pro layers. Have never come across nylon layers other than as a component in rain jackets so no useful advise to offer.
This link gives advise which my personal experience of multi season hill walking in Ireland supports:
http://besthiking.net/comparison-of-base-layer-materials/
In order of affinity for water/ sweat wicking cotton is greatest,then wool then nylon and polyester.the inverse applies to ease of drying,so for eg polyster is quick drying and slow to adsorbe sweat,and mist.In hot external ambient air cotton cools best due to acting like an outer sweating skin if it is loose.polyester has best air retention and concequent best heat insulating properties but if the external air is hotter than comfortable or if your body has to dissapate heat polyester is the poorest at this function.loose cotton or wool is used by desert dwellers,not cheaper nylon,polyester of acrylic.
Define 'hot' and 'very hot'. I am sitting here in Houston, Tx where it is 97 F at 8pm and 70% humidity. Are you saying merino wool would be the choice hiking here as well?
Yes! The thinnest and lightest Icebreaker is excellent in temperature over 30-35C too!Define 'hot' and 'very hot'. I am sitting here in Houston, Tx where it is 97 F at 8pm and 70% humidity. Are you saying merino wool would be the choice hiking here as well?
Absolutely. I live 13 deg South of the Equator and we have those conditions as well as dry hot conditions. For both I would pick the Merino shirt in preference. And that for any of my Merino based tops, the Montane Bionic or the Kathmandu based light T-shirts which feels like a thin soft cotton. The only thing you may have to consider is the durability of the particular blend you have. Certain materials develop holes quickly. Pack straps can do a number on a thin shirt. That is where some of the synthetics may have an advantage (but not always).Define 'hot' and 'very hot'. I am sitting here in Houston, Tx where it is 97 F at 8pm and 70% humidity. Are you saying merino wool would be the choice hiking here as well?
I hike in the midwest, we have 80% humidity and its commonly in the 90s. I use Merino for hiking here.Define 'hot' and 'very hot'. I am sitting here in Houston, Tx where it is 97 F at 8pm and 70% humidity. Are you saying merino wool would be the choice hiking here as well?
Good merino wool is not itchy.
Many people who are sensitive to wool are actually sensitive to the lanolin, which is in the merino wool. If your skin isn't sensitive to wool, then merino wool will not be itchy, but if you are sensitive, then it will likely cause the same itchiness, welts, and redness as any other wool.
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