[Closed] Hi - My name is Mike and I'm a Merino-aholic

It is fantastic, congrats - you win!

What's your merino sock of choice, Mike?

socks

ooooh i hadn't got that far

socks

ooooh i hadn't got that far

Pah! Amateur...

Merino sealskinz?

T

PS Agree, Icebreaker kit is excellent.

There is a Discovery Channel reporter who is sponsored by Icebreaker.... the irony is he buys stuff from Embers with his own money.

Take a look - really lovely people too.

http://www.embersmerino.com/

i think i gave a lift to some of the embers guys mates at the Fort Bill world cup

I don't think it performs as well as other man-made base layers; it gets wetter, and stays wetter, and as for all that 'I can wear it ten days on the run' stuff, so what? I [b]wash[/b] my clothes...

I'm not too keen on it for biking or climbing. The only advantage that I can see over man-made stuff is that it doesn't smell. It gets wet, stays wet and takes an age to dry. I am naturally a sweaty bugger though.

For non-sweatier activities though, I'd agree it's quite nice.

2x Nike merino tops
1x Fox merino top
1x Rapha s/s Fixed jersey
1x Raphs l/s Fixed jersey
2x Choccy Fish t-shirts
2x Old style CF t-shirts
1x CF LS zip neck
1x CF heavy weight fleece
6pr CF sports socks
1pr CF trekking socks short
1pr CF trekking socks long
4pr CF boxer shorts
1pr longjohns
1pr Maverick socks
1pr Cars-r-coffins socks
1pr Surly socks

Thats all so far 🙂

I can really reccomend the Chocolate Fish stuff as its top quality and pretty cheap.

SSP

i think it has a great throughput of moisture when put in a good layering system, it does stay wet if not in direct contact with body heat though

For those nay sayers tests have shown merino wool next to the skin out performs any man made fibers in hot or cold weather.

I find it fantastic and use merino a lot in the outdoors.

Anyone got any pics of the Spot Brand Merino tops - interested in them but can't find pics

I bought 2 bright green "vail" t-shirts in the howies sale (my invoice says 14th January 2009)
I haven't washed either one yet.
[b]beat it.[/b]

I also once wore one of the vail t-shirts with "howies" written across the front everyday for 2 weeks without washing it, it still had loads to go, but my work "collegues" started to notice.

the thing that breaks em is deodorant because it clogs the fibres....

[i]For those nay sayers tests have shown merino wool next to the skin out performs any man made fibers in hot or cold weather.[/i]

Which tests?

Out performs in what way?

It gets wetter and stays wetter when I bike in it. Man-made stuff doesn't get as wet and doesn't stay as wet, and, given that the point of a base layer is to wick sweat away, it would seem that, to me at least, merino is not as good as it is made out to be.

crikey,

outperforms as is doesn't need washing as much.

your poxy man made fibres are destroying the planet, baby

hey crikey have you actually [i]used[/i] merino or are you pontificating your views with no basis in fact?

I bet your man made stuff really stinks! Kind of like your forum posts, but stinking in a different kind of way.

[i]I bet your man made stuff really stinks! Kind of like your forum posts, but stinking in a different kind of way.[/i]

I'm pretty sure it's past your bedtime, but yes, I've used it. That's how I know that it performs less well than the man-made stuff I use.
No, my man-made stuff doesn't stink; as I said above, I wash it, like your mummy does to your clothes.

and therefore lies your downfall sir.

note my washing statistics above.

also please state the definition of your

performs less well than the man-made stuff I use.

crikey has an opinion, therefore it must be truth. The end.

It may be "wetter", but I find it warmer when wet, and that is what I use my base layers for (don't know if that is the correct use of a base layer). I tend to just use a 100 weight fleece and a merino wool top unless it is frosty or peeing it down

Dasnut, stop being a cock.

yeah well that solves the man made vs merino once and for all

dasnut stops being a cock, manmade wins. bingo.

I have used a merino base layer for around 5 years or so, thats winter and summer, and the thing is it keeps your temperature constant. So 30 degrees alps or minus 5 holmfirth temperature your core temp stays about the same. Man made just doesn't do that. In my experience anyway.

I've got some man made merino seal skinz and their crap.

Don't know whether its the natural wool element or the man made synthetic fibres.

the debate continues..............

its a good point crag - does the man made sealskin "plastic bag" effect have a detrimental effect on the performance of the closely knitted merino sub structure.

I, for one, would like to know.

So our experience differs, that's all you needed to say instead of acting like a kid.

🙄

I have gradually gone back to wool. Merino baselayers and rough wool top. Even gloves.

I regularly saw temps down to -15 on the mountains this winter dressed like this.

Rode the StrathPuffer this year solo like that. We had a bit of weather. My temperature regulation was much better than previous years. Only felt chilled after I broke my rib.

I have to say that merino (howies) under goretex xcr is the best layering I've worn. seem to be sweatier and end up wetter if I wear manmade base layer.

Cost me a fair amount but hey, I'm worth it

[i]it still had loads to go, but my work "collegues" started to notice.[/i]

So you're saying it started to smell, then?

I'm with crikey on this, merino,(for me at least) gets wet and stays like that in a way that my (non smelly) Helly Hansens don't, and as I have a factory HH outlet that sells bases at a tenner, down the road, it's a no-brainer.

no, they noticed I had the same t-shirt on for 2 weeks.

as you say, its a "no-brainer"

So, in reality, you're saying the only real advantage of merino is that it doesn't smell if you wear it for extended periods...Seeing as I live in the 21st century and have access to all sorts of cunning labour saving devices that wash my clothes for me whilst i do other, more interesting things, dosn't really seem like a performance edge worth paying 4 times what I can pay for other, less woolly materials...

I'm yet to be convinced.

If you'd have said that wearing merino transforms the wearer into a superhero of almost mythical riding, and girl attracting skill*, then maybe I would have paid more attention

*notwithstanding mrmichaelwright's obvious charms 🙂

1. Warmth: With many crimps per inch, wool forms a countless number of almost microscopic air pockets in between individual fibers. While the overall fabric is breathable, these miniscule pockets trap body-warmed ("dead") air. As with sleeping-bag insulation, trapped air keeps a person warm.

What about damp conditions? A property unique to wool is its ability to release small amounts of heat as it absorbs water. This effect is known by the arcane term "heat of sorption." Energy, in the form of small amounts of heat, is produced through the work of moisture-absorption (and condensation) by wool fibers.

Interestingly, as noted in the next section, this effect is reversed as the fiber dries. Thus by absorbing and releasing controlled amounts of moisture and heat, merino wool buffers the body's microclimate in changing environmental conditions. This leads to manufacturer assertions that merino wool delivers "natural air conditioning" —a lofty claim, yet one that seems to have merit.

2. But not too much warmth (in other words, temperature control in changing conditions): Everyone associates wool with warmth. But can it really give a person the best of both worlds, providing comfort in both warm and cool conditions?

So it appears. (After all, sheep manage pretty well in warm weather, perhaps a survival attribute developed over centuries.) But wouldn't the body-warmed trapped air, which warms me when it's cool, cause me to overheat when it's hot? No, wool proponents tell me, because wool tends to work like an insulated mug:

Wool fibers, while highly breathable, buffer skin from air heated by the sun the same way they can trap warmed air and keep it close to skin in cool conditions.
By efficiently managing the humid microclimate created between skin and clothing (see details in the Moisture Management section below), wool keeps skin regulated for comfort in hot conditions.
Based on my anecdotal experience, I can't argue with those assessments.

3. Moisture management: Wool has the capacity to both absorb perspiration (in vapor form) while also resisting water (in a liquid state such as light rain). Admittedly, this is another of those you-can-have-it-both-ways claims that sounds too good to be true, but wool proponents insist they have the science to back it up.

While the exterior layer of a wool fiber is hydrophobic (water-resistant, that is; see next section for an explanation), its inner layer, its cortex, is hydrophilic (water-loving). The cortex can absorb about to one-third of its weight in moisture (estimates range from 27% to 36%), typically without feeling damp. It may, however, feel a few grams heavier in this condition.

On a perspiring person, in the high-humidity zone between fabric and skin, sweat in the form of vapor is absorbed by the wool fiber's cortex. Meanwhile, the hydrophobic exterior layer of the fiber next to your skin minimizes the chance that wet fabric will come in contact with your skin.

The moisture absorbed inside the cortex? It is impacted by air and sunlight on the outside of the garment. By being exposed to a lower-humidity zone, moisture is released through evaporation, and the fabric feels drier. The wearer thus feels comfortable.

Synthetic fabrics "wick" moisture by transporting it through very narrow air spaces between hydrophobic (water-avoiding) fibers. This requires sweat vapor to condense before it is moved through the fabric—an extra step, wool proponents assert, that makes synthetics slower than wool's moisture-management process.

4. Water-resistance: The scaly exterior layer of a wool fiber is called the cuticle and is overlaid with the epicuticle, itself coated with lanolin, a waxy, water-shedding film. The epicuticle and its waxy coating is what confers wool's resistance to mist and light rain. This structure also helps make the fiber resistant to stains, mildew and mold.

Crikey you were asking which tests... have a read of this

Might not work as well for you... sure as shit works way better than man made for me. Each to their own!!

[i]This information comes from a three-year project managed by [b]The New Zealand Merino Company[/b] (NZM). The project was jointly funded by [b]Merino Inc[/b] and Technology New Zealand, with in-kind support from NZM and Designer Textiles International (DTI).[/i]

And the research suggests Merino is best. Amazing...

Doesn't work for me, tho.

Yes Crikey. Just because the research was funded by people who have something to gain from the positive results does not mean that it was not a scientific test.

Gee, all those drugs out there that help people out every day. The research was funded by drug companies. Oh No!! Their research must be wrong too and actually those drugs dont work!!

The study was done through a respectable University and would have been done scientifically. Shall I try and google up some better papers with better references for you to read?? I dont think it would ever get you to change your mind so I aint going to waste my time.

I've mentioned my own personal experiences with merino, it doesn't work as well for me, so drag up whatever you want, but it won't make it work for me.
Sorry.

reading this in Oz being a Merino addict here might mean a different thing, there are millions of the f'kers out there in every field munching on bugger all

...in Oz being a Merino addict here might mean a different thing...

Are merino sheep any prettier than your average sheep..?

Merino works differently from synthetics. It holds moisture within its structure and away from your skin which makes it comfortable whereas synthetics tend to wick it outwards. If you're hot running and sweaty, you'll tend to produce more moisture than merino can cope with at times and it gets wet and takes longer to dry, though it's still relatively comfortable when damp and slightly exothermic too.

The non-pong thing is great on multi-day treks etc. Feels nice against the skin in hot conditions too.

It just depends on your personal physiology. If you sweat loads, a good, wicking synthetic will arguably work better, if you don't merino is lovely.

No right or wrong clothing, just what works for you. And it may be that merino works well for you for some activities - winter walking for me for example - but not for others, wamer conditions mountain biking in my case again.

Hope that makes some sort of sense and Icebreaker is rather nice, yes. Good compromise is something like Sportwool which combines merino and polyester in a single fabric.

Yes Crikey. Just because the research was funded by people who have something to gain from the positive results does not mean that it was not a scientific test.

Gee, all those drugs out there that help people out every day. The research was funded by drug companies. Oh No!! Their research must be wrong too and actually those drugs dont work!!

Bringing the integrity of drug company studies into it is a peculiar supporting argument. Among other distortions observable in many studies, ever heard of publication bias?

I'm with crikey here. Merino's OK, and I like its smell resistance especially in contrast to my older man-made tops. In terms of comfort and wicking though, it's not as good [u]in my experience[/u]. That's my personal experience, based on using both. Doesn't make me a "hater" or "nay sayer" or whatever other term seems to licence the more childish to get so worked up.

Merino is fab. Having worked in an outdoor shop and was able to get really silly prices for icebreakers I was lucky to try out lots of tops (and socks) for little money. It is warmer than most synthetic materials and I found them better than wearing a fleece. Concerning them getting wet, I rode out of Glen Feshie to Aviemore in the rain (no waterproof cos they are too hot) got to the Cairngorm hotel and just stuck another merino top on top, I didn't chill and the wet layer wasn't uncomfortable, no smell it was great. If hadn't had the opportunity to buy merino at such low prices Im not sure I would be so enthusistic about though. The only merino item I don't like are merino pants!

Possibly the people who have tried merino base layers and didn't like them didn't get them close fitting enough.

The only merino item I don't like are merino pants!

Our next door neighbours (and good mated) bought me a pair of Howies merino pants for my birthday - I was dubious, but they are so incredibly comfortable for walking in! My 'special treat' pants, in a way...

I love my on-one merino socks, 3 pairs for a tenner at Selkirk Merida last year. No signs of wear so far unlike my Smart socks which seemed to wear out very quickly.Not so impressed with my two Howies tops which have got small holes in them despite being careful and not knowingly having snagged them. Do like the thinner one but I got it for 25 quid and I think they are over 60 now, too rich for me. Anybody tried the Ground effect Merino stuff.

Some of you are obviously really sweaty fat biffers.

Steven, the Ground effect Merino stuff is a blend with man made. I have some and it seems to work well. The blend means it will wear for longer etc.

With the pound conversion to the NZ dollar at the moment it is probably pretty cheap too??

I too am a merino fan - I have merino and a variety of manmade.

On really hot days, I think my manmade handles sweat better (but it may also be that the manmade tops I wear in hot conditions are more 'lightweight' and summer specific.

For 80% of the year, merino is more comfortable, maintains a steadier 'core' temperature, is much more comfortable when damp/wet (great for paddling/wet weather). I think its like soft shell stuff vs hardshell - at the 'extreme' end of performance its not *quite* as good - but for 80%+ of the time it is superior and more comfortable.

I now get trade discount for work on a brand of merino, and hope to open another when I start with another company for the staff and I... 🙂

which have got small holes in them despite being careful and not knowingly having snagged them

This is my experience also, with merino stuff from lots of different brands (Howies, Swobo, Ground Effect etc). I like the performance of merino, but the thread from which merino fabrics tend to be woven appear to be either weak, contain some weaknesses, or weaken with wearing/washing. The result is these small holes. For me this makes is functional, but not hardwearing. I've never had a similar problem with synthetic stuff, which also has the advantage of being much cheaper...