Surprised to find so little love for merino on here, I expected at least a few fans.
Not that it really matters to anyone else, but I bought my first merino base layer at least a decade ago (it's actually just been relegated to a pyjama top after I caught it on a branch and ripped it on a ride) and have slowly acquired more and more. I rarely wear anything else for riding, hill walking, fell running, or paddling, except maybe short really high intensity stuff when it's really hot. There's no way I'd wear anything else for a multi-day trip now. Horses for courses I suppose.
Merino doesn't work me in sports either, except in very moderate level activities. MTB , XC-skiing, hiking with backpack are all out of question for me, except those lovely wool mesh things.
I do like to use merino shirts and other items in everyday use, currently wearing merino socks and merino hoodie while working from home.
I am another sweaty type that merino doesn't seem to work that well for. I have just got a mesh top by Brynje. So far it's been very good. I have yet to try it in 'extremis'. It was recommended by a couple of mates from running club. One used theirs whilst trekking across a frozen lake hauling a pulk and said it worked well.
This stuff
I stil have a Rapha 'sportwool' (merino/synethic mix) from - I think - 2007 or 2008.
It's lasted insanely well - better than any other cycling kit I've ever owned - and I still favour it for dry autumn/spring rides.
But as with others I'd never wear a 100% merino garment for anything high intensity, or for hiking with a pack.
Merino baselayers are great for round the house now its cold though, no smell at all on me even after not washing for absolutely ages (like, over a month :-0 ).
Had 2 Marino smartwool base layers for a climbing/hiking trip to Nepal didn't shower for 5 weeks and didn't pong too badly and again for 2 weeks biking the Annapurna Circuit still smelt ok. Maybe due to the dryness of altitude but would still recommend them.
I do like to use merino shirts and other items in everyday use, currently wearing merino socks and merino hoodie while working from home.
Yeah I have a couple of t-shirts that I wear casually. They are quite thick and a lot warmer than a normal T so when WFH in a house with the heating down they help. I'm also wearing a venerable Smartwool jumper which I love largely because it's pretty light and open so I don't get too hot. However it's suffered from that other big merino disadvantage - it's got a couple of moth holes in it. I guess you could say it was moth-eaten but that makes it sound so much worse 🙂
I guess merino gear doesn’t work for everyone, Judging by the lack of love for merino on this thread, I do sweat quite a lot when out on the bike, or outdoorsy stuff, even more when I used to be fit and whilst merino gear does hold moisture more than synthetic stuff, I never felt cold or uncomfortable wearing merino even after long days out, whole day mtbing etc. Worn mine for several days at a time and never had a problem with it smelling bad or needed washing etc. personally I found it the most comfortable stuff to wear whilst on the bike or hiking, better than anything else I’ve tried.
If I had any left that hadn’t been shrunk in the wash/tumble dryer by accident, they would be what I’d reach for esp for long / multi days out.
Every time I look for some new merino t shirts, base layers etc they seem to cost a bomb now and I put it off. This thread has reminded me to have another look.
