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Best Thermals? Best Thermals?
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  #1  
Old 6 Dec 2012
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Best Thermals?
Any thoughts on the best thermals for a base layer?
Merino wool seems to get good reviews, doesn't get too pongy after a few days too.
Dave.
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  #2  
Old 6 Dec 2012
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YES Merino wool is the way to go.... full stop !

using a Woolpower Crew-neck 400, pack's small very light compare to synthetics and keeps warm and don't get smelly that easy.
Get some additional Woolpower socks in 200 for summer and the 400 for the rest of the year, last you a long time too.
As a base layer a Merino summer T-shirt is very good but I found that the typically cheapish biker's coolmax or thermal shirts work as well, easy to wash and dry in an instant. Well spend money on the above items, keeps you comfortable.

All this works way better than any cotton T-shirt you find, unless you consider the cotton T-shirt as a sort of ware ones and disposal item... but than, well consider the bulk.
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  #3  
Old 6 Dec 2012
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Definitely merino for me. Keen on Helly Hansen crewneck for everyday then maybe high neck IceBreaker or Chocolate Fish for extra warmth.

Not all products seem to enjoy the same feature, but I find merino does offer the benefits of not needing regularly washing as much as other thermals tend to.

I rarely find my legs getting really cold and tend to rely on thicker trousers with Lifa leggings if required.

Richard
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  #4  
Old 7 Dec 2012
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Question
What are the merinos like for washing?

1) Hand washing - easy?

2) Drying? Over night in a tent/hotel room? Dry well?

3) Longevity? How long do they last with constant hand washing?

I suppose I'm comparing them to synthetics..

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  #5  
Old 7 Dec 2012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Warin View Post
What are the merinos like for washing?

1) Hand washing - easy?
Treat it as any other woolly jumper you know from your childhood.
yes easy, a sink or bowl will do, just need to be soaked for a few minutes, than squash and splash a bit for a few times, rinse it out with clean water and squash again... done,

Quote:
2) Drying? Over night in a tent/hotel room? Dry well?
than roll the knitted stuff in a towel and twist the sausage to get even more water out, than lay down on a dry towel or flat surface or a stone... well ok need to dry a bit longer than synthetics, but can be worn damp and still warms you without chill like other fabrics.

Quote:
3) Longevity? How long do they last with constant hand washing?
good quality will last a long time, cheap don't, most of the Merino wool stuff is not 100% wool, but rather 70% mixed with some 25% Polyamide to give it stability.

Got my Woolpower crewneck the 2nd year now and still no pealing off any bits, still looks good, well worth the extra money.

aaahh... yeah... sorry for mentioning that... but if that washing business is all a bit to much of a hassle... well ... read the label..
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  #6  
Old 8 Dec 2012
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I love my finisterre merino clothing - 3 tee shirts, two vests and a pair of long johns. Well made, long lasting warm when you want warm stuff, yet not too hot on a warm day. Recommended as a base layer and you can wear for weeks withou going pongy. Merino Wool Base Layer Specialist | Mens Merino Base Layers | Finisterre UK

Woolpower stuff is lots warmer and I have a couple of 200g tops, again recommended. For real warmth its got to be Down jackets - checkout Tamarack offer on Bergans jackets - I got one they are local to me - and its one of the best things I have bought. Bergans Down Light Mens Jacket 5340
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  #7  
Old 15 Jan 2013
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As always, the answer is "it depends":

Pro's Merino:

- Doesn't get smelly, you can wear it for a really long time!
- Much warmer than synthetics
- Even warm when damp/wet

Pro's Synthetics:

- Dries much faster
- Transports moisture away from your body a lot better
- Slightly cheaper

Cotton is horrible, it kind of combines the disadvantages of both the above.

For me I've gone exclusively to Merino for biking, but would pick synthetics for any kind of sport that does not happen on the road (washing machine nearby) and is likely going to generate a lot of sweat.
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Old 17 Jan 2013
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merino all the way
got a cheap long sleeve from wiggle, bloomin brilliant
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  #9  
Old 17 Jan 2013
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Whichwhatwherewhowhy
Wiggle????

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Originally Posted by stuxtttr View Post
got a cheap long sleeve from wiggle, bloomin brilliant
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  #10  
Old 18 Jan 2013
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Merino
Ace posts, cheers all.
Merino type stuff it is then!
I have seen them in "wiggle" Lidl too but sold out by the time I got there.
Always used to use helly(smelly)hansens but time for a change me thinks.
Cheers. Dave.
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  #11  
Old 18 Jan 2013
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Quote:
Originally Posted by djorob View Post
I have seen them in "wiggle" Lidl too but sold out by the time I got there.
EDZ do marino as well at good'ish prices

Welcome - EDZ

John
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  #12  
Old 19 Jan 2013
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I think Aldi had a range of Merino base layers but they'll all be gone because a couple of snowflakes fell yesterday!
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  #13  
Old 21 Jan 2013
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Merino wool thermals for sure. Use them in Scotland -10 and colder.
Good kit.
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  #14  
Old 25 Jan 2013
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I have worked in some damn cold places in my time, so I tend to wear the proper gear when doing so.

My weapon of choice at the moment is the thermal athletic gear that comes out in Aldi on a semi-regular basis....Crane I think is the brand.Quite distinctive stuff,I go for the vented and compression thermals to actually allow you move about and not sweat to death when using them for outdoors work or on the bike.

Full set costs about £20...it is easy to wash and stays non-smelly on an extended trip
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