merino wool versus polypropylene

[Pongo]

After sinking a pretty penny on merino today this thread makes me happy. Having picked up a pair of merino socks a few weeks back and testing them for shall we say... stinkability, I resigned to switching my base layers to merino.

FWIW after the good experiences I had with Macpacs mid layers, my pennies went to them.

Happy to report back after a field test if anyone is interested.

[corvus]

I have found that superglue works a treat on the small holes in fine Merino
corvus

Last edited by corvus on Sun 30 Dec, 2012 6:32 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Strider]

After sinking a pretty penny on merino today this thread makes me happy. Having picked up a pair of merino socks a few weeks back and testing them for shall we say... stinkability, I resigned to switching my base layers to merino.

FWIW after the good experiences I had with Macpacs mid layers, my pennies went to them.

Happy to report back after a field test if anyone is interested.

A username change might soon be in order?

[slparker]

If you think that your base layers won't smell after a few days of sweating in them because they're wool prepare to be sorely mistaken. Yes its lovely stuff i own it and wear it for many activities but after a week out bush maybe it won't smell as bad as if you had polyester or polypropylene on but it's not as if merino has some magic property that will have you smelling like frankincense and myrrh. Lets keep it in perspective.... These stories of 'I wore merino for a week without washing and didn't smell' are written by icebreaker ad execs.

Here's a test, go walking for a few days, smell yourself... Not too bad is it? Go home then have a shower, smell your clothes ( or a colleague/partner yet to have their shower)..... then tell me that 'I don't pong in merino'.

[wayno]

yeah ditto. if you can't wash merino, it can still get up a stink, the more you sweat or the longer it's damp the worse it gets....
not as stinky as polypro. but if you can wash polypro, it drip dries overnight and you're good for another day.... can't say that for merino...
people go on about the stink of merino. just have a spare fresh one to change into when you've stopped walking at the end of the day, you'll be out in the fresh air walking in the stinky one, i dont think its that much of an issue... esp if you're walking somewhere where its likely to persist down and you are looking for a base layer that dries faster..

[forest]

For me I only wear the Ran MeCo base layers now. Unless off track my walking shirt is a LS 120. Love it.
They are a blend of merino and poly pro. Doesn't get a smelly as poly but still dries at the same rate. Much faster drying than pure wool. Doesnt get anywhere near the stink level of polypro alone. It still gets smelly on a week trip but a quick rinse and back on wet has me smelling less fowl and its dry within 20min from body heat. Can't fault it at all other than it holes easy but I don't use it off trails.

[roysta]

These stories of 'I wore merino for a week without washing and didn't smell' are written by icebreaker ad execs.

Been there and done it, but then I have deodorant as part of my first aid kit, not an Icebreaker employee either.

[Miyata610]

These stories of 'I wore merino for a week without washing and didn't smell' are written by icebreaker ad execs.

Been there and done it, but then I have deodorant as part of my first aid kit, not an Icebreaker employee either.

Yep they're fine after a week or so.

Good hygiene practices are still necessary... Maybe that's why some people have better success with them than others.

[roysta]

Good hygiene practices are still necessary... Maybe that's why some people have better success with them than others.

My point exactly !!!!!
Nothing wrong with a clean up at the end of the day and then some deodorant at the beginning of the next.
It will always reduce the smell factor on anything, in fact, that approach might even extend out the smell-less period for the polyprop.

[Snowzone]

Nothing wrong with a clean up at the end of the day and then some deodorant at the beginning of the next.
It will always reduce the smell factor on anything, in fact, that approach might even extend out the smell-less period for the polyprop.

Nope, polypro smells as soon as it touches the skin I think. Even without physical activity. But I still carry polypro for sleeping in if its cold, they're lighter to carry.

I have found that superglue works a treat on the small holes in fine Merino
corvus

I've walked in merino for years but am getting more and more dissapointed with them getting holes so I might try this thanks Corvus.

I've actually just gone back to a synthetic shirt that I'm quite happy with. Its a mix of 60%Modal/40%Coolmax and isn't smelling any worse than merino. It also dries quickly and was cheaper to begin with.

[Robert1956]

As I am new to this,is there a difference between polyester and polypropylene.

[neilmny]

There is a table on this page that compares Polpropelene, Polyester and Wool that will help a bit Robert.
http://info.rockrun.com/reviews/base-la ... truth.html

[Pongo]

I'm not sure if some of these comments are pointed at me so FWIW I expect to be smelling quite the funk after a week in most anything. I'm moving from a polyester thermal to the merino ones to stave off odor as I found the poly ones I have only really take a day to go woofy (if I get a couple of days more out of merino I'll be happy)... perhaps I just excel at sweating...

Question... when heading out on multiday trips, do people take spare sets of layers to avoid 'the funk'?

[Robert1956]

Thankyou Neilmny. The comparison table helped me understand these differences. Sometimes it may feel silly to ask these questions, however if it helps to clear up confusion, then it is well worth while, embarrising though it might be.

[neilmny]

What do they say Robert.......the only silly question is the one not asked!
So ask away and someone around here might have the answer.

[slparker]

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin ... thing.html

Another comparison, mainly between merino and capilene ( polyester). The preferences of the testers at the end is interesting and reflects some of the comments by contributors here. The 'science' isn't at compelling either way, I feel- probably comes down more to fineness of the base layer and propensity for getting wet on a particular trip.

[Rob A]

We use a 2 ply yarn...some rather well known options use a single.

But they have hotter chicks in their posters.

[blacksheep]

We use a 2 ply yarn...some rather well known options use a single.

But they have hotter chicks in their posters.

And a better bar (baa?) at friedrichshafen and OR show

[Rob A]

And a better bar show

Ahh Sauerkraut! The only Lake Constance Ive ever been to is the one where the bottom of my pack ripped apart just before heading up the scree slope to Waiau . Only a little not happy Jan .

[north-north-west]

I don't really have a choice. Polyprop makes me itch. Two hours is my limit in the stuff, and a two hour walk isn't a walk.

[Spartan]

I'm not a huge fan of polypro, but I acknowledge that it has its place. When it's wet and cold I normally reach for quality synthetic first-layers, switching to merino when I'm in the tent. Most of the time I opt for quality merino gear.
As an aside I'm aware of the effects of flash-burn injuries on people wearing polyester first-layers (Melted poly-skin combinations ... yuck). Not likely to be experienced by the average hiker, of course, unless: (1) s/he hikes in the wrong place during bushfire season; or (2) one's preferences run to 'choofer' stoves

All the best,

Ian