merino wool versus polypropylene

Bushwalking gear and paraphernalia. Electronic gadget topics (inc. GPS, PLB, chargers) belong in the 'Techno Babble' sub-forum.
Forum rules
TIP: The online Bushwalk Inventory System can help bushwalkers with a variety of bushwalk planning tasks, including: Manage which items they take bushwalking so that they do not forget anything they might need, plan meals for their walks, and automatically compile food/fuel shopping lists (lists of consumables) required to make and cook the meals for each walk. It is particularly useful for planning for groups who share food or other items, but is also useful for individual walkers.

Re: merino wool versus polypropylene

Postby Pongo » Sat 29 Dec, 2012 8:44 pm

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.
Pongo
Athrotaxis cupressoides
Athrotaxis cupressoides
 
Posts: 193
Joined: Fri 18 Feb, 2011 5:34 pm
ASSOCIATED ORGANISATIONS: Melbourne Young Hikers
Region: Victoria

Re: merino wool versus polypropylene

Postby corvus » Sat 29 Dec, 2012 8:59 pm

I have found that superglue works a treat on the small holes in fine Merino :D
corvus
Last edited by corvus on Sun 30 Dec, 2012 6:32 pm, edited 1 time in total.
collige virgo rosas
User avatar
corvus
Vercundus gearus-freakius
Vercundus gearus-freakius
 
Posts: 5488
Joined: Mon 23 Apr, 2007 7:24 pm
Location: Devonport
Region: Tasmania
Gender: Male

Re: merino wool versus polypropylene

Postby Strider » Sat 29 Dec, 2012 10:15 pm

Pongo wrote: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? :P
User avatar
Strider
Lagarostrobos franklinii
Lagarostrobos franklinii
 
Posts: 5875
Joined: Mon 07 Nov, 2011 6:55 pm
Location: Point Cook
Region: Victoria
Gender: Male

Re: merino wool versus polypropylene

Postby slparker » Sun 30 Dec, 2012 2:44 am

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'.
slparker
Athrotaxis selaginoides
Athrotaxis selaginoides
 
Posts: 1407
Joined: Fri 25 Apr, 2008 10:59 pm

Re: merino wool versus polypropylene

Postby wayno » Sun 30 Dec, 2012 2:59 am

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..
from the land of the long white clouds...
User avatar
wayno
Lagarostrobos franklinii
Lagarostrobos franklinii
 
Posts: 8685
Joined: Sun 19 Jun, 2011 7:26 am
Location: NZ
Region: New Zealand
Gender: Male

Re: merino wool versus polypropylene

Postby forest » Sun 30 Dec, 2012 8:41 am

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.
I am a GEAR JUNKIE and GRAM COUNTER !!

There, It's out. I said it, Ahh I feel better now :lol:
User avatar
forest
Phyllocladus aspleniifolius
Phyllocladus aspleniifolius
 
Posts: 858
Joined: Wed 13 Jul, 2011 9:21 am
Location: Hunter Valley
Region: New South Wales
Gender: Male

Re: merino wool versus polypropylene

Postby roysta » Sun 30 Dec, 2012 3:07 pm

slparker wrote: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. :D
User avatar
roysta
Phyllocladus aspleniifolius
Phyllocladus aspleniifolius
 
Posts: 674
Joined: Mon 22 Dec, 2008 8:14 am
Location: New South Wales
Region: New South Wales
Gender: Male

Re: merino wool versus polypropylene

Postby Miyata610 » Sun 30 Dec, 2012 4:06 pm

roysta wrote:
slparker wrote: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. :D


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.
Phil
User avatar
Miyata610
Phyllocladus aspleniifolius
Phyllocladus aspleniifolius
 
Posts: 503
Joined: Sat 10 Dec, 2011 3:39 pm
Location: One hour from the arm river track
Region: Tasmania
Gender: Male

Re: merino wool versus polypropylene

Postby roysta » Sun 30 Dec, 2012 5:27 pm

Miyata610 wrote: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.
User avatar
roysta
Phyllocladus aspleniifolius
Phyllocladus aspleniifolius
 
Posts: 674
Joined: Mon 22 Dec, 2008 8:14 am
Location: New South Wales
Region: New South Wales
Gender: Male

Re: merino wool versus polypropylene

Postby Snowzone » Sun 30 Dec, 2012 7:05 pm

roysta wrote: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.
corvus wrote:I have found that superglue works a treat on the small holes in fine Merino :D
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. :o It also dries quickly and was cheaper to begin with.
User avatar
Snowzone
Phyllocladus aspleniifolius
Phyllocladus aspleniifolius
 
Posts: 519
Joined: Sat 11 Dec, 2010 12:10 pm
Region: Victoria
Gender: Female

Re: merino wool versus polypropylene

Postby Robert1956 » Wed 02 Jan, 2013 8:48 pm

As I am new to this,is there a difference between polyester and polypropylene.
Robert1956
Nothofagus cunninghamii
Nothofagus cunninghamii
 
Posts: 4
Joined: Thu 29 Nov, 2012 3:31 pm
Region: Tasmania
Gender: Male

Re: merino wool versus polypropylene

Postby neilmny » Thu 03 Jan, 2013 7:41 am

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
User avatar
neilmny
Lagarostrobos franklinii
Lagarostrobos franklinii
 
Posts: 2576
Joined: Fri 03 Aug, 2012 11:19 am
Region: Victoria
Gender: Male

Re: merino wool versus polypropylene

Postby Pongo » Thu 03 Jan, 2013 5:24 pm

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... :oops:

Question... when heading out on multiday trips, do people take spare sets of layers to avoid 'the funk'?
Pongo
Athrotaxis cupressoides
Athrotaxis cupressoides
 
Posts: 193
Joined: Fri 18 Feb, 2011 5:34 pm
ASSOCIATED ORGANISATIONS: Melbourne Young Hikers
Region: Victoria

Re: merino wool versus polypropylene

Postby Robert1956 » Thu 03 Jan, 2013 6:35 pm

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.
Robert1956
Nothofagus cunninghamii
Nothofagus cunninghamii
 
Posts: 4
Joined: Thu 29 Nov, 2012 3:31 pm
Region: Tasmania
Gender: Male

Re: merino wool versus polypropylene

Postby neilmny » Thu 03 Jan, 2013 6:39 pm

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.
User avatar
neilmny
Lagarostrobos franklinii
Lagarostrobos franklinii
 
Posts: 2576
Joined: Fri 03 Aug, 2012 11:19 am
Region: Victoria
Gender: Male

Re: merino wool versus polypropylene

Postby slparker » Thu 03 Jan, 2013 7:43 pm

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.
slparker
Athrotaxis selaginoides
Athrotaxis selaginoides
 
Posts: 1407
Joined: Fri 25 Apr, 2008 10:59 pm

Re: merino wool versus polypropylene

Postby Rob A » Sun 06 Jan, 2013 10:43 pm

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

But they have hotter chicks in their posters.
Every four seconds, somewhere in the world, an Harlequin Mills and Boon is sold ... Wot ...
Rob A
Phyllocladus aspleniifolius
Phyllocladus aspleniifolius
 
Posts: 506
Joined: Mon 29 Nov, 2010 2:01 pm
Region: New South Wales
Gender: Male

Re: merino wool versus polypropylene

Postby blacksheep » Mon 07 Jan, 2013 4:12 am

Rob A wrote:
blacksheep wrote: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 :)
Good design is a kind of alchemy.
www.alchemy-equipment.com
User avatar
blacksheep
Phyllocladus aspleniifolius
Phyllocladus aspleniifolius
 
Posts: 720
Joined: Thu 27 Nov, 2008 5:03 pm
ASSOCIATED ORGANISATIONS: TBA.
Region: New Zealand
Gender: Male

Re: merino wool versus polypropylene

Postby Rob A » Mon 07 Jan, 2013 7:32 am

blacksheep wrote: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 :roll:.
Every four seconds, somewhere in the world, an Harlequin Mills and Boon is sold ... Wot ...
Rob A
Phyllocladus aspleniifolius
Phyllocladus aspleniifolius
 
Posts: 506
Joined: Mon 29 Nov, 2010 2:01 pm
Region: New South Wales
Gender: Male

Re: merino wool versus polypropylene

Postby north-north-west » Thu 10 Jan, 2013 6:58 pm

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.
"Mit der Dummheit kämpfen Götter selbst vergebens."
User avatar
north-north-west
Lagarostrobos franklinii
Lagarostrobos franklinii
 
Posts: 15494
Joined: Thu 14 May, 2009 7:36 pm
Location: The Asylum
ASSOCIATED ORGANISATIONS: Social Misfits Anonymous
Region: Tasmania

Re: merino wool versus polypropylene

Postby Spartan » Thu 10 Jan, 2013 7:45 pm

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
Quod non killus facit nos fortior
User avatar
Spartan
Athrotaxis cupressoides
Athrotaxis cupressoides
 
Posts: 142
Joined: Wed 09 Jan, 2013 4:45 pm
Location: Canberra, ACT
Region: Australian Capital Territory
Gender: Male

Previous

Return to Equipment

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: grunter and 90 guests