Brubeck Extreme Merino Thermal Top

[stepbystep]

Kasia from Globewalker has kindly supplied this item for the purpose of an impartial review.

The Distributors Spiel:
Merino Wool – the warmest thermal underwear made of prime quality fibers from merino sheep. Best for extremely low temperature. The base layer is very delicate and pleasant in touch. Comparing to traditional wool it is not scratching the body. Thanks to its bacteriostatic properties merino thermals can be worn for extended period of time without washing – excellent for long term trekking.

High thermo insulating properties
Natural thermolegulation
Transportation of moisture – body remains dry (35% of moisture is absorbed)
Antistatic
Antyallergic
Bacteriostatic (high comfort during long use)
The only thermals that remain its thermal proprieties when wet

Merino base layer is recommended during physical activity where you need to stay warm and you need to save on the weight as much as possible.

BRUBECK ® Merino Wool thermal underwear have been thoroughly tested and recommended by many of sport experts as well as respected by the world’s specialist sports brands.

Composition:
61% Merino Wool
37% Polyamide
2% Elastane

Initial Impressions:
Loved it. I never wear an item before washing it, I wore this for 3 days straight around the house and have developed quite a bond with it The only compaint I have with the garment is that because the manufacturer wants no tags to maximise comfort their is no specific washing instructions, after contacting Globewalker I received instruction and all is well, a common sense approach is best and I chose a lukewarm handwash.

In The Field:
I tested the garment initially at home, walking the dog etc and was very happy with it. Given the warmth it generates I could have safely worn just the top on a frosty morning walk, but this is not what the top is designed for so I recently headed for the Central Plateau.
The first true test came on an overcast early morning jaunt up Liffey Bluff. It was cold and windy but as I headed into the forest I quickly warmed up and stripped off a layer, now with just the Brubeck thermal and a light Mountain Hardwear mid-layer long sleeve top. Upon reaching the bottom of the valley I was very comfortable. The next section of the walk is where all clothing really gets a good work out. A steep 40 minute climb over a large boulder field in a mix of protected forest blustery exposed sections. The steepness of the climb promotes sweat in any garment or conditions but I am yet to walk in a thermal top that performed this well. The sweat pushed away from the body extremely well, the top did not get soggy with it, it stayed light and extremely comfortable. The elasticity of the fit is absolutely fantastic and so comfortable to walk in. I knew it was a good top but I was genuinly surprised as to how it handled this climb.

Upon reaching the plateau I was open to the full force of a 30-40 kph cold wind and it began to drizzle which turned to sleet at times. Ahead of me was another 40-50 minutes of open, exposed plateau walking. I pulled on a Thinsulate beanie and my Ferrino Valdez jacket. This proved to be a perfect setup for the conditions as I remained comfortable throughout despite the conditions at no point was I cold in any way and the top continued to wick moisture away from my body very well.

The remainder of the walk was a reverse of the initial stages except now upon a wet and slimy boulder field requiring far greater concentration and the athletic cut of the Valdez jacket in combination with the Brubeck's great design ensured maximum comfort. Upon returning to the vehicle after removing the shell I was surprised as to how dry the Brubeck was and even more surprised as to how good I smelled

The next walk I did later that day was a 3 hour wander in light snow on the Ben Lomond plateau. I used the same setup as on the previous walk and was warm and comfortable throughout. Although it was snowing the wind was not particularly strong and therefore didn't test things to the fullest but I am more than comfortable that this top could, in combination with smart layering above handle the coldest of cold conditions.

Over the next 3 days I wore the Brubeck all day while working on the west coast of Tasmania, these were 14 hour days where I had to do a lot of standing around with quick flurries of action every so often. Conditions varied from 17 degrees and sunshine down to 0 degrees and still through to 5-10 degrees and strong Southern Ocean winds. I was comfortable throughout.

When sleeping in this garment in cold conditions the comfort factor really comes into it's own. Super!

Summary:
This is an extremely good piece of gear and by far the best thermal top I have owned. I have owned Icebreaker in the past and this outperforms on a couple of fronts but ultimatly it is the build quality that impresses me the most. It looks, feels and wears like a quality piece of gear. I think it will last for a long time and I think I'll be investing in another top and the longjohns. It is good to see Globewalker bringing these into Australia to compete with the traditional thermal options currently available I'd encourage others to consider these rather than paying megabucks for what I consider at best an equivalent item.

Pros:
Comfort, comfort, comfort.
Great insulation
Moisture transportation away from the body
Even I couldn't make this smell after 6 days of constant wear.

Cons:
Washing instructions are pretty poor.
When saturated takes some time to dry.
Weight, can't find the specs and don't have decent scales, perhaps Kasia can help here??? (It feels a little heavier than most)

Sorry for the glowing endorsement I don't expect Globewalker to supply any more gear to me for reviewing this garment in this manner, but I've said it the way I see it.

Thanks to Kasia

P.S. I thought of doing photos/video of this top but the skin tight thing on my barrel like body wouldn't do anything for the review

[kasiapilch]

Thank you for this review, I really enjoyed reading this story:-)
cheers Kasia

[under10kg]

Nice review and I checked out the site. The prices look good too.
BUT what bugs me is no weight is listed on the site for any of the items.
I sent an email to the site owner and hopefully this imformation can be put up.
I do need some new long johns and top.

[stepbystep]

Thank you for this review, I really enjoyed reading this story:-)
cheers Kasia

No probs Kasia it's a quality top!

....what bugs me is no weight is listed on the site for any of the items.
I sent an email to the site owner and hopefully this imformation can be put up.

Yep weight is on the 'cons' side of things. I think people that quibble over a gram or 10 may go elsewhere, but this is an 'extreme' bit of gear and by necessity is a little heavier than most, I must buy myself some scales, but there is room for improve ment on the website...

I should have added in the review that for the most part I would save this for campwear rather than walking unless the conditions turned for the worst, I am however looking forward to some decent snowfalls where a piece of kit like this will really come into it's own. This would also be a great top for cross country skiing and the like.

[kasiapilch]

Nice review and I checked out the site. The prices look good too.
BUT what bugs me is no weight is listed on the site for any of the items.
I sent an email to the site owner and hopefully this imformation can be put up.
I do need some new long johns and top.

Hello
Merino Extreme thickness is 236 G/M2

Kasia

[stepbystep]

Kasia's recent post has prompted an update, timely too.

I have just used this top on a recent work trip that had me climbing onto the Cradle Plateau in a cold, high wind situation. Because we were filming there were prolonged periods of standing about, once again this top served me very well, in fact I relished the conditions because I was soooo comfortable. This trip was followed up with another trip to the wild west coast of Tasmania and I've never seen it so wild. Due to unforeseen circumstances I had no sleeping bag and relied on this top and a down jacket to keep my top half warm for 6 days with 3 nights car camping.

I have also taken this top on a winter trip to the Frenchmans area and several other snow jaunts last winter. After a year of use and many days/nights wear it is still in as new condition. I have no problems recommending this as an insurance layer for extreme conditions. Sure it's heavier than an icebreaker/macpac/smitten offering but it's also more effective.

The other aspect of this top I never mentioned is it's extended length, I can pull it down over my bum(and it's a sizeable one) this creates a warm core that extends to the groin with no chance of exposing kidneys etc through stretching/scrambling.

Still love it

Caveat: Globewalker have not provided me with any more equipment/clothing despite my hopes Or prompted me to write an update, I just felt it was a good time for an update. Look beyond the 'traditional' brands I think you'll be surprised.

[frenchy_84]

Well I forked out my own money for a extreme merino top and bottom. I love them, they are certainly on the heavy side but they are also so much warmer, ive never tried on a warmer pair of thermals. And merino certainly doesnt smell like polypro, i wore my thermals for 19 days in a row without a shower and at the end after a shower, i couldnt notice any smell to the thermals.

[stepbystep]

Well I forked out my own money for a extreme merino top and bottom. I love them, they are certainly on the heavy side but they are also so much warmer, ive never tried on a warmer pair of thermals. And merino certainly doesnt smell like polypro, i wore my thermals for 19 days in a row without a shower and at the end after a shower, i couldnt notice any smell to the thermals.

Indeed! It's good stuff. I'm about to pull the pin on some bottoms and will probably grab some socks too.

[creeping_moses]

I've used both the tops and bottoms, and they are both choice items. I rate them above my Macpac merino thermals, which I still regard as very good, but these take the cake.

[vagrom]

I'll Take Five...

[slparker]

they sound too hot for aerobic activity, might be good as a dry change for campwear though.

[Gusto]

I've just checked out the Globewalker website. It mentions that the merino wool has been sourced from Australia. I live in a large wool region in Victoria. So this a good thing.

[Strider]

I've just checked out the Globewalker website. It mentions that the merino wool has been sourced from Australia. I live in a large wool region in Victoria. So this a good thing.

As far as I know, most merino wool is farmed in NZ and Aus.

[FatCanyoner]

Hey guys,
I just posted my review of the Brubeck Extreme Merino thermal top and long johns here - viewtopic.php?f=15&t=13494
I will point out that I was testing them for use in canyoning, which is probably much rougher on gear than most bushwalking / hiking etc. While my experience of the top was good, similar to the points people have made above, I wasn't impressed by the pants. Right from the start I noticed the diamond shaped crotch panel looked a bit weaker than the rest. Sure enough, it completely failed in this area. And I can assure you that wasn't from wear and tear!
So my advice, definitely buy the top. It's quite impressive and extremely warm. As for the bottoms, I'd probably think twice. Just my opinion.
Tim

[stuey69]

OP could you please weigh this and post it?

[north-north-west]

Mine just arrived. They actually seem lighter in the hand than my old Merino Skins thermals, but are warmer. We'll see how well they last.

[stuey69]

Mine just arrived. They actually seem lighter in the hand than my old Merino Skins thermals, but are warmer. We'll see how well they last.

Can you weigh it?

[Picaro]

OP could you please weigh this and post it?

With the little tag still on....303 gm for the top and 235 gm for the pants, both in large.

[north-north-west]

Mine just arrived. They actually seem lighter in the hand than my old Merino Skins thermals, but are warmer. We'll see how well they last.

Can you weigh it?

Yes, but not until tomorrow, and as they're a women's small, I don't know how relevant the weight will be to you.
I may be wrong, it's just that when I unpacked them they felt remarkably light in the hand for what everyone says is heavy duty material.

[stepbystep]

OP could you please weigh this and post it?

With the little tag still on....303 gm for the top and 235 gm for the pants, both in large.

Thanks Picaro. I don't own any appropriate scales. Mine are also large.

[stuey69]

303g for the top, I can live with that, thanks.