Merino Wool Thermals

Share your advice and personal experiences, post a gear review or ask any questions you may have pertaining to outdoor gear and equipment.
Post Reply
User avatar
fish4gold
Topix Regular
Posts: 182
Joined: Fri Jan 02, 2009 9:19 pm
Experience: Level 3 Backpacker

Merino Wool Thermals

Post by fish4gold »

I currently have a set of Smartwool mid-weight thermals. I really LOVE them!!!!!!!! Recently I noticed that Patagonia had been making a heavier weight called their Merino 4. They are not making it this year. So I wonder 2 things;
1) Are the Merino 4 definately warmer? (I am looking for something warmer when I am not so active)
2) Is there another company that makse a comparable product (warmth wise)?
Would sure appreciate any help and insight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Thanks!!!!!!
User avatar
maverick
Forums Moderator
Forums Moderator
Posts: 11821
Joined: Thu Apr 06, 2006 5:54 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer

Re: Merino Wool Thermals

Post by maverick »

Have been using Ibex wool for several years now, also have several Icebreaker shirts
to, but they make gear mainly for performance, so for more heavy duty wool go for
some Ibex shirts, great stuff!!!! http://shop.ibex.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Plus its made in the USA, if that matters to you.
Professional Sierra Landscape Photographer

I don't give out specific route information, my belief is that it takes away from the whole adventure spirit of a trip, if you need every inch planned out, you'll have to get that from someone else.

Have a safer backcountry experience by using the HST ReConn Form 2.0, named after Larry Conn, a HST member: http://reconn.org
User avatar
fish4gold
Topix Regular
Posts: 182
Joined: Fri Jan 02, 2009 9:19 pm
Experience: Level 3 Backpacker

Re: Merino Wool Thermals

Post by fish4gold »

maverick wrote:Have been using Ibex wool for several years now, also have several Icebreaker shirts
to, but they make gear mainly for performance, so for more heavy duty wool go for
some Ibex shirts, great stuff!!!! http://shop.ibex.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Plus its made in the USA, if that matters to you.
WOW Great info!!!! Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I have never heard of ibex before, so thanks for the link!!!! When you say ibex shirts, are you talking base layers, or actual clothing? I am a little confused looking at their site. How warm is their base stuff... warmer than SmartWool... if you know? Many thanks again!!!!!!!!!!
p.s. I prefer to buy made in the US, as long as it is quality!
User avatar
maverick
Forums Moderator
Forums Moderator
Posts: 11821
Joined: Thu Apr 06, 2006 5:54 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer

Re: Merino Wool Thermals

Post by maverick »

Hi Fish4gold

Your welcome, especially when I can stand by an American Company in these
hard times!
This will answer your question, just wait about 3 sec after you hit the link so it can
completely load: http://shop.ibex.com/Ibex-Categories" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
And yes, there stuff is top of the line.
Professional Sierra Landscape Photographer

I don't give out specific route information, my belief is that it takes away from the whole adventure spirit of a trip, if you need every inch planned out, you'll have to get that from someone else.

Have a safer backcountry experience by using the HST ReConn Form 2.0, named after Larry Conn, a HST member: http://reconn.org
User avatar
freestone
Topix Expert
Posts: 961
Joined: Fri Nov 11, 2005 9:42 pm
Experience: Level 3 Backpacker
Location: Santa Barbara
Contact:

Re: Merino Wool Thermals

Post by freestone »

I have been using Ibex for several years now and can vouch for it's comfort but not so much for it's durability. The garments tend to become thin and develop holes from wear, but even with the holes it's still wearable. I'm going out next week and have the hoody and longjohns to sleep in and a long sleeve tee shirt (their 17.5 micron) to hike in. There is also truth to the fact that body odor is minimized by wool's anti-microbiotic properties and seems to stay cleaner longer. For me it's not itchy and I much prefer it on my skin compared to synthetics. A sustainable product made in the USA!
Short cuts make long delays. JRR Tolkien
Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 37 guests