Merino Wool Thermals

[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!!!!!!

[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.

[fish4gold]

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!

[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.

[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!