Polypropylene vs wool base layer reddit I got wool base layers for my trip to colorado last year and they felt so much more comfortable than the synthetic layers I normally wear. Start with a thin merino wool base layer. I want to get some Merino wool base layers but the 100% merino wool are outside my budget. I took 1 of each on my last mountain climb n honestly I’ll be sticking to poly, . Last year I had a late PCT finish and getting a fleece vest shipped to me was one of the best decisions i made on trail. Switched back to my more technical synthetic garments (and went back and forth a bit) and realized it's a night-and-day difference. Base and intermediate layers made mostly from Merino wool are definitely a go-to, albeit blended with technical fibers Hello! I’m preparing for a backpacking trek to the Rockies. go with polypropylene base layers like the Brynje mesh or Lifa. That’s not to say that merino wool can’t be a great base layer, but for moto related activities in hot or cold, polypropylene is the most efficient and easiest to maintain. fleece, fishnet, interlock, and double layer rib using polypropylene). There are two primary categories of materials suitable for performing this function well. As long as the wool doesn't touch your skin directly you should be fine. How would they stack up to 100% I've got a Smart Wool base layer shirt that has lasted me over a decade of heavy use including sleeping in the field for a week at a time when I was active duty. Regardless, not getting chilled when you sweat and not getting clammy are big advantages. A fleece hoody and a fleece pair of pants are nice and comfy. Base Layer. Don’t like their 78/22 but their 100% lasts a long time. If you get wet or your outer layers don't block wind, then base layers won't do much. For bottoms I'm thinking about getting something merino wool, but seems the merino is usually mixed (50-60%) with another material, most common being polypropylene and polyester. The poly shirt always seemed to look clean as well no matter how dirty it got (though God knows it certainly didn't smell clean. I am a fairly sized man (6'1 206lbs) and somewhat on the hairy Slav side of the human spectrum. It could be that a mesh base layer is as warm as a regular base layer, just lighter. They are much cheaper of course, but not sure at what cost. Remember that silk is an animal protein product so no hot water or hot dryer when laundering. My favorite base layers for cold weather are one piece. As long as you either gentle wash with wool cleaner or hand wash with shampoo, and NEVER put them in the dryer, Merino will truly last a long time. . Patagonia Cap 4 (thermal, whatever they're calling it these days) and Norrona "super. Try google "silk base layer" and see what's out there, including Amazon, which sells a number of brands. A lot of natural fabrics such as hemp, bamboo, wool, and silk require a big investment of land or water. Polypropylene and merino wool are two materials that are However, I got a thin wool base layer by Ibex last year that I've worn a ton, really impressed by the quality and fit (nice athletic fit. I. I use wool for casual multi day trips in nice weather. There are manufacturers that make combination merino wool and On the flip side, with mesh, their base layers are a lot lighter than regular knit base layers. grid fleece long sleeve > wind shirt > rain jacket + gloves, buff, hat, pants, socks, and puffy for camp. Still odor resistant like a pure wool. Also They don’t wick quite as well as a 100% polyester fabric and they don’t have quite the same feel and odour-cheating abilities as pure merino fabric, but combo materials like Rab’s merino / polyester blend – previously known as MeCo – and Montane’s Primino mix of Primaloft fibres and merino wool, are an excellent balance between the Really thin poly (I think) Reebok underwear with a sort of mesh crotch area. Personally not a huge fan of smartwool. Or do the polyester versions get the job done? The more you ski, the more valuable a smartwool Ultrafine, superfine and extra fine graded Merino wool is suitable for base layer clothing as wool fibers with a bigger diameter tend to be too rough to be worn directly against I’m blown away by the popularity of wool as a base layer. The base layer serves as a wicking layer to keep sweat away from your skin, and will also extend how long you can use your insulation between launderings. Wool is only good as a thin anti-stink base layer for hiking or as a clean sleep/camp layer and for that reason you should only go for thin 150 weight wool. merino wool and discussed the features and drawbacks of each material. Overall, while both polyester and nylon can be suitable for base layers, polyester is often preferred for its superior moisture-wicking properties, faster drying time, and softer feel against the skin. It’s easy to just use a heavier mid layer if you get cold or even a 2nd base layer. Admittedly I don’t know how they stack up compared to synthetics but it’s another angle to consider. With heavier merino (sweater weight) I hand wash by soaking in cold sink water for an hour, rub it around with my hands for a few minutes, then drain a rise with cold water. I'm working on getting some new thermal base layers. So I need to change my underwear multiple times a day. I use them for winter running too. Then on top of the fleece mid-layer, add down jacket/pants. Capilene also works, without question. For stalking and walking hunting - go I've got a Polartec Power Grid base layer for warmer days and a Polartec Power Stretch base layer for colder days. You don't NEED to buy wool underwear/boxers even with wool base layers. Everyone I knew in wool shirts wore through them so fast and they are so expensive. It’ll drop to about 30 degrees at night, maybe less at 10k. You can change them out without changing/washing your underwear as Which base layer products do you prefer, and dislike? I prefer synthetic for performance. They wick moisture great and are easy to clean. Synthetics are much better at wicking than wool. Polypropylene will also work, but tends to smell worse in short order. I have seen a few different options out there that are wool blend, usually 60% polyester and 40% merino wool. The polypropylene version works better. I wont deny it feels a little rougher against the skin vs capilene, but it works and rarely develops the "hiker stank" we are all so used to so long as its used as a sleeping/town layer. That means dirt, smells and water is trapped between the fiber. Also Wool also has a naturally wide temp range; to accomplish the temp range of a 180 weight wool you would need at least 2 poly items. I Polypropylene is the worst when it comes to odor retention. Technical fabrics and polyesters are good base layers. Wool has poor performance when full saturated so if you sweat a lot it no good. Best is “core spun” nylon merino blend. So I bet a wool t-shirt, which has a smidgeon of insulation, can really punch above it's weight when worn over a grid fleece shirt. Same as Are the full wool (Smartwool, IceBreaker, etc) base layers worth it? ($100+ per garment). I’m having a hard time settling on a $80 pair of REI wool base layer bottoms because they don’t even seem like much for being wool and almost appear to be se through. This article compared polypropylene vs. Polypropylene has lower water absorption than polyester or nylon Yes, but only as part of a robust layering system (see point #1). " Wool base layers definitely help. In cold/wet synthetic base layers and wool fleece for warmth, it's a little heavier, a lot bulkier, but it's dependable warmth even if wet and doesn't hold a smell too strongly. Doesn't get wet like wool, dries fast if it actually does. "When used as a base layer, there is no difference between fishnet and any of the other common knits relative to your core temperature. But There are very few ways to adjust wools performance, most common is to put it in different Capilene thermal weight is the warmest all-poly baselayer They make a recycled wool sweater that could be used as a base layer R1 and R1 Air are full-poly tops that ride the line between baselayer and midlayer, but both are more on the breathable side (the Air even more than the regular R1) but can be fully used as baselayers I think it boils down to this: wool is the best weight to warmth ratio, but if you’re optimizing for weight, and don’t need the same amount of warmth, synthetic is the better optionit’s not as though a 1lb/ ~450g wool base layer is going to let you feel comfortable in considerably colder temperatures than a 1lb /~450g synthetic wouldunless you’re very sensitive to temperature This can be a number of different poly-wool blends (like Smartwool 150 daily tee shirt). r/Ultralight is the largest online Ultralight Backcountry Backpacking community! This sub is about overnight backcountry backpacking, with a focus on moving efficiently, packing light, generally aiming at a sub 10 pound base weight, and following LNT principles. a long sleeve top you can hike, camp, run in year-round. You feel the difference when it’s cold and you start to sweat because the wool still keeps you warm while the synthetic gets cold and uncomfortable. Most brands will say this as a trade name or the blend will be around 10 nylon 90% wool. It still doesn't two years later). And at the same time I have plenty of wool base layers that I would never use for high intensity activities as they dont dry as quick or can be a bit itchy when damp. Ragg wool socks provide more cushioning, but all wool socks serve the purpose of keeping your foot warm even when wet. My gripe is that people will claim wool is best material cause natural and therefore is good. The liner sock should be polypropylene, not polyesther -- polyesther does not breathe well. Fleece has a much higher warmth to weight ratio than wool but not as high as synthetic puff or down puff jackets. December 18, 2023. 100% Merino wool that is the best overall for a long time has been all the Wool & Prince 100% Merino. Icebreaker if you want top quality (if you have the budget). Wool is hydrophilic, while polyester is hydrophobic. Usually prices r 3 poly for 1 I love my icebreaker (NZ wool) and use them for cross country skiing and running in cold weather as well. Best Merino Wool Slippers in 2024. Anything thinner than that has questionable durability. Wicking fabric should be next to your skin. The Base layer should be a wicking layer. It goes against all of my cold weather training. I have tried the wool version as well, but it has shrunk by 3 sizes so I can't even put it on any more. Then on top of the thick wool base layers - add more wool or fleece. Home; Merino Wool. There’s 3 layers, base layer is wicking, middle layer is your insulation and outer layer is your protection from wind and snow. Cheaper n light I just pack an extra. The research paper doesn't say much on wools ability to wick moisture when saturated, just how surface treatments change wickability when dry. For Smart wool and branded outdoor base layers I wash on cold and hang dry. ) Not a huge fan of Patagonia recently (unless it's REI garage sale), seems like a lot of their stuff is being made to fit a larger consumer base. Synthetic summer base layers like Patagonia cap cool, or my sun shirts from hiking like an OR Echo or 32 degrees top. " ----- (A question in response) about as warm as a solid knit would feel with the same thickness, if in a no-wind conditions. I do recommend thin pantyliners though. Merino wool & polyester do the same ish but wool doesn’t stink so fast but dries slower n poly drys faster but it tends to stink quicker. Are Merino Wool underwear/socks/base layers really that magical? I've read plenty of comments here, and seen plenty of bag and travel influencers rave about the multi-day wearability of the material. Merino wool is also good at wicking but if it does get wet, it stays wet for a long time. I can only speak for US trails down to 0F but this stuff works provided your other layers are up to par. wwbmg ripujhg auvls dcawps pjlb igsw whcmgj ltosg flryye kgme eeeekt apvgky uwhdk sqi fhn