(Merino) Baselayers

rchp

Hi can one recommend some good base layers?

From basic reading and knowledge, I believe the best material is Merino but should it be 100% merino or a blend?

For 100% merino, I am tempted to buy these:
http://www.rapha.cc/base-layer-3-pack
http://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/products.detail/code/19210102
On the pricy side but is there any cheaper alternatives that you can recommend?

I need it for cycling but alternative uses for multi-day trips and snowboarding would be preferable.

godders1

Merino is good when it's chilly and it's comfortable/flexible enough that there's no reason to go for anything other than 100%.

If you want cheap, Planet X/On one have been selling merino stuff off at knock down prices. I've bought some but haven't worn it yet.

http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CLO ... ayer-120gm

Chocolate fish are excellent although not cheap.

http://www.chocolatefishmerino.co.uk/index.html

Not all merino is the same. I have merino baselayers from endura and some other brand from a sports shop and they're a bit itchy (although now wearable after a few washes). The chocolate fish was nice and comfortable from new.

schweiz

I've got several Rapha merino vests and t-shirts and recently bought 3 Planet-X ones. I've not worn the Planet-X ones but my wife picked them up, cast her eye across them and said 'Well you can tell these are cheaper than the others!'

I'm not saying they're bad, for £12.50 or whatever they were, you can't really complain!!

The Real Radioactiveman

Take a l look at the rab MeCO its merino blended with cocona polyster.

Has the anti stink properties of merino but dries faster which is better for high intensity activities and multi day

http://www.joe-brown.com/outdoor-equipm ... pring.html

bobgfish

Also have a look at the craft ones. They do multiple sorts. Some with more wool than others.

MichaelW

+1 on Chocholate fish.
Their merino is finest grade made in NZ (in the factories that icebreaker used to use before getting cheap and manufacturing in China). It is very durable and will last many years of daily use with regular washing.
I did an 8 week tour in my Taranaki T shirts, by the end, the weather was so bad I could barely wash or dry clothes so I used one T shirt for day and one for night, for 2 weeks. very comfortable and (I'm assured) no smell.

rodgers73

Not sure about the fuss over Merino stuff. I commuted all through last winter using a £10 Sports Direct thermal top and an Aldi soft shell jacket and I was warm as toast.

stanarchist

rodgers73 wrote:

Not sure about the fuss over Merino stuff. I commuted all through last winter using a £10 Sports Direct thermal top and an Aldi soft shell jacket and I was warm as toast.

really ? even when it hit -12 ?
must get myself one of those Aldi jackets - bet they look great too

HebdenBiker

I bought a cheap nylon baselayer from Ribble last week. It was advertised as having a "soft feel" but compared to my Merino t-shirt it has anything but. I find that non-Merino baselayers are nipple-bleedingly harsh on the skin. Therefore I think Merino is worth it.

The Planet X Merino baselayers are unbelievably cheap but unfortunately they've run out of my size :roll:

This place http://www.outdoormania.co.uk/manufactu ... layer.aspx seems to have a sale on Helly Hansen stuff, which as you probably know, has a long-standing good reputation in the mountaineering world. There are some Merino blends in there.

The Real Radioactiveman

rodgers73 wrote:

Not sure about the fuss over Merino stuff. I commuted all through last winter using a £10 Sports Direct thermal top and an Aldi soft shell jacket and I was warm as toast.

The fuss is that you can ride in it and not smell like you just showered in tom cat piss which tends to happen with normal synthetic tops.

The Real Radioactiveman

rodgers73 wrote:

Not sure about the fuss over Merino stuff. I commuted all through last winter using a £10 Sports Direct thermal top and an Aldi soft shell jacket and I was warm as toast.

The fuss is that you can ride in it and not smell like you just showered in tom cat piss which tends to happen with normal synthetic tops.

msmancunia

I got one from Wiggle a couple of weeks ago: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-ladies-meri ... yer-m-150/ although obviously you can get blokes versions too. Wore it from new - surprisingly for a week without washing it (I did the sniff test each morning!) and it's fantastic. Kept me warm, dried really quickly, didn't itch one bit. I'm a total convert.

chopperHarris

i use baabaa merino tops made by endura, have a couple of them and alternate them. Great when commuting in the colder conditions, used mine this morning, although i dont think i really needed it, was a bit warm by the time i got in!

MARKF

I posted last week & for some reason the post's have dissapeared, so I'll repeat what I posted then.
Groundeffect make some great merino gear,it's made in New Zealand but I've never heard of anyone having a problem with delivery.I found out about GE on the singletrack forum,lots of people recommending them & I've been using the stuff for 5 or 6 years,the submerino's my favourite piece of kit.
Here's a link http://www.groundeffect.co.nz/products-MER.htm
I also use the submerino on snowboard holidays,I shredded the sleeve on my original base layer in a big "off" on the mountainbike,but apart from that it's top stuff.

meanredspider

Funny my posts have disappeared too.

Icebreaker for me - less itchy than Baa Baa - bargain too from Sports Direct

godders1

MARKF wrote:

I posted last week & for some reason the post's have dissapeared....

It was a duplicate thread.

http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... t=12805017

MARKF

Thanks Godders, mystery solved

JonoStevens

Another recommendation for Icebreaker from me. Had a few howies ones, but the Icebreaker is softer and less itchy.

Snowboarded in it, and been to 5,200m. Wear it winter fishing as well. So snug, I love it.

eskimo778

I can highly recommend the rapha base layers especially if you get their bundle offer which brings the price down below a lot of their competitors, they are really snug and comfy and a great fit. I also really like the Ibex ones too which you can get via www.alwaysriding.co.uk. Planet-x often have theirs on offer but I can't say what the quality is like. If you're in the market for some merino headwear (caps or hats) my girlfriend and I have just set up a little cottage industry making hand crafted merino wool cycle caps and accessories - check us out at www.woollywheelies.co.uk or www.facebook.com/woollywheelies.