Base layer alternative to wool?

[maddave]

I'm highly allergic to wool (i have to wear something between me and it) and in the past long sleeved t shirts did me well but I'm getting on a bit and feel the cold a bit more. I know Ulfrotte and merino are highly thought of on here but they are a no-no for me. So in your opinion what is the best man made alternative??

D

 

[SimonM]

I have a Berghaus long sleeve thermal top impregnated with silver IIRC to reduce bacteria levels. Long sleeve, quarter zip, nice and warm. You should be able to pick up something similar from any decent camping shop.

Simon

 

[RobertRogers]

I like to wear a lightweight capilene shirt, year round, as my base layer. Excellent in heat/cold/wet/dry. Over this goes wool, pile, windbreaker

 

[Squidders]

My girlfriend has some the north face thermals and she loves 'em... they're not very flame resistant but they don't stink like I heard synthetic ones do.

http://www.snowandrock.com/Activity/Snowboard/Clothing/Thermals/The+North+Face/List/

 

[Wayland]

What about silk.

Much better than the synthetics and should be non allergenic.

 

[Toddy]

Not man made, but very warm and comfortable, and wearable for days on end.........silk
http://www.patra.com/ProductList.asp?CatID1=36&RP=0&CatID2=0&C1=2&C2=0&C3=36

Usual disclaimers, just a happy customer.

cheers,
Toddy

 

[Glen]

If you're currently cotton T-shirts then I'l presume cotton is OK for what your using it for and suggest the good old Norgie, else the Swedish Army M90 thermal top might do you.
You can pick either of those up cheaply at some of the online surplus shops.

The Paramo Cambria reversibles or something in silk or silk/cotton mix come in a little more expensive.

For comfort I rather like the SilkBody set I got I a recent sale but beware as unfortunately for you they do have a small amount of Merrino in them.

 

[w00dsmoke]

US Extreme Cold Weather Polyprop trousers and zip neck top, very cheap available in any size and a multitude of colours from olive, tan and black.

Available new and very cheaply from ebay in the states.

or

Ridgeline Newzealand waterproof fleece trousers, only £20 and unbeleivably warm- I have two pairs. Not related with the seller other than happy customer!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/waterproof-fl...39:1|66:2|65:12|240:1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

 

[spamel]

I hear that wool allergy is incredibly rare and that it is normally an irritation rather than allergy that most people suffer. There is stuff available that uses such fine soft wool that even those who previously thought they had an allergy can wear it and not suffer any ill effects whatsoever. may be worth looking into.

 

[Lasse]

Clothing made out of bamboo might be interesting, just googled and this is a UK based company that came up: http://www.bambooclothing.co.uk/why_is_bamboo_better.html
Don't have any experience yet with the material though, but am waiting patiently for my Lundhags bamboo tee to arrive so that I can do some testing...

 

[Wayland]

I've been testing some bamboo socks to see how long they'll wear without getting smelly.

So far the results are impressive.

 

[SimonM]

I've been testing some bamboo socks to see how long they'll wear without getting smelly.

So far the results are impressive.

But you will change them before Middlewood won't you?

 

[Wayland]

Nah.....I'll bring them along for you to have a sniff at.

 

[maddave]

I've been testing some bamboo socks to see how long they'll wear without getting smelly.

So far the results are impressive.

How I pity your young lady

 

[bushtuckerman]

Yeah my friend has a bamboo long sleeve shirt and really likes it. It's supposed to be really soft and absorb loads of water before feeling wet, but there maybe is a problem rather than a solution as it might take a while to dry.

Silk also feels cold when wet in my experience, but it does dry more quickly.

 

[Wayland]

How I pity your young lady

The dog is the one that's avoiding me....

 

[Glen]

I've been testing some bamboo socks to see how long they'll wear without getting smelly.

So far the results are impressive.

Have you tried lighting a fire by rubbing your feet together really fast yet?

 

[BorderReiver]

I hear that wool allergy is incredibly rare and that it is normally an irritation rather than allergy that most people suffer. There is stuff available that uses such fine soft wool that even those who previously thought they had an allergy can wear it and not suffer any ill effects whatsoever. may be worth looking into.

It may be an allergy to lanolin rather than the wool itself,in which case merino shouldn't be a problem as it is not "raw" wool.

If it's "just" irritation, merino (good quality like Chocolate Fish etc) won't be a problem either.

There is no way that I can wear ordinary wool next to my skin. Even have to have my shirt collar over any wool jumper or cardigan and it has to be a thick shirt too.

The merino base layers are great; no hint of itching or irritation.

 

[maddave]

Interesting, It might be irritation. I itch like mad and my skin comes out in red blotches all over... Alpacka wool is ok though. I'll have a look at merino and see what happens. Thanks for all the useful info guys

 

[Lasse]

It may be an allergy to lanolin rather than the wool itself,in which case merino shouldn't be a problem as it is not "raw" wool.

How do you mean? I thought merino wool was just the same, but from different sheep, so finer. Are there different treatments or something?