Lightweight Merino Tees

[LM J]

I'm thinking about buying a lightweight merino wool tee (150 gsm approx.) for the Summer and am interested to hear people's experiences of different brands. I've looked at the Smartwool's microweights and at £30 postpaid didn't think I could go far wrong with one of them.

How comfortable do people find regular 200gsm merino in the Summer? Obviously more durable at £45 from Chocolate Fish. My only experience is with Woolpower (very warm terry loop stitching) and I know they're far and away too warm for Summer trekking (although I like the bottoms for in the tent/bothy at night).

Cheers!

 

[Shewie]

I've got a couple of Icebreaker Oasis 200g which are light enough for summer use, if it gets a bit nippy then a Woolpower over the top is plenty.

 

[atross]

I have used Icebreaker, nice kit but has wear holes after a couple years use. Love montanes sports wool which is a blend, still going strong after 4 years hard use hiking, training, wrestling etc.

Just bought a decathlon merino t, very comfortable can't comment on durabillity as its only been a couple of months. £20, so far I am happy!

 

[LM J]

I've got a couple of Icebreaker Oasis 200g which are light enough for summer use, if it gets a bit nippy then a Woolpower over the top is plenty.

Even when exerting yourself with a 70l pack?

 

[LM J]

Just bought a decathlon merino t, very comfortable can't comment on durabillity as its only been a couple of months. £20, so far I am happy!

Is that blend, too? I'm after 100% merino.

 

[Shewie]

Even when exerting yourself with a 70l pack?

If I'm hauling a pack (probably more likely to be 46L than 70L) then I'll be in lightweight mode. So the Oasis crew base layer to start, then something like a Rab Generator vest and then a Montane windshirt over the top. If it's more of a bushcrafty trip and there's a lot of sitting about then I'll chuck in the woolpower and usual "green" stuff.

 

[treefrog]

Anyone have experience of L/W Merino vs Bamboo ?

 

[bmartin1uk]

Cant go wrong with an Icebreaker - In New Zealand babies are born wearing them! Only ever used the long sleeve versions for winter here and for the overzealous use of the aircon on planes, trains and automobiles in SE Asia. 100% Merino = no stink for days!

 

[LM J]

Anyone have experience of L/W Merino vs Bamboo ?

I've got a khaki Mountain Junky bamboo tee and, other than the fact that it hasn't kept its shape very well, it's great: insulates well, drys fast, doesn't smell, etc.

I'm hoping that a 150 gsm merino tee will do all the above plus be that little bit warmer. I'm not sure how well 100% merino keeps its shape, but experience with heavier-weight blends (i.e. Woolpower) has been quite good.

 

[treadlightly]

Lightweight merino is great stuff I have icebreaker s/s 140gsm t-shirt and l/s 200gsm base layer and both work really well.

They keep their shape, don't smell even after a few days hard use and stay warmish when wet with sweat. I've hiked in both with nothing but them and a pack and they stand up to the strain very well. Can't fault them.

I suppose if I had to choose between the two I'd take the 200gsm for its long sleeves which are more versatile and the heavier weight wool is a little harder wearing without being noticeably less comfortable in the heat.

I also have a bamboo base layer which again is very good, I'd say as good as merino for resisting odours, but probably not as fast drying, tends to lose shape and not quite as good as dealing with sweat. Very soft and comfortable though.

 

[Ogden]

Maybe Devold is worth a try. They have some very lightweight Merino Tees. Didn't test them yet, but I use other Merino stuff from Devold, and find it much better than Woolpower for example. Excellent quality.

 

[LM J]

Maybe Devold is worth a try. They have some very lightweight Merino Tees. Didn't test them yet, but I use other Merino stuff from Devold, and find it much better than Woolpower for example. Excellent quality.

Thanks for the suggestion, but Devold doesn't have decent distribution in this country so the price wouldn't compete with Smartwool (£30). I do like their stuff though (have two of their sweaters).

 

[LM J]

Ogden, thanks for the mental cue though: I'd forgot all about another Norwegian company using merino wool, Janus.

 

[Ogden]

Nice, never heard from Janus before.
As you said, Devold distribution is quite a problem. I ordered from the Netherlands some years ago, now switched to the one distributor in Austria. It worked for me (mail contact etc.). But you are right, there are more excellent manufacturers in Norway. As underwear I have merino stuff from a small company named Vinjeklaer. Highly recommend them.
But Devold socks are still great. My shoemaker told me not to wear two pairs of socks (slows down the drying), but to wear one thick one. So I ended up with Devold Hunting sock, which is warm enough for medium winter use. And if it gets colder, I have some Loden gaiters on top. The Hunting sock might be a little too itchy for some people. I personally love it. It is not too itchy, because of the Merino, but gives you a little skin massage, which increases blood circulation and makes warm feet in winter.

 

[atross]

Just checked it is 100% merino. Also there is a a ditributor for Devold and Janus i think it was the Norweign Jumper store, will have to try and remember the site

 

[atross]

Found it
http://www.norwegianstore.com/

 

[LM J]

Found it
http://www.norwegianstore.com/

Yeah, e-mailed them and they do a black Janus 200 gsm t-shirt for £35, which is a good price!

 

[LM J]

As underwear I have merino stuff from a small company named Vinjeklaer. Highly recommend them.

Do you have a link for them, please, Ogden?

 

[Ogden]

They seem to have renamed, but same company. As far as I know, they keep the Merino more 'raw' than other companys. Have it un use since two years - excellent. Told them my measurement and asked for a tight fit (!), which worked out well.
The link: http://www.lanullva.no/

+ Sorry, obviously I forgot, that you were looking for a lightweight Tee. The Lanullva stuff is warm. I am not sure if they have lightweight stuff. Worth a mail, they had Tees not shown on their website (keep me informed, please). But best underwear ever for autumn to spring.

 

[Caetera-desunt]

Best merino T's I think are from chocolate fish. Long in body, good smooth fabric - better than others I've found and good for both summer and winter wear.