More on marino baselayers - Howies NLB

[gregorach]

Hi folks... Just recieved my 100% marino NLB long-sleeve top from Howies today, and I must say it's very nice indeed.

For those who were wondering what these marino garmets feel like, I can tell you that it doesn't feel anything like wool. Much more like brushed cotton - very comfortable against the skin, and that's straight out of the bag. I expect a wash will make it even softer.

They still have a few items going half-price, so get 'em while they're hot!

 

[Simon R]

Just got the short sleeved version a few days ago, very soft feel. Trying it out in Scotland next week

 

[Rebel]

I read the thread about base layers with interest. What I'm wondering now about Merino wool is whether it is too hot.

In the winter I work outside quite a bit in the South East of England. I'm not usually on high ground or in exposed conditions but it is cold enough that I need long johns and a long sleeved vest. I've found many of the synthetic thermal garments to be too hot and sweaty and I'm unable to regulate my temperature. I switched to cotton blends which work better and don't aggravate my skin like synthetics (I sometimes get eczema on my legs from synthetics).

So my question is, would Merino wool be too hot for temperatures that don't fall much below 0c?

 

[underground]

Regarding Howies- I reckon they have a fantastic ethical standpoint and a superb attitude towards sustainability and the value of things in relation to it.

How many other companies can you find who have a 'library scheme' and will lend their books by post on application- some really relevant titles there too...

I'd post this as a thread in itself if it wasn't against the rules.....

 

[Schwert]

Good find and I bet you will like wearing these.

I bought some of the thinnest wool I could find (IceBreaker Skin 200) and decided to wear it to work over the past week. Office temps are always comfortable and can verge on hot if I am doing anything like humping computers around. I generally wear a cotton tee shirt under my shirt and found really no difference in my warmth level using the thin wool short-sleeved shirt. It was just as cool/warm as I generally feel, so in my view these are very similar to wearing any sort of tee shirt...cotton or synthetic.

I did find that I was much more comfortable with the wool then with my cotton tees when I was working hard earlier this week. I sweated up but did not get the clammy feel of cotton. I was hot but cooled down with far less clam.

I generally wear a wool waistcoat daily so like many things I think each individual will have a different comfort level with any set of clothes. For me the wool undershirt is great for daily wear, and has been exceptional for my more "normal" uses of such clothing outside.

 

[steven andrews]

Regarding Howies- I reckon they have a fantastic ethical standpoint and a superb attitude towards sustainability and the value of things in relation to it.

How many other companies can you find who have a 'library scheme' and will lend their books by post on application- some really relevant titles there too...

I'd post this as a thread in itself if it wasn't against the rules.....

Howies is a great company. Their customer service is excellent.
I have bought several of their products since my first NBL and I have been really impressed with them.

 

[steven andrews]

So my question is, would Merino wool be too hot for temperatures that don't fall much below 0c?

No. I have worn a Merino wool T-shirt this summer in temperatures around 25 degrees.

Although they are wool they are not "hot" garments, they are thin, wick really well and don't get pongy.

I think you would be impressed.

 

[gregorach]

Yeah, I'm finding that it's very comfortable in a wide range of conditions.

I went out for a decent walk yesterday lunchtime in fairly challenging conditions for this sort of gear - bright, hot sun and strong, icy wind. My route included exposed areas, sheltered areas, sun and shade. Did the first K or so with my shell on over a light fleece in an attempt to work up a sweat - it was warm, but certainly not uncomfortable, and not sticky either. Then I took the shell off for the second K to see how it would cope with cold wind plus sweating - answer, very well indeed. In fact, this translucent bit of marino seems to be semi-windproof.

I'm totally sold - this stuff is great! Can I buy shares?

 

[steven andrews]

 

[Rebel]

Thanks for the info about the wool. I think I'll give it a try.

One problem I have is that the weather can change a lot during a given day and there's other elements that can take you by suprise like wind chill, rain and even sometimes hot sun. So regulating my temperature can be difficult but it's important.

Sounds like the wool base layer is probably a good choice.

 

[Moff8]

Another shop that is now stocking Icebreaker is Tiso in Buchanan Street, Glasgow

 

[pteron]

I started the other thread and as a result of the information received I ordered a NBL from Howies, who, I must say have admirably ethical policies.

I wore it all weekend on a fairly adventurous sail across the channel (F7 - F8 winds and 5m waves) and it was truely excellent. Down below when changing watch I would be sweating profusely, yet the NBL was never uncomfortable, no itch at all. On deck, where the temps plummetted at night, I was toasty warm with it, a Paramo base and my waterproofs. SWMBO remarked on how non stinky it was on Monday.

I will be ordering more.

 

[gregorach]

Yeah, I wore mine for a day's canoeing up on Loch Tay with Doc yesterday and it performed admirably - even after falling in!

Only problem is I want to buy several more now...

 

[Doc]

According to canoe guru Bill Mason, wool underneath a waterproof layer is the next best thing to a wetsuit. That's what I was wearing when Dunc, the canoe and I parted company. I have to say I didn't feel cold.

I should point out it was my fault we flipped it! Sorry Dunc!

 

[gregorach]

It's OK - it reminded me just how liberating falling in the river fully clothed can be.

I've gotta say though, even my moleskin trousers seemed to remain fairly warm under my waterproofs. Darned heavy though...

 

[outdoorgirl]

How durable are these Merino base layers? I'm on the lookout for this winter's base layer for my fella, who is an arborist. He's out in all weathers, and can be cold when standing below a tree while the tree surgeon is cutting above, or hot when he's cutting, dragging the cut limbs/tops etc. Often he strips down to his base thermal layer when they burn the cut tops, and always comes home with new singe holes in his shirt...

Now, wool would do much better close to the fire than his modern material thermal tops, but would the fine merino wool be durable enough?

This looks like it could be a really good alternative to a modern thermal shirt....

 

[Borneo Wildman]

Outdoorgirl - I am watching this thread too, for similar use. I sometimes help out a farmer friend who cuts wood for the winter. We have a fire to burn to the small stuff while we cut and lug around the logs. I have got so many little holes in my base layer fleeces I need something more spark resistant.

Am also looking for an outer made of wool. Like the swanndri shirts, but their small size is actually UK large and I am only a small chappie.

 

[gregorach]

Well, it appears to be highly spark resistant so far - I haven't had it near a big sparky fire, but it has been exposed to some other, er, "activities" shall we say, that tend to result in lots of little burn holes in your clothes...

Compared to every bit of synthetic kit I own it's a different class. Usually a new fleece ends up with a few holes on the first wear.

 

[outdoorgirl]

BW: The outer layer is less of a problem, as I can make Andy woolen tunics or shirts; (see the thread on blanket shirts [thread=8383]here[/thread] for more detail) if these don't snag or suffer from pulled threads too badly, then I'll be ordering one or two for him to try out this year...

 

[Borneo Wildman]

ODG

Nice images of the smock, where did you find a model with such blood red eyes?