Wool Thermals - Are the Expensive Brands Worth It?

[Son of a Beach]

I'm a big fan of the woollen thermals. Very comfortable, being a natural fibre, and very warm. I've only got the one long sleeve T-shirt, which is the well known 'Icebreaker' brand, and was given to me. I am very happy with it and would like to get more (short sleeve, leggings, hoodie). However, they are outrageously expensive and there are other brands which appear to be similar.

Which other brands of pure wool thermals do other people use, and how happy are you with them? Have you also used Icebreakers, and do they compare favourably?

[sarge]

I think you are talking about the Merino wool thermals? Mountain Designs has them but in two types - regular and super fine. The super fine ones are the same as icebreaker style and slightly less expensive. The non-superfine ones are cheaper but very scratchy and not comfortable.

Never buy Icebreaker suff from the local shops - get them online from US shops or (even better) US ebay shops. You generally get them about half the price including postage. My last purchase was a 360 long sleeve rock sport top - very warm and comfy. Retails for $190 here and I paid $90 including postage. Also got my husband a 260 long sleeve zip top for $55 - $110 here.

It's kind of insane that this stuff is made from NZ wool but sells for so much less in the US than here in Aus and NZ!

They come in different weights - 200, 260, 320 etc - the higher the number the warmer the fabric. base layers are the 180 or 200 ones.The base layers are awesome for hiking because they are so light and dont stink much. They are also much more flame retardant than polypropoline which makes them a bit safer around camp cooking.

[alex]

Hi guys,
I use the Wilderness wear 'pure wool' thermals, and love em. (have an icebreaker too)
I have two short sleeve t-shirts which i pretty much always wear all through winter (literally, i have worn one every day this year since about may). Some info on the brand - Thermals are made from Tasmanian Merino Wool, and the garments are Australian Made. Icebreaker are NZ merino wool, but made in Asia as far as i know. (I think they started in NZ but are no longer) Surprising they are so much considering they are made in Asia. Not sure of current prices for Icebreaker stuff, but i know a long sleeve wilderness wear top is $90 (yes, i do work in a shop that sells WW. that said, I have one icebreaker and it is good too, trying to stay unbiased) From what i can tell, the icebreaker stuff has an awesome cut, and is definitely more fashionable etc than wilderness wear, which are very basic designs, but they do the job for outdoor pursuits, and are significantly cheaper. I think icebreaker have a wider range of styles and weights etc, and cater to travel, fashion and also the bush walking market, while WW stay simple with 3 basic weights and a very simple clean cut (at least thats all we stock).
The best part is definitely that they dont smell! (they dont stop you smelling, but they dont smell themselves). I can wear mine on week long adventures and they still smell fine, although not recommended.
Hope this helps
Alex

[sarge]

The best part is definitely that they dont smell! (they dont stop you smelling, but they dont smell themselves). I can wear mine on week long adventures and they still smell fine, although not recommended.

Agreed, my husband is usually the one to go for the most expensive new-fangled stuff so I didnt want any of it until he wore 1 icebreaker shirt for 5 days straight and I was the one who stank even though I took a change of t-shirt (not nice when sharing a tent).

Icebreaker stuff is nicer to look at - but if you are simply after functionality I think merino wool is merino wool no matter what company sells the stuff (just make sure you get the super fine stuff not the scratchy stuff). I have 2 pairs of mountain designs leggings that are totally as warm and comfortable as icebreaker.

Yes icebreaker is made in china - a bit dissapointing given all their marketing revolves around being NZ wool etc.

[Son of a Beach]

Thanks Alex... great information, as usual. I've found the website for Wilerness Wear, and there's a lot of good information on there (although the shop locator is currently not working).

In particular, there's a very interesting page on all the fibres, and fabrics that they (and others) use in their thermals HERE.

They claim that all their garments are made in Australia, and they don't seem to be too overpriced (compared to some others), so it looks like it's well worth checking out.

[Nuts]

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[NickD]

I have worn extensively and sold in a shop both Mountain Designs & Icebreaker thermals.
Icebreaker claim that they pick the best wool and often sell the rest to competitors eg. Mountain Designs, whether or not this is true or not I don't know as I actually cant tell the difference between fibres.
MD's thermal styles are not cheaper though, although MD's always do their 10% off things, whilst Icebreaker rarely goes on sale at most shops.
Icebreaker do a much wider range - awesome styles that are both comfortable and good looking, in outdoor brands i dont think there is a brand that has mastered fashion like they have.
On the flipside, MD's are still making their merino garments in New Zealand, whilst Icebreaker have moved offshore.
According to icebreaker their quality control has been higher since moving offshore though - with a lower % rate of returns.

There is some difference between what you pay for with icebreaker/md's at $90 a crew vs the cheaper stuff, and that is mainly things like the strength of fibre, how fine it is, and how breathable the wool is.
Icebreaker only use wool from sheep that live above 2000m in New Zealand - and therefore have to live in VERY cold temps in winter and very warm temps in summer. Thus meaning the sheeps wool fibres have to be very warm and very breathable.
This can another factor into the quality of the wool and thus the price.
Hope that helps

[frank_in_oz]

Got some recently at the Vic Market in Melbourne. Pure merino wool. Think they were about $12 a piece!! Used em on my last walk and they were great. Slightly lighter weight than the expensive brands but still warm and reasonably well made. Only came in grey and white. Made by a guy in China and are sold in an underwear stall.

Would take a photo of me wearing them but don't want to make the readers here sick.......

[Nuts]

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[sarge]

Noticed a heap of Aust. made merino thermals on ebay @ $40 each. Anyone want to buy a set and tell me if they are scratchy?

I have tried on a set of cheap merino thermals in a hiking shop...and they were indeed scratchy

[flyfisher]

I recently purchased an Icebreaker short sleeve teashirt,and it is soo nice against the skin, and warm.
I wouldn't bother to look any further, and will buy more of this brand in spite of the price ($80 for s.s.tea)
Flyfisher

[Speculator]

I've got some Sherpa Merino thermals. They're great, not scratchy at all. I think the pants cost me $70. They were well worth the money.

L8r.

[Speculator]

hmmm. Spec- I wonder if they are the same ones selling on fleabay? Where'd you get yours?

Tassie Tackle & Outdoor in Burnie. Not the cheapest place to shop... and well frankly they'll employ just about anyone who comes in off the street ... but they don't muck around with stocking rubbish.

L8r.

[corvus]

I use a Snowgum long sleeve Merino top base layer made in China that my son gave me last Christmas and I cannot fault it ,so much so that I am checking out other to see if they do 3/4 long johns to replace my polyprop ones.
corvus

[Joe]

Hehe...Tassie Tackle have the Sherpa Merino thermals...and for those interested in Icebreaker...we (*cough*...they) have a whole range just arrived. Im struggling with my fiscal constraints at moment...Icebreaker range really is unreal...their thin merino jumper style top is so nice.

[corvus]

Hey TW no plugs for you income earner I wish I still had my Lambswool pullovers from 20 years ago only problem was that they were Ladies syle and the colours were iffy

[Speculator]

Hehe...Tassie Tackle have the Sherpa Merino thermals...and for those interested in Icebreaker...we (*cough*...they) have a whole range just arrived. Im struggling with my fiscal constraints at moment...Icebreaker range really is unreal...their thin merino jumper style top is so nice.

Oooh... Mr. Moderator, Mr. Moderator... I'm telling on you TW.c!

For an independant opinion, I can say that as an owner of Sherpa thermals, they seem quite good. However they are more expensive than the Merino ones from Allgoods. But I can't speak for them from experience. I'd certainly prefer them over that polypropylene stuff. If I wanted to wear plastic I'd just buy a roll of glad-wrap!

L8r.

[Joe]

The thing that is in polypro's favour is its quick drying-ness....wool cant keep up with that. Most people doing multi day walks will enjoy putting on dry thermal in morning rather than putting back on wet wool thermal.

and as for indipendantness....I am paid on salary...not commission...so I have absolutely no motivation to spam on behalf of anyone. I get just the same rewards if you lot buy from happy smile sun super thermal company of HK as I do if you get them from work

[Son of a Beach]

Good info... But please do try not to mention your employer in any context that might possibly be interpreted as looking like advertising.

[Speculator]

The thing that is in polypro's favour is its quick drying-ness....wool cant keep up with that. Most people doing multi day walks will enjoy putting on dry thermal in morning rather than putting back on wet wool thermal.

... and then putting on their wet shoes, socks and trousers....

[flyfisher]

Most people doing multi day walks will enjoy putting on dry thermal in morning rather than putting back on wet wool thermal.

C'mon fellas, somedays in Tassie it doesn't really rain all that much.
I even walked into the Walls once when it didn't rain every day.

Flyfisher

[corvus]

My Merino top has not been as wet as my old polypro and dried on my body as I feel that the wicking properties were better but have not used it long enough to make a firm decision.
corvus

[tim]

Just a quick note, you can get Icebreaker gear ridiculously cheap from the site in the US:

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/

Just picked up a mid-weight zip neck for around $60...

Cheers

[Nuts]

tim, if you use the link they send with their reciept- next time they'll be ridiculously, ridiculously cheap

[tim]

Step ahead of you mate - friend is a VIP member, gets a further 20%...

[Nuts]

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[Nuts]

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[SurferShane]

In general, I have always been a bit of a fan of wool. When weight would allow, because of its durability, I always liked to take my woollen army jumper on NSW walks where I could light campfires (Please forgive me). In comparison, synthetics are vulnerable to open flames. I also enjoy the way wool tends to both regulate temperature and dispel odours. Synthetic underwear can become unbearably smelly and synthetic jumpers and jackets are usually hot or hot. Nevertheless, synthetics dry a hell of a lot faster than wool, which is always a consideration on cold wet extended walks where drying a wool jumper might be near impossible.

Last year I bought a superfine ‘Icebreaker’ T and it has basically fallen apart in less than a year. This might be a reflection of two things. The first these lighter garments don’t wear that well. The second is that while I originally bought it as an undergarment/t-shirt for walking, it is that comfortable I have worn it to death as a bed shirt. In comparison I had a mid weight ‘Icebreaker’ t-shirt that lasted a lot, lot longer. Similarly my ‘Icebreaker’ mid weight long pants and boxers have worn very well. The elastic waist seems to be of very good quality.

The other comment I can make is that you can generally feel the quality of wool garments by handling them. Regardless of the brand the good stuff feels really light and soft to touch. I have purchased other high quality merino jumpers and vests from department stores. One disappointment I had with my 'Icebreaker' jumper was that for the price it was not really any warmer than the other high quality merino jumpers. Then my “Mountain Designs” jumper is coarser than both the good department store stuff and the ‘Icebreaker’ gear. Like anything you have to beware of aggressive marketing and over exaggerated claims. If the grade of wool is the same or even less why pay a ridiculous premium?

Consequently, I am happy to mix and match; 'Icebreaker' makes some great undergarments and why not hit the bush in old wool dress jumpers and vests?

[John Sheridan]

How are the Sherpa Merino thermals anyone got any, going to a BCF store soon and might pick some up I need some thermals for Winter, how do they compare to the other brands ???

Cheers.

/PS Not sure about the sizes though I would think a Large is what I want, will have to risk it, unless I can try them on, which I think they would not allow

[ULWalkingPhil]

Never tried the BCF thermals myself.
Are the more expensive thermals woeth it? i think they are.
The patagonia capilene are great.

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