I notice a lot of the big stores have Cashmere jumpers priced lower than ever before this Christmas, Tesco are even knocking one out for 30 quid. I was in M&S this evening and amused myself for a good half hour trying all the woolies on and rubbing them all over my cheek: they really are very fluffy indeed.

I noticed they were much lightedr than my Merino Icebreaker and no more expensive than most high end outdoor brands - but are they any good for the outdoors, that's what I want to know? Or is casmere not really durable enough for camping/hiking use?

It's pretty soft stuff, but not having used it in an outdoors environment, I couldn't say. Regular hill use kills silk boxers well dead though...

and that's just the smell...

I bought some wool and cashmere winter underwear in a sale in Gieves in the 60s.
Cost about 2x that of similar new wool underwear (non sale). God wasn't it soft and God wasn't it warm.
It always smelt of naphthalene though because I was paranoid about moth/carpet beetle attacks.
Ive never seen any since.
When I was a lad some of the grannies knitted their grandchildren underwear in soft angora, greatly oversized so that they would then shrink it until it became thick and almost felted. Shapeless but warm.
My mother always bought us underwear made of "Australian" wool which I now take to mean merino. Anyway they were of very fine knit and were lovely and soft.

When I were a lad I had a pair of cashmere socks and they were simply brilliant - warm as toast. I have know idea how they were at wicking and stuff. Although I was an inquisitive 8 year old I don't think I went as far as wicking type measurements/experiments.

I have a cashmere scarf for wearing to work and it too is wonderful and warm and soft and so is my cashmere coat. I would have thought that cashmere would make an acceptable baselayer. Try it and let us know how you get on.

It worked for Led Zeppelin, he added helpfully.

What do you know about Led Zeppelin, you're too young?

I've been dong a lot of hiking in NZ and Australia this year and was very happy with how my Icebreaker performed, not even any rubbing on the shoulders from wearing a pack. Only problem it is a little heavy compared to even the cheap Casmere that turns up in Tesco these days. I was really thinking in terms of round the camp/sleep use, so I reckon it doesn't need to be so durable.

Icebreaker socks are rubbish though; I don't think Led Zep ever used those, even in the Himalayas....

Was wondering the same thing about cashmere. Im so far pretty chuffed with my Icebreaker merino stuff so have been looking for affordable merino but in most casual-type shops jumpers have a V-neck which is utterly crap for outdoors use... The cashmere jumpers often have round-neck though which is much better (perhaps just a coincidence).

Im tempted to get one and give it a go. If it's as warm as merino and doesnt die after a few days I'll be happy.