As some of you may be aware I am off for a trek in Nepal next year (http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/forum/forummessages/mps/dt/4/UTN/39768/V/8/SP/) not massively adventurous I know but looking forward to it. Anyway, I want to get myself some new/proper baselayers for the trip, in the past I have tended to walk in normal T-shirts which won't be suitable for the trip. Issues: When I walk I tend to get very hot and sweaty (and after a days walking - smelly), I am also quite tall (6'2") and like t-shirts that have a long torso length so don't "ride up" too much. Finally I have a soft spot for long sleeves. So, can anyone suggest a baselayer that is: - very high wicking - keeps you cool - pong protected - decent length - long sleeved I have been told the "icebreaker" ones are good, also looking at the reviews section the "Alpkit Bleat" seem popular if you can get the right size and the "Helly Hansen Long Sleeve Crew Neck". What else is out there?
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 Merino wool (which icebreaker do) is very nice, especially for prolonged trips like seemingly planning when you can just keep wearing the same one for at least a week without any problems. Unless you're allergic to wool of course! (harder with merino than others but can seemingly happen.). Really not just icebreaker doing it though - their high street semi monopoly is a little silly. Search forum here for many threads about options. Chocolate fish for me (arm length notably > icebreaker and still made in NZ not China) but plenty of worthy options. (Finnisterre, Smartwool, Patagonia and others.). I'm guessing it won't be especially hot? That might be the one potential issue with merino. But I do mean actively hot to be a real problem - for me at least. If it is going to be, and you really do run super hot, then just some very thin synthetic for washing each day or something I suppose.
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Definitely merino for your baselayers. I have a few icebreaker tops and I like the way they feel. I've had a Kathmandu merino baselayer for about three years and its very good. If you're going to be warm better to get a couple of thin ones that you can layer up rather than one thicker one.
Smell wise they're great!
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 Hi, you sound as though you are just like my husband (size and constitution). He has swopped to icebreaker and likes it, but he also uses helly hansen tops too and reckons they dry/wick better but 'pong' much worse.
Thin merino washes and dries quite quickly (wash basin/overnight) but the helly dries even quicker. He never uses cotton 'on the hill' now. Icebreaker costs more than some of the other brands but I think the extra quality of their stuff warrants it -my personal opinion. Check around and you can get icebreaker cheaper - try www.themountainfactor.com.
You will need some long sleeved stuff to protect from the sun.
If you are at altitude (over 3000m) you will not be working as hard ie. sweating, as much as you do at lower levels. The lack of oxygen will limit how much you can do. Depending how you cope with the altitude you might find the exercise quite 'gentle'. I never felt I was exercising my muscles at altitude as I just couldn't get enough oxygen in my system (I have a particularly small lung capacity).
Cathy.
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 I found washing my clothes was a bit of an issue on my 18-day Annapurna Circuit trek as it got so cold overnight that baselayers, even very fast drying synthetic ones were not drying out well, especially once we got over 3000m.
On this basis I found that my merino baselayers were best as I could get away with wearing them for several days without too much of a stench. Other people in my trekking group admitted they'd been doing the same thing. My synthetic baselayer, while I normally prefer it as I run hot, simply got too smelly, not from sweat but because once it was wet I couldn't get it to dry out!
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 Folks are gonna kill me for this one; AGAIN. I prefer Patagonia's "Capilene" base layers. There are four thicknesses; they perform as advertised and are pretty much pong free. (treated with Patagonia's odor control agent) At least that's been my experiecne(s) with them. Capilene wicks well and dries quickly. They are a tad expensive; though not as much as most merino base layers. My choice in cool to cold weather is Capilene3. LOL. Capilene Capilene Products Dan S.
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Thank you for all the replys I'm liking the price on the smartwool ones, might get one or two while the price is low and see how they fare during the end of year walks. The a quick glance at the "Capilene" ones makes them look good to, plenty of options on style. I will have to have a closer read/see if I can find a stockist near me. Matt
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merino is brilliant (have used mainly icebreaker, but also a macpac poly & wool one). Not tried itin winter yet, but a paramo reversible sirt/t-shirt has also been excellent this year, hot & cooler (evenings), as has a trekker hoody - seriously!!, the hoody is reversible and if you choose carefully, no reason why you can't use it as a base as well as a midlayer! I was surprised how good it was! Nothing as grand as Nepal, tho' 
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 Merino is good - but also consider silk - lightweight, packs down small and good to wear in sleeping bag.
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.jpg) Field and trek have some Icebreaker stuff in their sale .Embers merino also have some sale merino tops.Brighter colours
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| Edited: 22/08/10 23:14 |
Considering one of the requirements was "very high wicking", I'm not sure Merino wool fits the bill. Has anyone tried the newer Berghaus base layers that claim to be 'pong resistant'? The old X-Static ones were very good, but I've no experience with the newer ones...
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I also like Capilene, particularly Capilene 2, I find it really comfortable to wear and very quick drying. Ideal for Spring - Autumn type of conditions.It also seems to last forever, whereas I tend to destroy wool garments, quite often in the washing machine. I find Patagonia sizing a bit larger than some manufacturers. It can also be expensive to buy but I usually hunt round for sale items. Capilene 3 is warm and comfortable, I use it for winter cycling under a windshirt.
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capilene is good, very comfy....needs a wash though!
as far as wicking goes, i really rate nike sphere, funnily enough.
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Thanks for the pointer SlugWash. Bought the smartwool from rock 'n' run. Great price!
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