 Im going to replace my well weathered Smartwool merino zip t. I have seen the Trekmates Bamboo zip top and its interested me as its cheaper than smartwool and may do a similar job, does anyone have one and can tell me if its any good?
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 Haven't got that one but I have tried a bamboo baselayer, on the whole I'd say it's not quite as good as merino, a bit slower drying, not as anti-pong, comfortable though, very soft fabric.
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| Edited: 10/02/10 12:39 |
Thanks for your input, I think i'll stick with the merino. It has lasted years of use and the anti pong is a major + factor for me!
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Aye, merino rocks!
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 I've been using Trekmates Bamboo baselayer quite a bit over the past year or so. Agree with Benco, it's very soft and fine possibly slower to dry than Merino but not by much. I had a few comments left on my blog regarding Bamboo to the effect that it was as bad as cotton but that definitely hasn't been my experience. It'll dry while worn if you have something that wicks well on top. The downside is that contrary to the advice re. shrinkage on the packaging I found that it stretches out pretty quickly, it doesn't bother me as it's a baselayer but if you intend wearing it on it's own it looks a bit iffy, not one for the fashion conscious. It's worth consideration if you find Merino itchy.
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Thanks for your thoughts. I don't find Smartwool itchy at all so its a new Smartwool top for me. I did find icebreaker itchy in the past though.
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Go for it Richard, at least you know it'll work well for you as it has before! I think personally I would be bothered by the shape issue on the bamboo, but then I'm just hypothesizing since I haven't tried it. I love my icebreaker 200 and since I've come to practically live in it, I've treated myself to a second one for longer tours or to wear while the other one's in the wash. One and two years old now and no shrinkage, loss of shape or bibbling or any other ageing visible, and I ruthlessly bung them in the washing machine at 40 degree colour cotton cycle with the rest of my stuff. No colour run either that I've observed. Sometimes it's good to work with what you know!  I also have a couple of merino vests from howies.co.uk (Welsh company. They also have shops, e.g. in carneby street london, where stuff can be felt up and tried on). The vests are great and really soft. Also come in stripy, which I like... I use them for summer no-pong wear and in winter under my icebreaker when I need extra warmth round the kidneys... they're a nice long cut. finisterre.co.uk also seem to have interesting stuff in the merino department but I haven't tried them myself. I LOVE MERINO! I am convinced I have more friends now that I wear no-pong... 
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.jpg) Embers merino have a zip neck at £40 in their sale Richard also a zip neck mid layer at £39.I have a couple of their products and have found them very good
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 Smartwool Microweight Tee (grey, large) available for £20 in the classifieds section . Another option is coconut. I have a Marmot Ramble base layer using Cocona (made from Coconut shell husks) which I have found to be very good. They claim here it is better than bamboo for beating odour and for moisture management because of the larger pore size. Fits with my experience
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Thanks for the help everyone , I can't find a zipped merino top in microweight but have found a crew version new for £26 so going for that unless I stumble across anything better before tomorrow.
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 Cotswolds (horrible site) still has a few merino baselayers reduced. I bought a few a couple of weeks ago.
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Another option is coconut. I have a Marmot Ramble base layer using Cocona (made from Coconut shell husks).
Do they make pants too? <all together now....> "I've got a luverly bunch o' coconuts....." 
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 chocolatefishmerino.co.uk is another merino wool company - I have a couple of their products and they're fantastic - their after sales support and ethical approach to business is top notch (though their site can be off-putting).
I've not had a chance to try smartwool yet - is it as good as people say?
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 Its 'just' good quality merino I suppose (I have socks but nothing else.). What is annoying is all the shops exclusively stocking icebreaker rather than someone being different and doing (say) smartwool instead. They seem to have quite a range. (the stuff that Cotswolds have on offer never seemed to see their main shops.). Oh well. Chocolate fish happens to fit me (long arms and all) like a dream so its really not a problem for me
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 Blacks TechnicALS merino base layers also seem quite nice; been trying them for a few weeks, now, including last week's skiing. Not washed them yet (Woolite purchased yesterday...). They're listed as £39.99 rrp on their website (ls zip T), but the packets in my local store were clearly labelled £34.99, and I got that price (after correction), and 10% BMC discount. They use mapp wool; coincidentally, I also found a Powderhorn ls crew cheap in TK Maxx, using the same fabric, so I suspect it's not rubbish; PH seeming to use top-grade materials, if in disgusting colours and styles...
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