Everywhere I look, praise of Merino's anti odour qualities appears to be sung. As someone who runs very hot, and consequently manages to make every top I wear stink fairly quickly, this seems like it could be a good solution for me, especially for the colder months. I do have one query however for those using Merino baselayers: does the anti odour effect also prevent your midlayer (assuming it to be a man-made material) from smelling also, or does the midlayer start to pong whilst the baselayer remains odour free?
|
 |
 In my experience it will not affect the way other layers are normally. The reason they are odour free for the most part is the way the fibre's are structured. The bacteria cannot attach themselves to the fibres. Man made garments usually have a different fibre structure which the bacteria can cling to - so merino will not stop other clothing from odour if you are sweating that much. Could try a merino mid layer though but the baselayers can be reasonable warm if you buy a heavier weight so if you run hot you may not need a mid layer. Then that could just leave pongy jackets etc ........
|
|
To be fair, my jacket is usually ok, I just can make a mid layer smell fairly quickly. Even if it's pretty cold (around zero) round here, I'll often go out in just a baselayer and a windproof soft shell. I have a Montane Bionic which is probably best for odour resistance, the worst being a Paramo Cambia T-shirt which manages a about 5 minutes on a good day! Just ordered a Smartwool Microweight Crew from Go Outdoors as they have 25% off, to give it a try. Will see how it goes, for me it may well be enough under a softshell for winter walking. I'm going skiing next year however which is in the back of my mind, as I had a 3 hour lesson at the local Xscape at the weekend, and wearing the Bionic and a Fleece, both stunk by the time I'd finished.
|
|
 Having spent a week in same synthetic baselayer 24hrs a day several times the difference with Merino is amazing. The smell never seemed to transfer to my ultrafleece with synthetics that I noticed.
|
|
 > that I noticed
I think that might be the key!
I did a smell test and my partner thought that the Merino was hugely better than the synth but she still thought that people would be holding their noses behind your back eeeek!
In fairness I've always thought she has a very sensitive nose to smells both the good and bad.
|
|
 I've found that the ming from synthetic baselayers is readily passed on to the mid layers. So, if you can reduce the base layer ming by choosing merino, then the mid layers also smell fresher. That's my experience with merino, anyway.
|
|
As an overwieght, hot running V sweaty bloke I hoped that merino would be my saviour too. From my experience merino baselayers do pong less after a days walking, but still pong enough to not be sociable in an enclosed space like a pub. I also found that my midlayers eg microfleece or windshirt still smelt bad. I also found that once wet after v heavy exertion they took much longer to dry, and whilst it doesn't make me cold its just uncomfortable. I resigned myself to just using the best wicking top I have (some arcteryx synthetic I got in a sale in summer and a marmot gridded synthetic in winter) and midlayers, and then carrying a merino top and down jacket to change into in the evenings after a quick wash with some wet wipes.
|
|
I do wonder if you are better doing as JB2 said, have a change of clothes, wet wipes and deodorant to use at the end of your activity. If you are really such a sweaty person then you could very easily overwhelm the merino's ability to absorb moisture. I have done that and it is the reason I no longer like merino layers. I prefer to be comfortable with the high wicking abilities of synthetics. In fact I am tending to go back to Helly Hansen with all the "smelly Helly" issues that has just because I prefer to be comfortable and not feel as wet with sweat. Also, IF you are sweating too much have you looked into whether you are wearing too much for the level of exertion?? Perhaps sweating less will help with ponginess?? One thing to note is how different types of materials work. Synthetics tend to wick whereas merino works by mostly absorbing moisture next to the skin and with some degree of wicking. I prefer to have the high wicking of synthetics and layer for the exertion to reduce my sweating in the first place. With modern synthetics and their various kinds of coatings reducing the sweat creation by good thermal control they could work better than you are experiencing. Rohan I believe do some good silver treatments of polyester base layers. Plyester with silver and/ or other anti-bacterial treatments would be better than polypro as in the smelly helly base layers. Also, what is wrong with a bit of BO after a day in the hills? I do most of my walking in the Lakes so it is not unusual to encounter someone with BO in a cafe or pub. Most people don't really bother that much. Although, despite the sweat level it might not be that which is the issue. Some people do have higher levels of BO even without the high levels of sweat. I did a 2 week wildcamping trip with a mate and despite him using deodorant and taking a dip in a tarn I was the one who smelt least bad after those 2 weeks without a proper clean up and without deo. I did sweat more than him though.
|
|
 BO? Try it in a packed tube train...
The option is to wash of course. Not difficult to do.
|
|
 Tubes and BO - hell on earth.
Washing isn't always an option when high up above the snowline for a while, even wet wipes can freeze.
|
|
Used the new RAD merino/cocana thing in Patagonia, at longest, for week non-stop. Absolutely fine - and I did ask! it's a little thinner than my Icebreaker Mondo and that sits me fine. Really impressed with it. dries quickly too. As good as perfect. Had been looking at the Smartwool micro but luckily the review of the RAB came up on OM just in time.
|
|
Washing is always an option. It's only water and soap. Baby care offers options.
No excuse if anywhere with a toilet.
You have very cold inner pockets or sleeping bag if wet wipes freeze.
Would a thin layer be better as it will dry very quckly - something silverish perchance.
|
|
I think Merino is great with a fleece jacket on top and waterproof jacket ontop of that. Never had any problems. Merino/Cotton blend baselayers also great. The only problem I ever have is with 100% cotton somewhere in the mix. Polyester (fleece) is fine.
|
|
 Washing is always an option. It's only water and soap. Baby care offers options.
No excuse if anywhere with a toilet.
The only two toilets in the Cairngorms are of the bio'long drop' variety at Corrour and Bob Scotts. No running water.
And the natural running water may be frozen. 
|
|
