Merino Clothing (base layers, etc)

I've just been in Blacks at St Pauls, and they have buy one get one half price on baselayers (inc merino ones) if anyone is still looking.

Try TK Maxx, if you have one near you and are prepared to check often, you might get lucky.

Want, want, want. top half merino, bottom half windfoil lycra, all win.

what a headless, armless, footless lycraed up body for your sick sexual desires?

You are a sick man.

Have a look at M&S merino wool thermals, that what I use on the motorbike when going traveling to the really cold places.

Its around £30 for a set and I find them to be comfortable and warm.

I've just dropped the hammer on a Rapha bundle pack, works out 30 squid for each top. Perhaps you could split the cost with someone?

http://www.rapha.cc/base-layer-3-pack/

Thanks Lynx. I'm lookin as well and never though of doin the M&S thing. On my way now!!

The Rapha three packs are awesome. And as Bobby says, works out pretty cheap too.

Have a look at M&S merino wool thermals, that what I use on the motorbike when going traveling to the really cold places.

Its around £30 for a set and I find them to be comfortable and warm.

My Dad was speaking to a roofer who did a lot of climbing and mountaineering (all three of which combine wind wet cold and exposed) last year and this guy recommended M&S thermals over all the other expensive brands. I had forgotten about the recommendation I'll check them out this year. Ta.

http://www.uniqlo.co.uk/catalogue/men/knitwear/371608-dark-brown-merino-polo-sweater
what is wrong with this ???????

http://www.uniqlo.co.uk/catalogue/men/knitwear/370942-black-extra-fine-merino-zip-up-sweater
or this, 19.99......... a real deal!

They are not base layers dude. More like mid or top layers.

Ren, go to Ellis Brigham (covent garden or .com) and look at the Ice Breaker merino base layers.
They come in 3 (I think) different thicknesses/warmpth.
A little more pricey but I have one, wore it all winter last year, cycling and snowboarding and it's as good as new still.
Super comfy, warm, cool. Love it.

moles have eaten my ice breaker turtle neck :(
good thing i have 2 more, can't recommend them highly enough, best shit

What Sol?? Moles? Surely you mean Moths, unless the common ground mole has evolved and developed a taste for Merion! ;)

haha Donut you smartass, i'll chase away the Moles if you tell us about this mysterious "Merion" substance

what's rapha's sizing like? who is stocking their baselayers so i can try some on before i order? last time i was in Condor they didn't hve them

Keep trying Condor, otherwise maybe call them directly and ask if you can come over to the HQ, but i'm really not sure if they do this at all.
Sizing is quite generous, small is perfect for a medium-frame tall girl with ape-long arms, but they have different cuts of different items, so good to try first.

Does anyone know of any decent alternatives to merino wool? Most wool irritates my skin a bit, and sadly merino wool does as well.

Does anyone know of any decent alternatives to merino wool? Most wool irritates my skin a bit, and sadly merino wool does as well.

This will make me sound like a twat but have you tried good quality merino? Devold are good (as previously mentioned by SF). Repeated washing in ecover (or suchlike) will soften them up and remove protective dressings which may irritate. Other than that it'll be cashmere, which I've heard Rapha are working on (probably).

Oh God. So, yeah, merino... Howies merino is made from bits of well looked-after Kiwi Sheep and has a finer weave than some other merino I've worn before.

yes, those are my findings exactly. got some chocolatefish stuff, and howies mid and base layers. Howies stuff is less itchy and supercomfy.

Find it strange you think Howies less itchy than ChocFish - they use exactly the same fabric - MAPP/Zque (or used to until Howies got taken over by Timberland/Smartwool so may be different now). I prefer ChocFish - better looking, better cut, longer in the sleeve and body and good colour choice. Can wear it anywhere not just for cycling. Also ChocFish stil made in New Zealand, not China or Fiji or somewhere else weird.

Does anyone know of any decent alternatives to merino wool? Most wool irritates my skin a bit, and sadly merino wool does as well.

polypropylene base layers are the standard synthetic alternative. Helly Hanson so a base layer made of PP. I have a set and they arenice and wick very well, much much better than cheap other poly___ based materials.

Crivvens, most of the above is why I wanted the chocFish stuff, but yeah, no idea why it's slightly itchy ... it just is when I wear it. That said it's is better cut than howies stuff, and seems to be the more ethical choice.

Also find the finish of the howies NBL stuff in the collar and seems is pretty good.

(in a globalized world of today, who knows what's ethical and not ... I certainly don't, unless it's a business local to me and I can question every step by talking to the merchant).

That said it's is better cut than howies stuff, and seems to be the more ethical choice.
...(in a globalized world of today, who knows what's ethical and not ... I certainly don't, unless it's a business local to me and I can question every step by talking to the merchant).

I used to buy Howies when they were still independent and made in NZ. Then I found ChocFish - found it was better. Also their stuff is totally traceable - the only company I know who admit they commission not "make" and actually tell you who makes their stuff for them - they even give you a link to the company! That's a lot more transparency than any other company I know. And NZ has really tough environmental laws and european-style labour regulations so I have the feeling that the people making the gear I wear aren't being ripped off, working in sweatshops etc.

Coffee break over - back to work :-(

You've obviously looked into this much more than me ... however, their stuff still itches when I wear it :(