Thermolite vs Merino

I find the high quality artificial stuff is much better at wicking and faster drying, however I like the fact merino is warm even when you're only wearing a thin layer of it.
At the moment I am wearing a HH Lifa Base Layer, with a North Face Merino wool layer over the top, this and a shell jacket for the really cold days is more than warm enough for me in the winter, and I stay dry also with this combo, even when getting pretty sweaty.

Merino is really good stuff, the problem i've found though is when it gets wet it takes longer to dry than my HellyHansen Synthetic base layers, this means if you're sweating a lot, or its humid, or raining a little bit, you will get colder faster in a merino layer from windchill, however merino is better at insulating, just not as good at keeping you dry.
Its horses for courses, i've found one Merino over the top of a synthetic to be the "ultimate combo" in the winter, its what I wear when I go snowboarding as well, you get the best of both worlds, good wicking performance and decent warmth.
Sometimes though I just wear the synthetic and throw my jacket over the top, since I don't seem to suffer the cold as badly as most people.
I'd get one of each at least anyway, one base layer is never enough, I must have 5 or 6 now I think....

**Also these come very highly rated by a lot of people: [http://www.outdoormania.co.uk/Item-0-0-cat-7-brand-760-Helly_Hansen_Odin_High_Neck.aspx**](http://www.outdoormania.co.uk/Item-0-0-cat-7-brand-760-Helly_Hansen_Odin_High_Neck.aspx)

Easily the equivalent warmth wise of a couple of base layers, but with less bulk.

**Combines the best of both worlds: **

Lifa + Merino > Merino IMO

I think Synthetics only take on a perma-stench if you don't wash them with decent stuff, after selling all this kinda shizzle to people for nearly 4 years when I was younger, anytime I recommended someone use a decent anti-bacterial wash their base-layers stopped smelling like shit all the time, amazing eh!
Good quality merino is great, good quality synthetic material is great, but they need to be treated accordingly, and anything thats spending that much time being sweated in should be washed in a decent anti-bacterial base layer wash if you want to stay hygenic.
Also bear in mind that each material has its plus points and different uses, for instance in the height of summer, I wouldn't wear Merino Wool unless I wanted to be swimming in my own sweat and feel constantly moist, likewise in the winter I wouldn't wear just a synthetic unless I wanted to be freezing my arse off all the time.
This is why most top end base-layers, designed for heavy physical activity in extreme cold weather combine high end Merino Wool, and high end synthetic material, which as I have been saying is the superior combo over just Merino on its own under these conditions. I get by on nothing but a synthetic layer, underneath a merino layer, underneath a shell jacket, all winter long... and I stay dry and warm :)

Yes generally, although this obviously depends on the synthetic in question, but put a super high end synthetic against super high end merino wool, compare wicking performance and the synthetic will win everytime.

James has almost got it right here ^ **assuming you don't have to take into account the windchill factor then yes it is warmer even when holding fluid, however if you are not planning on wearing a shell jacket over the top to prevent windchill, then you should wear a synthetic layer underneath which keeps the moisture off of your skin and in the merino instead, allowing fluid to continue to evaporate into the air without taking your bodyheat with it, as the synthetic layer is wicking moisture away from your skin faster than the merino on its own would. **
Due to the nature of merino and the way it holds fluid, it will be more prone to windchill if you are not wearing a shell on top of it, or a synthetic underneath.
I find this warm enough most of the winter and only put a shell on when it gets really humid or is raining/exceptionally windy.

guys, guys, focus here. Merino vs Thermolite

I already have a jacket, thanks you

Ahem ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Oh and a recommendation below ;) >

**If you're just going to buy one layer, and one only for the winter, this is THE one: **

***[http://www.outdoormania.co.uk/Item-0-0-cat-7-brand-760-Helly_Hansen_Odin_High_Neck.aspx**](http://www.outdoormania.co.uk/Item-0-0-cat-7-brand-760-Helly_Hansen_Odin_High_Neck.aspx)*****

High quality Merino, high quality synthetic, i'd get one if I didn't already have shitloads of base-layers and combinations that can do the same job, this does the same thing as my 2 base layer combo pretty much.

I'm looking for armwarner and base layers, both

any advise for a good armwarmers???

See below, if you get a good base layer you shouldn't need arm warmers unless you have joint problems or get particularly cold arms, a good quality base layer should have no problems keeping your arms warm. >

Why do you want seperate?

Get something like that and it'll keep both your arms and your body more than warm enough, and dry to.

and >

I've never owned armwarmers, but I would save your money, try that baselayer first, and then if you feel you need additional insulation for your arms look into armwarmers I guess?

cheaper than the Santini I can get Endura Merino ones..... merino vs thermalite

If all the above is not enough information to make an informed decision on what is best, I seriously give up!