Merino Clothing (base layers, etc)

Hey, I searched, but prices change and stock changes every season.

Anyone know any good places to get a nice merino baselayer for cheap this winter? I went in to Kathmandu today, their prices have gone up! I got a merino base layer from them for a tenner two years back, now they're 'reduced' to £25-ish. Uniqlo don't seem to have anything this year, and the Rapha stuff looks nice, but a bit pricey...

any other bargain merino stuff, post up too, like socks/hoodies/etc

I've good experience of the kit from these people but it's not super cheap;

http://www.chocolatefishmerino.co.uk/

The Rapha base layers are very good value for money, I've one that has done three summers of daily use and is still going strong (just make sure you keep the moths away as they love merino). Someone posted up some Finisterre stuff recently, which looked good, not sure on the prices though. Added: Their £35.

http://www.finisterreuk.com/technicalsurfapparel/mens/super-fine-merino-base-layer-p121-c37.html

Aldi occasionally sell them for 15 quid, usually when they've got motorbike or ski stuff on special. Sign up to their mailing lists if you're not in a massive hurry. They'll probably get some in again before winter.

• 1 on finisterre.
  

When Decathlon change from summer to winter they will have them. Also checkout charity shops for thin merino wool jumpers, effectively a base layer, I've got myself a few this way.

I saw some nice merino in the House of Fraser Brand name Sale yesterday in Fenchurch St, mostly thin jumpers but decent prices

I LOVE my ice breaker merino T-shirts that i go from ellis brigham. Ecxellent quality. Cost thirty squid though, so not cheap.

Errr Uniqlo has 15 different styles of merino jumpers/vests in stock from £15

http://www.uniqlo.co.uk/catalogue/men/extra-fine-merino/1

I got a couple of M+S merino jumpers for £8 each in one of their outlets.

icebreaker are definitely the best. cotswolds was doing 50pc off online but no idea if still going on

For me jumpers aren't much help. a thin, long-sleeved merino base is essential winterwear. I can't fault Howies but I've heard Icebreaker are good. I got a Rapha one in their sale which is good too. So comfortable! Wrapping up warm is surely one of the best things about Winter.

A colleague of mine, who seemingly wears nothing but merino, claims that Icebreaker quality is nowhere near what it was since they moved production from NZ to China. He owns an awful lot of it so speaks with some authority.

I've one Icebreaker top and it seems fine to me.

FUCK me that Rapha stuff is pricey though, eh?

shit hot though. Nice for treat now and then ;)

i find it insulting on both a personal and a political level, actually.

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.

Not sure you can buy it in the UK, but Devold merino stuff is fantastic. Great quality, and a large range of thicknesses for different uses. I've an embarressingly large collection of the thin 'multisport' range. The best bit being the merino buff, which is probably the most versitile peice of winter gear I have.

Also I merino cross-country skiing socks, perfect for sub-zero winter cycling.

I bought a Uniqlo full-zip merino top a few weeks back for £24.99 - lovely quality and perfect for cycling.

Some items on the website labelled as merino are not, though. For example, the full zip 'jacqard' is not even 100% wool (it's 70/30 mix); having said that, it is still excellent quality and worth the money.

Uniqlo has already put 'sale' prices on some of it's autumn season goods!

Not sure you can buy it in the UK, but Devold merino stuff is fantastic. Great quality, and a large range of thicknesses for different uses. I've an embarressingly large collection of the thin 'multisport' range. The best bit being the merino buff, which is probably the most versitile peice of winter gear I have.

Also I merino cross-country skiing socks, perfect for sub-zero winter cycling.

Here
http://www.bosunslockerchandlery.co.uk/b/29/Devold.html

Not cheap.

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I've just ordered a base layer from them, so will be holding you to account if it doesn't cut the mustard.

"Cutting the mustard" sounds like it should be a filthy euphemism.

bought some of the Endura BaaBaa ones from Wiggle last year and they've been very good. quite thick, so very nice for winter. wiggle vouchers that pop up now and again will bring the baselayers down to about £23 each or so.

A colleague of mine, who seemingly wears nothing but merino, claims that Icebreaker quality is nowhere near what it was since they moved production from NZ to China. He owns an awful lot of it so speaks with some authority.

I've one Icebreaker top and it seems fine to me.

That's very interesting you say that. my older icebreaker bodyfit 200 made in NZ is still unscatched, unfaded and original shape after many years of climbing and cycling.

The same model icebreaker i bought last year last year got two holes in it from climbing this year.

That said, loving their GT (Go Tiger) series (bought a zip hoody and long sleeve this year) seems much higher quality than the current Bodyfit range.

Costwolds have some stuff at good discounts in the Rock Bottom discount section
https://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com

Here
http://www.bosunslockerchandlery.co.uk/b/29/Devold.html

Not cheap.

I live across the fjord from the factory, so buy it all at outlet prices :)

just got a merino jumper from uniqlo, really like it. not a tight cut, but does the trick under a fleece. way better than my craft / helly hansen ones

I've just ordered a base layer from them, so will be holding you to account if it doesn't cut the mustard.

You won't be disappointed.