Merino Clothing (base layers, etc)

+1 on the Icebreaker, top quality clothing.

I have been a convert to the benefit of merino for quite some time now but someone here at work just told ma about [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mulesing"]mulesing[/ame]

my heart sank...

I didn't know about that ^ I must say it's an issue for me too, but apparently they're phasing it out in N.Z so will try to support their industry instead of Australia.

Ugh! Thanks for the heads-up. Quick check on NZ products yielded this:

http://www.icebreaker.com/site/philosophy/#/sustainability/animalwelfare/

"All our merino fibre is sourced from sheep that have not been mulesed..."

Mulesing might seem cruel, but it's a double edge sword.
It's purpose to prevent flystrike which is much crueller, death by a 1000 maggots.

"All our merino fibre is sourced from sheep that have not been molested..."

....darn'd dyslexia

"All our merino fibre is sourced from sheep that have not been molested..."

Unlikely if it's from NZ

finisterre merino is excellent - and they are about to make their own UK sourced wool which will be like merino but without the air miles involved in shipping it over, in other words, 'greener' merino

I mean Finisterre the name of the company

http://www.finisterreuk.com/pdf/Finisterre-Lookbook-Spring-10.pdf

story of the bowmont breeding programme and founder lesley is on page 3... if you're interested.

finisterre merino is excellent - and they are about to make their own UK sourced wool which will be like merino but without the air miles involved in shipping it over, in other words, 'greener' merino

.

Saw an advert in the Evening Standard yesterday - Uniqlo are doing some merino gear for £20.

As with so many things you get what you pay for.

I'd suggest waiting for the sales to start and buying decent quality merino once its discounted - camping stores are a good place to look.

i got a merino sweater from uniqlo, it's really good for everyday use but not for cycling, it's nowhere near as nice as my 'proper' merino gear

it holds up a lot better than i thought as well, prob washed it 10 times and it's still ok. not great, but ok.

I've got two merino uniqlo sweaters. I bought them for 20 quid for the two. They're great as something over a layer.
They've lasted about a year and a bit I think. My favourite one, the black one, has a hole now.
I'd repeat the experience.

Even in the recent cold snap a baselayer and a softshell jacket has been perfect for me.

I did try wearing a merino jersey (icebreaker) on my journey to work one day last week. I did not use it in the evening as it was too hot.

Baselayers tend to be a very fine merino - the type you can have against your skin without itching. A cheap jumper will not be such fine merino, so it will have worse wicking and insulating properties.

So. Uniqlo merino sweaters:

They're great as something over a layer.

i got a merino sweater from uniqlo, it's really good for everyday use but not for cycling, it's nowhere near as nice as my 'proper' merino gear

Baselayers tend to be a very fine merino - the type you can have against your skin without itching. A cheap jumper will not be such fine merino, so it will have worse wicking and insulating properties.

Just to clarify.

Damo, work harder on the bike and you will get warm enough to not need the jumper as well.

(though does mean you end up hot and sweaty at the other end of the journey)

I don't work hard on my commute in. Or try not to.

I find if you start as you mean to go on....

I got the Icebreaker Oasis for £25 from Trek & Field a last month, I hate wool as it's just too itchy for my but it's sooooo comfortable and warm, and it's a steal at £25.

Even in the recent cold snap a baselayer and a softshell jacket has been perfect for me.

+1. Even with this I'm still slightly sweaty when I get in, but that's what I get for doing my commute at 150bpm.

XTM thermal base layers on sale in TK MAxx.

Both ladies and gents versions, lime green and black, zip and crew neck (between £24 and £29 for a zipper).

http://xtm.com.au/prods_garments_thermals.html

Better looking than on their website. Meaty, warm and non-itchy.

Love them! I've got enough merino stuff right now to give up any other style of clothing (I've just given away my old jumpers and cotton long sleeved t-shirts to charity).

'meaty'?

boil them up for stock after a hard ride?

Of decent thickness (TOG ratio).
Hopefully I don't boil.

XTM thermal base layers on sale in TK MAxx.

Both ladies and gents versions, lime green and black, zip and crew neck (between £24 and £29 for a zipper).

which TK MAxxx ya talkin about??