Why Merino Wool?

[excaliber]

New guy here so go easy. I searched but could not find a post about this.

I see most of you like Merino wool everything( Socks, Base Layers etc) I'm wondering why everyone likes Merino so much. The smell is hard to get over for me when it's sweat soaked. I guess I just don't see the appeal of it. I've always used synthetics (socks, Cabelas MTB base layers) and never had issues with being too sweaty, or uncomfortably hot or cold.

I'm just wondering why such the following for this stuff? What does it do that the other materials don't do for you?

 

[sab]

excaliber:

My experience is the opposite of yours. Sweat-soaked synthetics stink, merino doesn't. What brand of merino have you tried? Most of mine is Icebreaker.

Regards,
Scott

 

[LazyV]

I agree with Scott, merino stinks far less several days into a hunt, and does a better job regulating temperature for me then synthetics.

 

[excaliber]

I'm not sure what brand it was to tell you the truth. It had a funky goat smell to it after just one day. This was a few years ago so maybe things have improved since then? I do not bivy hunt or pack in so I get to change my base layers and especially underwear every day. I never thought about having to wear underwear briefs for more than one day. Isn't that stuff light enough to pack in a weeks worth? Just saying.

 

[LazyV]

Gear that's up to the task for hunting from a road based base camp, where you can change every day and weight doesn't matter isn't the same as gear you need when you have to carry it a long way on your back day after day. I used to wear UA when doing day hunts, but ditched it for merino once I started doing backpack hunts and will never go back.

 

[excaliber]

LazyV,
Now I think I get it. You guys who pack in need Merino wool to keep the scent down. Maybe the stuff I wore still had some goat attached to it I will have to look at some since I can get a deal on First Lite gear. Thanks everyone.

 

[sk1]

I'm not sure what brand it was to tell you the truth. It had a funky goat smell to it after just one day. This was a few years ago so maybe things have improved since then? I do not bivy hunt or pack in so I get to change my base layers and especially underwear every day. I never thought about having to wear underwear briefs for more than one day. Isn't that stuff light enough to pack in a weeks worth? Just saying.

You're right, underwear is pretty light, but if you pack in a weeks worth of it, and socks, and pants, and shirts....not only does it take up lots of space, but every ounce starts to add up quickly. Think of all the things you're going to need on a 6 to 10 day backpacking trip. Food takes up enough space as is, let alone that many clothes. I take the socks and underwear I wear in and one extra pair of each of those and that's it.

The benefit to merino is the no stink factor...2 days in synthetics and you start to smell bad, my merino socks after 6 days still smelled like roses, my shirt also. It also breathes well and dries quickly. If you are not doing multiple day trips in my opinion there is nothing wrong with synthetics and they are more durable as well. When doing day trips other than my socks and underwear, i typically use synthetic type clothes so i dont ruin my good merino stuff.

 

[JNDEER]

What does it do that the other materials don't do for you?

I have only been useing a wool layer for a season and a half. What it did for me was keep me warmer (even with a slight breeze) in the morning and yet cooler in the mid-day hot heat that CA offers. I use to use the synthetic stuff and actually wore some on a recent scout trip. In the morning after some sweating when the synthetic "dried" out it would cause a chill against my skin. I also do notice it being stickier to the body, it doesn't bother me, but I do notice it.

It will smell like wet animal when very saturated. I know after a long hike and I take off my pack, before my back has time to dry off I can catch a wiff of that smell you are refering to. What I don't smell is BO, which is a good thing. After a few minutes the shirt will dry and the "wet animal" smell will go away.

 

[rodney482]

Less odor (much)
Keeps me dryer
No chaffing

 

[BowBob]

some merino highlights:
-excellent warmth to weight ratio
-when in hot temps merino pulls moisture away from skin to evaporate and cool
-in cold weather merino traps warm air and acts similar to a sleeping bag
-can hold up to 1/3 its weight of water without feeling "wet"
-merino is naturally anti-microbial, hence the "it doesn't smell bad in the backcountry" statements

Note: it is important to get 100% merino wool because spandex, lycra and elastane hold moisture, don't dry as fast, and are heavier. It is essentially a cheaper product.

 

[MattB]

I'm not sure what brand it was to tell you the truth. It had a funky goat smell to it after just one day. This was a few years ago so maybe things have improved since then? I do not bivy hunt or pack in so I get to change my base layers and especially underwear every day. I never thought about having to wear underwear briefs for more than one day. Isn't that stuff light enough to pack in a weeks worth? Just saying.

You are talking about 5+ pounds of underwear and socks (and probably another 4+ pounds of base layer tops so you can change those everyday) for a 10 day hunt. My clothes for a 10 day sheep hunt weigh just over 9# and that includes some either/or items (warm pants and cool pants, I will not be carrying both into the field). There is simply no good reason to carry 10 pair of underwear that you need to change everyday when merino lets you go 3+ days with the same funk factor.

 

[SHTF]

If you guys take care in the field and use Wipes daily to defunct yourselves you really shouldnt have an issue. I use Merino wool cause of the reasons said above. Its just that good.

 

[chippewawarrior]

I've got a Kuiu merino top that smells like wet dog when it's damp. So, my wife made it into a short sleeve for me. I also use Smartwool, First Lite, and RedRam with no foul smell what-so-ever. In fact, the cheapest of the bunch, RedRam, is my favorite for all-around use. It works really well under my body armor for work. Smartwool seems to be the softest, and First Lite works well as an outer layer because it's the only brand offered in camo...

 

[eltaco]

I've got a Kuiu merino top that smells like wet dog when it's damp. So, my wife made it into a short sleeve for me. I also use Smartwool, First Lite, and RedRam with no foul smell what-so-ever. In fact, the cheapest of the bunch, RedRam, is my favorite for all-around use. It works really well under my body armor for work. Smartwool seems to be the softest, and First Lite works well as an outer layer because it's the only brand offered in camo...

Ouch. That's a spendy T-Shirt!

 

[sab]

Personally, I wouldn't spend the money on merino for day hunting. It's too costly.

Regards,
Scott

 

[aron]

I've got a Kuiu merino top that smells like wet dog when it's damp. So, my wife made it into a short sleeve for me. I also use Smartwool, First Lite, and RedRam with no foul smell what-so-ever. In fact, the cheapest of the bunch, RedRam, is my favorite for all-around use. It works really well under my body armor for work. Smartwool seems to be the softest, and First Lite works well as an outer layer because it's the only brand offered in camo...

I have a Kuiu 230 merino base layer that also smells like wet dog when wet, even after multiple washes. Almost prefer a BO smell over tje wet dog. First Lite for now on and no stink factor.

 

[RobD]

I have some of the kuiu wool products and to me the wet wool doesn't smell bad. If you have spent multiple days in the backcountry with a synthetic you know how bad those can end up smelling.... wooo!