Polypropylene vs polyester base layer vs merino wool Merino Wool (Kaibab series) vs. Alpaca: Battle of the Base Layers. They move moisture really fast and work as a base layer or alone in warmer weather. Higher-end tech fabrics with branded names will out-perform cheap unbranded polyester. You can literally wear them all year, which for my budget is a much better value. Smelly and fast-drying beats less smelly every time. And, if you didn’t see a shirt that really won you over, don’t worry! Jan 21, 2014 · The merino base layers feel excellent against the skin, that bit smoother and more comfortable. Below I have set out to review the basic advantages and disadvantages of the key materials and I decided to invest in thermal layer for my winter hill walking, but I am not sure what presents the best value for money. But it is not as durable as synthetic fibres. A variety of materials are used for such garments, each with different pros and cons. 39 million New Zealand sheep can’t be wrong. My concerns are: 1) will polyester keep me warm? 2) will merino wool get wet and cold when exercising (intensive walking)? Mar 16, 2022 · When to Choose Merino Wool vs. I've used cotton, wool, and plastic bases and prefer a wool base (on cold days) and cotton on "warmer" days. The Base layer should be a wicking layer. I’m blown away by the popularity of wool as a base layer. So my question is: I primarily want to use this as a layer that won't pick up odor over long periods without washing. Super soft; Lightweight breathability Polyester all the way. There’s 3 layers, base layer is wicking, middle layer is your insulation and outer layer is your protection from wind and snow. Anything else and some of us are guaranteed wet and clammy, even on the sub-zero days. anyone starting out in bushwalking The difference between wool and polyester is not going to kill you. Wool doesn't help much either. Merino wool has become extremely popular as a material for base layers, including socks. This does not mean that there are no other decent base layer materials. Merino Wool. Polyester is by far the most common synthetic and a nice cost-effective alternative to merino: It keeps up in terms of moisture wicking, comfort is still fairly high, and it tends to be much more hardwearing. It's also not UV resistant, so for tops, it should primarily be used as a base layer vs. Aug 1, 2024 · Whether you go with a synthetic like polyester or a natural one like wool or blends, you need it to wick well (move sweat off your skin). Drying Time: Polyester tends to dry faster than nylon, making it a popular choice for base layers in high-intensity activities or humid conditions. Apr 1, 2019 · Decided to do a few test to see how merino wool base layers did versus synthetic base layers. Kari Traa Lam Base Layer Top (women’s only) Kari Traa Lam Base Layer Bottom (women’s only) REI Co-op Merino Wool Base Layer Crew Top; REI Co-op Merino Wool Base Layer Tights; Synthetic Option. Jan 28, 2025 · There are several materials that these tops can be made out of, including silk, cotton, Merino wool, polypropylene, polyester, etc. Odor resistance is still pretty good. Sep 26, 2022 · Synthetic fabrics range from polyester to nylon, polypropylene, and more, but they generally all share similar properties. Worth it for some, not worth it for others Reply reply More replies Dec 26, 2012 · the speed at which the old woolen baselayers were abandoned for polypropylene showed just how superior it is at drying out. Polypropylene, however, doesn't absorb water, so it has a unique ability to keep you warm even after you've taken an unforeseen dunking in a river, for example. Nov 13, 2024 · For the full rundown of how alpaca performs compared to merino, check out our Merino Wool vs. We've tested dozens of baselayers on stormy spring ski tours in the Pacific Northwest, frigid winter runs, and backpacking trips across the world, and below are our top 15 picks of 2025. I tend to prefer wool on longer trips due to its ability to resist smell. In the summer, I'll wear a thin merino longsleeve, or if it's really hot like above 15*C, I'll just use an old cotton shirt. For base layer clothing, you want Merino wool that is graded as Ultrafine, Superfine, or Extra Fine, as anything coarser isn’t comfortable to be worn directly against the skin. Polypropylene and Polyester are both harder wearing than merino. Whichever you choose, they each offer their own benefits and drawbacks. The Downsides of Merino Wool. I've got a Polartec Power Grid base layer for warmer days and a Polartec Power Stretch base layer for colder days. Ultrafine, soft 100% merino wool (not itchy) Moisture wicking; Naturally resists odor; Flat seam design eliminates chafing; Underarm gussets for a full range of movement Feb 20, 2024 · Merino wool is the star of Smartwool's product lineup and, thus, an integral component of this all-season base layer. Cotton is not recommended for a base layer because it retains moisture close to your body, leading to excessive heat loss. I got a 95% merino 5% spandex set of Alaskan Hardgear from Duluth that I love, but they don't make it anymore. 0 base layer, i also use UA cold gear smocks i wear alot. I really haven't seen this issue with merino. Oct 25, 2022 · In this paper, I subject base layers in various weights made from merino, merino blends, and alpaca to the suite of tests I have developed to evaluate base layer performance. Merino vs Polypro is one of the great debates, and ultimately it comes down to personal preference. Oct 27, 2022 · Polyester vs Polypropylene. Autumn/spring, I'll wear the same merino longsleeve as in summer, and the same Nov 9, 2006 · Patagonia also makes wool base layers, such as its moderately heavy Wool 3 line, which includes the Zip-Neck T for $98. Once evaporation becomes the dominant moisture transport mechanism (see the dark purple edge of the droplet near the top of the image), the fabric temperature cools because heat loss (from the fabric, air, and user’s body) occurs during evaporation. a long sleeve top you can hike, camp, run in year-round. Our range of LIFA® Active and Solen base layers use LIFA®. Merino wool is an ideal base layer material for both cold and hot weather due to its ability to wick moisture and release heat. Made in styles for both women and men with 88 percent merino wool and 12 Since polyester is synthetic, it is more durable and easy to care for, but it isn’t as warm and breathable. Alpaca base layers are best for: high-activity adventures, people with wool allergies, and cold-weather activities. Merino wool can absorb up to 30% of its own weight in water before it starts to feel wet, so it's also a good choice for summer activities to help keep you cool. Many hiking friends raved about how great merino wool was as a material for a base layer, but for some reason it took me a long while to try them out. Speculation. synthetic base layers, Nov 4, 2016 · Merino wool – the biggest seller of base layers in the last decade or so, it is hydrophilic and dries only slightly quicker than cotton, but it is naturally antibacterial (so doesn’t stink after lots of use with no wash) and has some insulation properties at all fabric thicknesses. Polypropylene is great to. However, if we want to make a really thick merino fabric, it needs to be very dense. When it comes to choosing your base layer you’ll likely notice that the range on the market will consist of three construction types: wool (usually merino), synthetic (man-made) fibres, or a mixture of the two. Nylon fibers absorb more Sep 23, 2013 · A synthetic interior/wool exterior makes the most sense. You might choose merino wool base layers if comfort is a top priority and you have a higher spending budget. But it is exceedingly tough, so will likely FREE EBOOK DOWNLOAD - now on: https://rathwulvenbushcraft. synthetic; part of the problem though is that most of the merino claims come from people selling merino. com, there's no wrong way to go with merino wool and polyester clothing products. They are much cheaper of course, but not sure at what cost. EDIT: I wore high-end merino wool on many very physical outings and got sick of feeling clammmy wetness against my skin. Layering for Different Weather Conditions: Another key consideration when choosing between merino wool vs. Is that going to work out? Or will the Polypropylene/Polyester just stink up? May 10, 2024 · SYNTHETIC BASE LAYERS. You're better off with a puffy weighing 100g more (if that weight is 80fill down) than a baselayer weighing 100g more, if warmth is your goal. I am looking for a good base layer that will keep me warm and dry no matter how cold. Polypropylene will tend to retain its colour due to being dope dyed. Both polyester and Merino Wool are materials commonly used to knit base layers, hats, socks, and gloves. I think it boils down to this: wool is the best weight to warmth ratio, but if you’re optimizing for weight, and don’t need the same amount of warmth, synthetic is the better option…it’s not as though a 1lb/ ~450g wool base layer is going to let you feel comfortable in considerably colder temperatures than a 1lb /~450g synthetic would…unless you’re very sensitive to temperature Nov 27, 2021 · My merino base is dry long before my camo synthetic that I wear over it. tech Crew. It’s important to note that there are tons of types of polyester fabric on the market. But which is better: polyester or wool? That’s Mar 30, 2025 · Final Note About Women’s Merino Wool Base Layers. Polyester is occasionally also used for (super lightweight or low-end) pants. Merino wool is a popular base layer choice because it’s not as itchy as regular wool. It’s not great at handling lots of sweat though, for that your best bet is lightweight polyester or for super-rapid drying, polypropylene. You're dead right that polyester has mostly replaced polypropylene, but polyester has one major drawback: it doesn't keep you warm when it's saturated. However, pants are typically made of nylon as nylon provides better abrasion resistance than polyester. In this paper, I subject base layers in various weights made from merino, merino blends, and alpaca to the suite of tests I have developed to evaluate base layer performance. It doesn't have the problem of never being able to dry like Merino, and doesn't hold a smell like synthetics. The fibers are extremely thin, less than 24 microns in diameter. Merino wool is softer than regular wool and has a more comfortable feel on the skin. Wool is a natural fabric, so it is more expensive and requires more care. Comfort. Jan 16, 2015 · I picked up the Black Ovis merino blend (50/50 merino/poly) last year and it is currently my favorite base. Merino retains its colour well. But if I'm doing a single day hike, a 3D shoot, or just working outside I'll generally throw on a poly base layer under another shirt. Jun 29, 2020 · We compare merino, merino blends, alpaca, and polyester fabrics as part of a framework to help hikers choose the best base layer. Jan 16, 2024 · Helly uses a polypropylene (standalone in their synthetic, blended in their merino). Merino wool mid-layers use wool with a density from 200 g/m 2 to 400 g/m 2 and thus in average weigh from 350 g to 700 g per garment. Oct 25, 2022 · Wool vs. Anything thinner than that has questionable durability. I can't say why but my skin also feels dryer in most synthetic base layers than wool. We recommend a cold-water wash and laying flat to dry. In cold/wet synthetic base layers and wool fleece for warmth, it's a little heavier, a lot bulkier, but it's dependable warmth even if wet and doesn't hold a smell too strongly. Note that some people may mention polypropylene aka "polypro" base layers, which were popular 35-40 years ago and replaced by less stinky polyester. I think that a 50/50 blend makes the ideal base layer top for most conditions. Dec 3, 2018 · The main reason for this is that they are relatively heavy for the warmth that they provide. ijn boxju gxypawvik ktv idfepqfz rquj hjcsj yike ihanbnsy jovaz zqly ino ehba degwbtw tabxw