ICEBREAKER MERINO WOOL

[culleng]

Has anyone used this product? I am looking at buying some base layers and need some opinions on this. Thanks

[woodchucker]

100% Merino wool, is EXCELANT as a base layer, against your skin. Most folks who can't wear wool against thier skin because it's "itchy", have no problem at all wearing it.

As for "ICEBREAKER" brand... Idk, can't say. It should probly be fine. Personaly, I prefer to buy $3 - $4 sweaters at the GoodWill store than pay $30 - $40 new.  

[culleng]

I hear that Woodchucker. I would love to find some for that price. I just haven't been lucky enough to do that.

[woodchucker]

We have a store, a couple towns over. I make it a point to stop in, every time I'm down there. Persistance SAVES!!!!!  

The good thing is... If you take care of them,they pretty much last forever. If you manage to get 2-3 a year,you'll have a closet full in no time!!!

[2nocks]

I have a merino wool icebreaker tshirt. Its more of a summer weight hiking shirt.  Makes a great layer, i've worn it and sweated through it a bunch of times, does not smell whatsoever and I've never needed to wash it because of that.  I'm impressed.

[huntmaster70]

I bought some tops & bottoms this year, they are very thin but considered "medium weight". It hasn't been very cold yet but so far when I wore them they seemed OK.(not overly hot but were almost "uncomfortably warm") Time will tell when it gets real cold & we have a stiff wind.

[V I Archer]

my opinion, for base layers, Icebreaker is tops!  I have one I wear almost everyday under my uniform shirt in the winter and it has been 4 years and still going.  I have bought house brand stuff and some other brands and either don't like the fit, or the durability.  I would like to try FirstLite next and see how it compares.

I agree with the goodwill sentiment for outer layers.  Love my plaid Pendleton's!

[DaveT1963]

Don't overlook LL Bean.  My favorite merino wool mid weight pant and shirt are their Men's Cresta Wool Midweight Base Layers.  These thigns are great and at 45 bucks a piece you cannot beat them.

[Wandering Archer]

I can't speak for Icebreaker, but having used Smartwool base layers, I can speak for merino wool base layers in general.

My micro weight(150g/m^2) long sleeve is one of my favorite pieces of clothing. For here in California I wear it as my first layer, even if the sun is beating on me at 10,000ft on an exposed pass. It rarely gets so hot that I switch to a short sleeve button up synthetic shirt. If it's a little too cool for the baselayer alone, I add the afore mentioned short sleeve synthetic, on top of the smartwool. As it gets colder I add a hooded down sweater/jacket, then my rain jacket if it's really cold.
For 3 season backpacking in CA, that's all I need. If the temperature range was going to be cooler, I imagine moving to a light weight(195g/m^2) or medium weight(250) would be all that I would need to change to stay pretty comfortable.

For non backpacking outdoor activities I often find my smartwool and a wool flannel keeps me pretty comfortable.

The fact that it doesn't stink after I've been sweating in it all day, really is a selling point, but the fact that I can be comfortable in it when it's warm/hot out, and that it keeps me warm as a baselayer when it's cool/cold out, just makes it a hugely versatile piece of gear. Possibly my single favorite article of clothing...

I think I should also not that it is a distinctively different piece of clothing than sweaters or flannels you might pick up at the thrift store.
I love my sweaters and flannels from the thrift, but a light weight wool baselayer can do things that they cannot. Most certainly worth the price tag.

My philosophy:
Baselayer: Pay up, it's worth every penny, because you won't find it at the thrift.
Main layer: Thrift store, too easy to find what you need, no sense in paying full price.
Jacket/outer: Pay up, I rarely find useable outerwear at thrifts, and you certainly won't find 5oz. down jackets, or quality wool pullovers...
Rain gear: Go cheap, go frogg toggs.

[Ebisu]

I've been wearing Icebreaker products for years and everything I have by them is fantastic.  Ibex is another brand that is definitely worth looking at.  For most pieces I prefer Icebreaker, but for base layers I actually like the Ibex woolies stuff a bit better.

[Biathlonman]

Good stuff. The "everyday" stuff isn't as nice as their regular line so keep that in mind.

[swp]

Just don't put it in the dryer when you do wash it. Dryers will put holes in it quicker than a 4 strand barbwire fence.

[Daz]

I have merino base layers from Icebreaker, Ibex, Core 4, Kuiu and Firstlite.

Icebreaker sits at the top overall with Core4 being next due to the price/quality ratio.

As others have stated, care during cleaning is essential (Woolite by hand or front load on delicate-hang dry only), and to remember that because it is fine wool moths will do a number on it really quickly.

[Bart S]

I have been using their base layers for a couple years so far for commercial crabbing and wildlife surveys, which regularly involves hiking miles in the rain in the dark, getting soaked from rain or sweat, then standing still for at least 2 hours in the early morning. So far Icebreaker makes my favorite base layers but I would go with minus33 or first lite to wear on top as they are a bit more durable in my opinion, especially minus33's Kodiak hoody. Like others have already mentioned, don't put in drier, but I have found that it is almost impossible for them to start stinking. I have worn the same two icebreaker shirts under my nomex for over two weeks of busy wildland firefighting without getting laundry or even a shower and despite how bad I stunk, the shirts were amazing still odorless.

[IdahoCurt]

Check out minus 33 I've been happy with them also

[agross1]

Originally posted by IdahoCurt:
Check out minus 33 I've been happy with them also

X2

[Pete McMiller]

X3 for Minus33.  I have Icebreaker and it is good but Minus33 is it's equal and less expensive.  You won't be disappointed with either company.

[grouseshooter002]

I also use Minus33 for base layer and it is great wool. The one thing I don't skimp on are my socks. I pay the price and buy Filson heavy weight merino wool socks. They are machine washable and just seem to last for years.

Regards,
Grouse

[johnnyk71]

I love First Lite. bought some more today because of this thread. fonud a good price online with free shipping.

[RLA]

I have Icebreaker top and bottoms in 200 weight and the heavier 260 weight.  I bought it all about 4 years ago and have got a lot of good out of it. I've been very happy with it, I will add my 260 weight top is starting to getting a few holes and I could stand to replace it soon.
For colder weather add 400 weight Woolpower by Ostersund, it's great too. I'm a believer that the base layer is far more important than your outer layer for staying warm.