Wool vs. Capilene vs. Avg. Top Shelf Mid-layer

[Tap]

Anyone have any experience with the wool mid-layers? Ibex/IceBreaker/Patagucci/SmartWool?

Are they are great as they claim?
Is not putting them in the dryer a real hassle?

The NukeBomb got me an Ibex wool pullover for the holidays, of course I'll keep it, but i'm curious if it's all that and a bag of wasabi covered peas?

[AsheanMT]

wool is a little heavier but its hands down the warmest. I where wool sweaters as a mid when it gets REALLY cold. Its especialy heavy when it gets wet.

[gwat]

I'm an Icebreaker cultist. It is the shit. Warm (even when wet), doesn't stink and its comfy. The thinner layers dry no problem. The 320 stuff takes a little longer to dry, but if you hang it up in a warm dry place it is good to go in the morning. I've got in floor heating which is the ticket, lay the stuff out on the floor and it dries in no time. Merino is definitely worth the $$ in my opinion.

[Toby]

I'm an Icebreaker cultist. It is the shit.

2nded


567890

[cj001f]

I like wool stuff for most stuff, as long as it's not highly strenuous. I like the Icebreaker stuff - it's def better than Ibex.

[Huckwheat]

I converted to a smartwool Marino 3 years ago and havent worn anything on the hill since. Last year I replaced it with a Icebreaker (210 I think) and it is even better. This fall I picked up another Icebreaker (120) which I wore all fall bike season, and will mix it up with the two all winter.

Icebreaker (and Marino wool) is the SHIT! Worth the cash dollar.

[Dr.Evil]

I picked a few Icebreaker/Smartwool pieces up on SAC, and have been very impressed, they whole oder things is really amazing, I'll never buy synthetic again!

[snoboy]

Love my icebreaker, live in it, warm, not stinky.

[Orphic Seth]

Not familiar with Icebreaker, but I have several Ibex clothing items. I've been completely pleased with them in every way. I wear my lightweight crew shirt in all four seasons, it cools in summer and keeps me warm in winter. My only beef is that the lightweight long johns don't have a fly, so I use smartwool for that instead.

Of course, I'm a hippy, and I've been wearing wool my whole life... remember: "Wool is good for everything."

Once you start, with whatever company, you won't go back.

[denmeado]

Icebreaker all the way....winter, summer, skiing, running, (then straight to work sans stink).... it is THE utility clothing. Straight from the sheepies back in NZ...if you've been to Otago, that's the mountains the wool comes from, those sheep deal to some serious weather extremes!

[denmeado]

Icebreaker all the way....winter, summer, skiing, running, (then straight to work sans stink).... it is THE utility clothing. Straight from the sheepies back in NZ...if you've been to Central Otago, that's the mountains the wool comes from, and those sheep deal to some serious weather extremes!

[robnow]

I'm digging the merino wool for sure. Only using it as a base layer. What a change to not stink anymore. In Canada were lucky that MEC makes some stuff out of it for nearly half the price of the others and from what I hear its almost as good a quality. If anyone knows different, let me know and I'll dish out for Icebreaker. But they sure get pricey!!

[Cruiser]

I use a Smartwool long sleeve as a base layer on colder days. I love it. It wicks well, and keeps me warm. I itch pretty bad when I wear most wool, but I don't have any problems with the Smartwool. BTW I dry it on low every time with no ill effects.

[SnowToad]

Ever since I picked up some smartwool layers I haven't worn anything else for light, warm, not stinky base layers. Washing them hasn't really been an issue. I'm usually good about airdrying but just this morning I was taking a load of laundry out of the dryer and realized I left my favorite merino wool shirt in. I'm wearing it now and it's not a bit smaller or screwed in any way.

I'll have to give icebreaker a try after hearing the raves.

[skier666]

2nded


567890

22nded...from warm to cool its the shit. Wear a base layer and a t-shirt over it for most days and a light coat and you're set. When colder, I have the zip-up turtleneck thing. That's all I use.

[Buster Highmen]

I converted to a smartwool Marino 3 years ago and havent worn anything on the hill since.

Scary....

[snoboy]

[QUOTE=robnow;1047696In Canada were lucky that MEC makes some stuff out of it for nearly half the price of the others and from what I hear its almost as good a quality.[/QUOTE]

I have one MEC piece, and I would agree that it is almost as good. It was a tiny tiny bit itchy, but after a few washes it feels good, and is in the regular wool rotation.