Merino Wool Vs Synthetic BASE LAYERS
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 20 ก.ค. 2024
- Decided to do a few test to see how merino wool base layers did versus synthetic base layers.
Minus33 Top: amzn.to/3e6ITs3
Minus33 Bottom: amzn.to/35GpOZY
some links are amazon associate links
My FULL Review of the Minus33 Base layers: • Minus 33 Base layer RE...
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Here's how this works.
Cotton feels great when you sweat at first, then it's horrible, because it absorbs up to twenty times its weight in water. So it pulls a little sweat off great, but a lot turns into a suit made of sweat.
Synthetic fibers don't absorb much of anything. Water either flows straight through and drips out, or evaporates and condenses on your outer layers.
Coated synthetics really don't want to let water in. It beads up. They are intended to work entirely by evaporation. Which is why it worked better on you than when you just dripped water on it. Hot sweat vaporized more.
Wool is weird. It's made of microscopic tubes that absorb water inside like cotton, and repel water on the outside of the tube, like synthetic fibers. So it does that initial good absorption like cotton, but only a little, then it does the polyester type wicking action. It will keep you warm even when it's wet, because the water is stuck in those tubes, but that's also why it takes a long time to dry. And wool has serious antibacterial properties to reduce smell and rashes.
Wool blended with synthetic fibers doesn't improve moisture handling properties, but it makes it significantly more durable.
Marino wool is just a very fine wool that feels better, otherwise, wool is wool.
I use wool mostly, but polyester can be better in very specific circumstances, and where the smell doesn't matter much.
One of the best explanations I've seen, thanks for posting this, will pin. So what circumstances have you found synthetic to be better in?
@@ChasingGreen I personally use a wool first layer for hiking and camping. The antibacterial qualities are possibly more important than wicking when you are stuck with the same clothes long term. The synthetics are going to really shine in normal sports conditions, where you can shower off and go home.
For hunters, you're probably right on the edge, so go for comfort. If you are out in the North chasing elk around for two weeks, wool. A day or two in a duck blind? Probably doesn't matter. If you're in any danger of getting wet and cold at the same time, anything but cotton.
Thanks man, insightful stuff. I like it 👍
@@jaredr2518 Your base layer is more about moisture handling (sweat) than temperature. If you're doing hard work in a cold environment, I would probably go with plain polyester, and not worry about "the best." It will hold up to abuse well, and for the price, you can buy lots of it. The benefits of wool and expensive coated synthetics, is mainly for either athletic bursts of big time sweat, or long term stink management for camping.
@@ernststravoblofeld how the hell do you know all this ha
My grandmother, of a vintage Northern European bloodline, yielded this wisdom: For warmth, choose animal (down, wool, cashmere, leather, furs). For respiration, choose plant (cotton, linen, hemp; this is why denim is never warm). For stretching purposes, choose synthetics, but for the love of God, choose this sparingly, in blended fabrics, and only when on clearance.
Good wisdom
Your grandmother’s bloodline was an unnecessary detail but ok
@@SaxonFaust my grandmother's people hail from the rural and the cold, near the Arctic Circle. She lived and earned that knowledge and I honor her through underpinning that fact when I shared what I did.
💪🏻💯
@@SaxonFaust your comment was unnecessary.
Wow thank you for showing us the experiments and doing the research. Really helpful!
Glad to hear it! Thanks for watching
Another great video buddy, love that sense of humor!
Appreciate it man, I'm always looking for the best gear so I figured I'd put these 2 to the test
Polypropylene however, is more hydrophobic than polyester meaning that it does not absorb as much water. Since the water cannot be absorbed into the fabric, the water(or sweat) has a tendancy to spread evenly throughout the garment which in turn helps the water to evaporate much quicker than a fabric that absorbs and retains the water. As a quick example, if you cup your hand and put some water in it and continue to hold the water in your hand with your hand still in a cup shape, the water will take a very long time to dry. But, if you uncup your hand and use your other hand to spread the water evenly all over both of your hands, the water will dry in less than 1 tenth of the time.
Thank you, this is exacly the information i needed to know :) Btw i love your sink!
Lol thanks, glad we could help you out 👍
Love the experiment and explanation you did
Thanks man, appreciate the feedback and hope it helps!
i cycle to work and have been using merino wool clothes mainly from icebreaker. my anecdotes only..like you said, they're warmer than synthetics but as a cyclist i get sweaty and from my experience those merino baselayers and hoodies really do a great job in absorbing sweat and spreading them through a wider area of the wool to retain the warmth. they don't smell bad but they smell like some burnt things..most importantly when i get to work i can just leave my merino hoodie in the back of chair to dry and before i take my first break the sucker is already dry and all good to go. for synthetic base layers they might be able to do this as well but they'll probably smell bad though and i wouldn't be confident enough to wear it again. meanwhile for my icebreaker hoodies and sweatshirts...i've wore them constantly and dried them and wore them over and over without washing them for weeks. they still don't smell like my cotton or synthetic made clothes would've if i wore them that much. merino is the shit.
Agreed, definitely my first choice
This big for me, synthetics hold odor so bad I hate putting it back on
I love Varusteleka's wool options as a competitor to the stuff we normally see in the US. Most of their stuff is made in Europe (they're a Finnish company) and everything I've used, wool or otherwise, has been great quality. Comparable prices as long as you order enough at a time to make the shipping worth it. They go beyond just base layers, too. The downside is their wool isn't available in any camo patterns like Firstlite.
I have the Under Armour Cold gear compression shirts and to me they're only good when it gets really cold because whatever they add to it for warmth makes me sweat more. I am always looking for best base layer for winter because I sweat a lot and it makes me cold. Thanks for review.
Ive been super pleased with merino wool, much more comfortable and does the job
I have both the UA and the Merino wool and use either one just for sleeping at a campsite, thanks for your review.
No problem, thanks for watching and hoped you enjoyed it
Up here in ND is -33 windchill. It’s been that way for a week and a half. I know humidity plays a big part and it’s barely humid but it hurts to be outside in full suit for more than 3 minutes.
Great review! "highly scientific" Love it!
Thanks! Hope it helps in some way 👍
I wear sythetic sitka base layers that have the squares. And i was explained that the squarea raise up the fabric away from ur body to get more air flow.
Good stuff, thanks for that! I was wondering
Merino wool, or any wool, won't "wick moisture away" until there is body heat used to push moisture away from the body. Wool is much more absorbant (like a wick should be) than polyester (plastic fibers), so of course it will take longer for wool to dry when it's sitting out in the cold, not moving, and not allowing air to move through the fibers to carry moisture away (yes, air can get to your base layers while you wear them, that's how you can smell a fart even in rubber waders. And for any hot air that leaves, cold air is drawn in).
The fact that the under armour doesn't absorb moisture, means it doesn't wick. It'll act like a wet suit, keep moisture out, and hold it in. It'll dry faster because it will force your body or your clothes to absorb the moisture.
Wool will absorb your sweat, and body heat will push the moisture away from your skin. It will spread the moisture out amongst it's fibers because the fibers wick. Once the wool and other layers are totally soaked, it will at least absorb as much as it can, plus the fibers will warm up, so even if you're soaked, You'll still be warm.
A proper test would be, layer up, jump in a cold creek, and go for a run, then see how you feel. In the later tests, the crucial factor of a living person was missing from the experiments. So the experiments proved how much better polyester is when It's sitting around, not being a baselayer.
Great video! So I think the synthetic under armor only absorbs a small percentage of moisture and leaves you dryer and warmer but yes the wool is definitely more comfortable
Merino wool, however, retains much of its insulating properties when wet, unlike polyester and other fabrics. Merino wool base layers enable me to Nordic ski in single digit temps *without an insulated jacket.*
Very informative and entertaining thank u sir !
No problem, thanks for watching 👊🏻
Funny as heck! Great info too man! Thanx~~
Appreciate it 👍🏻
I can’t believe I missed this video. That running test had me cracked up. Where can I book an Arkansas tiger hunt and do we have to supply our own stick?
😂😂 yes, no stick provided
Thanks for putting this together
Thanks for watching, hope it helped
@@ChasingGreen I'm interested in the differences between the merino wool and synthetics. I like the durability of the synth but feel the wool is more reliable especially when wet. I'm quite a bit further north than you are so my base layer is a tad more important considering -30 temps are normal during the winter here.
I need to be able to 'work outdoors' during the day in those types of temps for gathering firewood, water, hunting etc.
Yeah those are some extreme conditions for sure. A lot of guys ive talked to really like the merino wool, i like it. I pinned a comment that was pretty spot on in the top of the comment section. Ive been using minus33 base layers and i really like them for what i do. I got the mid weight and its been good for me. The heavy weight should do the trick but its prolly just something you would have to try. No matter the brand, i like merino wool on the base layer though. Then synthetic on mid layer and outer
@@ChasingGreen Ming is spot on for sure and he beat me to laying all that out myself :D
I appreciate your insight and as you said I'll have to figure it out for myself. I have some time before space becomes a limiting factor. Perhaps next year I can do a couple trial runs while hunting, though a single day and back to the comfort of a house might lead to false information. Just don't wanna setup the hot-tent in the backyard and live there for a couple weeks, the neighbors will think I'm a complete nut-job ya-know?
😂😂
Btw, for those that don't know, wool is sheep hair. It is a living fiber. Synthetic fibers like polyester, nylon, spandex, are petroleum based products like plastic or rubber. Try wearing a garbage bag as a rain coat, it acts similar. It "dries out faster", it keeps moisture out and in, it makes your own sweat condensate and repels it back to you forcing you to absorb it. That's the major difference between fur and plastic.
Thanks for the good info man, appreciate it
how about outer layers. heavy wool or synthetic or down?
Well for us (coming from a waterfowl hunting perspective) I usually were merino wool base, followed by a synthetic pullover, covered by a heavy synthetic waterproof/windproof outer.
2:45 had to like hahahah XD loved it!
Appreciate it 👍🏻
I respect your experiment man....good job
Appreciate it man, sadly most I've ran in a while
the wool will absorb your sweat and pull it away from your skin so it can evaporate. But the waffle will not absorb it holding it against your skin.
I spend my winters in Colorado’s high country doing what many consider the most intense aerobic exercise: skate skiing. I can get very sweaty! I also snowshoe, even in single digit temps. No down parka, just base layer, mid layer, and thin, wind resistant outer layer. After trying many materials, I *only* wear 100% merino wool base layers: warm even when damp with sweat; soft, durable, breathable, and odor resistant. 150 weight is great for milder conditions; 250 for bitter cold. Worth every penny, especially since they will outlast synthetics. BTW, your merino base layers should also fit snugly. If the fabric doesn’t make contact with your skin, it can’t wick properly! Sounds like you need to go down a size.
Thanks for the tip. Ive really like merino wool on the base layers but i learned i was able to stay warmer with a synthetic mid layer oddly. But im not constantly on the move. Its on the move then stopping for a long period, then on the move again
@@ChasingGreen Actually, my mid layer is often synthetic -poly fleece- for the coldest weather. That’s how I can comfortably skip the heavy jacket! When it’s not as cold, I’ll layer a looser 250 merino over the 150, more snug, base layer instead of the fleece. Merino is a game-changer. Thanks for introducing it to more people, so they can enjoy cold weather, too! 👍
Good stuff 👍🏻 thanks for dropping some good knowledge in the comments! Stay warm
Kudos bro. I would have just lied about running.
Lol cant do that man we try to keep it 💯
For years I called bullshit with under armor. Funny to see the outdoor world come full circle with outdoor garments. You can’t beat wool as an under garment.
I definitely like it better
Was your Under Armor more of midlayer that may have had DWR on it?
No, I was base layer 2.0s. The interwoven material is what seemed to not wick, the thinner outer seemed to wick better
@@ChasingGreen One has to wonder if someone made a mistake. I can see DWR on the outside but not the inside. Was the item a sale item?
Negative
Nice job
Thanks man 👊🏻
The thing that made the difference for me was fabric trapping pet hair. We have a Labrador Retriever and two white cats. Fabrics that trap pet hair in the weave make me crazy. So of the two, the wool definitely. On the wicking, I was wondering if you would have gotten a different result with the UnderArmor if you'd put the water drops on the inside.
I did put it on the inside and out
Thanks for watching by the way, after a few years i definitely like the merino wool a lot better
great review, thanks. your a very enjoyable guy ahhaha
Glad you liked it...hope it helps
@@ChasingGreen tones. I'm the type to have 4 shirts at a time and i want them to be the best "everything shirt" need a new one so thanks.
No problem man, I really like the minus 33. Way more comfortable and still performs
Who needs Larry the Cable Guy? This guy is good😆
Ill take it
My feet and hands get cold very easy and the only thing that gets them warm in the winter is merino wool socks and gloves
. Also use merino wool base layer top also. I don't know anyone that does anything real cold without merino wool
Better get some beaver gloves. They're expensive but good.... from what I hear.
I'm a mailman and temperature in winter drops to 10 and feels -2, even using 3 layers, shirt, cotton sweater, and hoodie + coat I feel miserable. Non is wool I have to say,
Could wool solve this problem?
Wonder what I am doing wrong?
Wool wouldnt solve it fully. In those kind of conditions you need a heavy wool base, a good mid layer and an outstanding outer layer parka. You gonna have to spend some money to stay warm but it is definitely possible. Heavy wool base will definitely be a step in the right direction though
Similar setup to what I do, I just use a waterproof/windproof hunting jacket on outside
The under armor one is more waterproof than my everyday clothes
If you wanna wear plastic, go synth. Go mountain skiing for a full day is good test...no body smell.
Woolpower (Ulfrotté), Härkila, Brynje, Fjällraven.
I have under armour 4.0 thermals and i wear them hunting and was still cold.
I like the minus 33s for sure.
i brought the stick....
Not a good comparison as the dog hair helped insulate you better.
True 😂
@@ChasingGreen sorry couldn’t help it
😂😂😂
Regarding the Polyurethane;
That's just a bit of theory I found yesterday while looking into wool vs synthetic.
I have a polyurethane Jacket and it drys so quick it's amazing and it stays warm while damp as well but it melts quicker than wool so around camp fires you have to be more careful.
I'm gonna get a polyurethane Base Layer and test it out.
If ZZ Top did reviews .....
🤘🏻
A good rule of thumb would be mild/warm and mostly dry: go merino.
Cold and/or wet: go synthetic
If you’re on long distance treks and you like having a couple pairs and washing often, go synthetic. I like washing every other day, so I go synthetic most of the time.
"Cold weather; synthetic. Warm weather; wool" That's just plain wrong!
Wool will insulate way better when wet than any other fabric, so you won't freeze.
Some of these replies are so ignorant 😂
Lol great video thanks 😂😂..
No problem! Thanks for watching and glad you enjoyed it. It was pretty interesting to make 😂
2-3 thin layers of silk, merino, or cashmere (all thrift store) under a hard shell and I’m bulletproof. Merino has varying thicknesses....too thin and you’ll know it’s cold....too thick and you’ll burn up.
Nice intro music
Pro’s
Merino wool
Its fine to the touch, very warm, depending if u buy a thick whewed or thin whewed. The thin whewed suited better for a base layer.
It doesnt itch, and wicks of sweat better than synthethics like polyester.
U don’t have to wash is, and is not suppose to. Its suppose to air dry, or be in the freezer.
Cons
Merino Wool
If u have to wash it, u have to use specific cleaning agency, and run a wool program, at 20 degree. And it cannot be hung but has to be laid, which can take alot of space on your table
When drying.
Its expensive to get good quality merino wool.
Avoid merino wool which is mixed with other synthetics.
Pro’s
Synthetic
Its pretty cheap, its easier to wash.
For its price it gets you pretty warm if you layer correctly.
Con’s
Its not as warm as merino.
The sweat which is trapped will not be absorbed to the fabric, but your skin or the outerlayer, which will make you go cold.
Its not as durrable as merino wool, and it alone as a fabric is not very warm unless u layer.
In varying temperatures or in activities where you do a lot of work and then stay still synthetics are awful.
@@sebulbanMerino wool can be washed at 40c and do not require specific cleaning agency. It can also be hung to dry. I have used merino wool for more than a decade doing so.
the dog hair explanation! 😂
He blames his pubes on his dogs! LOL
😂 this should not be called a review video , it’s should be labeled as Comedy 😂😅 the after running “phew “!!! 😅
The under Armor wasn't wicking away. Merino did.
It appeared that the squared material wouldnt wick, but inside of the squares would. The minus 33 was definitely the winner in my book
the design on the under armor is flawed and also the inside of the square didn't wick away it observed because it was so thin. Idk either one of these it's fine on the other hand merino is goddam expensive.
The merino is more comfortable, and no odor. Please has warming properties when wet. I like it much better for what I do
i just tested my first Arcteryx Beta SV and it failed so hard i returned it within 2 weeks of having it so disappointed 🙁 materials were flawed in the back and arms. Windproofing failed hard. Waterproofing though best in class.
Wow, that's some expensive gear, too expensive to have flaws. Dont blame you for sending back
Wool all the way
Agreed
you wouldnt love the northern winters.
Ron Burgundy works out the same way,oh it burns the burn!@#$!
😂
I'll stick with dodge
Ha, I heard that
Ruuuunnn forest ruuuuuun!
Paranoid? Nah I'm always on guard when I venture into a wooded area even my own back yard. I always got my eyes peeled and ears scanning because who knows what is out there with you.
Guess you could say I'm cautiously optimistic I will make it out unscathed. BUT.....there is that chance.
Got a kick out of the DING DING! ----> culprits. Lol
Lol glad you enjoyed it. Yeah always better to have a weapon and not need it than it is to need and not have....courtesy of Woodrow f Call lol
Your test answered your question 100% but you ignored it lol. Synthetics do not wick anything. It’s a gimmick. It’s like putting a garbage bag on your body with tons of tiny holes in it that supposedly allow your sweat to evaporate through. But it dries faster because it doesn’t really get wet in the first place, it can’t absorb anything as it’s plastic. The wool actually pulled the moisture right through and off your skin. So essentially synthetics will leave you covered in moisture and hopefully allow some to evaporate through them, which I think doesn’t work as well as people think, hence the horrendous smell and clammy feeling. Merino will actually wick the moisture away from you and into itself and then hopefully evaporate from there, assuming your next layers allow for that. So all in all the wool is what you want. Dry skin with a wet shirt that provides warmth even when damp. Synthetics are a lie and cause all sorts of health problems.
it should be mentioned that merino wool will cost more $$ and.
I thought I did mention it, sorry. Yeah it will be pricer for sure but worth it in my opinion. It may have been in the actual minus 33 review that I talk about price
@@ChasingGreen I could have missed it too. I have a bad habit of writing comments before watching the entire video. LOL. I had to remove my comment of the merino blend because I said you oughta comment on that and then you did. Thanks for the tips. What socks you wear for hiking?
Not enough experience to comment on the hiking part, all are activities are pretty much hunting and fishing.
Got me some merino wool so my a$$ won’t stink
DOOD!
This brand sucks in quality compared to smartwool or icebreaker. Their base layer in 250gsm feels thinner than a smartwool 150gsm. It also tears more easily and isn’t as comfortable. Also doesn’t fit as well as a smartwool or icebreaker.
Pp
P
😑
Let's be real "back then" the women were doing the clothes lol wash up whammy
lol Synthetic is Plastic. Of Course the water wouldn't absorb into it. But that's the worst part. It's not breathable. For long trekking or long hike where you sweat a lot and under hot climate, synthetic fabrics are killers. Merino Wool is breathable as cotton but stronger and lighter with ability to resist water. Ideal for base layer. Synthetic is a king when its' wet and affordable. Merino Wool is animal product like leather that's can withstand bacterial durable and bio degradable and breathable that you can put layers on top of it like jackets or fleece. It's more healthier in long run. Because if your skin can't breathe, you could have block you sweat glands or pores that could affect your skin. Many people say synthetic materials dye cause you cancer but I think it's about breathability that can cause you skin cancer.
It's all about breathability. When you really in Alaska, I think there's no need. But if you travel to South East Asia. You need merino wool because the heat can kill you (no joke)
I came here seeking justification on spending $300 for wool Fruit Of The Looms.
😂 😂
It won't absorb in the Under Armor because Oil (the garment) & Water (sweat) don't mix. Note to self: Forget the synthetics...