Merino or Chill Out?

[Pogo2]

Now that I have a bike without a fairing I guess I am going to be exposed to the elements a bit more. I have a good jacket but at times I like to be a bit warmer than I am currently.

Looking for something that is not too heavy and have used polypropelene in the past. But its time for a replacement.

So what so you think is better as a mid-layer? Was thinking either merino (Icebreaker?) or something like Chill Out. Will be looking at both top and pants set.

What are your preferences.

Cheers for the advice that will no doubt flow!

[ckai]

I'm an merino man myself (icebreaker) as everyone I read with knows :) I haven't had a decent look at the chill out stuff so can't comment but what I like about the icebreaker is the thickness, or lack of. It means I can have a long thermal top and jersey and it still fit under my leather jacket.

The anti-smell voodoo that merino has is another big bonus. Don't buy retail though. Icebreaker is good but not arm-and-leg good. Go to the outlet stores and you can generally pick up decent stuff for "well worth it" prices.

I'd be interested to know how the chill out stuff compares to those that have tried both. Although I still wouldn't change :)

[steve_t]

Ckai, what weight icebreaker gear do you wear?

[blackdog]

i just got an icebreaker top, the missus has already pinched it, and i'll never get to wear it :boo:

[Quasi]

I wear both, but my merinos are probably lighter weight then Icebreaker. Cant say a word against the Chillout. They are warm, light, keep the wind and cold air away. Winter riding suddenly became pleasurable. Just need the heated hand grips and will be completely satisfied

[ckai]

Ckai, what weight icebreaker gear do you wear?

what weight don't I wear? haha. During the colder times I pretty much always wear the Bodyfit (I think that's what they call) 260. If it's colder I have a couple of sports jersey ones (tighter fitting) that are 320. Wearing both I've never felt cold in the upper body even when riding in below 0. In fact it has to be bloody cold to get me to put on both. Generally I just throw the 320 jersey's on.

Pants I have a 200 and 260. The 260 does well in mid-winter chill.

The only weight I don't have is the 150 which I've been told is actually really good for summer riding. Dunno about that but can't say much since I haven't tried it.

Having a base layer of 260 and a 320 jersey will pretty much tie you over for winter.

As you can see, I'm pretty pro-Icebreaker :) All started with a beanie... But any merino is pretty impressive.

[steve_t]

I've just started wearing some lightweight, cheaper merino stuff. It's already a million times better than my polyprop tops. Polyprop tends to pill after a while and defo retains smells. The merino is brilliant for no smell!! I think I'll have to try some Icebreaker heavier merino gears - prob 260. I'm sure I'll get some kind of Sale notification from Bivouac at some stage soon :niceonce:

[BMWST?]

i just got an icebreaker top, the missus has already pinched it, and i'll never get to wear it :boo:

next time you in Tawa go to gordons outlent shop at dressmart and buy her her own.....

[blackdog]

next time you in Tawa go to gordons outlent shop at dressmart and buy her her own.....

and then she has got two!

[Maha]

next time you in Tawa go to gordons outlent shop at dressmart and buy her her own.....

So not Bendon where blackdog got his then?...:blink:

[wysper]

merino makes me itch so it is chill out for me.
I have found it pretty good.

[khabel]

The Katmandu sale currently on has their merino at half price

[HenryDorsetCase]

I'm a merino guy also. Its magic too: you can wear it for two or three days befoe it gets stinky. Unlike any artificial product I've tried. They all reek after one day.

[slofox]

Ckai, what weight icebreaker gear do you wear?

I wear the Icebreaker 260 weight as a midlayer. If it's really cold I wear an extra layer underneath that - usually the Finespun stuff you can get from Farmers.

BUT: The Finespun stuff shrinks. Icebreaker doesn't. So buy Finespun oversize if you go down that road. Icebreaker is of much higher quality than Finespun.

[steve_t]

The Katmandu sale currently on has their merino at half price

Yeah, I saw that but their gear is 140 or 170 weight so probably not quite heavy enough for winter. The 140 is probably perfect for summer though

[NZsarge]

If you already have the wind blocked then definitely Merino thermals.

[khabel]

Yeah, I saw that but their gear is 140 or 170 weight so probably not quite heavy enough for winter. The 140 is probably perfect for summer though

The long sleeve top I got was 260g

http://www.kathmandu.co.nz/Mens/Pullovers_&_Tops/Merino/12139/Bollard_Top_Long_Sleeve_Men_v2.html

[allycatz]

So not Bendon where blackdog got his then?...:blink:

He can get matching undies there tho aye :facepalm:

[steve_t]

The long sleeve top I got was 260g

http://www.kathmandu.co.nz/Mens/Pullovers_&_Tops/Merino/12139/Bollard_Top_Long_Sleeve_Men_v2.html

Nice work. I'm blind. Bling sent. I might go have a look later :niceone:

[wysper]

wow, good thing this isn't a poll. I think I am the only one not wearing merino!
I guess I am not a sheep :eek:

[oneofsix]

wow, good thing this isn't a poll. I think I am the only one not wearing merino!
I guess I am not a sheep :eek:

we'll just call you Shan? you aren't the only one not wearing wool but then again that's why I have been watching this thread, the polyprop is getting cold

[Smifffy]

I wear the Icebreaker 260 weight as a midlayer. If it's really cold I wear an extra layer underneath that - usually the Finespun stuff you can get from Farmers.

BUT: The Finespun stuff shrinks. Icebreaker doesn't. So buy Finespun oversize if you go down that road. Icebreaker is of much higher quality than Finespun.

I agree completely with this. Icebreaker for quality, finespun for cost.

Last year I even shelled out some serious coin for an icebreaker coat. Toasty.

[ckai]

wow, good thing this isn't a poll. I think I am the only one not wearing merino!
I guess I am not a sheep :eek:

but but but...you ride a tractor?????? Everyone that has a mid-life crisis gets one of them :yes:


we'll just call you Shan? you aren't the only one not wearing wool but then again that's why I have been watching this thread, the polyprop is getting cold

From my rowing days years back, I got to test some pretty decent "warm" kit that would get abused a bit. Getting onto the water at 5:30am meant we needed decent kit. Everyone had polyprops. Everyone thought they were rubbish but it made us warm up quicker because the polies couldn't handle wind chill :) Merino wasn't a big thing back then. Synthetic is a false economy I reckon.

[Usarka]

poly's good when you get wet as it doesn't stretch as bad. i used to use it under wetsuit, but man it stiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinks like a gypsy's axe wound.

[steve_t]

poly's good when you get wet as it doesn't stretch as bad. i used to use it under wetsuit, but man it stiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinks like a gypsy's axe wound.

:sick: I won't ask about your meeting with a gypsy

[pritch]

I have a ChillOut top, I like it, but don't consider it an alternative to merino. You still need an insulating layer underneath.

[wysper]

I have a ChillOut top, I like it, but don't consider it an alternative to merino. You still need an insulating layer underneath.

true, mine goes over a t-shirt.

[khabel]

Can you buy the merino material from somewhere?

I'm getting some leathers made at the moment and all this talk of merino made me think about making a zip in liner out of merino, not sure how practical it would be though, sounds good in theory though

[Pogo2]

I'll have a look at Kathmandu in the weekend, as someone else said theres a sale on. Not to sure if they do pants though.

[steve_t]

I'll have a look at Kathmandu in the weekend, as someone else said theres a sale on. Not to sure if they do pants though.

http://www.kathmandu.co.nz/Mens/Baselayers/Thermals_/12457/Merino_Long_John_Unisex_v2.html

[Pogo2]

http://www.kathmandu.co.nz/Mens/Baselayers/Thermals_/12457/Merino_Long_John_Unisex_v2.html

I had a look at the website last night but did not see this. Thanks for pointing it out!

[HappyGOriding]

Can you buy the merino material from somewhere?

I'm getting some leathers made at the moment and all this talk of merino made me think about making a zip in liner out of merino, not sure how practical it would be though, sounds good in theory though

Levana Textiles up here in Levin sells merino fabric. They have a shop on Cambridge st. Open first weekend of every month 10am - 2pm

[Ratti]

dont do a merino liner. It needs to be right next to your skin to work. Liners are best made out of lightly quilted nylon to be windproof. Although heavy felted wool works well too.Im going to make a felt liner for my leather jacket once the blanket is sufficiently felted.

[Pogo2]

Thanks for all the advice. Ended up getting a bit of both. A Kathmandu Bollard top and Chill out pants.

Had a look at Motomail on Sat with their Revit range. Looked good but did not have my size. I'm not the biggest person , but not small either and XL was too tight. Went to Red Baron, who had a limited range but did have some older stock of Chillout pants and they fitted. Scored for $65 and will see how they go. Not quite as flash as the Revit but for the price I'm not too worried.

Sorted at Kathmandu for 50% off.

Just need some colder weather to see if it all works now!

[Highlander]

The Katmandu sale currently on has their merino at half price

I have a selection of Kathmandu and Ice Breaker layers. The Ice Breaker is notably warmer than the Kathmandu that is supposedly the same grade. I generally refer to them as Ice Breaker and Ice Maker.

Have yet to try the Chill Out stuff but understand that its real value is in wind stopping rather than warmth as such.

[ynot slow]

Have chill out top and icebreaker tops,pros for icebreaker is no smell,chill out smelly after 3 days.Warmth both on a par in winter(when needed most)have put icebreaker on then chill out and jacket(cordura)and is ok.

[sinned]

I have found what works really well is to mix merino and chillout with leather overtop. Icebreaker 260 thermal next to skin and the Chillout to keep the wind out. When it gets really cold I put a thick felt liner inside the front of the Chillout - velcro tape to secure it at the shoulders. I then wear a close fitting leather jacket (with no thermal liner). That mix is good for 5 C temps. Nothing is better than Icebreaker 260 - and I don't have shares. Heated grips push warm blood up the arms - all is well for winter riding.