Cheap Icebreaker stuff

**jamiey** · 27th July 2008, 21:17

Just thought i'd let people know about some bargains I found this week. Accidently came across the Icebreaker Factory Outlet shop in Albany. The 100% merino gear is just perfect for under leathers, warm in winter but apparently never smelly in the summer (not gonna test this theory though!!). I got a gr8 long sleeved t shirt (180 thickness or something) for 1/4 price you would pay in Katmandu or similar. Even has cool thumb holes to stop the sleeves rolling up when you put leathers etc on. Just thought i would share my bargain hunting experience.

Safe riding

**doc** · 27th July 2008, 21:34

Ok I quoted the first post. Where do you get this stuff so cheap. I'm a believer. But it advertises that you don't stink for up to 11 days. Usual price $80 for long johns and same for long sleve top.

P.S For the Buy NZ made this has to be a biz. It's grown in NZ . Then they bring it back and sell it to us.

**Taz** · 27th July 2008, 21:37

What are the prices and where is the shop?
Andy.

**The Buzz** · 27th July 2008, 21:43

Icebreaker is where it is at for base and mid-layer gear. I do a lot of tramping and instructing through Scouting NZ and Mountain Safety Council, and would always recommend Icebreaker gear over anything else, if you can afford it! So outlet prices are the way to go!

**sels1** · 27th July 2008, 21:44

Originally Posted by jamiey

Accidently came across the Icebreaker Factory Outlet shop in Albany. The 100% merino gear is just perfect

It is good stuff. I have bought a couple of Icebreaker tops and they are brilliant in the cold weather

**gunrunner** · 27th July 2008, 21:49

Originally Posted by jamiey

Just thought i'd let people know about some bargains I found this week. Accidently came across the Icebreaker Factory Outlet shop in Albany. The 100% merino gear is just perfect for under leathers, warm in winter but apparently never smelly in the summer (not gonna test this theory though!!). I got a gr8 long sleeved t shirt (180 thickness or something) for 1/4 price you would pay in Katmandu or similar. Even has cool thumb holes to stop the sleeves rolling up when you put leathers etc on. Just thought i would share my bargain hunting experience.

Safe riding

Just looked on line is very expensive , where did you get your stuff do you have any prices ?

**CookMySock** · 28th July 2008, 09:37

Polypropylene is not better than merino ? I couldn't live without my polypro..

DB

**Morcs** · 28th July 2008, 10:20

Originally Posted by doc

Ok I quoted the first post. Where do you get this stuff so cheap. I'm a believer. But it advertises that you don't stink for up to 11 days. Usual price $80 for long johns and same for long sleve top.

P.S For the Buy NZ made this has to be a biz. It's grown in NZ . Then they bring it back and sell it to us.

Its all made offshore in china now.

I know this as I used to sell Mountain Designs Marino stuff, which is now made in the factory icebreaker used to be made in. Its just as good, and cheaper too

**Skunk** · 28th July 2008, 10:24

Merino is better. Norsewear do similar stuff to Icebreaker (about the same price too) but theirs IS made in NZ. Mountain Designs is another.

I'd buy Norsewear if I could get it as cheap as I can get Icebreaker (no, I can't get it cheap for anyone else before you ask...)

**sinned** · 28th July 2008, 10:27

Originally Posted by DangerousBastard

Polypropylene is not better than merino ? I couldn't live without my polypro..

DB

Polyprop is hard on the skin (chafing under arms etc) whereas merino is soft as. Now I have Icebreaker (260 weight) I won't buy anything else. Yep I am soft

**Qkchk:Me** · 28th July 2008, 10:42

Originally Posted by Anthrax

What are the prices and where is the shop?
Andy.

Shop is in Triton Drive in the new(ish) block of shops - Ripcurl, Soccer shop etc in same place

From the City, heading North:

Take the Greville offramp, turn left into Tawa Drive then left at the roundabout onto Rosedale Road. Go under the Motorway and its the next on the right. Shop is approx 100m on the right.

**The Buzz** · 28th July 2008, 10:51

Originally Posted by DangerousBastard

Polypropylene is not better than merino ? I couldn't live without my polypro..

DB

Polypro is a synthetic fibre that was engineered to wick moisture away from the body and to dry really fast. The big downfall is that it retains odour and this is very difficult to get rid of.

Merino is obviously a natural fibre that is a lot smoother on the skin and won't itch. The wool naturally wicks away moisture and you can also wash it without being worried it will shrink, which can happen to some polypros.

For really active sports where you are sweating hard out, cross country running etc, then polypro is probably the way to go as it does wick moisture faster than merino. But for any occasion when you are wearing thermals to keep warm, then Merino would be the way to go. It takes a bit longer to dry than polypro, but offers superior warmth retention.

**vifferman** · 28th July 2008, 10:55

Ssshhh! Don't tell everyone!

I bought a top there a few weeks ago to take to Urp (and of course, my wife bought four, and went "Rrrrrrrr!" at me when I asked if I could have a top too).

It's cheaper in the shop than on-line, as the shop sells only seconds and end-of-line stuff (like last season's models). The seconds are silly things like not having an Icebreaker label. There's a 90-day return period if something doesn't fit or whatever, and the garments are guaranteed. Best of all, the stuff is machine-washable - no special treatment required.
I bought a 320 weight longsleeved top, and it was $90, but there were cheaper ones. They also sell hats, scarves, sox, undies, etc - all merino.

**young1** · 28th July 2008, 12:18

There is also a factory shop in Otaki (thanks mazz1972 for putting me right!!) (on left heading North).

Re merino vs polypro. Wool keeps you warmer, but if doing lots of exercise polypro is better as it wicks the sweat away from the body but will not keep you as warm as wool if not exercising.

Kathmandu also sell merino gear, good to get when they have their sales.