A Good Brand of Wool Thermal Underwear?

[Pinemarten]

Hello all,

I am interested in wool thermal underwear.

Are there any recommended brands out there that folks can steer me to...non-itchy wool that won't fall apart after short use?

Thanks,

Pinemarten

[nimer bortuqaal]

I know that Smartwool makes a set of long underwear made out of wool and if it is anything like their socks... it wouldn't be itchy. Their socks also hold their shape size very well.

[James]

Try Smartwool (https://www.smartwool.com/default.cfm). It's made from Merino wool, and it's glorious!

[TallGuy]

Try the Swedish made Ullfrotte, great stuff.

[LillaMy]

Try the Swedish made Ullfrotte, great stuff.

x2 Ullfrotte is the shyt! Just make sure that you wash it correctly...
Ullfrotte is being sold under the brand Woolpower now days...
http://www.woolpower.se/

[bvvelzen]

Dale of Norway, and Icebreaker, Dale costs allot, but looks great, Icebreaker works just as fine, but comes in different, thicknesses.

But why Wool?

[nimer bortuqaal]

Wool keeps heat in even when wet, is very warm when it's dry, and most importantly, doesn't melt to your skin like some of the synthetics.

[Icarus1]

Odlo, all the way. Saved my life in the alps.

[Walker-69]

I have Ortovox pants (Merino wool) which are so new that I have used them. They make a pair that go 3/4 of the way down to your ankles, not all the way - this should be good when, for example, downhill skiing, when you don't want your ski boots crammed with too much clothing. I don't ski but I still like the idea. They have a web site, www.ortovox.com (http://www.ortovox.com)

Also I have used Icebreaker - they make some products that are very thin, and feel luxurious. And yes, they are expensive when you compare them to cotton and cheaper synthetics.

One major advantage with Merino wool is that it doesn't start to stink. I imagine you could spend a long time trekking wearing Merino wool clothes and just rinse them once in a while in cold water and hang them to dry in wind overnight.

One trick I heard - you could try this the next time you go to Alaska or Siberia or Nepal: take the wool cloth outside where there is snow and the temperature is freezing. Wait until the wool is so cold that it won't melt the snow. Then gently wash the wool in the snow. -This way you get your wool washed without it actually getting wet. OK there might be little flakes that don't come off but they should evaporate pretty soon after you bring the cloth inside.

[Pinemarten]

bvelzen,
I'm tired of the smell from polyester/synthetic underwear!

thanks for the recd brands, everyone.

Walker, that's an interesting tip on washing wool undergarments...when I get some snow and wool I will try it out.
Thanks everybody.

Pinemarten

[rnaf]

brynje, ullfrotte, ulvang, dale. any of these brands will do. brynje artic and ullfrotte together is exellent.

desert dpm trousers and a civvy smock isnt really optimal cold weather gear, especially in the "ice storm" we had this morning, but proper underwear saved the day.

[Crimsonel]

Baselayer clothing has seen some nice improvements in the last several years. Synthetic and Natural are now pretty even by my count. Synthetic seems to perform real well for military application with silver ion and charcoal infused fabrics with anti microbial properties to cut back the stink and compression fit garments to help with moisture absorbtion and wicking. Natural fabrics are lead by thin form fitting Merino wool which is softer and less itchy than traditional wool and has natural odor inhibiting and quick drying properties. That said you have to try the leading brands and decide for yourself. I personally like both. I prefer synthetic for overall performance, but still like wool for comfort and wool seems to perform better if you are wearing it for say a week straight. I would look at APCU Level I Baselayer (http://tacticalwarfightergear.com/tacticalgear/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=23_26&products_id=198)or Medalist (http://tacticalwarfightergear.com/tacticalgear/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=23_26&products_id=66). If you are set on wool remember Smartwool is hecho in Chine, Icebreaker is hardcore liberal, Ibex (http://www.ibexwear.com/shop/index.php) is my choice and they are Made in Vermont. Both lines are a bit spendy but really worth it for keeping the funk down and morale up.

[WKD]

I'm an Icebreaker fan, largely because they sell their garments by weight of fabric so you can choose an appropriate level of insulation. Their merino boxer shorts are glorious. Expensive but well worth it. If I had my way I'd only ever wear merino or silk underwear ever again. Well, except maybe for some delightful leather numbers with snug-fitting full face mask but who doesn't like snug-fitting full face masks? Bad people, that's who.