Darwin's Sun Hoody now available
- Thread starter ADz
- Start date
old-skool-lite
Thru Hiker
Need a hug off David Cameron?
I wear Columbia SR Lite shirts quite a bit. Really nice shirts but do get a bit smelly (no more than many others). Best shirt for hot weather IMO is the long since discontinued Rohan Pacific shirt. Resists smells better than many, lovely silky material, coolIng, dries quickly. Unfortunately mine are starting to fall to bits. I tried to get Rohan to revive them but to no avail.
In terms of sunny weather I’d boil in pure merino. Great for colder weather. Merino blend is not so warm but I still wouldn’t wear it in hot weather. Light synthetic materials like the Rab Pulse are pretty good as they are cool, ventilate well and don’t get smelly too quickly. They also dry quickly if you rinse them. The hoody bit is good to keep the sun off your ears and neck without overheating. I would like a zip neck as a ventilating option.
I shan’t be going for the Darwin Hoody as I can’t see it working for me and it’s not cheap. However, good to see a bit of innovation and more choice. Good luck to him.
Robert P
Thru Hiker
In my experience merino has many advantages, but I use it less these days because of better synthetics, the greater care needed (hassle) when washing, and the cost.
Most of my merino is 2010 or before and all still in use, so it has been surprisingly durable. Some nice 140 weight Smartwool T shirts worked well in summer (better than many clingy synthetics) until the likes of the Rab Pulse came along. I find Merino much more comfortable than synthetics if it gets slightly damp (eg condensation in Gore Tex) and resistance to smells fantastic. A Rab Meco zip top is usually my first choice for longer walks outside high summer.
Of course merino is a bit heavy so I'd usually only use it for worn items.
Mole
Thru Hiker
When it was available, Rab claimed their MeCo (Merino/Polyester mix) fabric, dries 5 times faster than pure merino of the same weight. I used the 120g/m² MeCo t shirts for a while, but found them a bit itchy (I find full merino quite itchy). But I also found that the MeCo takes about 3 times longer to dry from wet than fully synthetic Rab Interval or Pulse fabric.
I once walked with a sweaty guy who wore merino under his waterproofs. After the first ascent his back was soaked and his shirt was clearly soaking wet for the rest of the day. Obviously there's a spectrum of sweatiness, but I couldn't be doing with that.
For long trips I have 2 Pulse baselayer tees. I wash one every 2 or 3 days (even just a risne in steam/lake gets sweat n salt out). Wrung out, they dry on me if it's warm enough (12°C +) . Or put on damp over an Alpha top they dry very quickly.
Can't say the same for merino.
I once walked with a sweaty guy who wore merino under his waterproofs. After the first ascent his back was soaked and his shirt was clearly soaking wet for the rest of the day. Obviously there's a spectrum of sweatiness, but I couldn't be doing with that.
For long trips I have 2 Pulse baselayer tees. I wash one every 2 or 3 days (even just a risne in steam/lake gets sweat n salt out). Wrung out, they dry on me if it's warm enough (12°C +) . Or put on damp over an Alpha top they dry very quickly.
Can't say the same for merino.
nobleynoble
Trail Blazer
cathyjc
Thru Hiker
Some folks don't get a choice.
It wouldn't matter what clothing/no clothing that my hubby or daughter wore - they only have to "look at " some exercise, of any intensity, and they are dripping and soggy.
Genetics.
Robert P
Thru Hiker
I agree that drying after washing (if on trail) for merino is a pain. Everyone's experience will be different -personally I've not had issues with my merino getting soaked in use, I certainly wouldn't want that. These days I do tend to gravitate towards synthetics, mainly for convenience, even if merino will often be more comfortable (for me, fortunately I don't find it itchy)
Padstowe
Thru Hiker
The only pure merino garment that lasted me without getting holes in them quickly was from chocolate fish, was using one for around 9yrs before it started getting holey, tried ice breaker and iso baa after but imo no where near as good.
With that said am way to sweaty to be wearing merino in heat, I do have some of the Rab 120 merino blend tee's, but still too warm for me to walk in (I use them and the leggings for sleeping in in warmer temps before I got the lands end silk, now I might grab the tee for wearing when going home on the bus/train after a few days hiking).
Have some of the iso baa merino blends henleys that I use for casual wear in summer, they feel a bit lighter than the rab mix 120's, but I'd still rather have syn for walking in, and now that they don't stink as much as used to they are even better imo.
With that said am way to sweaty to be wearing merino in heat, I do have some of the Rab 120 merino blend tee's, but still too warm for me to walk in (I use them and the leggings for sleeping in in warmer temps before I got the lands end silk, now I might grab the tee for wearing when going home on the bus/train after a few days hiking).
Have some of the iso baa merino blends henleys that I use for casual wear in summer, they feel a bit lighter than the rab mix 120's, but I'd still rather have syn for walking in, and now that they don't stink as much as used to they are even better imo.
craige
Thru Hiker
I'm the same, even "walking cold" I'm a sweaty mess.
old-skool-lite
Thru Hiker
Superdrug have deals on l'oreal
Padstowe
Thru Hiker
I went for the hoody, and got carried away.
Bmblbzzz
Thru Hiker
I have one of those MeCo t-shirts / baselayer. I'd agree it dries quicker than pure merino, though not 5 times faster. But I find it less pleasant to wear – sweatier and, yes, a little itchy. And I don't find pure merino itchy or sweaty.
Sun hoody: TBH it's a new concept to me. I can see the idea, it's a sort of Western take on an Arab robe (I've forgotten the name but I'm sure you know the things I mean). As such it needs to be loose and breathable, suggesting merino could be a decent choice. For me, I'll probably stick with a broad-brimmed hat. One day, if I'm feeling rich, I might get myself a legendary Tilley hat (are they actually as good as the legend?). But I'm not feeling rich yet.