Bushwalk Australia

I was in a PP store today and they gave me an Icebreaker catalogue. I'm impressed by the massive range. It's a pity all the Icebreaker gear is so expensive!

An i thought they just made undies!

flatfoot wrote:I was in a PP store today and they gave me an Icebreaker catalogue. I'm impressed by the massive range. It's a pity all the Icebreaker gear is so expensive!

An i thought they just made undies!

Pity you missed the PP warehouse clearance sale a couple of months back. They had loads of Icebreaker gear, a lot of it at 40-50% off. Probably last seasons styles but who cares. I bought a LS top for $60 reduced from $120. At the usual RRP I wouldn't look at Icebreaker but couldn't resist at that level. Worth keeping an eye out should they have a similar sale again.

It's nice to wear around, very comfortable and nicely warm. But it's not durable enough for "outdoors" wear, IMO. It's really just latte-drinking poser wear (I fit that category from time to time... )

I've got quite a few pairs of IB socks, bought my first pair about this time last year, and a few are showing significant wear around the heels (not used for walking, only casual). No very happy with that, but I guess it's only wool, after all. Still damn comfy and fairly odourless.

Got a few of the tshirts too, and have noticed they end up with "mystery" holes.

Agreed, ollster. My wife's 6 month old merino-wool thermal leggings have holes in them already, and she's done nothing with them that would lead to any abrasion.

I love my fine-merino-wool thermals (top and leggings), and I think they're great for bushwalking, but I usually reserve them for when stopped at camp, and only wear them walking when it's very cold indeed. I know of others who say the shoulders wear quickly under the weight of pack straps.

Wool has never been renowned for its durability, so have to keep that in mind when considering when to use it.

The reduced stinkiness when compared to poly thermals is a huge bonus I reckon.

Yes, definitely not for those who like the 'undies on the outside' look. The smartwool mentioned are a bit cheaper, still delicate though just as stylish
... I guess if the funds permit some wouldnt care about the cost of replacement.
The poly thermals are defiantely tougher. Perhaps better during the day? (dried in the foot of your mates/partners sleeping bag by night )

classic! we just got a mail order for some of our new kids merino garments to be be delivered to Icebreaker H/O, to one of their staff

blacksheep wrote:classic! we just got a mail order for some of our new kids merino garments to be be delivered to Icebreaker H/O, to one of their staff

Yeah, that's pretty funny.

Back on off-topic, I tend to use the MD mid and heavy weight merinos as thermal undergarments, and find them to be quite durable. Even to the point of using the long sleeve heavy weight ones when scrub bashing occasionally (but with a shortsleeve nylon/coolmax/etc overtop as protection).

I've only got one Macpac (light weight) thermal and it's also pretty good thus far.

Actually the only time I've damaged an MDs merino was when I fell somewhere and landed back-first on a heap of burn tea tree. Blood and bruises and a few holes in over and undershirts, but they sewed up ok.

I went on an Icebreaker binge for a while.
Regarding warmth I discovered their not anywhere as good as they make out to be.
I now wear Ice Breaker 150-200 thermal top and then a fleece layer and down layer above that. Im warmer and importantly lighter than all Icebreaker by a looooooong shot.
Icebreaker is very heavy compared to fleece/down.
Also when you look at an icebreaker garmet you will see lots of little holes between the threads....chilly on windy days, lets too much heat out and cold in.

But...I do use one as my base thermal layer as of the nonstink value and they are comfortable to wear, whilst being reasonable light for a base layer.

Dont get sucked into the hype/marketing poo, or IA awaits you too.....

blacksheep wrote:classic! we just got a mail order for some of our new kids merino garments to be be delivered to Icebreaker H/O, to one of their staff

Was it to someone in their R & D department?

I have to say, one thing I like about Macpac merino over Icebreaker is that they are longer in the body (at least the piece I have is). I'm tall and Icebreaker stuff always ends up too short for me.

Re Icebreaker (or any other merino for that matter) - I also only use them as a base layer and wear something over the top if walking off track. I do have a Icebreaker hoody but only ever wear it casually and never take it walking because it's weight for warmth ratio is totally inadequate (way too heavy for the warmth it provides) - way better off taking a lightweight down jacket.

Jellybean wrote:

blacksheep wrote:classic! we just got a mail order for some of our new kids merino garments to be be delivered to Icebreaker H/O, to one of their staff

Was it to someone in their R & D department?
.

could be...they didn't try and hide where it was going..we had a laugh

I have just splashed out on Icebreaker lightweight thermals (200g/m2) (BTW they all pack nicely into a StS ultra-sil XXS stuff sack)
Oasis Crewe long sleeve top
Leggings
Hike Lite liner socks
Pocket beanie


All up I think they are around the $200 mark. Bought them for a 2 month 4WD trip in a few weeks from Perth to central Australia (Lamberts Centre Point) and return. Mainly as added insurance against the cold and also to wear in a new sleeping bag (Mont Zodiac 500) if its colder than expected.

Previously I had owned Wilderness Wear PP thermals, as expected for the extra $ Icebreaker certainly do feel alot better quality, dont smell, dont get that clingy feeling and static also. Will post some further feedback after the trip.

Hi

I found that the MD NZ made range of woollen wear extremely well and better than recent Icebreaker stuff plus cheaper. The Aussie made Merino skins are great as well but a little heavy weight for all but the coldest times of the year. I found my NZ made Icebreaker stuff faultless but not so sure on the newer stuff been flogged as outerwear. Two overnight walks and the vest wore with holes from the straps. Look cool though. I wore a Icebreaker T-shirt constantly for four months when travelling and was just great acting as a warm layer in colder times and dress T-shirt in warmer times.

Basically I would suggest when using Ice Breaker or any woollen garment it is protected by a tougher outer layer for most bushwalks. As for poly thermals I laughed when a group of girls declared their tent a non poly thermal area with only wool allowed, something to do with the smell factor of poly

Cheers Brett

As I sell the stuff, I have a lot of it also. Durability is its only weak point IMO. So I don't buy their leggings. (although I have a set of 260 leggings used for snow use hiding behind the WPs).

I'd say I'd have about 20 pieces of the stuff, 320, 200, 150's, socks and undies. My girlfriend has RIDICOLOS quantities of it.

Overall I love it, I wouldn't rave about the warmth so much because I think its only on par with lots of other brands, but its breathability is outstanding and its fit is usually spot on. I hike in a 150 or 200 T Shirt in the summer, been used in mid 30's degrees with a 36kg pack on a few occasions. Also used in Arizona in 45+ degrees and despite a hike to the base and back up of Grand Canyon, my sweat was not as much as expected. Sure I gather some holes in the stuff from off track rambling and big pack carrying, but its comfort I cannot fault. And i get it cheap. Did i mention that??

I've been meaning to buy some of the Icebreaker range for awhile but get put off by the price. I'd want to use it for walking and cycling and have tended to buy the groundeffect product in preference to Icebreaker. Mind you it's got a merino inner layer with a fast-drying polyester outer so that's why it's cheaper but this may be better than pure merino. Icebreaker do have a greater range of products to choose from though.


http://www.groundeffect.co.nz/products-MER.htm