Non-polyester Walking/Hiking clothes for sweaty people

MallyGirl

DH jokes that I am like the Princess and the Pea when it comes to wool. I can detect 5% merino/lambswool through other layers and I itch.
I once had a strange conversation with a wool salesman in a youth hostel in Masterton, New Zealand, "home of the Golden Shears"! He was desperately trying to convince me that merino underwear was better than silk!!! He was never going to win that one with me
I really struggled to find waterproof socks with no wool as everyone just says 'SealSkinz'. I did manage, at great cost, and then lost 1 sock on Salisbury Plain so am going to have to start the hunt again before winter.

fairy_lights

MallyGirl wrote: »

DH jokes that I am like the Princess and the Pea when it comes to wool. I can detect 5% merino/lambswool through other layers and I itch.

Ahh, I might avoid merino wool stuff then. Woollen things always make me itchy but I'd assumed that Merino activewear would have had the fluffiness...defluffed, somehow :rotfl:

AirJoe

fairy_lights wrote: »

Ahh, I might avoid merino wool stuff then. Woollen things always make me itchy but I'd assumed that Merino activewear would have had the fluffiness...defluffed, somehow :rotfl:

i think I read that the itch is caused by loose wool fibre ends poking the skin. Merino is much better because merino fibres are very fine. A merino polyester blend is even better again, at least from an itch perspective. I would get a single cheap item, wash it with a pair of jeans (helps soften it) and then see how you get on with it before completely writing it off. It's about the best there is for temperature control, if you can wear it.

Manxman_in_exile

fairy_lights wrote: »

Thanks for the suggestions, I've got some ideas now of brands and fabrics to try.
I'm hiking the Inca Trail later in the year so want to find comfortable clothes that won't chafe/stink


Now I've started wondering if I'm going to need special hiking pants, normally I wear basic cotton types but that might not be idea for a sweaty trek up a mountain. Any knicker recommendations?

I don't know how to post links but you might want to try to find the Great Outdoors magazine website. I've not visited it for ages but they used to have a gear/advice forum on there that was quite good. If it's still there I'd be inclined to join and ask the question.


You don't want to travel half way around the world and not enjoy the trek!

Huwbert

May be worth keeping an eye on https://www.sportpursuit.com as they often have sales on merino baselayers

johannalf88

I find bamboo clothing does the job. Have been ordering from these people for a while - really good customer service. They occasionally throw in a free garment if they have stuff left over from the previous stock, and when they sent an incorrect size through which I sent back, they sent me 2 free pairs of socks (which are sooo comfy)!

https://bambooclothing.co.uk

fairy_lights

johannalf88 wrote: »

I find bamboo clothing does the job. Have been ordering from these people for a while - really good customer service. They occasionally throw in a free garment if they have stuff left over from the previous stock, and when they sent an incorrect size through which I sent back, they sent me 2 free pairs of socks (which are sooo comfy)!

https://bambooclothing.co.uk

This is exactly the sort of thing I was looking for, brilliant!
What is their sizing like?

johannalf88

Pretty standard to be honest. The tops are great- I have several, brought as walking tops but I am wearing one to work right now (and a bam skirt too!). Its all fairly stretchy so quite comfy. The trousers are a bit tighter, but that may just be my size. They don't do walking trousers though - they are really comfy as lounge wear, but if they get wet they are not good!! So just stick with the tops and jumpers for walking!

They have delivery costs, but returns have been free, and they have sent through other sizes no problem.

dex1i38

I always get my sportwear from "dh Garment" they have store on Amazon

fairy_lights

dex1i38 wrote: »

I always get my sportwear from "dh Garment" they have store on Amazon

Hmm yes I think they also sell spam.