Base layers without the stink

Quixoticgeek

Section Hiker
My recent thread on moisture management went into a discussion of base layer fabrics. Which got me thinking. What's out there that's good at moisture management, but also means you don't get chucked out the pub for smelling when you return to civilisation after a week in the hills wearing the same top?

Currently I have a RAB MECO 165 LS top, that I love. It's bobbled slightly, and it's not the worlds best at drying, but it's warm, and after 2 weeks continuous wear, including some very sweaty cycling, it wasn't noticeably smelly.

But the recent thread got me wondering. Is there anything out that that wicks better, but still has the same non pong properties?

Julia
 

Lady Grey

Thru Hiker
Rab Meco 165, same as you, Julia...love it. Now prefer to Merino...nicer against the skin, for me, that is.
 

Shewie

Chief Slackpacker
Staff member
I bought some Meco last year, I like it, both tops suffered bobbling on the shoulders and base of the back early on, but haven't got any worse thankfully. Before that I've used various blends and brands of merino, I'm not a particularly pongy person but getting a couple of weeks from one top is really useful.

I've not had any problems with wicking or drying though, I use it in a layering system and it works fine for me.
 

Quixoticgeek

Section Hiker
Have either of you tried the thinner blends of MECO? I'm wondering about the 120 and 140 for use in the summer, but am slightly concerned about transparency issues... That and durability.

Julia
 

edh

Thru Hiker
Mmmmmm, who smells who.
Just cos one is used to one's own smell does not mean others are...
Merino smells after time. We did11 days on the JMT washing every day and did we notice how nice the people coming up to do Whitney smelt - and they had been out a day!
 

Quixoticgeek

Section Hiker
It depends. If you keep the body underneath clean, then the Meco on top shouldn't smell to bad.

We all get used to our own smell. This is why it's handy to be able to throw you shirt and a housemate and ask "does this smell like it needs a wash?"...

J
 

tom

Thru Hiker
I'm wondering if the high tech products are worth their premium price tags? I've had only good experience with mountain-warehouse merino thermal pants (£14.99 currently in the sales) and with fast-drying cotton-mix t-shirts from topshop. The t-shirts weigh about 100gr, I dip them in a stream or lake every other day (you don't need soap to get sweat out) and they dry in no time at all.

Also, one of the easiest way to affect body odor is our diet - the more meat we eat, the stronger we smell - compared to fish, veg and beans...
 
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