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Polypropylene for the best base layer?

 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Current base layers are Merino. I've been happy with them, but they are starting to fall apart at the seems. I could (and probably will 'cos I am tight) squeeze another couple of years out of them. I've read a few people raving about polypropylene being way better than Merino, but not in a skiing context. Was wondering if anyone here had used both and what they thought? Or, of course, if there's anything that's better than either? Cheers! Ideally hoping to hear from someone who skis hard and gets sweaty.
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Just realised that last line sounds like it's from a dating site profile Laughing
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It’s a matter of taste. If you’re getting really sweaty skiing off the lifts, you’re probably wearing too many clothes. However, I’d say polypropylene is better at moving sweat away from your body. Merino is less good at that but stays warm when wet
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Take your pick - merino - more natural, less stinky but wears faster and generally pricier

Polypro or variant (lots of Dri-fit type branding going on) - cheaper(depending on whether you're a brand whore) , more hardwearing, gets stinkier.


& yes last 5/6 words here would make a good Tinder profile wink
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@greengriff, polypropylene is great at wicking - an ancient Helly Hansen Lifa top originally bought to go under my drysuit (sailing) is probably the best I've ever had. It can also be very durable: the same top is still in decent nick >25 years later. However, it also stinks after just 1 day of wear, whereas merino manages the smell much better and can be worn several days in a row. Decent merino can last, but it is definitely more delicate than the synthetics. Newer polyprop is better on odours but IME merino and the like still win on this front.
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@greengriff, if you're tight then I assume you're only going to buy one set. In which case it has to be merino because you can wear them for a month and they won't stink whereas polypropylene will stink after one day. Helly Hansen's original PP base layers weren't nicknamed smelly Helly for nothing. I note that even HH now offer merino base layers!
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Interesting have to admit to having never heard of "Polypropylene" in the context of base layers etc, although having now read the above posts those old stripey Helly Hansens were made of the same stuff?

Yes just reading Lifa® the black and white ones, what about the original blue and white, they were more like wool?

Have done a fair bit of googling and quite hard to find stuff - though if yous search for this on Amazon you get not too bad a product, might give it a go?

INDERA Men's Tall Polypropylene Performance Rib Knit Thermal Underwear Top


Last edited by Then you can post your own questions or snow reports... on Mon 27-09-21 11:26; edited 1 time in total
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@Weathercam, HH Lifa is polypropylene.
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@mgrolf, but what about the original blue and white ones ?

Think they were more wool based ?
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Personally I found that merino, once wet, stays wet and that made me cold! Synthetic base layers dry quick and are better at moisture transfer. I've got a Polartec Power Grid base layer for warmer days and a Polartec Power Stretch base layer for colder days. The Power Stretch layer is also so warm, I tend to wear just that and a hardshell to ski in.
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Urgh synthetic. Well I guess they might work out on a powder day because your mates will give you such a wide berth that you may as well not have any Laughing

Merino FTW and go easy on the wash cycle. Pick them up in the sale if you're sensible.
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@Weathercam, my experience only goes back around 30 years. I can't comment on HH stuff before that, I'll leave it to those with longer memories wink

The long-lived HH top I have is the classic blue with white stripes on the arms, but I think HH have used that design for decades.
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Synthetic base layer stank is also a personal thing. I think modern base layers are less prone to it in any event. Because they dry out quickly, it’s not usually a problem to hand wash a synthetic base layer and dry it out overnight
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You know it makes sense.
I use Rohan Silver T base layers which work well for me. I use them virtually daily for my gym sessions, and a quick wash is all I give them. I haven't tried not washing them but with the amount I sweat I'd be surprised if any top didn't need a wash after I use it...
But if the merino wool users think it would work then I will pick some up for my next trip
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To be fair, I think synthetic base layers are fine for the gym – durable, and who really wears their gym clothes more than once before washing? NehNeh

However, on ski holidays, I suspect the overlap on the Venn diagram of “people who should wash their base layers” and “people who actually do” is rather small Laughing
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 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Scarlet wrote:
To be fair, I think synthetic base layers are fine for the gym – durable, and who really wears their gym clothes more than once before washing? NehNeh

However, on ski holidays, I suspect the overlap on the Venn diagram of “people who should wash their base layers” and “people who actually do” is rather small Laughing


Yebbut it's well within the rules if you're going for stinky telehippy or whatever wink
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Tend to use both at the same time i.e. Merino T-shirt close to the skin and synthetic midlayers. Long arm merino just gets out of shape/holy in no time.
If you are getting sweaty it might be down to wearing a waterproof jacket where for most ski days a more breathable windproof jacket or vest/gillet (e.g. softshell) could be the better option.
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Merino/ synthetic blend works well, too. Found the Patagonia version a nice balance of warmth, wicking, not stinky. Not polypropylene, but recycled polyester. Other manufacturers doing similar things…
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You could take a look at bamboo fibre base layers. The wife uses them and they have many of the benefits of Merino but more hardwearing.
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Synthetic for sure. I have had both, and have found the best to be Patagonia 'Capilene'. Best at moving moisture, available in a range of weights (warmths?) and impregnated with Silver Ion Technology (or some such mumbo jumbo). I've had merino smell like a damp sheep after a couple of days, but once wore a single l/s base layer for 12 days as a partner certified stink test, which it passed with flying colours.

(I'm not sure whether they're still available, I bought four about 10-12 years ago and they're still going strong which is testament to their lasting ability)
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@rogg, I have some capilene 1 base layers which I now use for sleeping in. 15 years of near constant use and still going strong
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Arno wrote:
It’s a matter of taste. If you’re getting really sweaty skiing off the lifts, you’re probably wearing too many clothes. However, I’d say polypropylene is better at moving sweat away from your body. Merino is less good at that but stays warm when wet


That's right.
PP is also hardwearing. HH Lifa is pretty much indestructible.

Problem is that it isn't called "smelly helly" for nothing. Fortunately it can be washed at 60 degrees. This is less helpful if you are out for a few days (hut to hut touring etc).

I've always felt that if I wanted a base layer to save my life in extreme conditions then I'd go with Lifa.
But most of the time I'll go for the comfort and odour resistance of merino.
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Best of both? Men's Lifa Merino Midweight 1/2 Zip Base Layer | HH UK (hellyhansen.com)

I’ve a couple of these and some longjohns and they are really fantastic, comfortable, wick well, warm, don’t smell. These under a shell are fine unless it is super cold (or sunny spring skiing).

Basically a lifa grid with a merino layer on top of it.
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I’ve had a few of the Helly base man-made layers (older versions) never had a problem, they seem bomb proof as well so assuming they still made them the same way would say they are great value for money.
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Personal preference. I don't like merino.
I like and use washing machines plus I carry enough gear to comfortably get through a week.
I've never been anywhere I couldn't get my laundry done, either in the place I'm staying or at the local coin-op.
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Thanks everyone. I tend to take 6 of everything that's worn next to the skin so I don't mind if they smell after a day's use. It's all about the comfort. My Merino stuff has worked perfectly well for me, but since they are nearing the end of their useful life I thought it was worth asking if there was anything better. Also I'd had my curiosity piqued by the claims about polypropylene; I'd assumed it was for plastic bottles and would not have believed that you could make clothes from it!

Interestingly if you go to the Helly website and select high activity levels and high warmth for a base layer then it recommends Merino!

They are also comically expensive (£40 for a pair of boxers lol). So if there are any 'no name' brands of equivalent quality please say.
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You’ll find Helly stuff pretty regularly on SportPursuit and I’ve seen some real bargains in shops in discount bins from time to time (Cotswold Outdoors or Blacks I think) so unlikely to need to buy at full price.
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I have a whole mixture of stuff, both Merino and manmade fibre - I buy it when I see it on offer - which is usually TK Maxx, Sport Pursuit, Sports Direct and Snowtrax. Both work nicely.

It's also worth keeping an eye out for when Lidl or Aldi do their ski stuff.

The Karrimor Running tops/base layers at Sports Direct at very cheap prices:

Thermal: https://www.sportsdirect.com/karrimor-thermal-quarter-sn21-451523#colcode=45152303
Non Thermal: https://www.sportsdirect.com/karrimor-quarter-zip-running-top-mens-452460#colcode=45246059

I bring a selection of these as they are so cheap.
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I notice no one else has mentioned net stockings, silk thongs and suspender belts yet, is it just me? wink
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DB wrote:
I notice no one else has mentioned net stockings, silk thongs and suspender belts yet, is it just me? wink


That would be part of Old Fartbag’s apres collection.
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 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
AL9000 wrote:
DB wrote:
I notice no one else has mentioned net stockings, silk thongs and suspender belts yet, is it just me? wink


That would be part of Old Fartbag’s apres collection.

Embarassed
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I really like Burton baselayer. Wicking Tech & comfortable.
Worth adding to Amazon wishlist as sometimes you can pick them dirt cheap.
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Had a Helly Hanson long sleeved shirt (white stripes on the sleeves) many moons ago but it was really itchy.
Took a quick look at that HH Lifa on the tinternet. There look to be many different variants some including merino wool and some people saying other versions smelt really bad.
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Prefer polypropylene because it can go into the clothes dryer. Yes, I have accidentally stuck Icebreaker t-shirts into the dryer with seemingly no ill effects, but that is probably not conducive to longevity.

Since we usually go to Austria for at least 2 months, packing a change for every day is obviously not feasible, so easy laundry is important.

I have Patagonia, Helly H, Mont, and Arc’teryx. Patagonia and Mont feel the smoothest on the skin.
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@Scarlet,
Quote:

Urgh synthetic.

Quote:

and who really wears their ski clothes more than once before washing?

FIFY
Quote:

I tend to take 6 of everything that's worn next to the skin

This
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@mozwold, excuse me?
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DJL wrote:
Best of both? Men's Lifa Merino Midweight 1/2 Zip Base Layer | HH UK (hellyhansen.com)

I’ve a couple of these and some longjohns and they are really fantastic, comfortable, wick well, warm, don’t smell. These under a shell are fine unless it is super cold (or sunny spring skiing).

Basically a lifa grid with a merino layer on top of it.


I've got one and found it a real compromise - not as good at wicking as pure PP, not as odour resistant as pure merino but somewhere in between on both. Not surprising I suppose!
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mozwold wrote:
@Scarlet,
Quote:

Urgh synthetic.

Quote:

and who really wears their ski clothes more than once before washing?

FIFY
Quote:

I tend to take 6 of everything that's worn next to the skin

This


This varies by individual body chemistry etc but for me:
a merino top will be fresher (less stinky) after two days wear than a PP one will be after half a day. I am happy wearing merino tops two days between washes on a ski holiday.

I cycle commute - vigorous 40 mins each way. Long ago I moved to merino mix cycle jerseys because any synthetic one will be stinky when I change to come home in the evening. That might not be a big problem except my journey is bike-train-bike and I don't want to be antisocial on the train! As Scarlet said, if I am just going out for a run and will change/shower when I get back and put my clothes in the wash then synthetic is fine.
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A very interesting discussion, especially considering the news articles of the last couple weeks saying we wash our clothes too much and how bad it is for the environment.

First of all I try not to sweat too much in the first place. I'd rather be cold on a lift that sweat while skiing and I adjust my clothing accordingly. I do my jacket up firmly on the lift and huddle.

I would regard it as very irresponsible to wear an item of clothing only once then wash it. Normally 2 tops will do for a week and one pair of long johns (if cold). Even then, that is cos I fancy a change rather than a necessity.

I've also shifted away from the concept of specialist clothing for skiing. Following my son's advice I now wear ordinary T shirts under the mid layer (if I wear a mid layer at all - they are not generally required from mid March onwards) and just a pair of ordinary socks

@jedster, have you read Gironimo! by Tim Moore and his fun and games washing his woollen cycle jersey every night. It is a very good book.
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Obviously we should all be wearing merino to cut down on plastics use, and banning polypropylene Toofy Grin
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