 Poster: A snowHead
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An associated question, don't know if anyone has any views... As some may have read, I'm about to go walking in Nepal and have been informed that the weather should be such that walking 'in shirtsleeves' should be possible. I have a large stock of M&S long-sleeved tee-shirts, which are comfortable and quite nice-looking, in sassy colours. I don't particularly want to buy anything else (and have other serviceable layers for donning, should I get cold.) However, maybe these tee-shirts - in pure cotton - won't be brilliant if I get hot walking uphill. Any other suggestions? I don't want to spend too much or look too geeky or get too smelly!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Following on from Hurtle, I've only ever skied in about -4C - +3C. I know the EoSB trip is late season, but it is very much higher than I've gone before - I know the weather can do anything, but should I expect it to be colder than I'm used to?
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Megamum,
Can get cold at any time but normally in April excpect it to be a lot hotter in the sun durimg the day.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| Megamum wrote: |
| Following on from Hurtle, I've only ever skied in about -4C - +3C. I know the EoSB trip is late season, but it is very much higher than I've gone before - I know the weather can do anything, but should I expect it to be colder than I'm used to? |
I've skied in Easter for the past 4+ years, wicking T shirt and jacket has done me fine, with a long sleeved mid layer for the odd colder days! Managed skiing in a fleece and T shirt which was nice!
Cheers,
greg
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Hurtle, I have always been taught that those who wear cotton in mountains have a death wish 
Wool or thermal stuff for mountains even in summer(even for short sleeves) that way if weather changes you do not chill as readily...
My instructor(who grew up in the mountains) used to say "Only fools and flatlanders try to predict the weather here"...
You can get wicking stuff at pretty good prices.... I think I just paid about $8- US for a short sleeve T... and a bit more for long sleeve...
Just look around...
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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'nother Kiwi here! Always worn merino - nothing better. But to wear next to skin its got to be superfine stuff. I've seen a lot of cheap stuff here that might be merino but you wouldn't want to put it near your sensitive bits. Stick to kiwi-made and make sure it's "superfine". You can get it at a reasonable price here in the uk, but I'd look on the internet, not in shops. And by the way - Icebreaker isn't kiwi-made - it's made in China - check this out: http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0608/S00351.htm
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Jacka, the origanl icebreakers were kiwi made.... ie all but 2 of mine 
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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No wonder Icebreaker's so expensive, it's keeping people in work worldwide 
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Point is - any company who buys into the sort of massive pollution that China is creating, not to mention the human rights issues, can't also claim to be "green" and "ethical" - Icebreaker does both. And it's this sort of massive pollution that's making such a huge impact on global warming - so soon no snow!!!!!!!!!!!! 
If we want to keep boarding/skiing/touring etc., we all need to think about this. It's not just about saving energy at home, it's about being careful about what we buy.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Jacka, yeah... so what brands are you wearing and what is involved in their production? What foodstuffs do you eat? What paper products do you buy? Detergents? etc etc?
Let us know so we can all be clean and green...
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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little tiger, to be honest I'm going to try and not buy any Chinese products from now on. Might be difficult but I'll have a go. Don't want to get too political, nothing to do with their carbon output but because of the situation in Burma. Anyway back on track, I've just ordered some of the thermals from the New Zealand Nature Company so I'll let you all know what they're like. Don't know if I'll get stung for import tax though .
Last edited by And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports. on Sat 29-09-07 16:41; edited 1 time in total
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Whoops, here we go, global warming thread creep strikes again.
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You know it makes sense.
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Grimsby Ranger, I've tried a few different wool thermals.... So far the cut of the Icebreaker womens tops win hands down!!! Quite simply they are better designed...
My friend owns an outdoor store.... We are trying to support the Australian wool industry (understandable)... but they have a couple of issues - poor cut and poor market understanding (Black and Black is NOT a choice).... also they were not great at supply.... Then we found a nice brand of NZ made stuff (Icebreaker are also poor on meeting orders and I had a weird sized garment turn up when they changed manufacturing site)... all natural colours etc.... but the cut is again poor.... Now this is both his wife and I trying them out... I am round and curvy and short.... she is tall broad backed and not so round... we both find most cuts ride up when arms lift - no boob room etc... Icebreaker simply have the shape right for active females...
Lately I have also tried some smartwool stuff - which I liked but still have not found a top in my size at a good price(I am always looking though)... I did grab one for a friend and she seems to like the product...
I do always try to be conscious of the issues involved in the products I support... I always buy Canadian Salmon for example because the Alaskan stuff is supporting the USA- who have a "fair trade" agreement that is anything but for Australian farming industry... I also check the country of origin of produce at home and buy only australian where i have the choice - and from those companies that are more "ethical" where I can... I avoid companies that promote baby food into underdeveloped regions of the world etc etc etc... I avoid recycled paper that is rebleached, and I recycle most stuff that I can and purchase Ecofleece(recycled drink bottles etc)... At some point you usually end up with some sort of compromise.... avoiding anything made in china seems maybe a little "broad" in application... (Just my rambling here)
I guess you are going to be spending a lot of time researching before all shopping trips? Remember you need to check the background on all components of products where final assembly may be (eg) local... (what goes into that locally made pie/television/jacket/boots)
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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| little tiger wrote: |
I guess you are going to be spending a lot of time researching before all shopping trips? Remember you need to check the background on all components of products where final assembly may be (eg) local... (what goes into that locally made pie/television/jacket/boots) |
It'll be impossible I know but even a little bit will make me feel better.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Grimsby Ranger, not impossible... but it can be quite difficult... my friend will only stock products he can put himself fully behind... he regularly cops flack for not having the latest "trendy" item that the hoipoloi have decided they will all purchase for skiing... It is not an easy road....
Might want to cut down on toilet flushing too remember "If it's yellow let it mellow, If it's brown flush it down".... Also do not forget to save and reuse all grey water (shower/bath/washing machine etc) and disconnect the heating element on dishwasher - which is unnecessary if you use water heated with your solar hot water system and remember to open the door after the washing and rinsing have finished...
BTW - no hairdryers as they are shockers.... wash hair and dry in the warm air from your heating system in winter - allow to air dry in summer... Also purchase "green" electricity and design house with passive solar design requirements in mind (My friends have no outside power but generate all their own power and have for years... the only inwards purchase is gas for fridge and car)
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Sun 30-09-07 22:59; edited 1 time in total
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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little tiger, you've got the wrong end of the stick. it's the shooting of unarmed monks and civilians I'm bothered about  .
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Grimsby Ranger, who is shooting them? I don't think there are many chinese factory workers in Burma with guns....
BTW - which once world superpower would have been running around Burma totally changing the nature of the country and ripping off the locals for their money? Should you boycott all items produced by companies that gained wealth from that? and families of those that benefited? Where will you draw the line?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Bad news - tried on a thin merino (icebreaker) top today. Blissfully comfortable, not too warm, just right for walking. Had I not read about it on here, I'm quite sure I'd have been happy in my silk liner and ordinary tee-shirt on top, dammit! As it is, I shall almost certainly succumb to yet more expenditure. snowHeads is bad for the wallet! 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Hurtle, not surprised. Happened to me. Enjoy.
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Been reading various test on base layers in german
Icebreaker, Smartwool and loeffler transtex wool came out best in this test.
http://www.testberichte.de/preisvergleich/level4_alpin_64775.html
In a mountain bike review the merino wool didn't fair too well as it didn't cool as well or dry as fast as the manmade fibres, which is what you want in winter but not in summer.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Masque, Plenty possums at home... I'll have my brother skin the next one to fall out of a tree for you 
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Hurtle, I bought some icebreakers to wear as base layers for skiing... especially for spring skiing I purchased the short sleeved variety(to wear over the thin underlayer).... I wear those short sleeved tops all the time in summer..... unless it is >30 I wear the wool... biking, skating, even running.... and the longer sleeved ones in spring and autumn... I have had better wear out of them than any other garment I own... the sleeveless fuschia top even has been worn to work under a suit....
I will say that I am the opposite of Masque though... I suffered the least in Samoa at 40degrees and 95+%humidity.... I had to make them turn OFF the air conditioner at night.... I don't feel warm until >30 generally and 35 is where hot kicks in for me...
and I do chill easily... any breeze and I can feel the chill start when I wear cotton...
The quality of the wool is all important though... the superfine merino is the level you need for stuff that goes on the skin... much smoother feel and better wicking than coarser grades... (those grades are Oz & NZ standard grades - with micron limits ... i do not know if they apply to other countries wool)
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Well I've received my merino wool thermals and socks from http://www.nznature.co.nz/ must say their service was excellent. The quality of the clothes seems very good and very soft, suppose I won't know how good they are until winter's here  . Must say for price, quality and value I'm well pleased.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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I'm looking for ski underwear that can be left unwashed in my bag for a year, and then will be fine when I get it out again. Does such a thing exist?
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The summer thermal pixies deal with it... a little like the shoemakers elves.
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You know it makes sense.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Poster: A snowHead
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I love my Icebreaker merino wool top, I bought it in 2002 and it has been used a LOT. It's only recently started to show any wear and it's kept me perfectly warm in all weathers. I'll be buying a new one for this season definitely! Lovely and soft too. Howies do merino too, and mr firebug has just got one of these....
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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rob@rar, I had an icebreaker..I tested wearing it everyday for a week while on a course..... it smelt rank.. but not as bad as other materials would.
I was impressed by its warm and quick drying properties.
I was not however too impressed when holes started appearing in it. I am therefore a bit hesitant to buy another one.. it is quite a lot of money to pay for a base layer that doesn`t even last a full season 
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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firebug, I have three merino wool Icebreaker tops, two that, though not base layers, could be. Really Cozy!
Like you said, They look like new and I've had them for a while.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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mrtoastie, moths been at it with it being wool 
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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I can second the no itch front and I do have very sensitive skin when it comes to itching and wool. It only applies for the thinniest weights next to the skin though - if I go for more than a 260 weight it is a tad itchy after a while, but then you wouldn't use that as a base layer anyway. The pong factor does seem reduced, except in the socks but then I do have particularly offensive feet.
I can't recommend it enough, also icebreaker stuff lasts for ages and the styles are fairly presentable apres and classical enough to bring out year after year - not that that would stop me 
Do it, do it do it!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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I only wear Merino wool base and mid layers now (Icebreaker or Smartwool). Socks too.
Merino doesn't itch like normal wool or shrink in the wash.
Most importantly it doesn't stink when you sweat like all synthetics seem to do.
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| uktrailmonster wrote: |
| Most importantly it doesn't stink when you sweat like all synthetics seem to do. |
Except of course if you trap it all in by putting a non-wicking/breathing layer on top.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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| FenlandSkier wrote: |
| uktrailmonster wrote: |
| Most importantly it doesn't stink when you sweat like all synthetics seem to do. |
Except of course if you trap it all in by putting a non-wicking/breathing layer on top. |
Why would you do that?
I typically wear a Merino base layer, Merino mid layer and goretex outer. I sweat quite a bit naturally and this combination works really well. Can be worn for several days if necessary.
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FAQ
