Nepal – Tested first-hand, part 3

How did merino perform in the Himalayas? Pros and cons of merino wool as seen by HIM.

Let’s face it, we guys aren’t as gabby as our better halves, and a T-shirt mostly won’t win us over just because it’s the cool raspberry colour …

Photo: Ondra and Jitka

So now a purely brief and practical perspective of a guy.

Crawler in my backpack:

Winter 100% Merino Long Sleeve T-shirt: Doesn’t smell.

Summer 100% Merino Short Sleeve T-shirt: Doesn’t smell.

Winter 100% Merino Sweatshirt: Doesn’t smell.

100% Merino Beanie: Doesn’t smell.

Winter 100% Merino Neck Tube: Doesn’t smell.

Photo: Ondra and Jitka

And now seriously. The fact that merino is antibacterial, which is just a polite way of saying that even after long wear it simply doesn’t smell, is one of its best features. This will be especially appreciated by the people around you. But what I found more and more annoying over time was that it stretched. Unfortunately, this is also a typical feature of 100% merino, whether thin or thick. But I didn’t really realise the best feature of merino until at home. When, after three weeks of wearing only 100% merino clothing, I went to work in regular clothes, mostly made from synthetic materials, I immediately had an itchy rash on my hands and shoulders and I willy-nilly had to use the corticoid ointment again. It was only then that I realised that this hadn’t actually bothered me at all in Nepal.

Photo: Ondra and Jitka

So now I choose merino pieces even for formal occasions. I feel fine in merino clothing throughout the day, because it can regulate my temperature. Of course, it’s not that I feel fresh in the tropics as if the thermometer barely showed twenty above zero, but its breathability in combination with insulating features really prevent me from overheating in my clothes. On the other hand, in colder weather it keeps me warm, so it is ideal for me as the first layer right on my body. To cut a long story short, merino has won another fan. Be sure to try it – I bet you will agree with me.

Foto: Ondra a Jitka

Merino and the Himalayas seen with four eyes. You can read the last part of this mini-series HERE.