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merino underwear stretching out.


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Viewing 16 posts - 1 through 16 (of 16 total)
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  • #1312666
    Justin Baker
    BPL Member

    @justin_baker

    Locale: Santa Rosa, CA

    I have some minus 33 merino wool underwear. After wearing them they quickly start to stretch out and loose their tight fit. I need that tight fit for chaffing issues. If I get them wet and throw them in the dryer they will shrink back to their original size.

    Is this an issue with all merino wool underwear? I don't want to go back to synthetics but the tight fit is important.

    #2068053
    Art Tyszka
    BPL Member

    @arttyszka

    Locale: Minnesota

    I can't speak to the Minus 33 stuff, bit the dryer isn't an issue for Smartwool or Icebreaker boxers and t's. At least not the ones I have. I really prefer merino over synthetic for almost everything, though I do now air dry all my t-shirts, boxers go in the dryer and I wear them daily.

    #2068055
    Justin Baker
    BPL Member

    @justin_baker

    Locale: Santa Rosa, CA

    The dryer is actually not an issue.
    After a day of use the boxers stretch and out and are not tight fitting.
    If I wash them and throw them in the dryer they shrink back the original tightness and fit perfectly.
    But I don't have a dryer in the backcountry…

    #2068057
    Art Tyszka
    BPL Member

    @arttyszka

    Locale: Minnesota

    Sorry Justin, I read your question wrong, I need to slow down a tad. Smartwool and IB boxer-briefs are still good fitting for me after 5 days out. They do stretch a tad, but definitely not what it sounds like you're describing.

    #2068058
    Justin Baker
    BPL Member

    @justin_baker

    Locale: Santa Rosa, CA

    They fit like slim fitting running shorts (not tight at all) after a day of hiking… very dissapointing.

    I'll look into the sw and ib boxers, thanks!

    #2068060
    BlackHatGuy
    Spectator

    @sleeping

    Locale: The Cascades

    "After wearing them they quickly start to stretch out and loose their tight fit."

    Dude, there aren't that many women reading these forums. Nice try though…..

    #2068084
    James holden
    BPL Member

    @bearbreeder-2

    Ive got some sugoi and bankbreaker i wear for social situations

    I find they stretch somewhat …. Hopefully not from my ginourmous belly !!!

    Synthetics and blends are more predictable IMO in their durability

    ;)

    #2068093
    BlackHatGuy
    Spectator

    @sleeping

    Locale: The Cascades

    "Synthetics and blends are more predictable IMO in their durability"

    My favorites continue to be the Ex Officio boxers. Breathe well, retain their shape well.

    #2068120
    Justin Baker
    BPL Member

    @justin_baker

    Locale: Santa Rosa, CA

    It doesn't hurt to try Doug.

    #2068121
    Justin Baker
    BPL Member

    @justin_baker

    Locale: Santa Rosa, CA

    My main reason for switching from synthetics was the odor issue. Also with wool underwear my crotch area doesn't feel all sticky and nasty like with synthetics… a but TMI I know. I would normally carry an extra pair of synthetic underwear for sleeping in.

    Maybe I will try some cotton briefs. I've worn cotton underwear hiking in the past and it wasn't an issue because I'm not a super sweaty dude. Wouldn't want to wear them in cold/wet but for warm/dry weather they might be a good compromise.

    What are y'all experiences with anti-odor treated synthetics?

    #2068122
    b willi jones
    BPL Member

    @mrjones

    Locale: best place in the world !?

    i had that issue with some early icebreaker leggings, from memory just the standard 200 series. i then switched to the icebreaker gt stuff, which i think has a little 3% spandex in it… seems heaps better. i now just use the orig stuff as base layer for around home, going down town when its cold or if im going to watch my nephew play rugby on a cold winters day. i guess their short boxer style stuff should be the same.

    #2068128
    James holden
    BPL Member

    @bearbreeder-2

    The 2014 cap1 has polygiene which is supposedly permanent … The folks at prolite have reported good results

    Im waiting for MEC to switch over to polygiene for their T series

    The T3s are already so treated

    Spandex and elastane wear out which is why MEC has moved away from it for some of their layers

    ;)

    #2068196
    Dan @ Durston Gear
    BPL Member

    @dandydan

    Locale: Canadian Rockies

    My patagonia merino shirts stretches quite a lot even though I think there's some synthetic in it. It fits nice for a day or so and then stretches to be loose and baggy. A wash/dry brings it back, but that poor day 2-5 fit is the reason why it's not coming on my thru hike this summer.

    #2068211
    spelt with a t
    BPL Member

    @spelt

    Locale: Rangeley, ME

    I've had the same problem, Justin. I use the Underarmour compression shorts, as no wool underwear has worked yet.

    #2068245
    josh wagner
    Member

    @stainlesssteel

    i bought a pair of icebreaker boxer briefs a number of years ago for all the reasons i love merino socks. i have worn them maybe twice. after a matter of minutes of walking (or the first time i take a steep step uphill) the legs ride up to the point of becoming briefs. at this time i'm stuck with 2 inches of fabric rolled up into a tube around each leg. talk about uncomfortable. i was very, very disappointed, especially given the price tag…

    back to under armour permanently, which stays where it is supposed to be…

    #2068674
    Justin Baker
    BPL Member

    @justin_baker

    Locale: Santa Rosa, CA

    bummer…. guess it's back to synthetics and cotton for me.

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