Best deodorant to use with Icebreaker shirts?

In civilization, I've been using Axe deodorant with no problems, but I don't really sweat enough to wet the armpits in civilization.

On the trail, I'm not using deodorant and sweating like crazy, of course. No discoloration. Also, very little odor. It's an amazing fabric. I stink badly after 1 hour in capilene, but not after a week in merino.

Same as above – No deodorant, no smell, no stains.

1. A popular alternative to modern commercial deodorants is ammonium alum, which is a common type of alum sold in crystal form. It has been used as a deodorant throughout history in Thailand, the Far East, Mexico and other countries. This is relatively cheap and odor free. A single crystal will last for years.

2. (from Wikipedia) Aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex gly, a common antiperspirant, is a cause of "armpit stains" on clothing, reacting with sweat to create yellow stains.

So, the staining is most likely attributable to use of "antiperspirant" products. The ammonium alum crystal is not an antiperspirant but instead works to inhibit the growth of the bacteria that cause odor…a natural "deodorant" in its effect.

Hope this helps.

You can get a crystal stick at just about any health food store or such and they last about a year.

thanks for the quick replies. couple things.

* i'm using deodorant, not antiperspirant, so don't think it's the Aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex gly

* no deodorant isn't an option – i'm not on the trails, but living in fun cities around the world for a year (out of a carry-on), hence the icebreaker shirts :)

* will look into the crystal sticks, thanks!

any other thoughts are much appreciated!

kareem

I moved on to higher-end deodorants and antiperspirants a few years ago, and despite the increase in cost, I won't go back. After some experimenting, I really like Menscience antipersp for at home. It's unscented and I haven't noticed a residue. When I'm on the trail or river, I use Anthony Logistics deodorant. Check out an online store like Grooming Lounge for these or similar options.

thanks eric!

–

Put a couple weeks worth in a 1/4 oz hinged lid jar

I shaved my pits at some point, and have not thought about this issue since. I shave maybe once in a month or two now. I would normally relate to this thread, but apon thought, it has not been an issue since i kept the pit bushes at bay. I had a girlfriend who took issue with me having no pit hair, but aside from that i dont see the downside.

In short, shave em, change shirts as often as possible. And let the used shirts dry out like on the outside of your pack. And yes, crystal stick for the stink.

I suppose the underarm hair maybe rules this out, but I don't use any antiperspirant at all ever, mainly because it doesn't really work and it ruins my clothes with staining. Instead I apply baking soda after I shower and dab a little essential oil under my arms. It's not bullet-proof against odor but neither was antiperspirant for me. I don't shave often enough so maybe it would work for a hairy guy. There's a possibility the baking soda might be harsh on the clothing. There are many other non-commercial options, but honestly, the essential oil and some kind of bacteria killer plus frequent bathing is really all that is needed (unless you do something stressful like public speaking or job interviews, then break out the high-powered antiperspirant.)

I use the old spice high endurance stick. And have several icebreaker shirts for casual wear. Never had a stain…

My husband wears Icebreaker shirts almost every day (casual office environment + work travel; ones with stains/holes get demoted to hiking shirts). He used to use Degree solid, which left thick white build-up on the underarms of his shirts. I got sick of scrubbing off the residue by hand, so I finally convinced him to switch to this stuff: http://www.vitacost.com/alvera-all-natural-roll-on-deodorant-aloe-and-almonds-3-oz-17

Lighter scent, goes on clear, fairly "clean" ingredients. He tried a lot of natural alternatives, and this is the one that works best for him.

Body chem varies, of course. I like thai crystal or a spray made of diluted magnesium oil. A quick spritz of diluted apple cider vinegar before you apply preferred deodorant also helps to keep some of the bacterial growth in check. Tried baking soda, but it's a little irritating on my skin. If you decide to experiment with essential oils, use tiny amounts well diluted.

As someone mentioned above, the problem isn’t the deodorant, it’s the anti-perspirant. Switching to any option that’s only deodorant will solve your discoloration problem.

Going without antiperspirant altogether isn’t really an option for me given my body chemistry and LA’s climate, so I’ve switched to Certain Dri. It’s an antiperspirant that you put on at night before bed. It closes up your sweat glands while you sleep, so it never gets on clothes, plus I’ve found it’s far more effective than regular antiperspirants. I just use a plain old deodorant in the morning.

Another advantage is that it continues working for a little while even if you skip a night or two, so I don’t bring it on the trail but still get some of the benefits. I’ve even heard of some people using it on their feet for the week before a trip in order to stop foot sweat and prevent blisters.

I've had the same problems with old spice high endurance "gel" causing purple staining on the under arms of my shirts (all types of shirts). I wash everything with tide he detergent, some with whiteners and some without. All with "fresh scent".

I applied much less deodorant / antiperspirant and the problems lessened to the point it wasn't noticeable on shirts with a medium toned color.

I noticed they stopped stocking the high endurance gel at the walmart in my area. I suspect old spice stopped making it ;). The new sticks are not gel – and don't cause any staining problems – but also don't stop me from sweating (at work. For backpacking, I don't wear deodorant / antiperspirant).

Ps: the "gel" looks like a stick, but you twist the bottom so it clicks twice and forces some amount of gel through the holes in the plastic top of the "stick".

I don't think many hardliners ever touch the stuff. It is not good for you anyhow – you need to perspire.

Cheers

"I don't think many hardliners ever touch the stuff. It is not good for you anyhow – you need to perspire."

The generation gap looms large. ;0))

Avoid antiperspirants and you should avoid stains.