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SmartWool Merino

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PostedJan 26, 2012 at 6:07 pm

It seems a lot of you wear SW merino tops. I've always heard one of the best things about merino is that it doesn't smell and/or retain odor. Well I took a shot and bought a Patagonia merino base layer and after one day (a windy one at that) of climbing with my buddy, it smells like funk. Interesting because it usually takes me 4-5 days of constant wearing to get Capilene to smell.

So to all SW users, any funk problems? I've heard of people wearing the same merino base layer for weeks and never having it smell.

Stephen Barber BPL Member
PostedJan 26, 2012 at 6:23 pm

He was the one smelling up the place, for sure!

I have both Pata and SM lightweight merino tops, and haven't gotten any funk from either, given multi-day wearing.

That said, Pata merino these days is merino fibers wound around a poly fiber core. I don't know (and haven't experienced it) but could the funk be connected to the poly bier core? I think the total poly in Pata merino is about 30%

Randy Martin BPL Member
PostedJan 26, 2012 at 7:48 pm

Something doesn't make sense. I own both Cap and SW Merino base layers and have worn both extensively. Sorry but I just have a hard time believing you. Cap smells after one day, merino after multiple days.

PostedJan 26, 2012 at 7:57 pm

Smartwool does not stink. I'm hard pressed to get it to smell bad even on extended trips, other than that slight wool smell when it gets wet. Same with Ibex and Icebreaker. Pure merino does not get smelly without some serious effort.

PostedJan 26, 2012 at 8:08 pm

I guess the Patagonia is going back and I'm picking up a SW.

Btw, is anyone else losing faith in Patagonia? A few items I love (the rock guide pants, R1 hoody, and the nano puff) but other than that, it just seems their stuff doesn't last too long when actually used for what they advertise it for.

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