I see they make some synthetic underwear and thermal clothing that has anti bacterial properties. Sounds like it might be a nice option for a back pack hunt where clothes changes are minimal to none. Any of you had the opportunity to use this type of clothing on extended hunts? If so, how did it work for ya? Worth the extra $$$$?
Personally I dont believe in the stuff, I have read about the silver in the thread and other things. Your gonna sweat and nothing is gonna get the growth of bacteria from you but soap. baby wipes are the bomb, no water hand sanitizers work. And they have anti bacterial spray for private areas now(get it at a medical supply store). Dont waste your time and money. How can something in a solid state form woven into material kill something that lives in a warm wet environment, thats getting wet from sweat.JMHO
Merino wool works awesome preventing smell from sweating. I have worn a single pair of merino wool socks backpacking and put on over 45 miles in 3 days, with rain, and they came out not too bad. Feet were comfortable, and socks weren't nearly as stinky as i thought they would be.
We do have some clothes with silver woven into them that I was skeptical about, but they are actually impressive as antibacterial cleaners. Wouldn't pay the premium on clothes though. Just my $.02
I'll second NormanDale.
Last years elk hunt had one guy in UnderArmour, one in X-scent silver, one in cotton, and me in merino. As we were packing up to leave we laughed our butts off doing a "sniff check" of our clothes. My merino wasn't bad and the others were downright nasty! Spend the money on merino.
Seems like one of the scent killer spray companies makes a dry packet[dead downwind?] type anti-bac that you can mix with any water. Safe for skin and clothing might help a bit , but not sure I would spend big bucks on clothes that make you not smell? Unscented baby wipes are great for cleaning up when you can't shower.
Unscented baby wipes and wool, all you can hope for
I prefer merino wool but have had good results with the silver lined under garments. Spend a few days in the back country mountains wearing different types of under garments and your nose will tell you there is a difference.
Merino Wool is the ticket....
NormanDale x3!
I'll add my 2c in favor of Merino Wool. Pretty tough to beat.(nut)
Baby wipes and Merino undergarments x2
Steve
Would you guys mind sending me a link or two.... to your favorite brand merino stuff?
Thanks
I prefer wool also.
Besides natural great performance over wools entire life, synthetic material, IIRC, has to be treated with a chemical treatment to attain anti-bacterial qualities.
Not a fan of more chemicals against the skin myself. And it must eventually wear out of the synthetic material after enough washings or gets absorbed into your skin. I don't see any way they can permanently bond the treatment to syn material over the life of the garment.
Joshua
KUIU has about the best quality for the price that I have found for merino wool.
KUIU has about the best quality for the price that I have found for merino wool.
The silver thread is woven into the fabric so it wears away at the same rate as your clothing.
Wool also here - specifically Smart wool - I love that I can wash and dry it.
Smart Wool for me too, you can find it at all the major backpack outlets.
Steve
Rubbing alcohol , dead down wind wipes and spray, and baking soda on body....
I use rubbing alcohol on face head underarms etc.. Then wipes or dead down wind lotion, baking powder in the undies and underarms.
Wool and hunt the wind. I have tried most of the modern
Products and come to the conclusion that 99% are completely useless. I do use the dead downwind foam
On my body and powder in armpits, crotch, and boots. It has proven effective on multi day long range hunts. Nothing beats mother natures natural wool in this department.
I use and have gone several days (up to 5) without needing to change cloths. Most fabrics have additional great qualities for back packing and going into adverse conditions (warmth, breathable, lightweight, moisture wicking, warn even when wet..... I have some merino wool and x-fabric wears and they are great.
Gold-Toe socks are antibacterial and work wonderfully. They're not something for hunting or backpacking in cold weather, but if those antibacterial garments that are made for hunting work as well, they could be pretty nice.
Jim
I, too, vote for merino wool. My only experience is with the Smart Wool variety. Here is a link to a website I have ordered from:
http://www.smartwool.com/
If you like to wear the synthetics then the silver thread is the way to go. I've worn it for three days and it still doesn't smell anything like the regular stuff after one day. It might not fool the critters but it definitely is acceptable to a human nose for much longer.
It's nice for the hot days as a single layer and you can wash it and it dries quickly.
The stuff I found was priced the same as without the silver thread. I've gone away from under armour because of the price. I have a bunch of UA that I got on my uniform allotment for work so it didn't cost me anything. When I pay for the camo version out of my own pocket I buy other brands.
Look at Woolpower. Made in sweeden, comfortable and excellent stuff.
Now, I dont want to Minimize the Need for some Antimicrobial Wipes, Soaps, and the like.
BUT , didnt We ALL, as Wee Peoples, Eat Dirt as a Staple?? Always had something on our Hands that was a "Little Less" than Hygienic??
I guess my concern is those "SUPER Bugs" that LAUGH at Antibiotics these days. Little Kids are always going to Eat Dirt, Chew on Sticks, Whipe their Snotty Noses on Each Other, or have at least One Stiff Sleeve on their Shirt or Jacket??
We all have to continually BUILD Our Immune Systems, either with a Whole Cabinet of Supplements, or the GUMMY Flintstones, that I Personally Prefer! As long as We all try to eat a Relatively Balanced Diet, and encourage our Children to do the same, AND to Wash Their Hands before Dinner, THE HUMAN BODY is an Amazing Machine!! It can fight off some Nasty Little Goims and Infections from Our being the Dirty Little Human "Beans" We are! :saywhat:
It's not the smell, germs or mud gunk nor grime I worry about. It's the smell on me that will spook the animals I'm a hunting.
Of coarse you play the wind but that don't help a lot it your stench covers a whole county :)
I have had GREAT luck with Icebreaker, probably the toughest gear I have had. I have liked the smartwool as well, just not as much as the ice-breaker. Wigwam socks are cheap and work well, just dont last as long.
Check out steepandcheap, amazon, and others for deals on the wool. I am sure other brands are good as well.
so much hype out there for a new product every year. merino wools have been my choice for some time now.
I wear exoficio underwear every day. I love love love them. I'll nevr go back. I find them on sale on amazon.com
I wear exodficio underwear every day. I love love love them. I'll nevr go back. I find them on sale on amazon.com
Merino is good stuff, but if it is not too cold out silk keeps me the most comfortable. With silk I never get that damp clammy feeling. It does not stink. You can wash it in a stream and be back on the go in no time. Dries in minutes. Best anti-microbial fabric. Funny that all the synthetics still can't measure up to natural wool and silk.
I'll second BowPlinker on the rubbing alcohol. I live on a sailboat that is too small for a shower. I have washed with nothing but 70% Rubbing Alcohol for 12 1/2 years. It's anti-bacterial and anti-microbial, the things that cause body odor.
It doesn't take much either, a small towel soaked in it is enough for nearly a week if you don't leave it out to dry. Keep it in a zip-lock bag and at least do the critical areas a couple times a day.
QuoteOriginally posted by Morning Star:
Would you guys mind sending me a link or two.... to your favorite brand merino stuff?
Thanks
I've tried the high dollar fancy silver lined synthetic stuff and after 2 days I can hardly stand myself. I can go 5 or 6 days with merino wool if needed. As far as merino goes, I do prefer merino in camo because more often than not it doubles as the outer layer. I have tried them all, Firstlite, Sitka, Kuiu and imo, the best is Core4Element.
I'm going to agree with what most of the guys are saying here. Synthetics stink (pun intended). Merino Wool is the way to go. I'm a big fan of Kuiu and own pretty much everything that they make. For pure undergarments like boxers/briefs/socks I'd go with Smartwool another good pair of socks (haven't tried them yet but I hear only people raving about them) are the Darn Tough socks. The kuiu's long underwear are great and cheaper than Smartwool or most other competitors plus for the tops you can get them in the camo pattern so if you want to just wear the top you're good to go. If you don't plan on anyone seeing your baselayers also check out sierratradingpost.com. If you sign up for their newsletter you can get extremely good deals and they usually have a decent selection of merino items.
QuoteOriginally posted by DannyBows:
I'll second BowPlinker on the rubbing alcohol. ...
How about Witch Hazel? Has alcohol in it but is more soothing.... I may give it a try myself.
Joshua
Personally, I'll never have silver in my cold weather clothing.
Silver conducts heat EXTREMELY well. ( I believe it's 3rd on the planet just behind diamond and superfluid helium II)
Just doesn't seem to make sense to put something in my clothes that will remove my heat/bring in the cold.
QuoteOriginally posted by DannyBows:
I'll second BowPlinker on the rubbing alcohol. I live on a sailboat that is too small for a shower. I have washed with nothing but 70% Rubbing Alcohol for 12 1/2 years. It's anti-bacterial and anti-microbial, the things that cause body odor.
It doesn't take much either, a small towel soaked in it is enough for nearly a week if you don't leave it out to dry. Keep it in a zip-lock bag and at least do the critical areas a couple times a day.
Just thinking of an alcohol wipe down in the winter sends my berries running for the border...
..think warm thoughts..think warm thoughts...
I agree on the Merino. One other thing that has REALLY worked well (for human nose anyway)- is the Scent-shield LOTION. I rarely see it in stores but order on-line. Been using this stuff for 13+ years and it really works well. Very affordable and one bottle usually lasts a season- and I put it on my whole body (every inch-'nough said!) every time I take a shower or get cleaned up. Good on the skin too!
Dan over the rainbow in KS
QuoteOriginally posted by KSdan:
I agree on the Merino. One other thing that has REALLY worked well (for human nose anyway)- is the Scent-shield LOTION. I rarely see it in stores but order on-line. Been using this stuff for 13+ years and it really works well. Very affordable and one bottle usually lasts a season- and I put it on my whole body (every inch-'nough said!) every time I take a shower or get cleaned up. Good on the skin too!
Dan over the rainbow in KS
I forgot about this. Dan's right, the scent shield lotion works great!