Merino NuYarn Tee Update

I did an initial review of this new Merino material back at the end of August 2015 when the Tee Shirt arrived from New Zealand. Here. 

I have been quite surprised at how much interest it created and how many folk have messaged me to see how it was holding out.

I’ve worn it quite extensively both on hiking days and also just for everyday wear. 

The material is new and isn’t widely available yet here in UK. However the manufacturers claim some fantastic features over the standard Merino that we have become to love or hate as the case may be. 

I for one like Merino but i’m not overjoyed with the feel when its sweaty and i have found that it is easy damaged by rucksacks. I have numerous Merino tees and so the comparison i make is against various companies offerings. Icebreaker, Trekmates, Katmandu for example.

The Nuyarn is said to have the following advantages against std Merino.

• 35% Comfier. The material is said to loft better.
• 35% Stretchier.
• 5 x Faster drying times.
• 35% Warmer.
• 47% Stronger.
• 120% Tougher seams.

As a customer who paid for this garment himself i have no reason to make it out to better or worse than it is. My view is purely from a users point of view and not under lab conditions or controls. 

35% Comfier. 

The loft is far better and it feels in some ways that its a double layer. That’s the best way to explain it. It is great to wear on it’s own as a Tee Shirt, rather than it just being a simple base layer. 

If the % is only 35% better, then to me it feels more like 50%.

35% Stretchier. 

I think the amount of stretch in this material is amazing. Again if its only 35% then to me it feels more. I would say that choosing the size that suits the individual is going to be a “Try before you buy”scenario.

5 x Faster drying.

At this i disagree greatly. 

When you expect the garment to dry 5 times faster than a std Merino tee then you are almost expecting the water to disappear in front of your eyes. I have tested this out against all my tee shirts and of varying weights and the difference is minimal. I would even go as far as to say there is no difference. So where the 5 times faster has been calculated i don’t know.

I did find that it wicked sweat away from the skin better than std Merino and you don’t get that hard feeling in your armpits.

35% Warmer.

I can go along with this. It seems about right. An ideal base layer for winter and a good all rounder for the rest of the year. If you feel the cold then this top will suit you as part of the layering system.

47% Stronger. 

I am surprised that it’s only 47% stronger than std Merino. It certainly feels much stronger. My thoughts are that it’s pretty tough and rugged. I do wonder what would happen if it got snagged and torn? I wonder if the hole would just get bigger and bigger. This is just a thought after all there is a lifetime guarantee with this Tee shirt.

120% Tougher seams. 

I was a bit disappointed that ALL the seams are not flat locked. Some are, some are not. This may vary from company to company as more garments become available. However, the raised seams havn’t bothered me one bit. I have never felt any negativity towards them. They are fine. As for the strength of the seam i have no opinion. Its not easy for a customer to check this out.

In summary, the only thing i have found to disagree with is the drying times. The material is far better in all other aspects than std Merino. It doesn’t Pill either. I wouldn’t hesitate in getting another one.

Tresspass Rocked Active base layer top.

  Tresspass Rocked Base layer from OutdoorLook


Mens. OUTDOORLOOK
Ladies. OUTDOORLOOK

Weight 260 grams

For me the important criteria when choosing a base layer comprises of the following:-

1. How does it fit.
  The Tresspass size chart suggested that a medium to be right for me. Trying it on i was surprised to find it was a little on the loose fitting side for a base layer. If you want good wicking then the top needs to be as close to the skin as possible to prevent sweat cooling before it escapes.

2. The Collar.
  Again the collar needs to be snug when fully zipped up. The collar on the Rocked was very loose and a little uncomfortable when combined with a fleece and waterproof. I noticed that the collar also retained moisture whether it be perspiration on just rain ingress. It took a lot longer to dry than is required for a base layer.

3. Zip.
  The zip should be smooth and not snag, it should have a beard/chin guard and preferably lock. The Rocked zip had no manufacturers mark but it was smooth and didn’t snag. It felt good.
There was no beard/chin guard and the lock was average at best.
The zip length opened about 1/3 of the length and provided decent ventilation.

4. Material.
Base layer material needs to breath, wick perspiration and dry quickly. It should also be soft as it is in direct contact with the skin, otherwise rubbing from the rucksack can occur.
 The Rocked is exceptionally soft for a double layer weave and is very pleasant to wear, this one is TP50, 100% polyester. It wicks quite well but would be better if closer fitting. The collar which is folded over and is probably 4 layers in total doesn’t wick well. I think this is unnecessary bulk and would aid drying time if this was reduced to the same thickness as the body.

5. Antibacterial attributes.
Man made fibres tend to be a little more smelly than natural fibres and although i don’t know if the material has been treated, having worn the top for 3 consecutive days and nights it didn’t pong too badly.

6. Design.
 Flatlock seams throughout. Although the rocked seams are flat they are quite bulky. I didn’t notice any particular discomfort.
The length is good and allows full arm movement when the body is restricted by the rucksack belt. I would have preferred a longer tail all the same.
The sleeves roll up easily and they don’t have thumb loops.
Overall weight is 260 grams which is a bit on the high side for a base layer.

Summary.
 Although there are some negatives here, i thought it was a decent top. At 260 grams i would consider it to be in between a base layer and a mid layer. I would certainly wear it as a mid layer.
It’s very smart and could be worn as a casual everyday top.
For the price £14.08p, it is excellent value for money and one well worthy of consideration.

This top was sent to me FOC from OutdoorLook to review. I have no connection with OL and have no restrictions regarding my views or comments of the product.

Helly Hanson Dry baselayer Charger L/S1/2 zip

Our recent trip to Scotland and the Lake District was an ideal time to get to know the top well.

Helly Hanson Baselayer Dry Charger top with beautiful Loch Trool in the background
supplied by OutdoorsLook.

OUTDOORSLOOK

Weight as unpackaged 161 grams.

 Helly Hanson are well known in the outdoor world for making excellent gear and this one proved to be just as good.

 As with the companies Lifa products this top is close fitting but not restrictive. The material having good stretchability.

 I quite like the dual contrasting colours of the black and white option i chose and although this is a part of a layering system it doesn’t look out of place worn as a single layer.

 The material is 100% polypropylene and was made in Portugal. Available in Black, Black/White, Navy, Red and White colours.

All the stitching is flat lock and so there was no rubbing caused by wearing a rucksack.

 I wore this continuous for 3 days and nights and included in those days was a walk up Merrick in Dumfries. 

 The day was particularly warm and so lots of perspiration was generated. I am pleased to say that wicking worked very well indeed and although you always get that cold sensation as soon as you take the rucksack off, it very quickly dried up and i didn’t get any discomfort.

  The collar is perfect, high enough and close fitting without being tight. 

The zip, is a good quality YKK and locking. 

 The tops name, 1/2 zip Charger is not quite right as the zip opens the top approximately 1/3rd of the length and gives good ventilation when required.

 The cuffs don’t have thumb loops and again although close fitting there is enough stretch to pull the sleeves up past the elbows if required.

 Usually with polypropylene it can smell badly with use, especially over a few days. I was therefore pleased and surprised to say that it didn’t smell too badly at all after around 72 hours of wear. This i guess is due to the loose weave rather than tight weave allowing more perspiration to escape.

 With the tops longer tail i found the length was excellent and didn’t cause any riding up when wearing a rucksack and at 161 grams you hardly know you have it on.

 It has been a pleasure to wear and review this product and it will definitely be part of my backpacking kit in future.

 Current price at OutdoorsLook is £30.94

This top was sent to me FOC from Outdoors Look to review. I have no connection with OL and have no restrictions regarding my views or comments of the product.