Submitted by ach_rus t3_10jahyj in BuyItForLife
Dear all,
I want to find some BIFL merino wool tops, suitable for trips and styling in layers. I am thinking simple black t-shirts and longsleeves.
Could you please advise the best brands, men or female, preferably accessible in the EU?
Thank you!
Someone on this sub once recommended Colorful Standard merino sweaters; haven’t purchased one since they’re out of my current budget, but they look nice.
I got a Norrona ‘Skibotn’ merino blend long sleeve polo shirt and it’s lasting incredibly well. It has the strengths of merino wool and few of the weaknesses. It wicks well, insulates when damp, hasn’t fluffed up or got damaged. I wear it as a first layer sometimes or over a merino baselayer others.
Icebreaker
Woolpower. They are merino synthetic blends for extra durability. Merino and durable don't go together. They make everything out of a factory in sweden. For quality control, a complete piece of clothing is sewed by 1 person and has that makers tag on it, as opposed to the assembly line style.
Their sweat fabrics are very close knitted which makes them really wind resistant for a sweater, but it's easy to get snagged on branches.
I've acquired a decent wool sweater collection, and the best made by far is a vintage 'Springfield' sweater I found at a thrift store. I'm pretty sure it's an old UK brand.
Merino wool will be less durable in general, just an FYI.
That's what I've started doing also. I also have a thrufted Springfield sweater. Some of the are really well made. Some I had front zipper installed on so I can regulate my temperature better.
Agreed. In my experience, their single wool items offer the best durability. They have a tighter knitting.
Check out Dutch brand Joe Merino. I've two and a dozen pairs of the socks. Only about five years into my jumper, but it's not showing any wear yet. https://www.joemerino.com/en_us/
Varusteleka.com , try there, brand is Särma
Aclima, Devold, Tufte and Brynje. The Norwegians know wool.
If you want extremely high quality then I would recommend Woolpower. It's a Swedish brand that produce all their products in Sweden, the wool is sadly from Urugay so it's not Swedish wool but they are working on that even the wool will be from Sweden in the future when the supply of wool in Sweden is enough.
I know people that bought Woolpower garments back in the 90’s that still uses the same once and the Swedish military uses socks, thermal underwear and midlayers from Woolpower.
Accurate-Language474 t1_j5jd44v wrote
Dilling do some very good quality items for reasonable prices. I’m waiting for a sale there!