Base-layers Wool Vs. Synthetic

I was doing a little research into base-layers, because I need an new one, and its getting cold, and ice season is almost here.
Just wondering what the climbing community thinks about base-layer materials, wool vs synthetic vs other.

Also wondering what base layers you love to climb in / what works the best.

Synthetic always seems to absorb B.O. and smell terrible after a day or two of climbing.

I like wool bottoms.. for tops it depends on the activity and the weather.

I always buy wool for cold weather. Feels better, doesn't stink. More expensive but you get what you pay for I suppose.

i always use synth ... if your wool gets soaked from sweat or other such it takes quite a bit longer to dry generally

also the thinner merino weights are not very durable, and theres always moths of course

synthetics with the silver polygiene treatment have come a long way in terms of odor control

if you plan to use em for rock climbing as well especially on abrasive cracks, thinner wool doesnt last too long

;)

I try to live by the following:

Synthetic... LOL

Merino wool is definitely not very abrasion resistant. That's why I'll only wear it under something else and so prefer short sleeve to long sleeve. If I get too hot for two layer, the wool comes off and the layer over that goes back on. Long sleeves are reserved for very cold temps where I *may* get down to just the base and a shell. But that's just me. And I agree that wool doesn't dry as quickly as synthetic.

Wool for me. I never found wool to take longer to dry, it's fairly hydrophobic, and it doesn't stink.

It is however, fragile when made thin like a base layer. Which is odd, because my wool darn tough socks look like new after years of abuse. So do most of my wool hats.

Anyway, wool and down still rule the roost as far as I am concerned,,, opinion from a northeastern US climber, where it always feels colder due to the humidity and extreme temp variations.

I use wool most of the time because:

- it feels cozy and luxurious
- it doesn't stink
- I don't have to wash it much (especially useful on multi-day trips and for crossover into general traveling)

The advantage of synthetic over wool seem to be:

1) ever so slightly slightly quicker-drying
2) more durable.

I find that for cragging and multi-pitch, I'm never getting so hot and sweaty that dry time matters very much. Maybe if I was doing ice/winter stuff where you do get sweaty and staying dry is so crucial.

As for durability, I do baby my merino a little. The only time I'll switch to a synthetic is crack climbing, where forearms and elbows get chewed up.

I've tried a bunch of different merino (let's see....smartwool, icebreaker, i/o, and patagonia) and my favorite by far is montbell's "supermerino." 8% spandex, SUPER thin, really really nice stuff.

Depends on how much you sweat.

Wool deals with moisture by absorbing water deep into the fibers. This keeps the water away from your body, keeping you feeling dry. The moisture evaporates slowly and eventually dries out as the vapor moves away from your body with body heat.

The problem with wool is that if it gets really wet, then it gets saturated and no longer has its "comfortable when damp" properties because it can't continue to move the moisture into the core of the fibers. And, because the water is absorbed deep into the fibers, it also takes longer to dry.

Synthetics keep you feeling dry by moving moisture away from your body, helped along by the energy from body heat. Moisture doesn't get absorbed deep into the fibers, so initially wool has an advantage. Synthetic wets out quicker, but it dries quicker. So, if you are going to subject the fabric to lots of water, then synthetic has an advantage because it dries quicker.

So, the answer is if you sweat a ton, then synthetic is more comfortable. Otherwise, wool is more comfortable.

For me, I tend to use synthetics on my torso for any high-output pursuits, because I tend to sweat a lot and overwhelm wool on my upper body. Wool is reserved for less intense exercise, and for my legs, which don't sweat as much, particularly in winter.

One thing to add. And you can easily check this with good wool socks. Wool is just more comfortable when wet. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying get it wet. I'm saying compared to other fabrics it feels less horrid when wet. Even 100% synthetic socks tend to feel horrible after a while on the feet.

I've actually given up on waterproof boots for most summer hiking, due to the fact it really don't mind spending a day in wet wool socks. It helps if they aren't too thick. Likewise, wool mitts seem a lot warmer when wet than any synthetic I have.

go merino......nobody likes the stinky kid

I like synthetic base layers and wool mids. That system seems to make me feel dry but the wool keeps me feeling warm if I'm wet. I always rock wool socks. I even sweat in my Scarpa Rebels!

I would have to suggest trying out each fabric out for yourself. I think systems are trail and error for everyone. Some people can wear Trangos boots when it's 0F and some need Phantom 6000s. Some wear five layers and some wear two. Some people sweat and stink and some freeze.

I've given both good tests over the years and I have found that I prefer my Capilene over my Icebreaker.
Wool pros:
-Natural fiber and is not a petroleum product.
-Doesn't stink as much as synthetic.
-Still insulates when slightly wet.
Wool cons:
-Doesn't feel as good against the skin as say Capilene does.
-Shrinks like CRAZY in the wash unless you are very careful.
-Hangs on me like a set of drapes after a while. Heavy.
-Doesn't last nearly as long as synthetics.
-Very expensive.
-Doesn't dry as quickly or wick moisture away from skin as well. Feels clammy.

Gotta second Bill's comment: people feel so differently, you're probably best off trying both for yourself.

There's also some "middle way" options. Patagonia and Stoic have 35-40% synthetic mixed with their merino. And Rab has their MeCo fabric, which incorporates a natural, non-merino fiber to add durability while maintaining the attributes of wool.

Also, try stuff on and see how it feels against your skin. Some people can't stand even the softest merino, while other's don't like the plastic-y feel of synthetics.

Because you live in SD, you'd need at least 2 if not three baselayers at least for the bottoms - Silkweight, Medium weight and Expedition weight. On some days you'd probably wear all three of them. Therefore buy the cheapest, i.e. synthetic. If you are a small adult, you can get L or XL Youth stuff for way less. Oh and 3/4 length is the way to go, especially if you wear ski socks.