Chocolate Fish (surprisingly not a Ben and Jerry's flavour) is a small company importing New Zealand reared, sheared, spun and sewn merino clothing to the UK. Over the last few years merino wool has become the new craze in base layers, claiming the very desirable properties of natural feeling, odour resistance and eco-friendliness compared to synthetic base layers.

I was lucky enough to get the chance to put some of these claims to the test this May, taking a full set of Chocolate Fish Taranaki merino base layers- leggings, boxers and top to Alaska for a month of camping on a glacier and possibly some climbing. However, not having used merino before, the thought of weeks without access to any kind of washing facilities made me throw in a couple of sets of synthetic base layers into the bottom of my kit bag in reserve... which is where they stayed, untouched for the duration of the trip.

The Taranaki (a volcano in New Zealand in case you wondered) base layers use a 190 grams per square metre superfine merino cloth which is pleasantly light (I've never been a fan of 'winter weight' base layers) and feels very comfortable and natural on the skin. The cut of all three garments is superb- giving a slim neat fit without being over tight and with plenty of length in the leg and arms- an area I frequently find lacking in outdoor clothing. Their first outing was a three-day trip up and over the classic North Buttress on Mount Hunter, which as usual on a big alpine route involved everything from sweaty overheating to fridgid shivering during which I'm pleased to say I didn't once experience the grim sticky clammy feeling I get using synthetic base layers. As for the smell, after a day or two airing at base camp they smelt fresh and pleasant to put back on. Subsequent use included a long hot ski, some more climbing and blizzard battle or two before ongoing poor weather urged retreat to showers and civilisation where unlike the rest of the mountain clothes abandoned to fester in storage they accompanied me on a few days travels as ideal mosquito proof hot and humid travel wear.

So, taking a quick look at each in turn, the top features a neat long chest zip giving plenty of ventilation options and is superbly cut with good length in the body to tuck in and on the arms and the sleeves are snug fitting but easily pulled up if needed. As well as being extremely comfortable to wear, the fabric proved impressively tough surviving bushwacking, mosquitos and several hundred metres of steep granite crack action without a mark. The leggings continue the theme- extremely well cut with plenty of length and a very comfortable non-chaffing waistband.

Without wishing to sound too much like a stuck record, the boxers also impress for the same reasons. Surprisingly few climbing clothing companies produce wicking smalls- which I've always found odd as unless going commando is your thing wearing ordinary boxers in the hills almost guarantees suffering. Get a pair of these and you won't be disappointed.

Possibly the only activity for which I'll continue to use synthetics is running, where the faster wicking when continuously pouring sweat wins, for all other climbing/mountaineering/travel activities I'm sold on merino. Compared to other merino options out there, the competitive price, build quality and home grown manufacturing credentials make Chocolate Fish products a definite winner. In summary, the best base layers I've ever used by miles and already up there with my favourite take everywhere, everytime kit... superb.