I-CJW mountaineer and climber uses Chocolate Fish merino baselayer.

I wear my Chocolate Fish Taranaki Mid Layer merino top all year round. Cotton is a killer, synthetics give you that “Odeur de Homeless Person” seemingly within minutes of putting them on, but merino wool keeps you warm and smelling like a summer meadow. I like black because it absorbs more U.V. Merino costs more, but lasts much longer than other tops, doesn’t lose its shape and (because it stays warm even when damp, and doesn’t smell) you only need one.

An expert on Japanese peaks, he says of Tanigawa-dake

"More people have died on its slopes than any other mountain on earth...Avalanches in the winter, rockfall, flood and landslides in the summer."

Rather him than us - we're not brave enough :-~ - but if you want a fascinating read, his blog is here

Tony posts on the bikersoracle website in response to a posting on Icebreaker gear

...I was inspired by Desperado's recommendation of Merino wool baselayer. Tried it and yes, Merino wool gear really works! Keeps me snug as a baselayer should when its 5C, and then when weather's scorching 30C same stuff wicks the sweat away so you feel comfy - and without that stuffy non-breathing feeling you get with polyester. Great stuff! Only thing to add is Icebreaker gear now made in China [and] the team in New Zealand who used to make Icebreaker stuff [is] now employed by Chocolate Fish Merino, an English family business, and the stuff is better than the Chinese-made Icebreaker: is slightly heavier weight and the "BaseLayer" is longer in the body (and/or leg) too, so stays tucked in. It's worth a punt, if your travels take you through hot and cold days add a Chocolate Fish merino wool "BaseLayer" to your Christmas list

Ondrej emails again from Slovakia to say:

I bought a T-shirt from Montane (merino/PES blend) few weeks ago. ... but it smelled badly after 6 hours of walking in 30°C... Now I regret I bought it :(( I can wear your Tee much longer with no horrible stink. Thank you for bringing these great products to us.

That's the problem with merino/synthetic mixes - the synthetic causes the stink and reduces the effectiveness and performance of the merino - which is why we don't do it (apart from a very little in our socks andthe Thermadry gloves).

Viv Scott in his review of Chocolate Fish Merino baselayers for UK Climbing says,

after using it for trekking, climbing and skiing in Alaska, June 2009

...the best base layers I've ever used by miles and already up there with my favourite take everywhere, everytime kit... superb.

Read his full review for UK Climbing (with pics) here.

Ondrej emailed us from Slovakia to say

Ahoj Amanda! My Taranaki short sleeve Tee arrived today. My impressions:

• absolutely first class customer service
• fast delivery
• absolutely top quality merino wool (even appreciably better than my Icebreaker T shirts)
• really soft, non itchy
• I like the form fit and length of the T shirt
• cut is great for my slim figure
• price - more affordable than other high quality merino garments
• price + quality + service = UNBEATABLE nowadays

Now I can´t wait to test on the bike, run etc.

Emma from Sheffield emails to say

Hello, I've just come back from a 6-month expedition to Patagonia (involving trekking and conservation work), where we either slept in tents or bivvied outside every night. I would just like to let you know that I wore a pair of your Taranaki 190 zip neck tops and leggings every night for sleeping in, and I think they're both fabulous! They kept me perfectly warm and comfortable, even on some very chilly nights. They are also light and packed down small, so I could just keep them packed in my sleeping bag. They've survived some less than ideal care at the local launderette, without losing shape, colour or softness. ... well worth the money - so thank you!

TRIALS UK RECOMMEND CHOCOLATE FISH

WHAT !!!.... I hear you say, and no we haven't lost it ( well… not completely). Chocolate Fish is a range of merino clothing which has amazing thermal properties.We have been testing the range over the last few weeks in the bitter cold of the snow and wind and have been very pleasantly surprised at how warm it kept us. We have no hesitation in recommending them to you, even though we don't sell them direct, because they are that good. have a look for yourself here Chocolate Fish Website and stay nice and warm

Cyclist Alex Baker was one of the first to try out our new lightweight Taranaki 190 beanie and has this to say:

It fits great under a helmet and the seams are a lot less noticeable than the synthetic ones I have used (Polaris and Lusso) It is not quite as warm but that's a good thing as after adding 250g of super-insulating polystyrene helmet you can over heat pretty fast. All the normal praise for super fine merino applies (no itch, does not stink after a few rides, works well over a range of temperatures etc...) For £7.50 its a cracking bit of kit...!"

A contributor to Outdoors Magic forum posted:

Chocolate Fish - the special one! It's become one of those companies that you find so good that you start recommending to anyone you know with a passion for the outdoors.

Professor Jane Francis,leading Antarctic scientist and holder of the Queen's Polar Medal, says:

"I can't think of anywhere better to test thermal clothing than on a geology field expedition to Antarctica! For the first time I took merino and merino-possum thermal gear with me to Seymour Island, a small island off the eastern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula. I am a convert - merino and possum fur will be in my kit bag for my next Antarctic trip."

Pete Mcfarlane - Scotland's outdoor guru to thousands - says this of Taranaki baselayer:

The Crew is a great bit of kit. I’ve worn it to work, so it’s been crawling around on its belly under church floors looking for cast iron pipes, inside steam boilers repairing the brickwork. I’ve also layered it under a t-shirt for both practical comfort and insulation and also to look like I’m not 40 in about ten minutes.

I’ve washed it in water that was far too hot, I’ve left it lying crushed and festering at the bottom of the washbasket on occasion and it’s been accidentally tumble dried with Holly’s stuff on more than one occasion. Simply, I’ve tried to destroy it and failed.

It’s been great to wear, performs as you’d expect a nice bit of merino to do and it’s kept its shape. The seams, which aren’t flatlocked, haven’t caused me any grief. This is something which always comes up in reviews and in popular opinion, flat lock seams don’t chafe. I think we need to revisit that and say “Well finished seams don’t chafe”. Merino is where it’s at for your first layer, it’s just more comfortable and it protects you from the unfriendlines of softshell pants against the skin. You don’t stink in the tent or in the motor on the way home.

I like the Chocolate Fish stuff. I’ll be using it all constantly through winter. The fabric strikes the right balance between stretchy softness and having a bit of resistance. The cut is just right for me, the tops keep my kidneys warm and stay tucked in, the leggings don’t have an irritating waistband or ride up the crack of my arse (these things are vital to our mission and must be shared), and the Beanie is magic.

Graham emailed us to say:

This baselayer had a little mention in RIDE magazine last month, saying it was a gold standard as far as baselayers went. After looking at what was meant to be motorcycle baselayers, I had decided not to buy any due to the plastic feel to them, but riding all year round it gets very cold so I thought I'd try these. WOW, What a great product, I can't put into words how comfortable they are..... I like them so much that I am ordering more. I also appreciate you using green/returnable parcel bags.

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