ENDORSEMENTS
Steph Duits, gear tester for Trail Magazine, has been using a pair of .Freedom Leggings for four months. She wrote in Trail:
Boy has it been a fantastic winter for mountaineering. Cold though - I don't think I've ever been so glad to try a pair of Merino leggings. These ones from Chocolate Fish are soft, warm, comfortable, and nicely supportive. But these are a bit more special than your average leggings - they've been cleverly designed for use with a Shewee!
Science bit: in between the legs is a perfectly positioned, discreet little flap, a bit like a man's fly. And it's just the right size to allow you to use a Shewee without removing a single layer of clothing.
I think that's pretty clever! No more stripping off my climbing harness on windy belay ledges and getting a cold bum, and no more hunting around for trees to hide behind in featureless landscapes. I would love to have been in the room when the light bulb went on for that idea. Eureka!
Verdict Underwear with a secret weapon - don't be caught short without it.
Dave in France emailed us about his and his wife's recent trip to Undersåker, Sweden. He says:
It was minus 36 degrees C at the time. The Tuara channelled my warm breath upwards, which kept my face warm. We were genuinely surprised at how well the lightweight merino kept the heat in and the cold out. Indispensable items during our cold, but exhilarating week. Thank you Chocolate Fish for keeping us snuggled up.
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.
