Bill Griffiths Long distance walker, Hill-Walking group leader and guide emailed to say

"I have been using the Chocolate Fish New Zealand Merino clothing for some considerable time both as my default day wear and particularly for my mountain walking activities. In September 2007 it was put through its hardest test yet when I did the "toughest long distance trek in Europe, the Corsican GR20". I wore Chocolate Fish merino t-shirts and tops throughout and amazingly the long sleeve TeMata zipneck, which was used everyday for two weeks, was as fresh at the end as the start. The cushioning of the MerinoTrek wool walking socks was invaluable but I did somewhat reluctantly change the Taranaki boxer shorts after 10 days."

And of his Taranaki 190 Merino Zipneck Bill said:

I became bold and wore it on very hot days. Magic!! No perspiration, no stickiness. One gets nothing but extreme comfort from a wonderfully soft fabric....the tops can be worn for at least a week even after the most extreme use, and then machine washed I don't think they could be bettered. "

John Kelly posts on the "Song of the Paddle" forum:

Looooong sleeve Merino T-shirts from Chocolatefish. I have bought merino tops and t-shirts from Chocolate Fish before and found the quality to be first class. The service from Amanda is second to none as well. Now Chocolate Fish have their own design of tops. Today I received a Taranaki Long sleeve Crew . The sleeves are plenty long and the body as well. Looks like I will be spending less money with Icebreaker now. My next purchase is probably going to be an Endurance top. Just in time for winter.

Alex Baker, who is off to do the Himachal 9 day marathon bike ride in aid of the Leonard Cheshire charity wrote in his blog:

The Chocolate Fish clothing is great and the new long sleeve stuff is just that! I am 6'2" and have long arms, most cycling tops are just long enough...the CF long sleeve t-shirt has plenty to spare! I would say that they are 1-2" longer than the longest sleeves I have (Endura LS top / Rapha Fixed jersey) I wear a medium in their stuff and the body is fitted with not too much to flap in the wind and long enough to avoid a builder-bum when I bend over so throw in the looong arms and I am a happy camper :)

Mike, Stafford, says of our new MerinoSport MTB socks

The weather was vile - which is perhaps a good test. I wore the MerinoSport socks under leather outer, "Gortex" lined shoes and beasted myself over Cannock Chase. Whilst I did not perform well, the socks did a great job: I was spattered but my little pinkies were cushty! No sweat to speak of: a fine sturdy sock that does what it claims: comfortably.

Alex bought a Taranaki T-shirt and has this to say:

Fits a treat. Plenty long enough in the body but not too baggy that it is "sports wear only" Plus the sleeves are short enough to show off my tatts (and skinny arms!) The merino feels even softer than the Mt Cook T shirts and the mossy green colour goes with anything without clashing

Graham Muir emailed us to say:

What can I say, super service, super products, simply super!!!! Now all we need is some cold weather to really try them out.

Robert Ibberson writes to us:

Dear fellow "Chocolateers",
Just to let you know I wore a merino wool chocolate fish sock on both feet for almost 3 weeks at least 15 hours per day. I had 2 long black pairs which I washed or rinsed in cold water every other day and dried on the rucksack and wore with trainers when I had my boots off. I was doing (& completed) the "GR 20", reputedly one of the toughest high level treks in Europe together with other members of the YRC

The temperatures varied from an effective "minus a few deg C", due to wind-chill, to highs in mid 30's but I could forget about my feet and was comfortable at all times and with no "elastic rash" - or smelly extremities!

Alex Baker of Solitude Cycles tells us:

Gave the MerinoSport merino wool MTB socks a good thrashing on and off the bike so here are my thoughts: The combination of thin and thick material makes sense, padding where you need it and no bulk where you don't want it. The low-profile seams don't rub your feet even on long rides with your cycling shoes done up extra-tight or when you spend all day standing and running up and down stairs at work! The material did a great job of keeping my feet at the right temperature despite the wide range of conditions I have worn them in. They can be worn several times with out washing with out stinking the place out so I will only need to get a few more pairs for my 9day race in the Himalayas!

more...