A new company out of Italy called Bandavej was showcasing their clever fabric construction for baselayers: a dual layer polypropylene/merino hybrid, designed to be worn with the polypropylene against the skin. The polypro wicks the moisture from the skin and draws it to the merino layer on the outside where it is released to the atmosphere. The dual layer nature of the fabric supposedly combines the quick wicking qualities of polypro with the anti-microbial and thermal regulation properties of wool to provide a base layer that keeps you drier against the skin. In addition to producing the fabric, Bandavej also has designed a line of base layers to go along with it. While the fabric we saw at the show was not especially lightweight (although it wasn't that bad), the base layers would work well in colder conditions (the conditions for which they were originally designed).

What follows is a quick video demo of fabrics ability to draw moisture from the polypro side to the merino side.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpEbQZjkrr0

helly hansen lifa warm is polypro/merino based on the same system.

And Duofold started the idea of the two layer baselayer (called long underwear back then), when I was a kid (if not before I was born), although their inner layer was (horrors!) cotton and the outer was ordinary wool (the itchy kind).

While Merino sheep (originating in Spain) have been around for many centuries, it's only recently that their wool has become so popular. Wonderful stuff, merino wool.

A couple problems with polypro (the miracle fabric of the 1980's for those not old enough to remember)--first of all, it couldn't be dried in the dryer--even at the lowest heat it would melt and then become stiff and harsh. Second, it was a magnet for body odor, which clung to it permanently, despite vigorous attacks with bleach and baking soda. I wonder if this outfit has been able to overcome these problems?

Edited by hikinggranny on 08/08/2012 21:21:17 MDT.

According to Bandavej, the HH fabrics had two different fibers twisted together, whereas this new fabric is two distinct layers with an air space in between. I am not all that familiar with the Helly fabrics to be able to positively confirm the difference.

Sounds very similar to what Duofold used to put out (except for no cotton). I'd still like to know if they've improved the polypro, though. There's a good reason it was replaced by various polyester fabrics and, more recently, merino wool! Aside from the odor issues, one miss of not getting a piece of it out of the laundry before bundling the load of wash into the dryer, and it was toast!

If Bandajev has managed to overcome these limitations of polypro, more power to them!

Edited by hikinggranny on 08/12/2012 22:34:29 MDT.