Reader Reviews

Rating: 5 / 5

I have two pairs of these top-performers. They are my underwear of choice for any activity, winter or summer. At 24 grams (size xs) they deserve 5 stars for performance:weight ratio.

Comfort
These are among the most comfortable underwear I have ever owned. They do not leave seam marks once removed, and feel great against my skin. They are breathable, which I prefer over warmth. In the extreme cold, I wear wool boxers, but for anything else, these excel. They do not shift when I carry a pack or hike for many hours. They are comfortable to wear while sleeping, sitting, standing, and doing yoga. If I put them on a little damp, they are not uncomfortable and dry very quickly.

Durability
I mostly wash by hand with hand soap because I have been traveling for a year and a half. One pair has several runs after ~220 days (~170 washings, half washing machine). They still function great, but they don't look as pretty. The other pair looks brand new after ~100 days (~75 washings, no washing machine). Sure, I would like them to last forever. But merino wool is not chosen for its durable properties.

Hygiene
I have tried synthetic, cotton, wool, and blends, and feel wool is the best for preventing odor. I have worn these for 4 days straight without removing, and although I was happy to take them off, they performed better than anything else I have used. Wool has anti-bacterial properties and although I don't know how to really test this, I do not have evidence to dispute it.

Design
I really like the cut, but I do not understand why all women's specific items from every outdoor company include flowers. Yes, I like flowers. I like to walk through wildflower filled meadows, and smell the petals of blooming flowers, but I do not want artistic patterns of flowers on all of my clothes. You can probably guess that I do not own these in pink.

Cost
~$25 is a lot of money. But, you are paying for quality. For me, it is worth the cost and a little extra effort in proper maintenance.

Edited by ktenness on 02/17/2011 09:55:36 MST.