Smelly CoolMax
 

My CoolMax T shirts stink at the end of the day unlike my cotten Tshirts. I also have the same problem with my thermal synthetic long johns/long sleave T. I have this problem if I machien or hand wash my kit using hand soap. Any one any ideas.

go natural
 

Yeah i know what you mean.

Ice Breaker are a NZ company that make base layer (and mid/outer) clothing from merino wool. It is high wicking, quick drying but most importantly does not stink of cats piss once youve sweated in it. now its pricry £50 for a long sleeve crew neck, and my last one wore out in a year.

I will be investing in some more of their gear before my africa trip next year.

Smartwool do a similar product.

It's only the first few days: you'll get used to it.

Real bikers don't use soap. Saves weight.

-- Pierre (who got his own smell problem once: http://www.photobiker.com/continents...758/index.html )

Merino wool
 

As said above I would try merino wool long underwear. Also, some companies have antimicrobial properties to help reduce bacteria.

Faster boader crossings?


Humm .. A bit of bleach may be all that is required. No bleack in the kit? Some antiseptic out of the first aid kit will probably do. A drop in the basin as a final rinse should kill off the bugs.

Surgical spirit?
 

Thanks for the ideas. Have just tried a rinse in surgical spirit prior to washing. Works very well on boots and feet for me. Just a quick wipe over.

I can second the Icebreaker recommendation.
Doesn't smell, heavier layers are light but warm in the cold.
Lightweight layers are warm in the cold and breathable in the hot.

...if that makes any sense! They are also less susceptible to getting pulled threads than synthetics

Both Aldi and Lidl sold sell merino wool long sleeved walking tops for about a £10 last year - trail magazine were raving about them.

you would probably need to check websites to find availablity.

Damn
 

Thanks John

I'm really disappointed to read this stuff about smelly CoolMax. I just bought one but I hope it doesnt stink. Or it's back to the Tshirt.
Nothing worse than a stinky person.

Check out Techwick from Eastern Mountain Sports. Outdoor Gear, Clothing & Footwear at Eastern Mountain Sports (EMS)
I can vouch for their lightweight techwick T-shirts. I'll never use anything else again when travelling. I was in Costa Rica for a couple weeks this December/January and was shocked at how dry they remained and how they never began to smell. I rinsed them with water once every couple days to get the salt out, but that's about it. I have heavier weight shirts from Patagonia, and they start to have a "funk" after just a day. Dirt cheap too compared to alot of other brands.

Tumble Drier Sheets
 

Get a box of tumble drier sheets. We use these for everything when we're travelling. They don't cure the problem, but they make your gear smell a lot nicer. Put them in your boots and layer them between your clothes and you'll come out smelling of roses (or lavender depending on your choice of flavour).