Contents
- "Nuyarn" from Tasmania
- Ortovox Nuyarn: The fit and first impressions
- Putting it to the test: Taking Ortovox Merino Ultra functional underwear on a hike
- DO wash it
- Merino Ultra 105 keeps you warm and dry even in cold weather
- All-purpose base layer weapon: The summary for Ortovox's 105 Merino Ultra functional underwear
- Further info on Merino Wool:
“Nuyarn” from Tasmania
With their new “105 Merino Ultra” product range, Ortovox has, for the first time, using a particular yarn in combination with polyamide and merino wool from Tasmanian merino sheep: Nuyarn. A very fine fabric blend and with a thickness of 105g/m² and proportionately thin. It’s claimed to be warmer and more abrasion resistant than a 100% merino wool base layer. Nuyarn is produced using a new manufacturing process that creates a functional yarn resulting in a functional fabric: An innovative manufacturing process, the finest wool fibres are spun around a nylon core. The result is an extremely elastic, tear-resistant and also a very durable yarn. According to Ortovox combining merino wool and synthetic fibres also assists the yarn in drying quicker – that’s the theory anyway.
Ortovox Nuyarn: The fit and first impressions
As I unwrap the package that includes the Ortovox 105 Merino Ultra Short Pants, the 105 Merino Ultra Long Sleeve, 105 Merino Ultra Short Sleeve, all in the colour(“dark very berry”)my initial reaction is to think how soft and smooth the fabric feels to touch and how the fabric lives up to its reputation of being thin. All thoughts of scratchy, itchy ill-feeling wool have been forgotten – a good start! More plus points are given for the stretchiness of the fabric. Especially with the thicker merino wool base layer fabrics in the past, I was often bothered with the uncomfortable stiffness – especially if one heavily sweated. With this new (Nyarn) fabric blend, it feels at least, like these symptoms could be a thing of the past. Only one way of knowing – it’ll have to prove itself!
Usually, I wear a size XS with Ortovox apparel, even though with most other brands I wear a size S in shirts. It appears that this time is no different, the Ortovox range runs big to size and I’m wearing a size XS that fits well. For the pants, I choose a size S (usually I wear a size 36 with my height of 1.65 meters). The fit is pleasantly close to the body, the sleeves long enough and the legs are not too tight. In general, the Nuyarn fabric clings nicely to the body, without a feeling of restriction.
Putting it to the test: Taking Ortovox Merino Ultra functional underwear on a hike
An after-work hike in the Allgau mountain range is the first test phase of the two Ortovox shirts. Not too strenuous – a short, but steep climb in mild summer evening temperatures. Naturally enough, it’s warm and even though I’m working up a sweat, the merino fibres in the 105 Ultra Short Sleeve T-shirt does its best to regulate body climate and it certainly doesn’t feel sweaty nor clammy. I make my descent as darkness falls. The weather is still pleasant but somewhat cooler – too chilly for a t-shirt and still too warm for a jumper. This is where the 105 Merino Ultra Long Sleeve works well, as it would have been too cool for a short sleeve and definitely too warm for a jumper.
Being the summer month of August, the following day for my next hike was hot and soaring at approx.30° Celsius. This time, my testing ground was around the Tannheimer valley, over the Alps and onto mountain trails leading to the Sulzspitze. With hardly any shade whatsoever, it was certainly a sweat-induced hike. My new friend the 105 merino ultra short sleeve did a good job of transporting moisture outward, where the wind cooled pleasantly, without leading to a wind chill. When I reached the peak, I briefly lay the Nuyarn shirt out in the sun to dry and in no time it is ready for use again.
The next day was spent in the Allgäu mountain range – another hot day, little wind and a steep, sunny climb. The Ortovox Short Sleeve shirt proved itself once again, mainly as it didn’t annoyingly creep up high at the back if I briefly stooped or needed to frequently take my backpack off and on. Two days in a row, I had been wearing the 105 Merino Ultra Short Sleeve Shirt and I decided it was time for a wardrobe change before my final destination into the Alps. I change into a synthetic fibre base layer and notice immediately how heavy, stiff and warm this fabric is in comparison.
DO wash it
After two and a half days, the Ortovox Merino Ultra Shirt is put in the wash. The good news is, the size stayed the same, it dried amazingly fast and was just as soft as the day I unpacked it.
Merino Ultra 105 keeps you warm and dry even in cold weather
At an altitude level of 2,000 meters, summer temperatures were put on hold and in their place, rain, fog, wind and at just under two degrees even the first snow. This gave me the perfect opportunity to test the Ortovox Merino 105 Ultra Short Pants and Long Sleeve Shirt. My Sunday trek had historical character: It was to be the last day of the Waltenberger house – the oldest and smallest hut belonging to the Alpine organisation in the Allgäu mountains before it was to be demolished and rebuilt. The Ortovox Merino 105 Long Sleeve Shirt was worn this time under a softshell jacket and both on the ascent and descent I was kept warm and reasonably dry.
The 105 Merino Ultra Short Pants took every stride I did, didn’t ride up and even when the knees eventually got wet, weren’t uncomfortable to walk in. The waistband of these Ortovox pants sat where it should thank to a wide, elastic band. In short: The functional Merino Ultra Underwear was able to convince me even under uncomfortable conditions.
All-purpose base layer weapon: The summary for Ortovox’s 105 Merino Ultra functional underwear
Both of the Ortovox Merino Ultra Shirts I would especially recommend, unreservedly for action alpine sportswear for the whole year – summer, autumn, winter, depending on temperature and activity as a base layer or a single layer that can be worn directly on the skin. If you’ve built up a sweat while climbing, then take a short break or it gets windy, the short sleeve scores top points for its sheer lightness. Extremely handy: Bundled together, the Merino Ultra tops will hardly take up any valuable space in your backpack. Other pluses for me were the pleasant sensation directly on the skin and the contoured fit. Body climate regulation and moisture transport were also great and the fabric finish was impressive.
It should be made aware, that for the admittedly high price, what one is getting with Nuyarn is high-end quality. If I could change anything, it would be to have flatter seams. I can’t pass judgement yet on the true qualities of the Merino Ultra functional underwear as a base layer for winter ski touring and very cold temperatures, but I am pretty sure that when the first white flakes finally fall again, it’ll be a similar review.
And here you’ll find the new Ortovox functional underwear made from Nuyarn:
- Ortovox 105 Merino Ultra Women’s Short Sleeve / Men’s Short Sleeve
- Ortovox 105 Merino Ultra Women’s Short Pant / Men’s Short Pants
- Ortovox 105 Merino Ultra Women’s Long Sleeve / Men’s Long Sleeve
For cold days Ortovox has designed, in the same Nuyarn-fibre blend, an Ortovox 260 Ultra Net long sleeve. The 260 Merino Ultra Net top has a voluminous mesh inner. With this construction, air is trapped, resulting in more heat being stored, making the fabric incredibly insulating. At the same time, the material is relatively thin, breathable and light as a base layer. The 260 Merino Ultra Net takes over the function and isolation of the first and second layer of clothing, creating a base layer and fleece in one.