Backcountry Forum
Backpacking & Hiking Gear

Backcountry Forum
Our long-time Sponsor - the leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear
 
 
 

Amazon.com
Backpacking Forums
---- Our Gear Store ----
The Lightweight Gear Store
 
 WINTER CAMPING 

Shelters
Bivy Bags
Sleeping Bags
Sleeping Pads
Snow Sports
Winter Kitchen

 SNOWSPORTS 

Snowshoes
Avalanche Gear
Skins
Hats, Gloves, & Gaiters
Accessories

 ULTRA-LIGHT 

Ultralight Backpacks
Ultralight Bivy Sacks
Ultralight Shelters
Ultralight Tarps
Ultralight Tents
Ultralight Raingear
Ultralight Stoves & Cookware
Ultralight Down Sleeping Bags
Ultralight Synthetic Sleep Bags
Ultralight Apparel


the Titanium Page
WM Extremelite Sleeping Bags

 CAMPING & HIKING 

Backpacks
Tents
Sleeping Bags
Hydration
Kitchen
Accessories

 CLIMBING 

Ropes & Cordage
Protection & Hardware
Carabiners & Quickdraws
Climbing Packs & Bags
Big Wall
Rescue & Industrial

 MEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 WOMEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 FOOTWEAR 

Men's Footwear
Women's Footwear

 CLEARANCE 

Backpacks
Mens Apparel
Womens Apparel
Climbing
Footwear
Accessories

 BRANDS 

Black Diamond
Granite Gear
La Sportiva
Osprey
Smartwool

 WAYS TO SHOP 

Sale
Clearance
Top Brands
All Brands

 Backpacking Equipment 

Shelters
BackPacks
Sleeping Bags
Water Treatment
Kitchen
Hydration
Climbing


 Backcountry Gear Clearance

Topic Options
Rate This Topic
#125348 - 12/16/09 02:23 PM Smelly Syntherics
Shrike Offline
member

Registered: 09/24/09
Posts: 59
Loc: Minnesota
Ok so as most everyone else I bring synthetic shirts into the back country and I wear them around the house too. I have noticed with these shirts that if I get even a tiny bit sweaty the shirt will take on a sort of musty smell that wont go away until after a good wash. The smell is not me though cause this does not happen to cotton shirts.
Does anyone know why this is and if I can fix it?

Top
#125352 - 12/16/09 03:01 PM Re: Smelly Syntherics [Re: Shrike]
Jimshaw Offline
member

Registered: 10/22/03
Posts: 3983
Loc: Bend, Oregon
Shrike you can't fix it. Some underwear has "silver" in it to prevent this, but not any quality stuff that I know of. As long as it isn't polypropylene which melts in a drier, the heat of drying it "burns out" the smell. All I can say is stop wearing it around the house - I did. What you get from this stuff is DRYNESS next to your skin, which to me is worth the smell since its generally under my ski gear. If you stink too bad to get into a sleeping bag with your self, consider using underarm deodorant.
Jim YMMV
_________________________
These are my own opinions based on wisdom earned through many wrong decisions. Your mileage may vary.

Top
#125426 - 12/17/09 12:12 PM Re: Smelly Syntherics [Re: Jimshaw]
OregonMouse Online   content
member

Registered: 02/03/06
Posts: 6799
Loc: Gateway to Columbia Gorge
The old-fashioned housewife's remedy: Using baking soda or borax in the wash water really helps get rid of the odors. If it's really bad, wet the garment, rub baking soda into the armpits (gently) and let sit 15-20 minutes before starting the washing machine. Baking soda has many uses out on the trail, too. I use it primarily for washing my teeth (dentist-recommended, far lighter than toothpaste, doesn't leave white spots on the landscape when you spit), but it also can be used as a deodorant, in a paste to soothe insect bites/stings, and a few zillion other uses.

OK, we women don't get as ripe in the pits as you manly men do, but I was married for 20 years and raised 3 boys, so I do know whereof I speak! grin

I've been told that merino wool doesn't get stinky like synthetics, but this came along long after both ex-hubby and the boys left home--you guys will have to test this one out!


Edited by OregonMouse (12/17/09 12:30 PM)
_________________________
May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view--E. Abbey

Top
#125461 - 12/17/09 09:28 PM Re: Smelly Syntherics [Re: OregonMouse]
Shrike Offline
member

Registered: 09/24/09
Posts: 59
Loc: Minnesota
I have a few pairs of merino wool socks and they not only do not get as stinky as easily as synthetics, they dont stink at all, ever. I wore a pair in full hiking boots and they did not stink at all at the end of a five day trip.
My mom still made me wash them but no one would have noticed if I had just gone on wearing them:) LOL

Top
#125471 - 12/17/09 10:55 PM Re: Smelly Syntherics [Re: Shrike]
Heber Offline
member

Registered: 12/31/07
Posts: 245
Loc: St. Louis, Missouri
I've had that experience with the synthetic shirts I use for running. That's why I wear merino when hiking instead. I've experimented with wearing the same merino shirt for several hiking days when I have been hot and sweaty. No smell at all. The synthetics seem to magnify bad smells I don't understand why this is. My strategy is take them off and wash them right after running. Can't imagine backpacking with them. I wouldn't be able to sleep in that smell!

Top

Shout Box

Highest Quality Lightweight Down Sleeping Bags
 
Western Mountaineering Sleeping Bags
 
Lite Gear Talk - Featured Topics
Backcountry Discussion - Featured Topics
Make Your Own Gear - Featured Topics
Featured Photos
Spiderco Chaparral Pocketknife
David & Goliath
Also Testing
Trip Report with Photos
Seven Devils, Idaho
Oat Hill Mine Trail 2012
Dark Canyon - Utah
Who's Online
2 registered (), 174 Guests and 0 Spiders online.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newest Members
Noodles, McCrary, DanyBacky, Rashy Willia, WanderBison
13240 Registered Users
Forum Links
Disclaimer
Policies
Site Links
Backpacking.net
Lightweight Gear Store
Backpacking Book Store
Lightweight Zone
Hiking Essentials

Our long-time Sponsor, BackcountryGear.com - The leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear:

Backcountry Forum
 

Affiliate Disclaimer: This forum is an affiliate of BackcountryGear.com, Amazon.com, R.E.I. and others. The product links herein are linked to their sites. If you follow these links to make a purchase, we may get a small commission. This is our only source of support for these forums. Thanks.!
 
 

Since 1996 - the Original Backcountry Forum
Copyright © The Lightweight Backpacker & BackcountryForum