Rethinking Hiking Base Layers - Brynje Mesh Review (w/ Discount Code)
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- Опубликовано: 29 сен 2024
- Now that we've worn Brynje Mesh base layers for over 2 months and hiked with them on the Appalachian Trail in winter, we review the Brynje synthetic Mesh Top, Pants, and wool Mittens (with mesh liner) in hopes of helping others discover mesh (fishnet) as a great base layer material.
The idea behind mesh is, when used as a next-to-skin base layer, it will transfer vapor (non-liquid) sweat to a second layer so the mesh layer stays drier and warmer. In warm weather, mesh supposedly keeps you cooler when worn under something like a sun hoodie (haven't tried that yet though).
We chose to use the synthetic zip-neck top with reinforced shoulder (Super Thermo LS Shirt with Inlay), wool pants with no reinforcements (Super Thermo Longs, no fly), and wool mittens. Brynje offers several material and design options that take some work to figure out.
Here are some observations on the options:
- Wool vs Synthetic Top and Pants: Found the synthetic dries faster than wool, did not stink after 3 days of wear on the AT, and is easier to wash in whatever washing machine we come across in town. Synthetic is also lighter and less expensive. Found the wool a bit stretchier.
- "Inlay" padding vs no Inlay: Liked the inlay with the shirt, but found it over-kill for the pants.
- Zip-Neck top vs Regular: liked the idea of zip-neck for venting but found it too short to vent much. Zip-neck also has a tall collar which is a bit tight, thus not super useful for us.
- Use as Camp/Sleep Clothes: Since they dry so fast and hold warmth, we don't bring separate sleep clothes anymore.
- Sizing/Fit: We wore our normal size but found that 1 size bigger than normal still fit well.
Overall Performance during winter AT section hikes with temperatures ranging from 20° to 55° F and in dry, wet, and snowy conditions:
- The top kept us warm in 20s and 30s (F) during freezing rain and snow. We used a synthetic Senchi hoodie as a second layer (or a Jolly Gear Sun Hoodie) and added a LightHeart Gear Poly rain jacket as a 3rd layer during the freezing rain and sleet.
- Venting is key. We like a 2nd layer with chest zip and sleeves loose enough to pull up as we warm up. We also like a 3rd layer (rain jacket) with pit zips to dump heat as needed.
- We used the Brynje top and pants as sleep clothes since they were already dry.
- We wore the mesh pants under shorts with temps in the 30s. We found them too warm under rain pants with temps in the upper 20s.
- The mittens were great on their own or under rain mitts during the freezing rain and snow. They got wet and still held warmth. They dried overnight inside our sleep quilt. Can also stuff hand warmers in them.
Brynje created a 10% discount code to share with hikers interested in trying mesh...and an affilite link for anyone that wants to use it:
Affiliate Link: www.brynjeusa....
Discount Code: "AT24"
Here are some other mesh companies we've found:
Aclima: www.aclima.com/
Svala: svala.com/en/c...
Wiggy's: www.wiggys.com...
The mesh really seems to do the rounds on hiking youtube right now. I just really hope Decathlon produces a budget model soon.
They sell a cycling vest that is kind of similar
Mesh base layers will be the new normal in about 10 years. Ultralight, very flexible for modular layering, dries super fast. I got the wool mesh for anti bacterial properties and hoping it wouldn’t stink much. And it doesn’t. How’s the stink on your synthetic mesh?
I tend to agree...once the word gets out, I think mesh will take off (again). The synthetic didn't stink after 4 days of hiking (winter), but haven't tried it in warmer weather yet. Tried the wool top too...main trade offs I noticed was wool dried a little slower, was heavier, and more expensive. Did find wool had a stretchier fit, which was nice
You're a legend. Used your discount code to grab some skii gear before hitting a Tahoe skii trip with the boys. Really appreciate this!!!
Great to hear! We were hoping it would help people out. Hope you have (or had) an epic ski trip. Take care
I Resten First one mesch Shirt. It works. Now i have 6 for differnt uses😊
My granddad was wearing this. Looked odd but made sense. He was a WW2 veteran and had to walk through Norway (Narvik). I now have some Brynje products and they are worth the money. And as it's a base layer, it's not so weird....
Great story and historical proof. Good to hear Brynje is working for you. We've been enjoying mesh for several months now during winter hikes. It's been a bit of a game changer for us...keeps us warm and dries so fast
@@WillowWalksTheAT Indeed. I also like it a lot. It's nothing new in (Northern) Europe, just a bit forgotten and it looks a bit like in the red light district...
Edmond Hillary used it climbing Mount Everest.
Definitely rethinking my system…
Me too! Experimenting with the 2nd layer...I kind of like the Senchi as a 2nd layer, but could see the benefits of a Merino 2nd layer too...or maybe a Jolly Gear sun hoodie. Dunno yet. Might depend on weather/conditions. Probably over thinking it but mesh's fast dry and warmth has thrown a (good) wrench in our layering system
I've heard that mesh base layers also work for hot weather as well. What's your take on that?
Great point that I've been thinking about too! I've heard mesh does help cool you in hot temps, but can not say I've tried it yet. Just started using Brynje mesh this winter. I am thinking a short sleave synthetic mesh shirt under a looser sun hoodie would be cooler than the sun hoodie alone since the mesh would keep a wetted-out sun hoodie from sticking to the skin. If there is that mesh "air gap", I'd think it would all ventilate better and you'd stay cooler over all. I'm thinking this Jolly Gear Sun Hoodie on top of this Brynje Mesh T-Shirt:
jollygear.com/products/triple-crown-button-down-long-sleeve-evergreen
www.brynjeusa.com/product/super-thermo-t-shirt/
Doesnt it feel horrible against the skin? Have to try it my self.
Feels fine for me. Tried both Brynje's wool and synthetic versions and fabric not itchy
NICE videos
Hi. I like this system but worried about nipple irritation. Do you find thst an issue?
Hello. Have not had a problem with that...both the synthetic and wool versions are pretty soft. Hope this helps!
@@WillowWalksTheAT good to know! I'm kind of interested in using this during summer as a base layer. I've also looked at similar items made for cyclists, but they are much thinner
@northernswedenstories1028 I'm experimenting with the same idea. Here is another option from Japanese company Finetrack...similar concept I think but not exactly the same. They seem to be getting more reviews on YT lately but I have yet to try one in the summer. I do tend to heavily respect Scandinavian-developed gear (Brynje and Aclima) as those artic conditions are pretty unforgiving. www.finetrackglobal.com/en_US/layering-system/layering-l1.html
Good luck!
@@WillowWalksTheAT those look pretty similar to what I've been looking at for cyclists. Cycling clothes can be crazy expensive though. It is quite trendy within cycling groups now to have mesh type clothing. If you look on Decathlon you can actually find a cycling vest base layer that is basically the same thing for like 1/5 the price. To be fair, here in Sweden Brynje is not so expensive. It maybe costs 450kr for the regular synthetic version. Maybe 40 dollars or so. Still more than double as expensive as a cheap Decathlon vest, but I guess higher quality and useful for every season rather than only summer. I think some items "just make sense" and these are the items we should invest in, not clothing claiming to be the best thing since sliced bread (polartec alpha?). I mention alpha as obviously the hiking world is crazy about it lately. But basically no manufacturers use it outside of small independent operations. I wonder if this has something to do with environmental concerns? Polartec alpha is known to shed fibers like crazy, blocking washing machine filters etc. all that is getting in our water supplies, and out into nature. Personally, that is a step too far. In my opinion a classic thin fleece or fleece vest is still the best and most simple mid layer. There is not a huge weight difference, but breathability is worse. This is why I choose a fleece vest for better ventilation. My arms don't need insulation when moving, and a midlayer is an active layer. So a vest makes sense (more breathability). Keep it simple!
@@northernswedenstories1028 I've yet to try it out, but Polartec alpha (direct) seems to be based on a very similar principle to this though, and hence seems like an equally elegant piece of gear to me that "just makes sense". Basically a very holey, almost mesh like fleece that can provide either warmth or breathability depending on how you combine it.
I think the reason that few manufacturers used it so far is its low durability when used incorrectly, since it should ideally always be sandwiched between two layers. It's too much reputational risk from negative feedback by people who don't understand its limitations and how it's supposed to be used.
Afaik the shedding issue can easily be overcome by washing it in a bag, which some of the current manufacturers already provide. Either way, while I understanding wanting to preserve the natural environment, this is the type of obsession about your tiny drop in the metaphorical ocean that is humanity's impact that just always seemed irrationally excessive to me.
The discount code has expired already.
Thanks for flagging this. I just reached out to Brynje to see if they would renew the code for everyone. I'll let you know when (or if) it is back up and running
Brynje said the code is still active..."AT24". Let me know if not working for you!
I just tried it "AT24" Comes up in red letters as "invalid voucher" then this coupon has expired. Maybe it doesn't work cos i'm in the UK ? I took a photo of it, but don't know how to send it to you. @@WillowWalksTheAT
I'm guessing it does not work since you are in the UK and Brynje USA created the code. Might be less expensive to order from the EU-based Brynje site?
The Army used to issue this to cold weather troops, or operations in cold weather, in the mid 80s. I went through mountain warfare school in the 90s, in VT, in Feb, and this was standard issue, as well as the older wool longjohns. These were much preferred.
Then, there was the "synthetic" boom, and EVERYTHING went polypro. Which, in hindsight, far less efficient, and stinks after 2 days. Glad to see these are making a comeback!!!
That is interesting...and something others have echoed. Like you elluded to, I think the industry has successfully pushed closed knit synthetics and we have mostly forgotten about mesh...except in places will the weather will get you quick. Thanks for the comment!
@@WillowWalksTheAT I feel similarly about Goretex. The magic outdoor material that breathes. But, if it breathes, well, you wouldnt need to vent it....I have gone back to using good old waterproof clothing. That stuff also vents, but its not a $400 jacket either lol.
Synthetic doesn't have to be less efficient. I want to say upfront: Whenever I can I prefer products that are less reliant on and laden with industrial chemicals. So natural fibres, uncoated pans and all that. No Teflon, Goretex or similar. And I do my best to keep plastic low. I have a 1.5L water bottle made of steel, instead of some plastic, for example. And I will buy the Brynje products made (mostly) out of wool.
That said: Synthetic can be much more efficient. If you make it a hollow fiber you have even more air trapped. Just look at Brynjes super thermo line or whatever it's called. It's all synthetic, and has the biggest temperature range of their mesh lines. They have graphs for those ranges on the website.
"Det finns inget dåligt väder bara dåliga kläder" is actually a Swedish proverb not Norweigan ;)
(XOXO)
Brynjor/mesh is really good.
It's very common in Norway too.