Travel in comfort with merino wool!
LCCs (Low Cost Carriers) are now widely used by people other than backpackers, whose motto is "budget". Although it may seem like a cheap or bad idea, the number of airlines that have entered the market is increasing, and the improvement in service has been remarkable. Be careful, though, only about weight restrictions. Most of them impose a limit of 7 to 10 kg for carry-on as well. This is where merino wool products for ultralight (UL) hikers come in handy to maximize luggage lightness. For example, you can enjoy a 7-day trip with less luggage by using merino wool items.
In addition to LCC measures, there are other advantages to lighter luggage. For example, walking around with large luggage on a trip will reduce your energy no matter what you do. Preserving your energy is also a key to enjoying your itinerary. In addition, when unexpected events occur, you will be able to move quickly if you are able to stay light.
This may be a bit contrived, but I've been in guesthouses, for example, where people say to me, "What? You are traveling abroad with this amount of luggage? I can't deny the pleasure of being surprised.
When traveling, we want to avoid wearing dirty and sweaty clothes if possible, but we cannot carry many changes of clothes with us. How does merino wool solve such a problem? This time, based on Icebreaker's "BODYFIT 150 UNDERWEAR," which is popular for its wide range of products, we will introduce its charm in the story of a backpacker who moved from warm Southeast Asia to Japan and spent one week in Japan.
DAY 1-3
layering systemAs for layering, the allows the wearer to layer the ACTIVE BASE LAYER around the BODYFIT 150 UNDERWEAR, depending on the season, weather, temperature, and field. Stay in one layer when it is hot and layer as it gets colder. A layer of air (dead air) is created between each layered merino wool layer, increasing warmth and stabilizing the temperature inside the garment, making it suitable for a wide range of temperature changes.
DAY 1
outer layer～From Narita Airport to Ueno Station
For backpackers coming from a warm place to a cold place, the question of what kind of clothing to prepare for the difference in temperature is always a headache. Carrying bulky outerwear such as down jackets can add to your luggage, and depending on where you are, they may be useless and even cause you to be overweight for LCCs. ......
Icebreaker items are layered to create a layer of air between each layer to keep you warm. Each layered item is bound to each other, like a single lightweight garment. Used on cold days, the outer layer can be used as protection from the outside while the outermost layer maintains a comfortable environment inside the garment.
DAY 2
Mid Layer ~Meals
〈Ice Breaker〉Long sleeve "M SPHERE LS CREWE" (IT11900) ¥8,800
It is extremely cold outside, and the café where you go to eat is heated to a warming temperature. In such a case, you can easily adjust your body temperature by wearing a layering that is easy to put on and take off.
Mid-layers provide protection in mild conditions and function as an inner layer for shells and other warmth in harsh conditions. In a store like this one, it is the former; it can be worn over a T-shirt or other garment to make it easier to stay indoors.
DAY 3
Base layer - winter train
〈Ice Breaker〉T-Tシャツ「M MOTION SEAMLESS SS CREWE」（IT022051）¥11,000,
The North Face] Cap ¥5,500, Backpack ¥15,000
During the cold season, it is important to be careful to adjust the temperature while traveling. Especially in public transportation such as trains, which are heated and crowded, it is hot enough to make you sweat!
With merino wool, the heat absorbed when absorbing moisture from the skin surface and body heat are stored in the air pockets created by the ultra-fine fibers. Even if it is too hot to wear a single base layer, it prevents sweating and allows for gentle body temperature regulation.
It also has properties that make it difficult for bacteria, the source of unpleasant odors, to adhere to it, making it hard to smell even when sweating. It can be worn for many days without selection, thus reducing the amount of clothes to be changed. This is the greatest point to reduce the amount of luggage.
DAY 4
Maintenance - Laundry
Sweat from traveling, spills, and unwitting stains. No matter how many times you wash your merino wool products, after four days of use, it's time to clean them. Wool products may seem to take a lot of care when washed, but merino wool items do not need to be washed by hand. After washing in a washing machine with a common detergent, hang to dry or hang over the back of a chair to dry naturally. Do not use fabric softener. Do not use a dryer as it may cause shrinkage.
T-shirts and underwear can be dried in the room overnight. Even if you wash the clothes you were wearing earlier, you can wear them the next day. This will greatly reduce the amount of clothes you need to change.
DAY 5
Underwear comfort~Hotel room~.
When you get back to your hotel, you may want to change your clothes ....... We understand this feeling, but if you prepare a change of clothes only for bedtime, you will naturally have more luggage.
Icebreaker" pursues comfort with a beautiful silhouette based on human body engineering through research into unique yarn twisting and fabric knitting methods. It does not have the stinginess characteristic of wool, and its high water repellency keeps you dry and comfortable, even when sweating.
Even if you go to bed in a T-shirt and underwear, you are guaranteed a good night's sleep.
DAY 6
Moisture absorption & temperature control, UV protection～Bicycle Tourism
〈Ice Breaker〉Hoodie「M 150ST HOODIE」（IT02000） ¥18,000
It was a beautiful day to explore by bicycle. In fact, you should be very careful about ultraviolet rays in winter. Merino wool, which has been introduced as an attractive material in the past, has UV protection as well. Merino wool has a high UV shielding rate from the raw wool stage, and Icebreaker boasts a UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) of 15 or higher for the lightest weight, and UPF 50 or higher for the mid-weight colors.
When you go out on your bicycle at this time of year, you may be overdressed, resulting in sweating and getting cold at traffic lights. Merino wool, however, has excellent moisture absorption and humidity control, making it an ideal temperature regulator. Merino wool has a natural air conditioning function.
DAY 7
UL luggage - getting ready for the return trip
Today is the day I leave Japan. Let's take a look at the luggage we used during the past week. Even in Tokyo in winter, you can travel comfortably with this amount of luggage. In other words, if you are in a warmer place, you will need less, and if you continue your trip from there, you won't need a large trunk. Make the most of your merino wool and enjoy a light and comfortable trip.
