Merino wool alternatives to LeoLines/TomboyX?
Merino wool alternatives to LeoLines/TomboyX?
Hi all,
I’m going on a backpacking trip in a month, and the only tucking underwear I’ve ever heard of is LeoLines and TomboyX, but I might as well ask if there’s anything else. Bonus points if it uses a material like merino wool.
I use both brands for normal daily use, but Leolines is made from cotton and TomboyX is polyester, both of which are not great for temperature and odor control during outdoor trips.
Tucking the old-school way sounds super confusing, so I’d rather not resort to that.
I was requested to copy a comment I made from the crosspost of this, for anyone looking for resources.
Since it's been a couple of days with no first hand responses, I've got a second hand one.
There's a brand, en femme, that does a poly/lycra blend that is pretty much the default for a couple of people I know. The fabric is designed to wick and dry quickly. Thing is, the people I know that have undies by en femme are more gym/yoga oriented than hiking/outdoors, , so it may not be right for that, comfort wise.
I know the polyester part isn't what you asked for, but when the fabric is made right and blended it can actually work right. Some of my shirts back when I was lifting a lot used a poly/lycra blend, and it really does wick very well, which is key to staying both cool and not giving odor a chance to set up shop. But that may not apply to undies for hiking, so I'm not certain if it would fit your needs.
I'll give these a shot. Thank you very much!
hm, I would imagine tucking could be uncomfortable while hiking - is it possible to wear baggy shorts or pants that make it possible to not tuck?
Imo, if things fit right, tucking should be comfortable for most activities. Otoh, when things don't fit right, there's enough space for things to escape, which then makes them prone to unpleasant feelings. I have a pair of boyshorts that are supposed to be for tucking, but because they're too loose, they can cause problems and don't actually flatten well.
I tuck for comfort, not for looks.
hm, I don't see a way I could tuck comfortably for a hike. I get rashes on my skin if I even just wear my bra too long after a run, so this might be more a me problem. I can't wear closed-toed shoes longer than a few hours without risking a rash. Same with underwear, I have found it causes rashes on my lower back if I wear it all day, though women's underwear tends to be better for this - I don't think it would be when sweating and being active.
Another difference with me: I have had an orchi and my genitals were small to start with and don't really move around much. I don't love the remaining scrotum and sometimes it can give me a sickening dysphoria if it slaps against a thigh (🤢), but it's not as problematic as before.
So, I generally don't wear any underwear when I run or hike, etc.
I guess when it's cold enough I do wear leggings that have a mild tucking effect, but maybe not enough for girlies with larger bits.
Oh, I hike day trips all the time while tucking. I don't really notice anymore haha. I just don't want to smell bad on a three-day trip!
ooo, interesting - well, it sounds like you have much greater insights into this than me 😄. I wonder if using the same gaff or tucking underwear you use on day-trips would work, but either bringing more (to swap out each day), and/or bring a way to wash them and dry them overnight (maybe less ideal, but for longer trips that might make sense).
This issue probably generalizes well to underwear in general, this reddit thread mentions bringing an extra pair and then alternating, cleaning the old pair and letting it dry while wearing the clean pair, then swapping the next day. It sounds like as long as the tucking underwear is synthetic and not cotton it should be fine?
Anyway, look forward to hearing how it goes and what you learn!
Origami Customs.
can confirm I use a gaff from them to tuck and it works pretty well to hold things tight - though it doesn't eliminate all bumps or smooth out the area completely. I could imagine that working for hiking, though I suspect it would get pretty warm and sweaty and after days I'm not sure how the rubbing and movement would feel. Could work, though.
Origami Customs
Hi, do you know what the fiber content is? From checking their website they seem to have a lot to say about how their fabrics are sourced, but nothing as to what they are made of.
I checked my actual gaff and it doesn't even say what the material is (like on the tag, anywhere)!!
I'm not 100% sure, I think mesh? But it seems like the fabric from their tucking underwear varies from pair to pair. (From their FAQ: "When you place an order, the fabrics may not be the same as previous orders.")
They have some bras and underwear specifically designated as bamboo, which is just as good as merino, but it's seemingly only for their non-tucking underwear.
It would probably melt on the stovetop, but other than that idk. If it's not on their site you can email them. I can say it's very fine but sturdy mesh. It feels dry even when it may not be...
I rock climb as my job (route setter). I find full on tucking to be really rough for being active multiple days in a row (4 day 10hr shifts work week). As such I layer comfy underwear of choice (in your case something geared toward hiking), then “booty shorts” or whatever. Like spandex type things and then a pair of snug but not tight joggers from Prana. If I want to add leggings for warmth, I’ll put those on first and then still layer the shorts and pants as I find my gear and friction on my legs will try to slide the leggings down. If I want to do just leggings I can get away with putting the shorts under the leggings but for climbing and hiking it turns into a lot of adjusting.
I guess it’s worth noting that I am generally not a super sweaty person, like definitely well below the average. Especially coupled with my smell getting even less offensive on hrt, I’m sure I’m able to get away with a lot tucking wise and just smell in general.
I like Prana’s clothes, even though they can be a tad pricey, particularly their more technical pants. I don’t think they do underwear, and the only other spots I can think of aren’t really companies I love supporting anymore (Patagonia and REI). I’ve found Popflex leggings and shorts because they don’t have a front seam, which is a dream for tucking.