Your Stories

My Silkspun is one of the most versatile garments I have ever used. I took the Silkspun through its paces on an alpine rock excursion. After perspiring heavily up to the base of the crag I noticed feeling a lot more comfortable than normal and had very little chilling effect down the back. Once climbing the Silkspun offered unlimited freedom and the mixture of silk and merino wool seemed to regulate my body temperature, which obviously made climbing even more enjoyable. The Silkspun dried very quickly and seemed to hold a lot less moisture than my previous base layers.

Dave Bolger, Queenstown, New Zealand

The top was fantastic. I wore it ten days straight through - with no washing in between and I was doing heaps of physical work and all the time I was comfortable and sweet smelling. It was by far the best material and fit of anything I have ever worn – I just loved it.

Laurence Fearnley
Tutor, Graduate Certificate of Antarctic Studies

I just want to say thanks for making such great products. I recently took one of your Cellular long sleeve tops with me on a cross-country ski tour across Vatnajokull icecap in Iceland. After 8 days of continuous wear and about 150 km of skiing, it still felt and smelt as fresh as it did at the start. I would normally take two or three thermal tops on a trip like that, but now I can save some weight and pack volume by only taking one. Keep up the good work!

Aaron Petersen, Australia

Since wearing your product I have been most impressed.  Its comfort factor, especially when worn as a first layer next to the skin is exceptional. It works well in cold conditions, but its performance in hot conditions is what impresses me most.  There is no rubbing and it is one of the few thermals that can be worn out to town for a coffee!

Ben Christie-Johnston
Senior Guide, World Expeditions, Australia

Myself and a couple of friends spent 25 days ski mountaineering on Mt Logan (5900m). Its a very cold and wild place so good clothing is vital. I wore Silkbody tops and bottoms for the 25 days and was impressed at their durability, warmth and comfort. When you don't change for 25 days things can get pretty rank - well the nice thing about Silkbody is that it didn't become 'toxic' as does synthetic underwear. The other great benefit of the silk blend is the comfort. No rashes or irritations even though I wore them for 25 days straight. So in summary - a great product which is just as nice wearing day-to-day as on an expedition.

Steve Colman, Australia

Equador might be on the season-less Equator, but factor in altitude and you have a place where every day is like summer and every night is like winter. This is a place where layering is definitely the way to dress, and my Silkbody shirts were the perfect base layer.

Alison Balance, wildlife film-maker

At last an undergarment that keeps you warm, is light, not a ridiculous colour but most of all feels 'nice' against your skin and not like you're being eaten by thousands of fleas. For years I have been called a pussy because I couldn't wear wool and most thermal against my skin – I'd freeze before inflicting the terrible itchy stuff next to my skin – but now Silkbody has cracked it. Its warm, lightweight but most of all comfortable.

Steve Dickinson,
Editor, Adventure Magazine New Zealand

I purchased two of the lightweight long sleeved crews and used them as my under layer for the entire winter. I found that they worked well as a skin layer. They transferred moisture efficiently to my mid layers and remained comfortable no matter how long my shift was. I found that they didn't smell bad after extended use.

One of my main reasons for seeking out natural clothing products for my  mountain activities is the amount of time I spend in aircraft,  especially helicopters. Crashing is an occupational hazard, particularly when flying in mountains. Once crashed, fuel fires are a real danger. Having natural non-flammable materials next to the skin significantly reduces the effect of burns.

Davie Robinson,
Snow Safety Office, Treble Cone Ski Resort, Wanaka, NZ

Here I was in Invercargill, screaming around the shops in short sleeve summer top on a  cold, drizzly day. I heard comments such as "Aren't you cold"? "Look at her bare arms!"

I was warm as toast because I was wearing my black sleeveless Silkbody top under a light weight summer shirt and my Silkbody black long johns under light weight trousers.

The problem with travelling from Stewart Island to the mainland is that you need to have enough clothes in your bag to cater for all conditions.  It can be 20 degrees C on the island and 7 degrees in Invercargill or the other way round. I never did have the right combination of clothes in almost 30 years of living on the island.

Now, I scrunch up my Silkbody thermals and throw them in my little carry bag or wear them.  Many times I have either taken off layers or put them on.

I have ordered many combinations for my son, daughter, husband and myself.  Next year I will be taking Silkbody to the UK and Europe.  They take up so little room in my luggage and their light weight allows me to buy goods to bring back home without incurring an extra freight charge.

Iris Tait,
Talisker Charters, Stewart Island, NZ

We loved all of it. The most notable feature is the warmth for weight which makes your clothing so comfortable. The gloves and hats are fantastic. They are also perfect as an underlayer since they fit under helmets and overgloves so well. The Silkspun layers were great. Onboard its always damp and cold and you tend to end up wearing the same thing for weeks! This was the greatest aspect of Silkbody on our excursion to Antartica by yacht.

Bruce Dowrick and Swenja Stellfeld, New Zealand

Quality of life for me, is being in the elements, Silkbody adds quality to my experience.

I picture in my mind what I want to do and then set out to do it, yesterday I ran 40km from my seaside town on the south coast of Sydney along the countryside and along the foothills of the mountain ranges. The best feeling is to look over everything and see what you've done and where you've covered just like you pictured. Even better is to cover such beautiful landscapes just you, a pair of runners, shorts and a light Silkbody singlet. Travelling light, you feel free and more a part of what's around you, I don't even need a card or a phone, if I were to get caught out I know I would keep dry and warm with Silkbody on my skin.

I like the sun on my skin, Silkbody keeps my core safe from biting breezes and cool when I'm sweating like crazy whether I'm racing in a duathlon event, or mountain biking. I don't often have to take a jacket out when I'm training because I stay comfortable with Silkbody close to my skin.

Simple natural and free, its all I need.

Myra Moller,
Jamis Pro Mountain Bike Team,
NZ World Championships Duathlon Team 2005