When it comes to technical sailing clothing, the name Musto is a pretty good guarantee. Musto pioneered the three-layer system which enabled yachties to cast off those heavy, cumbersome, always damp Guernseys and smocks, and discover the delights of being warm and dry in lightweight, ergonomically designed and breathable kit.
The only problem with today's high-tech garments is that, being mainly constructed of manmade fibres, even though they wick away the wetness of perspiration most efficiently, they do tend to absorb its odour.
Musto claims to have overcome this drawback with its latest Silver Ion advanced fabric technology. The silver ion embedded in the yarn used in its latest range of thermals is supposed to provide long-lasting odour control, due to its antibacterial properties.
I put this to the test with a combination of early season sailing and late season skiing, and can confirm that the new style base layer keeps you warm in the great outdoors, even when the temperature is well below freezing, wicks potentially chilling sweat away most effectively, and doesn't cause your nearest and dearest to run and hide when you take your outer layers off when you get back into the warm.
Made from lightweight polypropylene yarn, the thermals have a cosy, brushed inner and pique outer surface. There are three styles of top - crew neck, turtle neck and zip neck - and co-ordinating trousers.
Thermals are never particularly glamorous, but these are quite stylish with contrasting underarm and side panels. They are available in three colourways, ink (navy) with silver (light grey) contrast, cinder (dark grey) with silver, or silver with cinder.
My set are ink/silver and I felt smart enough to strip down to the top on the terrace of a mountain restaurant during a sunny outdoor lunch in the Alps.
I was extremely impressed with the comfort of the garments, even during quite vigorous activity, whether winding winches or negotiating the slopes.
All the tops feature elasticated thumb loops, so the sleeves don't ride up when you pull on your fleece or jacket, and an extra long back to tuck deep into the matching trousers.
The trousers, made of the same high performance fabric, have a high elasticated waist to ensure a generous, draught excluding overlap.
My only complaint is that the crew neck is just a little tight when pulled over my head, and I fear I may have heard a stitch break, but this problem could be easily solved by choosing the zip neck next time.
And having seen how well these garments wash and wear, and stand up to the exertions of both sailing and skiing, I would be happy to get another set.
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Not the cheapest thermals around, at £29.95 for the top and £24.95 for the trousers, but with all the quality, technical features and attention to design detail that the name Musto leads you to expect, they represent good value. And the Silver Ion fabric technology really does mean you could get away with wearing them for longer than you might want to admit to the rest of the crew when you're at sea for a few days, with no access to a washing machine!
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For more information visit www.musto.co.uk
