I know they claim they didn't change anything, but I don't understand why all my old Exofficio underwear are pretty much flawless, and all my new ones are piling. They did something different and there are multiple reports about it.
samsus@samsus - Good question. When I look into piling, I most often find it is a result of washing. And I've had this happen to me too. One year I was wearing a lot of Rab MeCo baselayers for testing, and they were all piling, but nobody else had this issue. Even Rab couldn't reproduce the problem when they tried. So I don't know why your ExOfficios, and those of a few others, are piling.
However, if you have newer and older pairs and the thickness is different, I do wonder why that is. Did the manufacturing process change, so even through the fabric content is the same, the weave is tighter? Does the fabric weave 'loosen up' over time? Did they change it years ago and don't remember? I do not have the answer to this, but I'll keep asking around.
DannyMilksAfter 6 washings all of my ExOfficios now have piling in the crotch area. I think its best to to suggest hand washing for these briefs or a very gentle wash then hang to dry.