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Discovering Capilene...

OwenM

OwenM

Joined
Oct 26, 2000
Messages
6,104
EDIT: Updated content starts at post #12.

For the last ten years or so, I have been using military issue "long johns" as my bottom layer for cold-weather. This year I decided to go high tech, and bought a top/bottom set of midweight undies in Capilene by Patagonia. I hadn't read up on them, and really didn't know what to expect...more of an impulse buy than anything else.
A few weeks ago, I had planned a short hiking/camping trip. The weather was warm (highs in the mid-70s), but storms were moving in, it was going to rain the whole time I was out, and I expected it to cool off, so I packed for a summer outing and threw in the new Capilene stuff. It did rain the whole time, but it didn't cool off. The morning I headed in, I was camped about 3 1/2 miles from the trailhead, so I didn't have far to go, but all my clothes were soaked, and the shirts all stuck in a stuff sack. The only thing left was the Capilene top. 3 1/2 miles almost all uphill, and at a fast pace, was plenty to get a good sweat going, but I wasn't uncomfortably hot. When I ditched the pack at my truck, my back was pretty well soaked (the rest of my upper body was dry). After a quick trip into the bushes:o, digging my keys and wallet out, and throwing the pack in the truck, I got in the driver's seat, and, what's this?? My back was already dry.

This morning I put in about six miles (no pack) on a local trail. Temp was around 45, and I was wearing sweatpants, and the same top along with a thin windbreaker (it was misting rain when I started). I never got cold, never got hot, and was never conscious of breaking a sweat. Wasn't running, but maintained a good pace-6 miles in about an hour and twenty-thirty minutes. When I pulled of the windbreaker, the entire inside of it was beaded with moisture, but I was dry as a bone.

That's not alot of actual use (haven't even put the bottoms on yet), but I'm really happy with this stuff so far. I think I paid $65-70 for the set. It could probably be had cheaper online, since I bought it from a retail store.
Well worth a look, and I was curious if anyone else was using it, and what their opinion was after more extensive use, since I have no idea how it will hold up over time.

I don't know much about "Capilene" other than what came on the included booklet (here's a scan):
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1483342&a=12403933&p=57277876&Sequence=0&res=high
 
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I've had about the same experience with Capilene, also from
Patagonia. I'd suggest trying Campmor.com, as they have great
prices when you catch something on sale.
I never thought much about the synthetic fabrics until a girlfriend turned me on to them. They've performed well and held up great. Wish I could say the same for the girlfriend.
 
If there ever was a true miracle fabric, capilene is it. I use the silkweight more than anything and it is amazing in a very wide temp range. If it gets real cold I put midweight over that and stay dry. The silkweight will keep you almost dry in a very light drizzle. The silkweight is also a bit more wind resistant. I don't often see it on sale though. Mine has lasted for many years.
 
Capilene does work very well, but Polyproplene underwear works nearly as well if your on a budget. When I was running a lot I used both a lot and they work far better than any cotton garment could ever dream. Lots and lots of Long Johns are cotton. Deadly, forget them. Any percentage of cotton in the fabric will make it retain water. Another miracle for outer garments is wool. Very warm for its weight and even warm when damp or wet. Wool is some great stuff. Dries quick as well. Not a next to the skin layer though unless you want to spend all your time itching.
 
I'm going to have to look into this stuff. I just place my first order with Campmor, and I got their latest catalog. I'll see if there are any sale items in the Patagonia Capilene.
 
Whats the difference between capilene and polar fleece?
When deer hunting, I wear thermax LJ's, fleece 'sweatsuit' covered with my 'don'tshootme' bibs & jacket. Toasty :)
I was amazed, after a long uphill, that my rifle was wet where it was slung under my arm. The moisture just wicked to the outside, I never felt sweaty. Cool stuff.
 
Speaking of wool...Smartwool socks are just about the best investment you can make for happy feet. I wore Smartwools all summer on a wildfire crew (on my feet for upwards of 16 hours at a whack, often over 24, up to two days a few times), and never had a foot infection, and only one small blister, and my feet were often hot (Arizona sun), soaking wet (Colorado river), and abused badly (hiking in hot sand and over rocks for hours). All my Smartwools have nasty stains from the dye on my boots when they got wet, but aside from that they've held up great. They're kind of pricy, but sometimes Sierra Trading Post has decent deals.
 
Like a Gore Tex shell,
Polypropylene under layers is something I'll never be without. Whether its Patagonia's Capilene (got some) or just Brand X Polypro (got some of that too)Its amazing stuff in that the fibers don't absorb moisture and it wicks thru to your outer layers...pretty fast.
No matter what brand it is, its all polypro or polyester based material. The midweight works well for me as its got enough thickness to provide a smidgin of insulation but dries quicker than x-weight stuff.(Polypro does not have the thermal value of wool by weight) You can also work harder in it without working up a sweat which is what you really want to avoid in extreme cold activities. (But try as I might I always do...)

I've got one set, assuming I haven't lost the top, that I've had since my days at Appalachian State. Wash in cold water and don't put it in the dryer--even if the lable says you can, and it seems to keep going and going.

For the fleece, there's several weaves on the market. The double faced ( the backing is in the middle and it looks like shag carpet on both side) stuff like Patagonia's Synchilla is warm and doesn't pill like the older single faced material (Its shag on one side and more like felt on the other)...but yes its a bit spendy. They've also rediscovered the early 80s vintage type "pile" that was the grandfather of the "fleeces" of today. It resembles the double faced material only on steroids. My wife went to Target a few weeks ago and found an olive colored fleece (single faced ) jacket. I wore it on four Bow hunts (all during snowfall) late season and it kicked a#$. Check them out! You can't beat those prices and it don't matter who's names on the lable, its all good.

I've tried for twenty years to make this kind of stuff not work, I love my wool and resented the synthetics but the truth is, it does.

...Gotta back off of the coffee...
 
I use midweight Capilene for backpacking and snowboarding. I does exaxtly what I need; it keeps me warmer under any other layers and wicks the sweat. I remember reading that Capilene is chemically treated to enhance the wicking action. Whether that's true or not, I haven't really been motivated to do.

I wear Smartwool hiking socks every day. They're awesome for warmth, comfort, and durability. My feet never itch even though normally I never wear wool except for suits. I wear the hiking or light hiking with my everyday boots and the expedition trekking as my backpacking sock. With the Smartwools, I don't even need a liner sock when I backpack. I usually buy mine at REI when they go on sale. My snowboarding smartwools are from sierra trading post (.com).

Both Capilene and Smartwool aren't the cheapest, but they're like Gore-Tex; they really function as they're supposed to.

gm
 
The current issue of Couloir magazine has a detailed section on modern 'outdoor' clothing and materials (capilene included). The mag is not available everywhere, but is worth looking for if your interests run in the backcountry skiing, climbing, gearhead direction, or if you're interested in the most current outdoor gear. Their reviews are generally merciless.

db
 
Capilene and polypro are great for quick athletic endeavors: running, biking, etc. But I hate wearing that stuff for more than an hour or two at a time. If I'm out hiking in cold weather, I'm wearing wool underclothing (usually a wool/artificial fiber mix). On the other hand, as a mid layer, nothing beats pile.
 
Yes, this thread is eight years old:yawn:
It's taken that long for me to shop for newer and better outdoor clothing, but now I've gone and discovered more than Capilene.

Traditional outdoor clothing, which to me means "work clothes", have always been my thing for camping and hiking. Like Carharrt carpenter pants even bibs, and jackets. It's meant dealing with extra weight and bulk, but also that I could get a lot more use out of the clothes.
I've still been using the underwear mentioned in my initial post way back when. That one set of Capilene, a TNF 100% polyester bottom, and the old Army issue ECWCS polypropylene from 19 years ago(it lasts, that's for sure) that have pilled up, but are still enough for the "cold" weather here. The crotch is worn out of the Capilene bottoms, but they're still serviceable, and the top would be like new if I hadn't worn it to work five years ago, and got a couple of tiny spots melted from molten rock splatter landing the front.
Maybe I should have expanded my horizons sooner.

I never really considered buying a bunch of "technical" clothing, though, because it just seemed...pretentious. Besides, my outdoor adventures in recent years have been too sporadic and short to justify high dollar clothes that I normally refer to as "yuppie mall wear".
The Capilene was as high tech as I was willing to go.

Looking for waterproof socks to wear under soaked work boots that don't have time to dry out led me to trying a polypro liner sock, and some wetsocks. Bought a pair of liners, and after wearing them under regular socks a couple of times, ordered five more pairs, so I can wear them to work every night.

Buying a little sit-on-top kayak, really enjoying paddling, and wanting to keep it up year round has had me shopping for specialty gear, too. My first time out with those wetsocks under my sandals, I was shocked by how good my feet felt, and bought another pair to keep in my bag for emergencies or whatever.
I still have to buy a full wetsuit, or separates.

Anyway, the dealers and websites that carry this stuff I've been shopping for inevitably carry lots of clothing from brands like TNF, Mountain Hardwear, etc.
I usually avoid even looking, but when I went to buy a fleece jacket for my godson, wound up trying on softshells, and left with a Marmot Gravity jacket.
I've already discovered that it's not that warm unless you're active, being designed for strenuous activity I suppose, but this thing is outrageously comfortable. Soft to the touch on the fleecy inside, stretchy outside that beads water...it had me looking at Marmot's website, reading reviews, and today a pair of their softshell Scree pants arrived from Sierra Trading where they were on clearance for $55.
It's sweatshirt weather, with current temps in the mid-40s, and I've already made an excuse to go for a walk, and drive to the store with the windows down.
Pure bliss from neck to ankle in my mall assault gear with a t-shirt and boxer briefs underneath. I can't even describe how good wearing this stuff feels, and these are some of the least expensive models.
I know I'm way behind on modern clothing, and normally wouldn't care, but I look back at all the extra weight I've packed, and the discomfort that was part of the fun when I was younger(but is much less so now), and think I've been missing out on some great gear.
Three sets of midweight polypros that are much less bulky than my old Army ones are on the way. A shell to go over the Marmot jacket is next, and should be more than enough for any conditions I'm likely to encounter here in Alabama.

How technical are you?
 
Well, if you are going to resurrect an 8 year old thread, at least its your own:).
 
I've used Capilene/polypro (Coolmax, Thermax, etc.) and like it. Also used merino wool tops and bottoms with excellent results. Much of it procured from Sierra Trading Post!

I've never tried those Marmot garments but appreciate the report. Their rainshells, down jackets, and Helium bag have performed well for me.

Thanks!

DancesWithKnives
 
ive got polyester longjohns and a merino wool baselayer...over that i wear a polyester shirt with plenty of pockets, over that a cheap mtn hrdware polartec fleece jacket then if need be over that a M65 field jacket....im exhausted just typing all that....if hiking fast just the baselayer and poly shirt are needed....one note: wool owns!
 
OwenM said:
Yes, this thread is eight years old:yawn:
It's taken that long for me to shop for newer and better outdoor clothing, but now I've gone and discovered more than Capilene.

Traditional outdoor clothing, which to me means "work clothes", have always been my thing for camping and hiking. Like Carharrt carpenter pants even bibs, and jackets. It's meant dealing with extra weight and bulk, but also that I could get a lot more use out of the clothes.
I've still been using the underwear mentioned in my initial post way back when. That one set of Capilene, a TNF 100% polyester bottom, and the old Army issue ECWCS polypropylene from 19 years ago(it lasts, that's for sure) that have pilled up, but are still enough for the "cold" weather here. The crotch is worn out of the Capilene bottoms, but they're still serviceable, and the top would be like new if I hadn't worn it to work five years ago, and got a couple of tiny spots melted from molten rock splatter landing the front.
Maybe I should have expanded my horizons sooner.

I never really considered buying a bunch of "technical" clothing, though, because it just seemed...pretentious. Besides, my outdoor adventures in recent years have been too sporadic and short to justify high dollar clothes that I normally refer to as "yuppie mall wear".
The Capilene was as high tech as I was willing to go.

Looking for waterproof socks to wear under soaked work boots that don't have time to dry out led me to trying a polypro liner sock, and some wetsocks. Bought a pair of liners, and after wearing them under regular socks a couple of times, ordered five more pairs, so I can wear them to work every night.

Buying a little sit-on-top kayak, really enjoying paddling, and wanting to keep it up year round has had me shopping for specialty gear, too. My first time out with those wetsocks under my sandals, I was shocked by how good my feet felt, and bought another pair to keep in my bag for emergencies or whatever.
I still have to buy a full wetsuit, or separates.

Anyway, the dealers and websites that carry this stuff I've been shopping for inevitably carry lots of clothing from brands like TNF, Mountain Hardwear, etc.
I usually avoid even looking, but when I went to buy a fleece jacket for my godson, wound up trying on softshells, and left with a Marmot Gravity jacket.
I've already discovered that it's not that warm unless you're active, being designed for strenuous activity I suppose, but this thing is outrageously comfortable. Soft to the touch on the fleecy inside, stretchy outside that beads water...it had me looking at Marmot's website, reading reviews, and today a pair of their softshell Scree pants arrived from Sierra Trading where they were on clearance for $55.
It's sweatshirt weather, with current temps in the mid-40s, and I've already made an excuse to go for a walk, and drive to the store with the windows down.
Pure bliss from neck to ankle in my mall assault gear with a t-shirt and boxer briefs underneath. I can't even describe how good wearing this stuff feels, and these are some of the least expensive models.
I know I'm way behind on modern clothing, and normally wouldn't care, but I look back at all the extra weight I've packed, and the discomfort that was part of the fun when I was younger(but is much less so now), and think I've been missing out on some great gear.
Three sets of midweight polypros that are much less bulky than my old Army ones are on the way. A shell to go over the Marmot jacket is next, and should be more than enough for any conditions I'm likely to encounter here in Alabama.

How technical are you?
Click to expand...

Molten rock splatter? What do you do for a living?

Sparks from a oxy-acetylene torch, or from welding, I can see. Splatters of wet concrete, sure.

What job has you working with molten rock?
 
Burke said:
Speaking of wool...Smartwool socks are just about the best investment you can make for happy feet.
Click to expand...

Yep. The PHD socks are the absolute best socks I've ever seen. They are well worth the $15-18/pair. I've been slowly replacing my Thorlo collection with the PHD socks.
 
I just picked up polyester tops and bottoms at cabelas for eight dollars each on clearance.
 
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