Layering...

On really cold days the warden and I just wear one piece snowmobile suits. No all day issue of getting dressed. Put boots on, step into suit, zip down the full leg length zippers, do the belly zipper, bingo. When coming in it's pull up leg zipper, drop belly zipper, drop the suit and step out of it. 10 seconds to get in or out.
 
Should I stay away from the poly-synthetics in white? I think I read somewhere a long time ago that they will stain in the underarms and such.
 
OwenM said:
Merino isn't nearly as durable as a quality synthetic. It will wear quicker, and develop holes over relatively short time. No drier, no fabric softener(which coats the fibers that you want to be able to pull moisture off your skin)-I follow those same rules with synthetics, too.
I love my merino stuff enough that I have four long bottoms, a couple of blended boxer briefs, a couple each of long and short sleeve t-shirts, not to mention dozens of pairs of merino socks, a pair of glove liners, and even a lightweight Smartwool beanie that I wear pulled down over my eyes at home since I sleep during the daytime. From what I've seen it tends to get overhyped online, though.

Merino pros(vs synthetic of similar weight):
-More comfortable next to skin.
-More comfortable when wet.
-Warmer when wet.
-Retains much less odor.

Synthetic pros(vs merino of similar weight):
-More durable.
-Less expensive.
-Doesn't absorb moisture/dries much faster.
-More breathable.

btw, I'm using the term "synthetic" generically, but referring to quality brand names and materials. There are synthetics that are cheap junk. There's some merino that is junk, too, IMO, it just never seems to be cheap!
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Owen - your post just tickles my funny bone!!! I don't think of AL as a typically *cold* weather locale..... but i know the humidity can make temps feel colder... Thanks for the giggles!
 
OwenM said:
Merino isn't nearly as durable as a quality synthetic. It will wear quicker, and develop holes over relatively short time. No drier, no fabric softener(which coats the fibers that you want to be able to pull moisture off your skin)-I follow those same rules with synthetics, too. I love my merino stuff enough that I have four long bottoms, a couple of blended boxer briefs, a couple each of long and short sleeve t-shirts, not to mention dozens of pairs of merino socks, a pair of glove liners, and even a lightweight Smartwool beanie that I wear pulled down over my eyes at home since I sleep during the daytime. From what I've seen it tends to get overhyped online, though. Merino pros(vs synthetic of similar weight): -More comfortable next to skin. -More comfortable when wet. -Warmer when wet. -Retains much less odor. Synthetic pros(vs merino of similar weight): -More durable. -Less expensive. -Doesn't absorb moisture/dries much faster. -More breathable. btw, I'm using the term "synthetic" generically, but referring to quality brand names and materials. There are synthetics that are cheap junk. There's some merino that is junk, too, IMO, it just never seems to be cheap!
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Interesting. I tend to not want to load up on heat on my base layer because it is the hardest to regulate. I prefer dryness as a route to warmth rather than just loading up on warmth, if that makes any sense. Do you find you use your wool stuff more for static stuff like in a boat?
 
I like the original Duo-Fold. 100% cotton inside / 65% cotton, 25% Merino wool, 10% nylon outside. Has worked for me since I was about 14, doesn't cost an arm and a leg and is very durable.
 
I work in flame resistant safety clothing. If you are going to be working in and around fire, stay away from the poly clothing. Poly doesn't burn, it melts, drips and fuses to skin. Wool is nice.
 
I picked up a "compression mock" by Head (yeah, the tennis guys) made with their dri-motion technology (90% polyester, 10% spandex) to "wick away moisture". This was on the WAY cheap, so I figured I'd give it a try as a base layer.

head_long_sleeve_compression_mock_charcoal.jpg
 
I wore this Head layer for the first time this chilly 30 degree evening. This layer, medium-weight fleece and a wool watch cap - I was impressed. I was comfortable. Kept the warmth in and kept me dry. All throughout I was thinking to myself: "ohh, this is like ladies' nylons... cuts the chill".
 
I saw a documentary on some guys climbing everest and they asked about their climb and their clothing, which was all high-end stuff. They then turned to the sherpa and asked him about his clothes and trips.

He said he had escorted over 50 trips and was wearing 16 hoodies. :)
 
Dirtknap said:
I saw a documentary on some guys climbing everest and they asked about their climb and their clothing, which was all high-end stuff. They then turned to the sherpa and asked him about his clothes and trips.

He said he had escorted over 50 trips and was wearing 16 hoodies. :)
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I googled for images of the sherp. I don't know... they seem to be wearing/using as good of equipment as the "tourists" they're taking up.
 
baldtaco-II said:
Interesting. I tend to not want to load up on heat on my base layer because it is the hardest to regulate. I prefer dryness as a route to warmth rather than just loading up on warmth, if that makes any sense. Do you find you use your wool stuff more for static stuff like in a boat?
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Around here I use it a lot for work, where I'm going home after 8 or 16 hours(and usually not working hard most of the time), and around camp, since it's rarely cold enough for me to hike in 200wt wool baselayers.
It's not a huge deal to me most of the time, but I know that I've tried some of my merino stuff in wet weather, and whether wet socks from just getting that way, or a wet shirt from being soaked in sweat, it didn't dry out overnight. I just try to suit the material to the conditions so that I get the best performance from it.
I especially like merino at work, because I'm out in all weather conditions year-round. Rain and cold weather both cause problems on my job, so I spend a lot more time out in it when the weather is bad than otherwise. There, I don't care if it dries, just that it keeps me warm while wet. Backpacking in colder weather, I prefer to be able to put something dry on when I start the day, though!
I'm not stuck on either one, but don't like the lack of objectivity I see in so many of these discussions. The last several sets of baselayers I bought were merino, but I picked up a pair of lightweight "Thermolite" bottoms from an Eddie Bauer outlet a couple of days ago, and will probably wear them to work tonight, since I'll be walking around in the low to mid 30s.
I came up with a little saying when participating in one of these threads before, and it goes something like this "Wool is better when wet, but I don't want to be wet because I'm wearing wool." if that makes sense.
 
not merino wool but I have been using the Paradox brand base layers from Costco for a couple years now and they are a quality cheap buy for half to a third of what you would pay for the same synthetics at any other store.

I have 2 thin merino tops and they are very nice as well......but pricey
 
Wool is great but there are synthetics on the market that are even better.

My favorite base layers are Eddie Bauer's First Ascent. There are lots of great synthetics but First Ascent's has the best fit than anything else I've tried. You get good coverage and they're not restrictive in their full range of motion. Cheaper brands will often ride up your stomach or arms. Their mid weight base layers are as light as other brands' lightweight layers.
Their base layers are worth their premium price but the best thing is they put them on sale at the end of the season. I picked up some mid weight tops for just $17 each in store.

Btw, there's nothing wrong with buying cheap synthetic base layers just to try out. I've got a few. However, when you put on a set that fits perfectly and keeps you dry and warm you'll wish you'd just bit the bullet and paid for the nice ones.
 
I picked up one of these from REI on clearance:

http://www.rei.com/product/827919/rei-lightweight-polartec-power-dry-long-sleeve-crew-mens

I wore it for one day. Within a few hours of wearing it, I had awful BO coming from my armpits and this was with just doing regular every-day-stuff not hiking or other athletics. I actually started smelling it with a few hours. I never smelled like that with cotton on. I wonder what's going on. Body getting used to the fabric? Fabric needs to be washed a couple times?
 
Did you wash it first? I've made the mistake of working out wearing a brand new synthetic shirt. Once.
 
OwenM said:
Did you wash it first? I've made the mistake of working out wearing a brand new synthetic shirt. Once.
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So, you're saying my GF was right? :D No, I didn't wash it. The chemicals reacting badly with my body, huh?
 
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I assume. I don't normally have much problem with body odor, but was looking around wondering what that horrendous smell was within minutes of breaking a good sweat in a new Terramar T. It was worse than Capilene on day 4, which is saying a lot. I have a theory that Patagonia's anti-microbial treatment does not actually fight odors, but stores them for 2-3 days, then releases them all at once. That's when you start praying for wind so you're not traveling in a cloud of your own funk...
 
fumbler said:
Wool is great but there are synthetics on the market that are even better.

My favorite base layers are Eddie Bauer's First Ascent. There are lots of great synthetics but First Ascent's has the best fit than anything else I've tried. You get good coverage and they're not restrictive in their full range of motion. Cheaper brands will often ride up your stomach or arms. Their mid weight base layers are as light as other brands' lightweight layers.
Their base layers are worth their premium price but the best thing is they put them on sale at the end of the season. I picked up some mid weight tops for just $17 each in store.

Btw, there's nothing wrong with buying cheap synthetic base layers just to try out. I've got a few. However, when you put on a set that fits perfectly and keeps you dry and warm you'll wish you'd just bit the bullet and paid for the nice ones.
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Totally agree on the First Ascent stuff. Super comfortable and warm. I mix it up, I wear the mid-weight lowers and the expedition weight top. I've got the crew neck and also the mock, zip-up top which is nice if you are getting too hot and want to dump some heat quickly.
 
Do you guys know who makes the First Ascent baselayers? Just curious. I hadn't looked at them until this past week, but Point 6 makes their merino wool socks(and Point 6 makes great socks-better quality than my Smartwools).
 
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