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Silk Base Layer?

S

sketchbag

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Joined
Oct 1, 2007
Messages
915
Silk breaths excellently, and is supposed to wick moisture very well too. Might not work out as well for the lower body, cause of the lack of insulation and I never wear a middle layer (just long johns and pants), but what do you think about the top? Silk or Merino wool, tis the question.
 
Lovin' the coarse silk sleeping bag liner and short sleeve shirt and boxers under wool.

SILK-natures ancient gore tex from the butts of worms:)

Mark
 
I'd take Merino wool over anything else but silk should work as long as you don't soak it with sweat !
 
Silk is 10 times better than even the best synthetic. I am looking for some nice silk glove liners. BMW has some for their baja bikes but they are way more money because of that BMW label. Other than as light top waterproof layer I much prefer natural materials.
They also wear much much better over time.
 
I ordered a merino wool balaclava from this place (www.ivarnasilk.com.au) for $10, it's rather thin, but the quality is good, the stitching is nice so I'm gonna go ahead and order some of their silk apparel to give a try.

100% silk glove liners for about $6, cant beat that!
 
Silk works! and doesn't stink like artificial fibres. But I tend to wear that out. Wool, superfine Merino, is great but warmer and it can itch.
 
silk is good but doesn't offer the warmth of wool. Check out the ullfrotte long underware. It is available in three weights and is specialy proccessed reducing the itch even more than other brands of merino wool garments. Wool you must remember warms even when wet, silk doesn't
 
I love nice wool but one issue is over heating which is one of the reason I want silk.

Either silk or good thin wool is better than poly.
 
Remember the first layer is not intended to be "insulation!" Insulation comes in the second or third layer. The first layer is only intended to be a moisture tranporter to remove moisture away from your body. Where people get into trouble is confusing this or trying to accomplish two things in one layer. It is called "Layering" for a reason!

Layer 1 - moisture transport only - use the best moisture remover for your situation - lighter weight is better to prevent overheating and generation of more moisture to be removed!

Layer 2 - warmth (which can be regulated - let more air in to cool off or to seal up to preserve heat from escaping)

Layer 3 - additional warmth and maybe a wind, or weather barrier in moderate climates

Layer 4 - is your final heavy duty weather barrier (if warrented) (rain, wind, snow, sun, etc)
 
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