Thermal Base Layer

L

Locust

Joined
Sep 30, 2008
Messages
539
I am in need of a warm synthetic base layer. I have an Underarmor coldgear shirt. It's fine when moving around but if your blood isn't pumping the material feels clammy and there is a perpetual chill with or without sweat. I know waffle shirts are supposed to be warm but it needs to be synthetic. At the same time I want it to feel warm or temperature neutral (think dry cotton) on my skin.
So far I have found these
http://www.polarmax.com/products/details/2B11A/
http://www.rei.com/product/795037
Does anyone have any experience with these products?
I know T.A.D Gear makes one but I am trying to keep the price point lower.
 
I'm looking forward to trying some merino wool and Capilene 3, but so far my favorite stuff is Powerstretch fleece. Smooth on the outside for good layering, and fuzzy on the inside so it feels wonderful on your skin. Eddie Bauer tops from end of season clearance sales, and Kenyon bottoms from Sierra Trading Post kept the cost low on my stuff-less than $20 per piece. Prices for name brands at retail is 4-5 times that. Has to be pretty cold for me to use it when active, or be used with minimal outer layers.
 
I've always been happy with Polartec® long underwear. I bought my last batch from Cabelas and its served well for the last two seasons.
 
I run year round.
In winter I use a base layer by Craft.
It really keeps the sweat away!
After a few hours of running,one tends to slow down.
Once I slow down to walk for a bit,the wet base layer
would make me freeze!
This Craft shirt doesnt do that at all.
I have the "Zero" shirt which they recommend for temps
from 30-60 degrees,but I wont wear it till
its like 30 or lower.
http://www.craft-usa.com/cra_shop_base.php

I have long and short sleeve versions.
Very tight on your body which alows them to wick properly.
Good stuff. :thumbup:
 
If you guys haven't tried merino wool, you don't know what your missing. It's expensive, and seems delicate, but it has the best thermo regulation. Synthetics, like Patagonia, is great. Yet, I have found that all synthetics stink after sweating. The wool does not stink, it's naturally fighting bacteria. It will keep you warmer when wet, and cooler when exerting yourself.
It's soft as butter when new, and if you hand wash on delicate they will stay that way. Woolite!
 
Merino wool is the best. Synthetics stink and get stiff when when you sweat but, merino wool stay soft, supple, and warm. It also doesn't overheat me when the tempertures pick up.
 
+1 on the pure wool option.

as well as keeping you warm, it's also FIREPROOF! unlike synthetics which can become a Napalm Suit.
 
You cannot beat Sub Zero's range of thermal underwear. They produce both synthetic and Merino wool so everyone on this thread should be happy! The other plus side is that they are made in the UK so you also help the economy. Look at www.subzerostore.co.uk
 
sambo. said:
+1 on the pure wool option.

as well as keeping you warm, it's also FIREPROOF! unlike synthetics which can become a Napalm Suit.
Click to expand...

Wool is not "fireproof", wool simply burns to a char and doesn't melt as most popular synthetics do.

Merino wool is nice - I had various German and Swiss base layers made from the stuff. Note "had", as I have learned that there are a plethora of insects that like to munch on wool.

For "silk weight" base layers, I have used the Patagonia stuff and am happy with it. Remember to wash and dry at the coolest temperatures practical - most synthetics don't like high heat.

For heavier weight base layers, I just bought what was on sale and had the "latest and greatest" in whatever price range I was using. I haven't had much luck with heavier weight base layers, as it seems that I always end up being too hot when active and fine when stationary or fine when active but cold when stationary.
 
fugawee said:
I run year round.
In winter I use a base layer by Craft.
It really keeps the sweat away!
After a few hours of running,one tends to slow down.
Once I slow down to walk for a bit,the wet base layer
would make me freeze!
This Craft shirt doesnt do that at all.
I have the "Zero" shirt which they recommend for temps
from 30-60 degrees,but I wont wear it till
its like 30 or lower.
http://www.craft-usa.com/cra_shop_base.php

I have long and short sleeve versions.
Very tight on your body which alows them to wick properly.
Good stuff. :thumbup:
Click to expand...


I'll have to look into the Craft stuff.
Like you, I freeze after I slow down and stop sweating. Not just a little chill but a major issue.
So far, smart wool, capilene or Duo-fold work the best for me. The duo-fold has a blend of cotton on the skin side and wool and polyester on the outside but it stays warm even if perspiring in bitter cold.
 
Thanks for the advice. The wool sounds like a good idea but it's outside of my price range. I want to stay under 40 shipped. Also I'm not looking for anything super warm. Just something a bit warmer than a standard long sleeve cotton t-shirt.
 
the game in the winter is to minimize sweat, in the summer sweat is great as it reduces heat- in the winter it's stay dry, stay alive

you want your base layers thin and close fitting

lightweight merino is great (but as mentioned pricey)- you want to look for 150-195 weight

for syn, Capilene 1 (not 2,3,4) has been the best I've found (3,4 make great mid layers)

folks simply tend to wear too much clothing traveling in the winter- you want adequate clothing w/ you, but not necessarily on you- if your sweating profusely strip a layer off, better yet don't even get to that stage

for winter a thin base layer (merino/cap 1) while moving is sometimes all you need, if I need more I add a thin windshirt- that's usually sufficient for all but the most cold conditions (talking moving), I carry a mid-layer- favorite being R-1 (power-dry)- it provides a decent amount of insulation, but more importantly breathes very well- this can be layered over top of the base layer (and under the windshirt if conditions warrant)- when I stop I'm quick to get out an insulating layer (down or syn) to throw over the top of everything

now if your ice fishing or waterfowl hunting (ie not moving) then wear all you got :D

should be some good sales tomorrow and Monday- definitely pays to shop around
 
foxx said:
If you guys haven't tried merino wool, you don't know what your missing. It's expensive, and seems delicate, but it has the best thermo regulation. Synthetics, like Patagonia, is great. Yet, I have found that all synthetics stink after sweating. The wool does not stink, it's naturally fighting bacteria. It will keep you warmer when wet, and cooler when exerting yourself.
It's soft as butter when new, and if you hand wash on delicate they will stay that way. Woolite!
Click to expand...

:thumbup: :thumbup:I use smartwool: tops, long underwear, socks, hat....Each comes in many different weights and styles. I'm wearing 3 smartwool products at the moment. I save $$$$ on my heating bill--don't feel the cold.

Smartwool lasts years. Is easy to clean: machine, hand wash. Hard to ruin. I wear these products 365 days a year. Don't even own regular socks. Regular socks are pitiful after you try merino wool.

And I agree synthetics do stink and don't work as well to boot.
 
If I can thread-jack for a moment... I've been using the same Trek branded Nike baselayer/jersey for a couple years now for mountain biking in the winter and its GREAT, but I'd really love to go wool. Was going to get the smartwool midweight zip but when I tried it on the arms are not sized for biking. They need to be a bit longer as the cuffs tend to not reach the glove line when your down in the saddle. In fact, the nike layer has the extra long sleeves WITH thumb holes which work fantastic.

Can anybody recommend other wool bases like the Nike synthetic one?
 
Buck268 said:
If I can thread-jack for a moment... I've been using the same Trek branded Nike baselayer/jersey for a couple years now for mountain biking in the winter and its GREAT, but I'd really love to go wool. Was going to get the smartwool midweight zip but when I tried it on the arms are not sized for biking. They need to be a bit longer as the cuffs tend to not reach the glove line when your down in the saddle. In fact, the nike layer has the extra long sleeves WITH thumb holes which work fantastic.

Can anybody recommend other wool bases like the Nike synthetic one?
Click to expand...


Check out Icebreaker
 
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