thermal undies

D

DennisStrickland

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is merino wool as the underlayer the best , or there any synthetics as functional.? i've used poly for some years but maybe that's ols tech. thanks
dennis
 
Dennis, I went from basic to more expensive polypro's and used them for about 10 years. I bought a pair of merino wool top and bottoms last year. When I opened the package, that thin material (at $60 an item) did not impress me one bit. I thought this was the biggest ripoff there was.

But then I wore them. Boy, do I like merino wool undies. They keep you warm but you'd never know you were wearing them. Never seem to overheat in them. They don't stink up. I really like them. Not as easy to take care of. Mine require gentle wash, hang dry whereas the polypro can just be treated like jeans.

Still, this year I want to get a second pair of bottoms and I'll be forking out for the merino. Hard to go back now. They are really nice.
 
Is it the best Dennis? I don't know! Is it better than old style polypropylene- I think so.

Back in the day the polypro I had was kinda yucky -stiff_ish, (felt rough) not very stretchy, pilling, stinky. Is it the same still? I don't know!

Because I never wear waterproof pants I wanted something to dry fast, hopefully have wide comfort range temp wise. I chose expedition-like weight synthetic patagonia R1. So far I am pleased. Basically when outside for several days in a row I never take them off.

My shirts are wool, these I will take off or trade out and let them air, though it is probably not necessary. My legs usually wearing exterior pants/ upper body sometimes just long sleeve and shortsleeve wool t-shits- I think the wool is less snaggy generally a better outerwear that synthetic thermal tops but that may be biased just 'cause as a sheeple I like wool

the last wool pants I had were not a very good brand and after a couple of years they were torn and ripped just from pulling them on. I'm sure if i sent them back they'd laugh- it's worth it IME to go with a manufacturer that has a brand worth protecting.
 
I've used military ECWCS heavyweight long johns and they worked well. However, a bit too warm for heavy activity---even elk hunting in the Montana cold. I've also got some Merino wool underwear and I like it a lot. I think it's true that merino wool doesn't get stinky nearly as quickly as many synthetics. Breathes very well.

I recently ordered, but have not yet tested, some of the Cabela's down long johns (about $50). I plan to use them for stationary ambush hunting in cold temps. Several reviewers remarked that they were too warm for serious walking in most conditions. Might also keep them in my daypack along with a 12 oz. Western Mountaineering down Flight Jacket when hiking/x-country skiing/snowshoeing/hunting in really cold country. If you ended up spending the night outdoors, they would probably be very welcome.

DancesWithKnives
 
Wool has been around a long time and I still think it's the best. Sheep wear it, and I've yet to see a cold sheep.
 
As said, wool has been around a LONG time and works well. Like MANY things, quality makes a big difference.

Back when I did a lot of skiing and was out in extreme conditions, I tried silk (worked well but stretched out quickly), wool (worked well but retained moisture, needed more effort to wash and dry) and synthetics became my favorite.

There was a brand called "Thermax" that was excellent as well as Patagonia. It feels good next to skin and is the easiest to wash and dry. In dry climates like the Rockies, I would wash it in the evening and hang dry by morning.

Some "high tech" brands are multi-layer passing moisture away from skin to an outer layer.

It is a matter of personal preference, one material vs. another though.

Peter
 
Smart Wool makes awesome wool products, kinda expensive, but so worth it.
 
I wear synthetic Helly Hansen undies, which work well at wicking moisture away. And dryness = warmness.

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Ive heard wool underwear should be great. My balaclava is 400 gram wool and all my hiking socks are wool too. Only reason i havent bought wool underwear is that its usually ridicously expensive. Plus, unlike synthetics, wool dosent stink after a couple of days hiking :thumbup:
 
certainly personal preference weighs here, but yes, once i found wool, ive havent even thought about other materials. love ibex wool undies, and as stated above, dont even know i have em on. smart wool works same. and after several winters, they are holding up well. not useful info right this moment, but spring/summer often finds good sales on woolens.
 
I have to agree on the Ibex quality. I have a couple of their garments and they are at least as nice as the Smartwool products I own.

DancesWithKnives
 
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