View Full Version : Best Winter Base Layer??????
billyboy
11-05-2006, 19:19
:-? Lets get a real thread going for the coming cold weather.
What in your opinion is the best all-round winter "Base Layer" of clothing? and Why?:rolleyes:
I'm a fan of Smartwool. Steep & Cheap had the women's midweight on sale yesterday.
I keeping my eyes open for men's midweight to go on sale.
Egads
LAYERS TM, polyester top and bottoms, good wicking, lightweight, doesn't stink like polypropeline. I'm sure there is newer and better out there, this still works for me.
My first new-technology (to me) experience was a long sleeve Patagonia silkweight shirt. I wore it hiking in wind-driven rain at below-freezing temperatures. The top was a breathable rain parka. Beneath the parka, I slowly took off layers until I ended up hiking with only the shirt beneath the parka. I should say, I’m willing to hike feeling cool rather than to warm up and perspire faster than it evaporates. I set up camp and went to sleep, awakening at about 3:30 am, when it was snowing. I felt warm for the first time that day. I was thrilled, realizing though I hadn’t been warm hiking I hadn’t been cold either.
Staying dry is very important to me. If I get wet, REAL cold follows fairly closely afterward. Real cold is difficult to counter unless you carry more clothing than you would otherwise carry, or stop hiking to warm with a fire or remain a while within a sleeping bag. The lightest weight short sleeve polypropylene shirt breathes and wicks well. Daytime weather often becomes warm for hiking and the shirt can be worn alone.
hopefulhiker
11-05-2006, 22:23
Ditto on the Patagonia silkweight....
Boat Drinks
11-05-2006, 22:29
Patagonia: Men's Capilene Silkweight Crew
http://www.altrec.com/shop/detail/17484 Pretty light, pretty warm, pretty amazing!
billyboy
11-06-2006, 21:32
:sun GREAT answers! Keep them coming! The Class of "07" will need this info more that you know!
Thanks so much for your answers so far. Info from "Real-users" is in-valuable! God Bless.
Patagonia midweight bottoms, underarmor short sleeve top and a long sleeve t-shirt (cotton, so eat me). Either that or I shove puppies down my pants to keep war.
capilene. they are now adding some sort of mixture of oyster shells in with the weave to cut down on that funky smell.
JoeHiker
11-07-2006, 15:40
I run at least once and often twice every winter day. These shirts simply cannot be beat for a base layer in my opinion (Yes I use them hiking as well!
http://www.steepplanet.com/proddetail.php?prod=194004&cat=71 (http://www.steepplanet.com/proddetail.php?prod=194004&cat=71)
JoeHiker
11-07-2006, 16:09
I forgot to add the "why" part. They are incredibly warm, form fitting but not at all "tight". Comfortable. Really I can't say enough good things about them.
Drala Hiker
11-15-2006, 20:13
I hike in the southeastern mountains of GA, TN, NC all winter. Not much snow, but plenty of cold, windy days, often damp in clouds. Add that I sweat enough to win a contest and typically soak a shirt within the first couple of miles. I've tried many synthetic shirts- REI MTS, various Patagonia, ditto Mountain Hardware, Polartec Power Dry, et al. The problem for me with synths is the chill-off factor. They move moisture away from skin so efficiently that I get quickly chilled. Being uncomfortable is not the problem for me - asthma is. Then I read that merino wool doesn't chill off anywhere near the rate of synths (which means wool dries slower, too). So, I found a Smartwool Versaweight long sleeve on sale at Backcountry Gear. I've never looked back. I have also added an ultrathin Icebreaker long sleeve, and an Ibex midweight zip-t. I can usually get by with only the Smartwool down to the upper 30s. If it's breezy or much cooler, I add my UL windshirt. For those cold weather hiking days (which for me is <25°F), I wear a synth sleeveless next to skin, which keeps me warm and dry under a wool top. Quality merino wool is not cheap, but an investment worth having. Now my synth shirts are only for cold weather running. YMMV.
Nightwalker
11-15-2006, 20:32
I use Capilene lightweight for a base, Polypro (grey) for an insulating layer. Pretty light, pretty warm.
Boat Drinks
11-17-2006, 16:21
https://www.militarythermals.com/index.html Comments anyone? Good, bad, horrible?
Genuine U.S. Military Issued Polypropylene Thermal clothing is great for men and women. If you enjoy camping, hunting, skiing, or any other cold weather outdoor enjoyment, polypropylene thermals are a must. No other product will keep your outing warmer and more enjoyable.
Why are they so great you ask? Simple, polypropylene does not absorb moisture; its unique vapor transfer moves moisture away from the skin keeping you dry. In fact, Genuine U.S. Military Issued Thermals have the lowest thermal conductivity of any traditional apparel fiber. Polypropylene is also color fast, so it will resist fading and continues to look good, even in chlorinated climates.
Johnny Swank
11-17-2006, 17:20
Polypro's fine, if not a little stinky. They'll also shrink alot if you dry them at too hot a temp.
I don't see a huge difference in any of the synthethics when compared weight to weight as far as just warmth goes. Now longevity, washability, and stink factors are different altogether.
fiddlehead
11-17-2006, 18:58
I try out so many different ones as i sell them but i usually go to the scale when it's time to backpack as i want the lightest weight.
You can't beat polypro for warmth, wicking and price. Sure capiline is nice, but it costs $75+. compare that to $15 for the GI heavyweight polypro that keeps you just as warm.
Every year they come out with a new name for some fabric that is supposed to be better than everything. Under Armour was hot for a while but no one requests it anymore and i have a hard time selling them for $10 now.
"Outlast" is the new thing now and it's fine but still not much better than polypro IMO.
The lightest weight? A material called "Bergalene" by EMS that is no longer made but I have a few that go in my pack.
Wool is heavy by comparison.
HikeLite
11-19-2006, 19:34
Polartec Powerdry silkweight
I swear by Hot Chili's.....
BlackCloud
11-22-2006, 09:29
Anything Patagonia bills as a base layer is a winner......
Well I work at a Sunny's Surplus here in MD and I normaly go with the marinoe wool and smart wool. It's a resonble price and warm. Evan when im on long trips I take underarmor with me because its warmer, lighter and easy to pack.
I love my British Army Norwegian shirt. But be careful! it's "gasp!" made of cotton...
http://www.surplusandadventure.com/ishop/800/shopscr3460.html
Beachwalker
12-11-2006, 15:09
I went with MSR's Bergelene, and have been very happy with it. It has good multi-day use - without funky smells!
-- BW
vaporjourney
01-01-2007, 19:27
I've bought Capilene 3 zip-top shirts for my thru. Capilene 3 is probably too warm for most people, especially wearing it while hiking, but I'm constantly cold. Smartwool is probably better for the funk factor, but supposedly Patagonia put some new 'Gladiodor' treatment on the capilene to help push the smell away. Definitley rock smartwool shirts though in sweaty sweaty summer.
copythat
01-01-2007, 21:16
summmer:
http://tinyurl.com/ylmpgv
winter:
http://tinyurl.com/yjfrac
actually, tried the go-lite stuff and the capilene, but now i stick with smartwool. and a ratty old merino i got for christmas about 65 years ago.
Tipi Walter
01-01-2007, 23:09
Polypro's been around for a long time and people are still talking about it so it must be good. I've used the old navy blue stuff forever and it can be gotten in light and medium and heavy weight thickness, it's really a question of movement versus basecamping in what you want to get.
A long time ago I started using long sleeve SILK turtlenecks which I wear now under everything else and along with the polypro or thermax or capilene or wool it is my personal favorite base layer. I don't know how many thermals I've gone thru, dozens I guess, and this includes several one piece "union suits" with the flap in the back. Anyone ever backpack in a red union suit? It's hell and hot and almost impossible to easily remove and discourages quick access to the cat hole and to the quick exit of a mean and angry turtlehead, etc. Don't recommend it.
The polypro does melt in a dryer and I've worn it partially melted and it ain't no fun! Rough as a cob.