View Full Version : which kind of long underwear for a SOBO hike?
What king of long underwear do you recommend? A lightweight and medium weight, lighweight and heavy weight? I've heard good things about Smartwool and Patagonia. I was looking at getting Patigonia Capilene 3 bottoms.
These also look appealing (especially since they're so cheap right now).
http://www.travelcountry.com/shop/terramar/body-sensors/terramar-2-layer-merino-wool-pants-womens.html
What do you think? :-?
rasudduth
06-05-2008, 23:29
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hammock engineer
06-05-2008, 23:50
When are you starting? Is this for hiking or sleeping?
I use smartwool mid weights for sleeping. If I know I am going to be hiking in them, mid weight synethic is the way to go. I started July 13th and slept in the long underwear most nights. I started hiking it them in VA somewhere for most of the rest of the trail.
Weight wise I don't think there is a big difference in the weights. I don't think going cheap matters, at least to me.
fiddlehead
06-06-2008, 00:11
You may want to start with a heavy if you have both and then swith to the lights after you finish the whites or maybe VT.
depending on when you start, things should be much warmer by MA. Have fun.
4eyedbuzzard
06-06-2008, 01:39
Depends when you start, but Capilene 3 is probably too heavy for bottoms in New England in the summer months, they'll be too warm to hike in most all of the time - Mid (2) or light (1) should be fine when they're needed, which won't be that often. A top is more a choice depending upon other layering you may have. I like a mid/heavy 3 top but my summer layering is tee, lightweight long sleeve shirt, techwick 3(like capilene) and shell jacket - the 3 weight is my thickest insulating layer.
I carried silk weights for sleeping (and occasional daytime wear) in July, Aug, and Sept. In October I got some heavier ones. In Nov, Dec, and Jan I wore a suit of microfleece top and tights all day, and had another layer of full-fledged fleece to go over that when it was really cold.
modiyooch
06-06-2008, 07:32
The price is good. I would get them, and if it too much warmth, send it back to your wardrobe. I'm not much of a cold weather hiker, but when I was on Mt Wash, I just threw in my running pants under my hiking pants. It was an extra layer of warmth, and the outer pants cut the wind. I'm able to run in the coldest of temps with the running pants.
naturejunkie
06-06-2008, 08:00
I'm packing lightweight Smartwool. They are a bit pricey though.
I would look for a set with the flap on the south side,
or starting in winter perhaps a woolen combi with a trap door on the north side.
Johnny Swank
06-06-2008, 08:53
I carried a set of lightweight Capeline all the way, and had my midweights sent around Pearisburg VA.
If I did it again, I'd ditch the tops and just carry my DriClime instead. That, with a long-sleeve poly buttondown shirt, covers almost all my daytime needs, with a rainjacket and down pullover for hanging out.
Here's my Driclime review. It's by far my most-used piece of clothing.
http://sourcetosea.net/marmot-driclime-windshirt-review/
I would look for a set with the flap on the south side,
or starting in winter perhaps a woolen combi with a trap door on the north side.
I bought a set of red trap door one piece ladies underwear at Traildays in 06.
They seemed a bit awkward to actually use when I put them on, so they're staying home. Cute, though...
minnesotasmith
06-06-2008, 15:35
They're lightweight, black so don't show stains/dirt, compress small, durable, and keep you warm enough while hiking in winter/in sleeping bag (NOT while around camp outside bag, though!).
Problem is, they don't have zippered lower outsides so you can put them on/take them off during a day's hiking without removing low gaiters/socks/trail runners. For that reason, I've acquired 9" long plastic ones from Wal-Mart for my next 2 pairs. Same color, lightweight, and only a buck-something apiece.
Cool AT Breeze
06-07-2008, 16:32
Icebreaker bodyfit 150s. I wore tops and bottoms almost every day around camp and to sleep in. I had a IB 200 top and it was too warm on all but the coldest nights. As a bonus they don't stink like polypro.