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Main Boards => Gear => Topic started by: Reinhardt on 21:50:42, 18/11/18

Title: Warm base layer for winter walking?
Post by: Reinhardt on 21:50:42, 18/11/18
My wife runs cold and needs a solid performing base layer for UK winter mountain hiking. Any recommendations?

I'm currently looking at two options, one synthetic and one merino:

1) Patagonia Women's Capilene Thermal Weight Zip-Neck
Synthetic

2) Bergans Snoull Lady Half Zip
Merino wool 290.

Is there a clear winner? I guess the Cap is more flexible because I've seen it used as a mid-layer. Merino should be better for odour. I assume the Cap dries better although she doesn't sweat a huge amount because she runs cold.

I'm leaning towards the Cap but the popularity of merino is making me think otherwise.
Title: Re: Warm base layer for winter walking?
Post by: Jac on 23:23:41, 18/11/18
I have a couple of GoOutdoor's merino base layers. Quite a bit cheaper than the big names and are wearing well.
Title: Re: Warm base layer for winter walking?
Post by: Skip on 00:15:33, 19/11/18
I have a couple of GoOutdoor's merino base layers. Quite a bit cheaper than the big names and are wearing well.
My merino tops are Crane brand from Aldi - even cheaper!  ;)
Title: Re: Warm base layer for winter walking?
Post by: pauldawes on 06:46:37, 19/11/18
I think you summed up the pros and cons pretty well.


Choice comes down to relative importance you attach to those...if I was choosing between similar male products, I’d go for the Patagonia for winter walking, becauuse the extra warmth would be more important than the odour resistance (since I never do multi-day walks in winter.)
Title: Re: Warm base layer for winter walking?
Post by: Reinhardt on 07:06:21, 19/11/18
Thanks for the tips about the cheap merino, but are they just as warm? Merino tops vary so much, from tops that are pretty thin that are designed for summer walking (e.g. 140g per sq metre) to tops that have no declared merino density, to "merino" tops that are actually <50% merino.


The one I mentioned in the original post is 290g per sq metre which is pretty thick for a base layer so I guess it should be warm, but haven't seen much chat about it. (Can you assume thicker is warmer? Doesn't always work like that for other materials.)


The Patagonia seems to be well established as a warm base layer so I'm leaning that way at the moment, even if it's a tad pricey. My wife runs so cold that an extra £50 will feel pretty cheap if we ever find ourselves out in unfavorable conditions. She'll layer on top, but she typically wears 3-4 layers for Spring/Autumn walks so a good base is imperative for winter walking.
Title: Re: Warm base layer for winter walking?
Post by: Magic girl on 08:27:17, 19/11/18
I personally can't wear merino base layers as i find them too itchy,have you considered bamboo base layers? There is a site called bam and i really like their base layers but they're not cheap.I've not heard anything bad about patagonia stuff but its a bit too pricey for me,don't discount tops for runners as thats what i mainly use as i run as well as hike and they have worked fine x
Title: Re: Warm base layer for winter walking?
Post by: NeilC on 14:17:40, 19/11/18
Plenty of big box stores like Decathlon have loads of thermal baselayers for a few quid. No fancy technology claims but they seem to work just as well as anything. They are after all just knitted polyester.
Title: Re: Warm base layer for winter walking?
Post by: gunwharfman on 16:06:37, 19/11/18
I have three types of baselayer all with long sleeves. Synthetic, easy to wash, easy to dry, great for the hotter months. Merino, I'm not personally keen, makes me itch and lastly I have a bamboo baselayer! The bamboo is the softest and the warmest, but although its easy enough to wash, it takes that much longer to dry.
Title: Re: Warm base layer for winter walking?
Post by: Mel on 18:27:12, 19/11/18
Another cheap base layer wearer here.  Never owned an expensive one.  IMO it’s pointless paying for a brand name nobody will see. 
   
Polyester is only stinky if you’re wearing it more than once between washing it and yourself IMHO.
 
Title: Re: Warm base layer for winter walking?
Post by: Ronin83 on 21:03:08, 19/11/18
I have a reversible top from decathlon which is warm one way round and warmer still the other way. Its very warm indeed.


I also have a couple of icebreaker merino long sleeves. Theyre itchy at first, but after worn and washed once or twice they settle down. They don't smell and are very warm despite being very thin. Of course u still need a decent mid layer.


I'd say bodies are easy to keep warm thhouugh really. I find the most relief from the cold in neck and head protection.


Hope that helps
Title: Re: Warm base layer for winter walking?
Post by: Maggot on 22:24:36, 19/11/18
I have a reversible top from decathlon which is warm one way round and warmer still the other way. Its very warm indeed.


I have a Paramo one like that.  How do they work?  It is the same fabric either which way you wear it isn't it?  I can never remember which way round is supposed to be the warm way either, and I have never noticed the difference!
Title: Re: Warm base layer for winter walking?
Post by: NeilC on 23:46:08, 19/11/18

I have a Paramo one like that.  How do they work?  It is the same fabric either which way you wear it isn't it?  I can never remember which way round is supposed to be the warm way either, and I have never noticed the difference!


They're usually smoother one side and more fuzzy or gridded, or both, the other side. Theory is that the fuzzy side traps air against the skin and, if damp, holds less water against the skin making it warmer.
Smooth side against the skin spreads sweat out and evaporates it quicker off the larger surface area of the rough side. Supposedly.


A lot of people say it makes little to no difference between especially if used with layers on top.
Title: Re: Warm base layer for winter walking?
Post by: pauldawes on 07:32:55, 20/11/18




I'd say bodies are easy to keep warm thhouugh really. I find the most relief from the cold in neck and head protection.


Hope that helps


Yes, that’s a good point (about head/ chest protection) I think. For some reason, find a winter buff much better than a scarf.


And reasonably tight fitting long johns make a big difference.
Title: Re: Warm base layer for winter walking?
Post by: April on 08:57:13, 20/11/18
I am a fan of Peter Storm gear from Millets. I've bought one of their thermal base layers over ten years ago, still using it.
Title: Re: Warm base layer for winter walking?
Post by: fernman on 09:19:33, 20/11/18
IMO it’s pointless paying for a brand name nobody will see. 

Sorry to learn that, you'll find someone one day  :'(
Title: Re: Warm base layer for winter walking?
Post by: Reinhardt on 11:17:28, 20/11/18
If anyone's interested, we've taken a punt on Odlo X-warm synthetic base layers at about £35 a piece including postage.


There are cheaper base layers out there, but performance is my primary buying criterion - my wife runs very cold and I wanted something that should keep her snug in the coldest weather. That said, Patagonia etc feels expensive and I hope the Odlo base layers will give sufficient performance at a more reasonable price point.


For those who aren't familiar, Odlo has four thicknesses of base layers from light ones for summer usage through to X-warm for sub-zero conditions.
Title: Re: Warm base layer for winter walking?
Post by: gunwharfman on 13:36:40, 20/11/18
I have a couple of Odlos, I like their underwear but the baselayer products I bought are skin tight and after using them a few times I now know that I'm not keen on skin tight clothing. The shop I bought them from claimed that my sizing for Odlo was Small, I couldn't even get them over my head! I tried Medium, managed to drag them over my body but they were still too tight so I tried Large. At the time they seemed to be the right fit but now I've used them a few times they certainly do not make me feel good. Looking back, I should have tried the XL or even XXL. I don't mind a baselayer fitting comfortably but sorry, skin tight is not for me! We live and learn!
Title: Re: Warm base layer for winter walking?
Post by: pauldawes on 13:40:47, 20/11/18
If anyone's interested, we've taken a punt on Odlo X-warm synthetic base layers at about £35 a piece including postage.


There are cheaper base layers out there, but performance is my primary buying criterion - my wife runs very cold and I wanted something that should keep her snug in the coldest weather. That said, Patagonia etc feels expensive and I hope the Odlo base layers will give sufficient performance at a more reasonable price point.


For those who aren't familiar, Odlo has four thicknesses of base layers from light ones for summer usage through to X-warm for sub-zero conditions.


I've used Odlo base layers quite a lot in winter over last few years, I like them.
Title: Re: Warm base layer for winter walking?
Post by: clyoung on 14:29:22, 20/11/18
I'm allergic to wool and even Merino seems to irritate so I stick to synthetic. I like the Rab Flux top and leggings - warm, the Polygiene anti-odour stuff seems to work and for me they fit well. I got mine in a Go Outdoors sale for around about £25 each (think the top was a little over, the leggings a little under that).
Title: Re: Warm base layer for winter walking?
Post by: KimE on 14:58:53, 25/11/18

[font=]"Thanks for the tips about the cheap merino, but are they just as warm? Merino tops vary so much, from tops that are pretty thin that are designed for summer walking (e.g. 140g per sq metre) to tops that have no declared merino density, to "merino" tops that are actually <50% merino."
[font=]
 
[font=]I use a thin ~190g wool set and then use a second thin wool or fleece sweater over it for the colder temperatures.
Title: Re: Warm base layer for winter walking?
Post by: gunwharfman on 17:57:09, 25/11/18
In my case I do not buy a baselayer for warmth, just to help when I'm sweating so I always always buy the 'cool' variety on offer. Its the next layer that I tend to use for warmth.
Title: Re: Warm base layer for winter walking?
Post by: alan de enfield on 22:28:35, 25/11/18
Aldi Specials today (25/11/18) £19.99

Merino base layers & thermals.

https://www.aldi.co.uk/search?text=merino&category=specialbuys (https://www.aldi.co.uk/search?text=merino&category=specialbuys)
Title: Re: Warm base layer for winter walking?
Post by: Reinhardt on 10:19:31, 28/11/18
The Odlo X-warm base layer top has now arrived so I thought I would feed back the first impressions in case this is helpful.


Fit: My wife is normally an 8. According to Odlo's size guide she needed a small (for sizes 8-10) so that's what we ordered. The fit seems true, i.e. it's a tad baggy but about right. If we were buying from a shop it would be worth trying the XS, but the S is not so baggy that we'll send it back.


Material: It really is very thick for a base layer, as promised. Hopefully that will keep my wife toasty warm as she always runs cold. As the top is a little baggy, she might end up wearing a summer base layer underneath. We'll have to experiment.


Overall, very pleased so far.