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General Discussion => General Forum => Topic started by: Hwd silvestris on February 13, 2022, 07:50:50 PM

Title: Thermal underwear
Post by: Hwd silvestris on February 13, 2022, 07:50:50 PM
The older I get the less I like the cold.  I don't own a good base layer set because it's never really bothered me much.   What do you guys recommend or use?  Thanks in advance.


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Title: Re: Thermal underwear
Post by: callmakerman on February 13, 2022, 07:57:46 PM
For me it's under armour hands down
Title: Re: Thermal underwear
Post by: ChesterCopperpot on February 13, 2022, 07:59:47 PM
WoolX or First Lite. Merino is surely the way to go with baselayers. A bit high upfront but they really are worth it.


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Title: Re: Thermal underwear
Post by: Sir-diealot on February 13, 2022, 08:09:44 PM
I'm still using the same kind I used back in the 70's still works fine for me. The waffle kind.
Title: Re: Thermal underwear
Post by: MJW on February 13, 2022, 08:13:08 PM
Under Armour
Title: Re: Thermal underwear
Post by: WV Ridge Reaper on February 13, 2022, 08:15:52 PM
First lite..threw my under armour in the trash end of story


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Title: Re: Thermal underwear
Post by: Old Gobbler on February 13, 2022, 08:21:24 PM
I've used this one I got off Amazon , it's reasonably priced , green with a lining ... Used it 3 years in a row in North Dakota waterfowl hunting in FREEZING temps and they worked well
Title: Re: Thermal underwear
Post by: wchadw on February 13, 2022, 08:28:19 PM
Minus 33 merino wool
You won't be cold


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Title: Re: Thermal underwear
Post by: jmart241 on February 13, 2022, 08:38:31 PM
Firstlite get them when on sale no more under armour for me
Title: Re: Thermal underwear
Post by: Greg Massey on February 13, 2022, 08:44:08 PM
MR HEATER and lot's of propane ...
Title: Re: Thermal underwear
Post by: Spitten and drummen on February 13, 2022, 08:51:11 PM
First lite for me.
Title: Re: Thermal underwear
Post by: Kwgoke on February 13, 2022, 08:57:43 PM
First lite kiln or fuse depending on how much warmth you need.
Title: Re: Thermal underwear
Post by: Sixes on February 13, 2022, 08:59:39 PM
First Lite

Midwayusa also has their own line that is good, but for me, not as comfortable as First Lite.

Merino wool is the key.
Title: Re: Thermal underwear
Post by: 310 gauge on February 13, 2022, 09:12:05 PM
Bought some all silk underwear from Land's End years ago. It was the kind that the skiers used and has been my go to when the cold settles in.
Title: Re: Thermal underwear
Post by: MK M GOBL on February 13, 2022, 09:40:34 PM
Cabela's ECWCS base layers for me!
I have Silk base layer for "warmer" weather.


MK M GOBL
Title: Re: Thermal underwear
Post by: Nathan_Wiles on February 13, 2022, 09:41:23 PM
Agree with others merino wool base layers is the way to go. Black Ovis stuff seems good quality and I have some of the light 150 stuff from Skre gear that is near perfect for my part of tge world.

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Title: Re: Thermal underwear
Post by: Number17 on February 13, 2022, 10:07:21 PM
All I will wear anymore is merino wool baselayers. I have Minus 33, Icebreaker, and some midway usa brand anywhere from silk thin to Expedition weight.
There is nothing like it for dryness, softness, and its ability to not stink like synthetic.

All my under armour went to good will. I don't and won't have a single piece anymore.

Cotton waffle thermals are fine as long as you plan on not sweating. You sweat in cotton in cold weather and you're done.
Title: Re: Thermal underwear
Post by: slicksbeagles1 on February 13, 2022, 11:03:02 PM
Another vote for merino
Title: Re: Thermal underwear
Post by: aclawrence on February 13, 2022, 11:05:05 PM
First Lite merino wool!


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Title: Re: Thermal underwear
Post by: Notsoyoungturk on February 13, 2022, 11:09:51 PM
Under Armour
Title: Re: Thermal underwear
Post by: Ranman on February 13, 2022, 11:21:57 PM
Merino wool.. First Lite, LL Bean, Minus 33, all have been great. I get what's on sale. I do like the 100%, so it is not itchy.
Title: Re: Thermal underwear
Post by: J-Shaped on February 13, 2022, 11:36:21 PM
Merino wool. First Lite, BlackOvis, Minus33, Icebreaker all make good options to choose from. Wicks well and unlike synthetics like UA, does not stink.
Title: Re: Thermal underwear
Post by: nyhunter on February 14, 2022, 05:34:39 AM
I love the GO ATHLETICS  brand there made in the USA, there very similar to the under armour 4.0 but a much better fit. and I'll always support USA over china. plus there only $25.00 each for a top and bottom.
Title: Re: Thermal underwear
Post by: Jmillwood21 on February 14, 2022, 08:10:49 AM
I use first lite merino bases. I also have some thick cabelas brand that are nice. But get warm walking. Also have some old Patagonia ones. They are awesome as well. 


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Title: Re: Thermal underwear
Post by: CntrlPAlongbeard on February 14, 2022, 08:55:05 AM
I also started using the first lite bases this year, and they are nice but they're not magical.

If you really want to stay warm get a heated vest. I got the one from pnuma while on sale with an extra battery. It's not cheap but it is INCREDIBLE! And will change your life.
Title: Re: Thermal underwear
Post by: PalmettoRon on February 14, 2022, 09:05:15 AM
Agree 100% re: merino. It is more expensive, but it's not itchy, doesn't smell and still insulates when wet. I've used Icebreaker for years, but will check out First Lite. I've been toasty at -15 with a 260 base layer.
Title: Re: Thermal underwear
Post by: the Ward on February 14, 2022, 10:02:07 AM
Are you looking for something just to keep the chill at bay at early morning turkey hunting? I usually wear some generic thin stretchy poly type long john tops and bottoms . Just enough to stay comfortable at dawn, but light enough they don't get too hot later in morning. Plus side to them is that they help keep ticks off of you. I usually wear a super thin neck gaiter of the same material tucked in to my top too. I live in northern climate so it's probably quite a bit cooler in the mornings during season than the fellows who live in the south, so my choice might be a little warm for down there. I think my wife picked them up at walmart, much to my chagrin.
Title: Re: Thermal underwear
Post by: Sungrazer on February 14, 2022, 10:19:47 AM
Quote from: nyhunter on February 14, 2022, 05:34:39 AM
I love the GO ATHLETICS  brand there made in the USA, there very similar to the under armour 4.0 but a much better fit. and I'll always support USA over china. plus there only $25.00 each for a top and bottom.
Thanks for that link! Like to use fleece over Merino base layers for late season Deer. AND Made in USA, I'll be ordering some Go Athletic.
Title: Re: Thermal underwear
Post by: Greg Massey on February 14, 2022, 10:25:28 AM
Quote from: Sungrazer on February 14, 2022, 10:19:47 AM
Quote from: nyhunter on February 14, 2022, 05:34:39 AM
I love the GO ATHLETICS  brand there made in the USA, there very similar to the under armour 4.0 but a much better fit. and I'll always support USA over china. plus there only $25.00 each for a top and bottom.
Thanks for that link! Like to use fleece over Merino base layers for late season Deer. AND Made in USA, I'll be ordering some Go Athletic.
Now we are talking, my kind of place and made in the USA ... thanks for sharing
Title: Re: Thermal underwear
Post by: Mossberg90MN on February 14, 2022, 12:10:30 PM
Quote from: wchadw on February 13, 2022, 08:28:19 PM
Minus 33 merino wool
You won't be cold


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Yup this is  what I use. I use the midweight a lot, light weight rarely, and heavy weight even less. But the midweight is pretty darn good for early season turkey hunting.
Title: Re: Thermal underwear
Post by: natman on February 14, 2022, 01:49:14 PM
I hunt in Northern California near the coast and face some unusual hunting weather. Mornings in the spring the land where I hunt is usually covered by cold fog from the ocean. Temperatures are usually in the 40s, sometimes into the 30s. Around 10 o'clock the fog burns off and it gets warmer in a hurry, sometimes as much as 20 degrees in an hour. The total temperature swing can be 30 degrees or more.

So I don't have to deal with bitter cold, but thermal flexibility is a must. I bought a pair of ordinary waffle long johns a size too big for me and cut the outside seam of both legs from ankle to waistband. I then sewed flexible velcro down both legs, with a gap at the knees.

So when it gets too hot for long johns, I stand up, drop my pants, and rip the velcro apart down both legs. This allows me to remove the long johns without removing my pants or boots. My wife calls them my stripper long johns, although I can't imagine how she came up with that reference.
Title: Re: Thermal underwear
Post by: Number17 on February 15, 2022, 09:49:51 AM
Your base layer is not so much about keeping you warm as it is about keeping you dry. And keeping you dry, in turn, keeps you warm. Don't think of your base as an insulating layer.
Title: Re: Thermal underwear
Post by: Stickbow98 on February 15, 2022, 11:07:38 AM
Minus 33 merino for me. Works great, and comes in BIG MAN size!!  :z-winnersmiley:
Title: Re: Thermal underwear
Post by: turkeygod4 on February 15, 2022, 08:51:12 PM
BlackOvis Merino wool. They come in light, mid and heavy

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Title: Re: Thermal underwear
Post by: Jbird22 on February 15, 2022, 09:00:04 PM
I know Merino is supposed to be the best, and it very well may be, but the newer Under Armour Base 3.0 does exactly what I need them to do. They are much improved over the older Under Armour Base offerings. You can get them at a pretty good price if you have access to GovX.
Title: Re: Thermal underwear
Post by: Chordeiles on February 16, 2022, 05:14:08 PM
XGO
American made.

https://www.proxgo.com/collections/mens
Title: Re: Thermal underwear
Post by: Lucky Goose on February 16, 2022, 05:36:35 PM
ZIP OFF base layers are a must here in the south.   Shivering in the morning, sweating by 830
Title: Re: Thermal underwear
Post by: Sixes on February 16, 2022, 05:43:29 PM
I used to wear UA and everyone might be different, but as a bigger guy that sweats, the UA stuff always stunk after wearing a half day or full day. All synthetics seem to stink.


Merino does not retain odor.
Title: Re: Thermal underwear
Post by: strut on February 16, 2022, 05:45:36 PM
I wear Kuiu brand. They have Merino wool in a couple different weights and a Peleton product that is very good good. My biggest praise is they have full length zippers on each leg. You can put them on and take them off without taking off pants or boots. If I'm walking or riding in, they're in my pack until I'm ready to sit. Takes only seconds to put on or take off. I don't think I'd ever buy long John's without that feature again.
They give a military discount too.
Title: Re: Thermal underwear
Post by: sbbow on February 16, 2022, 07:35:05 PM
First lite merino wool for me.


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Title: Re: Thermal underwear
Post by: jordanz7935 on February 16, 2022, 11:05:38 PM
I got the sitka non merino base layer last fall and i was very impressed. First high end base layers ive tried. The midway usa brand merino baselayers are still running strong after 3 seasons,nice warm base set, but the fit and comfort just doesnt compare to the sitka.
Title: Re: Thermal underwear
Post by: gaswamp on February 17, 2022, 06:50:00 AM
Duckworth makes quality merino wool products in the great state of Montana
https://www.duckworthco.com/
Title: Re: Thermal underwear
Post by: Chris O on February 17, 2022, 07:11:24 PM
SKRE merino And old school polypropylene layer over that when it's really cold.
Title: Re: Thermal underwear
Post by: 3bailey3 on February 17, 2022, 09:09:18 PM
any one know of some one that makes a union suit, i had one as a kid and liked it.
Title: Re: Thermal underwear
Post by: Zobo on February 18, 2022, 12:16:26 AM
Quote from: 3bailey3 on February 17, 2022, 09:09:18 PM
any one know of some one that makes a union suit, i had one as a kid and liked it.

Yes, Minus 33 makes a Marino wool union suit
Title: Re: Thermal underwear
Post by: Sir-diealot on February 21, 2022, 09:10:06 PM
Quote from: 3bailey3 on February 17, 2022, 09:09:18 PM
any one know of some one that makes a union suit, i had one as a kid and liked it.
Only one I have seen making one with the traditional fold down flap on the back is L.L. Bean, many of the others have gone to one that buttons through the crouch, that just can't be comfortable.
Title: Re: Thermal underwear
Post by: Gooserbat on February 22, 2022, 11:07:27 AM
Honestly I get the most expensive polyester thermals Walmart sells.  Usually cost me a little over $20 per piece for Fruit of the Loom in the mid level.  I find these in the men's ware not the hunting clothes. The biggest thing is moisture wicking and stay away from cotton.
Title: Re: Thermal underwear
Post by: lacire on February 22, 2022, 12:08:38 PM
Quote from: strut on February 16, 2022, 05:45:36 PM
I wear Kuiu brand. They have Merino wool in a couple different weights and a Peleton product that is very good good. My biggest praise is they have full length zippers on each leg. You can put them on and take them off without taking off pants or boots. If I'm walking or riding in, they're in my pack until I'm ready to sit. Takes only seconds to put on or take off. I don't think I'd ever buy long John's without that feature again.
They give a military discount too.

Thanks for the post. I'd never heard of these, looked them up and they had the ultra merino 145 zip off bottoms in there president's day sale yesterday so I bought a pair for this spring hunt.