Reply With QuoteI rate Dilling's merino base layers. They come in a wide array of weights, knit types, cuts and styles.
seems pertinent given the weather but just for context i work in a refrigerated / cold air conditioned environment for a bunch of penny pinching onanists so need to sort myself out with decent thermal wear.
top half sorted - i am active enough to not have a problem with bog standard cheapie thermal base-layer and various fleece and flannel layers.
so its me legs innit ! currently using some wool/poly mix from m&s bought about 4 years ago which are very good and obviously no longer stocked- 2nd of twin pack.
that said since buying the above i have bought and thrown out the current m&s heat holders and some mountain warehouse cheapies.
would like to stay on a sensible budget, but whats good that actually works ???
I rate Dilling's merino base layers. They come in a wide array of weights, knit types, cuts and styles.
If you sit at a desk - get an electric throw for your legs.
Isobaa Merino. Normally a good price at Sportspursuit
https://www.sportpursuit.com/
Or for a cheaper option Uniqlo
https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/product...isplayCode=004
Icebreaker Merino Wool thermals are the Best! I am Obviousy biased as I spent 12years selling them to the outdoor & Ski trade, but I know that they perfom brilliantly
No, they are not cheap but unlike any synthetic layer they will not smell after wearing for a number of days (the longest I wore one top was 21 days on a trek in Nepal) so you don't need ulyiple pairs/sets to get you through I do firmly believe that they are a good investment I have used them in all temperatures from +30 to -20 (the T-shirts are good in hot weather too) and have alays been very happy
Many have tried to copy/immitate using Merino from various parts of the world, but the New Zealand variant beats them all
That's my view anyway and I hope it helps, if you want anymore info please do ask
John
Most thermals' effectiveness is based on wearing them when moving: climbing, skiing. Body heat and sweat are transferred to the outside of the garment. The inside stays dry so you won't cool down. You need something that's useful even when you're not moving around so much. And wood / polyester is cold in the wintertime. Perhaps this mimics your situation. I wear Helly Hansen or Musto sets when cold weather sailing is involved. However... I also have a Merino set that I bought at the shop for professional builders: it's from Strauss and works as good as the high-priced Musto garment.
Merino wool is good. It needs careful washing though. And for hygiene reasons, it needs to be washed frequently (obviously). Select a brand that's capable of being washed frequently over a long period. It will shrink and/or starts 'pilling' when treated wrong in the washing machine. (Been there...)
Helly Hansen do a range of workwear clothing - I have a pair of their pile fleece trousers. Only downside is no pockets, but they’re warm and good vfm.
Their sizing is a bit smaller than their charts suggest, so if in doubt suggest to go up a size from what they say.
https://www.hhworkwear.com/en_gb_ww/...1?color=324433
+1 for Uniqlo HeatTech range.
https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/men/hea...2%2C%2C&sort=0
Bought a load of that three years ago. and holding up well to repeated washing etc. I wear them as a base layer daily from November to March.
Last edited by 459GMB; 20th November 2024 at 09:20.
thanks all. ok, here goes ...
no, i dont sit at a desk, i work for a living.
that said dont actively sweat, my other clothing breathes well.
icebreaker is a bit more than i want to spend.
uniqlo i have always found short in the leg - am only 6"1' so i guess its useless for really tall folks
sportspursuit website refusing to recognise i have verified - which i have (so they can get stuffed)
only need the legging/long johns as have plenty of outer layer stuff including Hoggs moleskins and Carhartt lined jeans.
so far the EDZ 260g/m2 at 64 quid looks good
Last edited by bigbaddes; 20th November 2024 at 10:37. Reason: spling an grammmmerer
It's the opposite - it needs to be washed far less than other materials. You can simply air most wools between uses and it'll keep going for days on end.Originally Posted by thieuster
mmm, and there I thought this thread was going to be about gliding...
I have a set of Go Outdoors OEX Bamboo top/legs and they have been great for skiing and also standing around in cold weather. Bamboo has some of the anti-bac properties of the more expensive merino woolies (but tougher wearing), so don't need to be washed as often as cotton/polyester cheapies. Good mid budget option.
Damart? I have a couple of long sleeve base layers that work well when watching outdoor sport.
I have Merino wool hoodies, thermals, t shirts and leggings. All have been in use for a few years. Mainly Isobaa and Smartwool. All wash superbly (and don’t have to be washed after every wear). The cheap stuff I agree can shrink etc. but wash decent stuff at 30C on a gentle wash can help it last years.
Also got Uniqlo stuff and easier to care for but IMO not as good as Merino.
Haven’t got much of the regular stuff, just one set of base layers, but their boxers are first class and sometimes on a decent sale via Wiggle.
Watching this with interest. Although utterly bonkers I’m considering a thermal base layer for going to Silverstone to watch F1 in July!
Was so cold last year, we both had an M&S thermal base layer, TNF polar tech fleece, arcteryx atom, arcteryx Squamish (?) and then hats & we were still cold!
The EDZ fingerless gloves are top notch,I always thought they where a gimmick but I can often wear them solo or under a outer pair when it gets right chilly.
Beware some products say Merino/Cashmere etc. then when you read the labLe its less than 50%.
I gave a heads up to a (edit) Knox base layer Tee (everyone ignored it/me)which was a mixture of merino etc.its one of the best things ive bought.
On my motorbike its the perfect base layer for when it gets cold,it doesnt itch and holds its shape,its sold out now.
Last edited by bwest76; 20th November 2024 at 13:16.
I've got some isobaa merino tops that work well. However if you are looking to save the budget, how about army surplus https://goarmy.co.uk/products/britis...ng-johns-olive
If you Google you'll find stuff from most of NATO - my bargain for really cold days out photographing was a pair of German Army Tank mitts !
Sent from my Pixel 8 Pro using Tapatalk
Another vote for Icebreaker gear from me. Yes, they are expensive, but I'm nearly 20(!) years into a short sleeved tshirt and 1/4 zip pullover. They have been gigged on snowboards, motorbikes, and mountains, repeatedly!!
Great value for money in my opinion.
was in a local Hoggs store and picked up their 100%merino legs. XL fits me well at 31 leg 38'ish waist.
not worn in anger or washed yet but will up date. not in the clearance sale and was 44quid.
my old m&s merino blend wash well at 30 in a normal short cycle and are doing ok at about 4 or 5 Years old and in near daily use for about the last 2 of those.
Icebreaker is great.
I still have some stuff that I bought in NZ in 2002.
I think the quality isn’t as good as it was but I still buy it.
uniqlo
I'd recommend looking at what socks you are wearing and also what footwear. Standing on hard surfaces like those in the spectator areas at Silverstone for long periods of time can transmit a lot of cold into your body
So this along with a couple of layers of merino before your fleece mid layer and then an insulated jacket and/or an insulated shell along with windproof gloves should help
Hold up...
I sit for long periods and have a desk of sorts. I would still consider I work for a living though.
I work in an environment where my legs can end up getting pretty cold. I used to get issued long johns in the military however never found them much good. I recently bought some long johns from John Lewis and they are much warmer. I had even considered fleecy long johns (you can pick these up from Primark) but thought it was a bit overkill. That might be an option....would have thought even cheap fleece would trap more heat and be warmer than expensive stuff that is thinner.
Last edited by Christian; 30th November 2024 at 00:00.
Posting Permissions
