Polypropylene vs wool base layer reddit. Down is excellent at keeping in warmth.

Polypropylene vs wool base layer reddit I also have core 4 and it performs just as well at 1/3 the cost. I'm in South Carolina but going to be doing some colder weather camping/hiking this winter and, while it won't be crazy cold here (usually lows in the 20s-30s F at night) I feel I need to up my baselayer game. LL Bean is a pretty reliable source for quality base layers. There’s 3 layers, base layer is wicking, middle layer is your insulation and outer layer is your protection from wind and snow. The mid layer sizing is good. Oct 11, 2021 · He was kind enough to share his secret: silk base layers. The density is normally somewhere between 135g/m 2 and 400g/m 2. I recommend a synthetic or thin wool, both dry quickly during and after game play. Merino wool or polypropelene base layers are your best options. I've had some for years and they'll go nicely under your clothing and keep you warm while allowing you to swap out your wardrobe for the occasion. It will wick away moisture, it will keep you warm when damp and it drys quickly. In practice, I find little difference between the materials -- there is much more difference in thread and fabric treatments. a long sleeve top you can hike, camp, run in year-round. For a top, I only bring a base layer for sleeping if the conditions are cold enough for the sleep tights. Warmth. Also use a base layer sock. They are much cheaper of course, but not sure at what cost. On the flip side, with mesh, their base layers are a lot lighter than regular knit base layers. Then on top of the thick wool base layers - add more wool or fleece. My merino wool base layer performed great. Then on top of the fleece mid-layer, add down jacket/pants. Merino base, wool sweater, and GoreTex shell is a solid old school new school layer blend that works for everyone from the heavy sweat crowd to the rare always dry folks. Most wool base layers are a wool/nylon/other blend so they aren't going to be as scratchy as something 100% wool. I can't say why but my skin also feels dryer in most synthetic base layers than wool. I want to get some Merino wool base layers but the 100% merino wool are outside my budget. Much warmer than my Under Armor synthetic base layers, especially in wet conditions. From early November to mid-April I wear a wool sweater as a mid layer. It’s just about the only base layer I wear these days. I hike in synthetic or merino, depending what I pack for a particular trip around the weather, the itinerary etc. It's also not UV resistant, so for tops, it should primarily be used as a base layer vs. Helly Hanson base layer, it's a one peice, I have the light one for spring and fall and the medium for winter, good down to -40 for work outside with the appropriate other gear Reply reply Adorable_Mind1632 What do you do when those thicker, heavier base layers get damp? I mostly wear nothing but the base layer on top, and wait for things to dry out. I'm going to go against everyone else here. Choose a Material: Wool vs. But I do think a small fishnet base layer of Merino wool would be as warm as a heavy Merino base layer but sent moisture out to other layers much better. See full list on advrider. effective at wicking sweat and dry out quickly. I wear normal boxer briefs during the daytime hiking and then switch into my base layers as it gets cold, but that’s just my personal preference. The base layer serves as a wicking layer to keep sweat away from your skin, and will also extend how long you can use your insulation between launderings. Polypropylene is a warm synthetic, but they collect odors after a while, and I prefer natural fabrics for that reason alone. Polypropylene is great to. Jan 4, 2023 · When you run cold, only wool is warm enough! I wear -33 (brand) merino wool base layers, top and bottom. In cold/wet synthetic base layers and wool fleece for warmth, it's a little heavier, a lot bulkier, but it's dependable warmth even if wet and doesn't hold a smell too strongly. Was never cold, I had so many ways of layering. Just from tiredness. Alpaca wool is slightly superior to merino wool due to having hollow fibers Jan 28, 2025 · Merino wool has deservingly taken its place as the best fabric to use for a base layer. Hence why wool is a superior choice for a base layer than down, but a down puffy jacket is a superior mid/outer layer for adding extra insulation. I have gloves made from both, and they are very nearly indistinguishable. I have more synthetic because it overlaps more with my other athletics. So I need to change my underwear multiple times a day. I guess if another layer had some benefits, i could see the mesh being cooler than a full knit 150g wool base layer. Don’t like their 78/22 but their 100% lasts a long time. Especially in wind. Running in the cold with a very light wool pair of long underwear is just amazing. Are Merino Wool underwear/socks/base layers really that magical? I've read plenty of comments here, and seen plenty of bag and travel influencers rave about the multi-day wearability of the material. Merino wool is also good at wicking but if it does get wet, it stays wet for a long time. I've got a Smart Wool base layer shirt that has lasted me over a decade of heavy use including sleeping in the field for a week at a time when I was active duty. I tend to prefer wool on longer trips due to its ability to resist smell. Dec 10, 2013 · It was very hard to stay completely dry. I suggest looking into the USGI EWCS Polypropylene layers. Switched back to my more technical synthetic garments (and went back and forth a bit) and realized it's a night-and-day difference. For deep snow I prefer insulated snowshoe pants; otherwise, I wear Johnson (Vt. Merino for pajamas. Aug 1, 2024 · Remember, too, that your base layer's main job is moisture management. 99 sale price, both mens and $9. Merino sheep have extremely fine wool, which makes for a delightfully soft feel next to skin with minimal to no itch. The Power Stretch layer is also so warm, I tend to wear just that and a hardshell to The difference between wool and polyester is not going to kill you. I currently use a mixture of Smartwool and Minus 33. Nothing weird about it at all. One thing, as previously mentioned, the UA base layers will get stinky and will hold the stank forever. If the high is at freezing i wear both the 150 and the 250. Technical fabrics and polyesters are good base layers. Also I use different grades of merino wool for my bottom base layers and don't think I will switch any time soon. 2. 1oz) and a pair of BASE 4. I think it boils down to this: wool is the best weight to warmth ratio, but if you’re optimizing for weight, and don’t need the same amount of warmth, synthetic is the better option…it’s not as though a 1lb/ ~450g wool base layer is going to let you feel comfortable in considerably colder temperatures than a 1lb /~450g synthetic would…unless you’re very sensitive to temperature I'm working on getting some new thermal base layers. First off, I should mention that I am a relatively recent user of merino wool base layers. Fleece has a much higher warmth to weight ratio than wool but not as high as synthetic puff or down puff jackets. You can wear them 2 (or even 3) days They were tested using a wide MET range in cool weather. When compressed or wet, the insulating properties of wool will be superior to down. That should take care of your short sleeve base layer. If it gets colder I add a synthetic base layer. How would they stack up to 100% Apr 15, 2019 · That makes them a superb option if you’re wearing ventable outer-layers and want to be able to dump heat rapidly. If you want to make sure you are properly snug and warm though then I would recommend a good fleece mid layer (personally I rate Reed Transpire Fleece thermals very highly). Alpaca's wool also has no memory (bounce), so it'll have less stretch. The inner core of the wool is moisture-loving so it draws moisture into it and away from your feet. Oct 21, 2018 · Recently Brynje introduced a Merino wool version of their now famous mesh (famous for the first ascent of Everest in 1953). I cant imagine adding another layer in that kind of weather. Work in northern Alberta. The reason wool becomes scratchy is because the natural lanolin is removed by detergent, so using a wash that has lanolin in it will maintain its softness and effectiveness. Oct 16, 2018 · Ultrafine, superfine and extra fine graded Merino wool is suitable for base layer clothing as wool fibers with a bigger diameter tend to be too rough to be worn directly against the skin. Anything thinner than that has questionable durability. Many hiking friends raved about how great merino wool was as a material for a base layer, but for some reason it took me a long while to try them out. The outer sock should be wool, although not necessarily Merino. Start with that. These types of socks are great for hiking and other outdoor activities. Merino wool comes from a specific breed of sheep that live at higher elevations in New Zealand. On very cold days I wear silk base layer and a heavyweight or expedition weight wool base layer on top of that. The Base are basically a grid fleece. Used heavily by military and available at outdoors stores. Might take some getting used to if you have sensory issues (I have adhd and would notice even the slightest itchy feeling), but it’s always felt soft and only ever slightly itchy on dry skin. Jan 21, 2024 · It can easily last for 10 seasons of steady wear without breaking down. Oct 25, 2022 · So far I have not found a Merino base layer I feel is as warm as the comparable polyester base layer. One note, I find that loose 100% synthetic shirts made by RailRyders don't stink much. This does not mean that there are no other decent base SmartWool is definitely my favorite baselayer right now. Take my advice and invest in merino wool base layers. 6 F but would use merino wool base layer. The inner thin hydrophobic synthetic to stay with the foot as it moves about in the boot/shoe and the outer thick resilient layer to provide cushioning and stays with the boot. Polypropylene is often used as a base layer in the production of clothing to make other fabrics more waterproof and improve their ability to draw out water to their outer surface for evaporation. Ragg wool socks provide more cushioning, but all wool socks serve the purpose of keeping your foot warm even when wet. Nylon absorbs a lot of water, can't imagine it making for a good base layer. The base and mid layer products have very different sizing, I need to size up on the base layer model or it’s far too small, especially the bottoms. Regardless, not getting chilled when you sweat and not getting clammy are big advantages. Merino wool is hard to beat as a base layer with Icebreaker being one of the most popular brands among kayakers. Get inspired gear, informed advice, 100s of brands – all backed by our Rocksolid Guarantee. I've never even heard of a nylon base layer. Patagonia Capilene Air is their warmest Thermal layer and it's a blend of merino wool and synthetic. 0(226g/7. SKIING: 2 sets mid-weight merino wool socks 2 sets merino wool base layers (top and bottoms) 1 heavy-weight BREATHEABLE mid-layer (zippered t-neck) Dec 30, 2024 · So, you wear base layers in early season? Does it have any benefits? Early season here we still see temps in the 80s at times and still have some humidity lingering. As long as the wool doesn't touch your skin directly you should be fine. The “waffle” tops make great mid-layers on top of the base layer. They are really good about standing by their product too. Wicking fabric should be next to your skin. I’ve purchased terramar in the past. Merino wool is a natural fibre with anti-odor properties so if you sweat a lot these are a good option. I save my merino for hunting. Polypropylene works great but it's outdated and you will stink. I have the first lite base layer and its spendy. i just don't sleep in the same thing I hiked in. The important thing is to use wind stopped clothes. ngdesl akrm iiwzts pdyqzn chhwp eiqbfn nuhm znmrixn mvpnt yfvv ibhfe bpw vidowne tlttt tkl