Polypropylene Thermals (best brand???)

[John Harper]

Purchased top/bottoms before summer of last year, seem to be very warm and stay dry. Unfortunately, the quality is a bit lacking on the bottoms (lots of "pilling") and the top seems too short and has stretched out a lot because no elastic around the bottom of the shirt at the waist. I'm not that fat, so it isn't belly caused.

Anyone tried polypropylene thermals and have a quality brand I can upgrade to????

I got mine from outersports, only $19 each (made in China), but I'd prefer something a bit better made. Purchased a US made top from militarythermals.com, but haven't received it yet. Hope they are better quality than the China made variety.

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

These are supposedly the expedition weight thermals issued to our military.

John

[RiverRat]

I bought Carharts HD last year and they are not warm at all! What a disapointment. I compared them to an old Eddie Bauer set I love and the Carharts are woven much looser. Maybe that's the difference.

good question

shane

[briansII]

Patagonia and Cabelas for me. I usually wait for a big sale before I buy Patagonia stuff. Both keep me warm, and both don't seem to show any signs of wear. Well, other than a couple burn holes.

briansII

[Papasequoia]

I've been very pleased with the Smartwool long underwear (top and bottom) I bought a couple of years ago for skiing. They are very warm, not itchy at all (some are all wool, some are a blend, but the way they weave it eliminates the itchiness of old, wool clothing), they are breathable like polypro and stay warm when wet like polypro. They have different weights you can choose from. I use the midweights which are fairly warm. I don't remember it as being a bargain price, but then good gear rarely is.

I also second the Patagonia stuff that Brian mentioned. I have some old, lighter-weight capilene long underwear from them that I wear on days that are cold, but not freezing, and they work fine. I've gotten years and years of use out of them and they are only just now starting to show it with the elastic losing some grip (or maybe that is due to my expanding waistline?)

[Eric]

I have been very happy with Patagonia. Worth the extra money.
Eric

[NorcalBob]

All poly underwear "pills" with time. Expedition weights do it a lot more. Doesn't matter what brands (yes, even my vaunted Patagucci's are pilling!). As far as fit goes, there's no way of telling until you try them on. Even amongst the same manufacturers, there are subtle differences in the same sizes.

[BradW]

There's a host of awesome thermal underwear styles on the market. I personally like the waffle style thermals for warmth and with silver impregnated thread to prevent body odor. Cabela's have a huge selection. It really helps when you're in the thermals all day in your waders or out hunting in the back country for a couple of days. Doesn't necessarily help with wader stink.
Brad

[FlyinFish]

Smartwool and Icebreaker are phenomenal, but expensive. Patagonia's Capilene systems are great. I have like 1, 3, and 4 and use them alone or combined for various condidtions (i.e. float tubing a half frozen lake in the Sierras in November I wore all three). I also believe the Capilenes are on sale at some place right now...

[meb]

Simms makes a one piece Guide's Fleece Bib that is the warmest most comfortable "thermals" that I've ever found. It's bullet proof and has kept me warm and comfortable in snow storms while steelhead fishing in January. Once I put that on, I can layer lightly for everything else. Add the Patagonia thermal wading pants and you're toasty warm no matter what. Being only once piece seems to help.

[beachbum]

Patagonia's have worked well for me. I try to hit the Reno Outlet every time I am up there, and get it at reduced price. The wicking qualities are great.

[John Harper]

Thanks for all the great tips.

I'm mostly looking for something useful if I stay a couple nights at the Cottonwood Lakes area or maybe venture a bit beyond.

Just want to stay cozy at some upper altitudes, I generally don't get bothered by cold, but 11K+ at night is different.

John

[FlyinFish]

John, it's much more than just staying warm. It's staying comfy and dry. A good wicking base layer will keep you dry and comfortable. It will wick moisture and then evaporate it quickly. In the same conditions, something like a cotton tshirt will get soggy and itchy and damp and just plain nasty. I wear my North Face base layer in the middle of the summer fishing the local canyons in the crazy heat. It keeps me cooler and more comfy because it grabs the sweat and evaporates it. Gone are the days of 3 piece wool suits for wilderness adventuring and man am I thankful for today's technology!

[John Harper]

I agree, that's what interested me in the polypropylene fabric. Supposed to be the best at wicking and staying dry, as well as a high level of insulation. I've been happy with mine, except for the quality issue. They are definitely warmer than my old wool/polyester blend thermals, some old duofolds.

John

[midger]

I know your question was regarding polypro underwear, but there are better out there (IMO). I've worn polypro and still have several pairs, but rarely wear them anymore as I prefer these. They wick well and I stay nice and comfy all day long.

I really like silk for a base layer if it is really cold, and the smartwool (merino wool) over them. If it is just moderately cold, then I skip the base layer.

You can find the silk at:

http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___68160

and the smartwool at:

http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___03046

or:

http://www.amazon.com/SmartWool-Midweight-Bottom-Medium-Black/dp/B000CEM3BI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=apparel&qid=1294614538&sr=1-1&searchContext=B000CEM3BI,B002GP7QOU,B000V58BOQ,B002LKGHTK,B002M8SOAG,B000IZQAP6,B000I6S0DA,B0049GOYZS,B002GP7QP4,B002B4CQ

[John Harper]

I bought a pair of those EC2 silks and sent them back cause they look like panty hose, or Cher's outfit on that old battleship music video . Guess they do work, from what you say. Just couldn't see myself putting them on.

Been pondering the smartwool, would like to see a pair before I drop $60 on each piece.

Thanks for the information, I shop at the campmor site too. They have good values.

John