What is your preferred base layer choice?

tcait21

tcait21

Location
Ohio
We are looking for some feedback on what you like to wear as a base layer under chainsaw protection or general climbing / workwear. Do you like wool or synthetic (polyester / nylon) base layers?

Thanks!
 
For cold weather? I wear Under Armour style pants from Rocky, the same Rocky that makes boots, not the knockoff brand on Amazon.
 
In the winter if it was cold enough I'd go with merino wool, I have a client who works for an underwear/clothing company called saxx and he hooked me up with a bunch of them to try out, my new favorite for hot weather for sure.
 
I wear chainsaw pants (which last about a year) and then solid-color short or long-sleeve tees from the thrift store which start in good condition. Everything I wear gets soaked in either rain or sweat quickly (I put on a dry/clean one at lunch and the end of the job to go home in), and then stained with sap or torn by limbs in a fairly short period of time. As a result, I treat shirts like atlas gloves, a few bucks each and disposable since they live such a hard life, no reason to spend much money on something nice.
 
If it’s cold, merino wool. Sometimes I’ll add silk to my layering if it’s colder, and if it’s colder still I’ll use silk as the next to skin layer then merino wool then fleece.
 
Capilene baselayers from Patagonia. Don’t let the price scare you, to me it’s worth the buy in. I wear my assortment of baselayers for work, skiing, relaxation, and under my drysuit for paddling whitewater(in water that was frozen 12-24hours earlier) It’s offered in a wide array of warmths/thicknesses for a variety of intended activities/climates.
 
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I got some Phanner synthetic base layer bottoms on closeout that I have found to be awesome. Of course in georgia they are hardly ever necessary but when I visit grand kids in Pennsylvania they are awesome. I also will wear a transpiration short and long sleeve "T" as upper base layer that I have found works extremely well. Does that get me a discount?
 
I got my old Army issued polypropylene long underwear and the more recently issued silk weight long underwear. Neither of them are super warm, but that’s kind of nice once I start working hard and gotta shed some outer layers. The silk weight stuff is like UnderArmour, it’s moisture wicking, very durable, doesn’t seem to show wear and tear no matter how many times it goes through the washer and dryer. Both of them get stinky by the end of the day. Like noticeably more so than cotton underwear and t-shirts. Such was always my experience with real Under Armor too. Like I can wear it and not even work that hard and I’ll have this amplified body odor within 10 hours or so. That’s a dealbreaker, I’m self conscious about hygiene and I’m a hugger. Often a huggie too I suppose, but I reciprocate, so I cannot be stinking. Methinks the answer is wool of some type. Thin smart wool or thin merino base for under 40F but above maybe 20F, then same material but thicker or a doubled layer of it for below 20F. I’ll know better once I buy some and wear it in the cold.

Until 3 years or so ago, I’d never tried Merino wool socks. I thought I was fine w the usual Hanes or Fruit of the Loom white athletic socks, and the prices scared me, I’m a bit of a frugal bastard, plus I thought they were delicate and easy to ruin in the washer and dryer. I was so wrong and should’ve bought some decades ago. They’re so comfy, even in warmer weather, if my feet get wet, they don’t feel as wet as cotton, they’re fine to wash and dry with all my normal clothes, and they almost seem to prevent foot odor. I was so impressed, that I buy merino wool socks as Christmas gifts for anyone on my list that I think needs them and just doesn’t know it yet. So a base layer made out of that stuff, sounds kickass to me.

As I get older, the cold bothers me more and more, especially hands and feet.
 
X2 on merino wool socks. I have a bunch of REI hiking socks and 1 pair of Darn Tough military grade boot socks. The Darn Tough are guaranteed for life unconditionally. I got a hole on the bottom of one heel, and they sent me a new pair. Plus, they are the most comfortable socks I have ever worn. From here on out it will be Darn Tough.
 
ALPACA WOOL SOCKS are something I cannot recommend enough for cold weather.
I
wear form fitting polyester/spandex which work fine down to about 0 degrees Frankenstein because they are affordable and comfortable.
 
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