Base Layers

Hi All
Just wondering if anyone had tried the Under Armour base layer yet?
If you have, is it good?

No,
merino base layer usually best, wickes well and proper toasty.
Spent years using the stuff for mountain biking in winter.
Don't get carried away with fancy brand names unless you like labels

I have experience of Under Armour and some grounds for comparison.

The Under Armour Cold Gear is good good but my preferences lie with silk thermals. They are just more comfortable...

Last time I checked you couldn't get 3/4 length cold gear and the bottoms are uncomfortable in ski boots so I just cut them off.

my boys live and breathe in theirs when they're out and about here. They wear them skiing too and neither of them have ever complained.

Under Armor always seems so nylony to me. Not a fan of the old Helly polypro either, unless I'm going to get wet. There are so many really comfortable high performance materials out now, and as Pablo says, silk is a great base layer.

Trencher

I have been confused by base layers also. I just can't work out whether there is a significant difference between 'thermal underwear' and 'base layers'. I know people in shops have a vested interest to sell you whatever makes them most money, but in my case (a 59yr old, virtual beginner, who may not go on another trip) is it prudent for me to spend on a top of the range, branded piece of clothing, where a thermal vest and long john, will perform adequately for my purpose?

Huwcyn wrote:I have been confused by base layers also. I just can't work out whether there is a significant difference between 'thermal underwear' and 'base layers'. I know people in shops have a vested interest to sell you whatever makes them most money, but in my case (a 59yr old, virtual beginner, who may not go on another trip) is it prudent for me to spend on a top of the range, branded piece of clothing, where a thermal vest and long john, will perform adequately for my purpose?

There is no difference, other than a lot of stores sell cotton based materials as thermal underwear. In outdoor sports, cotton is not thought to be a good material for a base layer (or anywhere else) because it holds water. Damp clothing will suck heat from your body. What you are looking for is a material that "wicks" sweat away from your skin. So thermal underwear is fine, so long as it is not cotton. Base layer is really just jargon for thermal underwear, and it implies a layered system of clothing.

Trencher

Trencher wrote: What you are looking for is a material that "wicks" sweat away from your skin. So thermal underwear is fine, so long as it is not cotton. Base layer is really just jargon for thermal underwear, and it implies a layered system of clothing.

Trencher

What material should I be looking for then? I have some 'thermal underwear' from M & S already, and if I can see myself OK with some more of those, then I would get away with it far cheaper than having to buy some of the 'base layers' marketed by some of the 'outdoor' people. Some of them seem to be at a loss to know how high to take the price, for something that nobody except myself (and my good lady) will see.