Thermal Underwear?

[~JM~]

To those of you who ride in cold weather...

Can you recommend a brand/type of "Thermal Underwear" that is thin yet warm?

I have the old fashioned style of cotton type of Long Johns, but I'm interested in some of these new super thin fabrics. Do they actually keep you warm while riding in 20 to 30 degree weather?

Thank you
~JM~

[rktmanfj]

If the Cycle Gear 'Freeze Out" gear works as well as their 'Heat Out' stuff, it's a bargain.   

http://www.cyclegear.com/lp/freezeout

[FJscott]

JM,

Helly Hanson makes a very good Micro-thin thermal under garment. I work on a ship
in the middle of the Bering Sea all winter long. temperatures with the windchill are a sustained
-10f to -20f for months. The Deck crew work outside for 12-16 hours a day in these elements
and the only thermals they wear are the Helly Hansons.  They are spendy, Alaska price for the
shirt and pants can go for 75-90usd. I'm sure they are cheaper in the lower 48.

Scott

[aviationfred]

I have a pair of Champion Performance Base Layer thermals that I use. They do a fairly decent job and can be picked up at most Target stores.

Fred

[FJ1100mjk]

To those of you who ride in cold weather...

"Thermal Underwear". Do they actually keep you warm while riding in 20 to 30 degree weather?

Thank you
~JM~

Unless your tooling around in a parking lot looking for a parking spot, you'll only keep warm at those temperatures if you have electrically-heated gear. The electric gear is a big investment, but you'll never be cold again. I bought it, and I am glad that I did.

Good luck!

[~JM~]

Well... I placed an order for the Cycle Gear "Freeze Out" underwear.

I've had fairly good luck with that company & their products, plus everything is on sale right now. We'll see how this works out. I don't want to go with heated gear because I swap between a few bikes. I don't mind being a little cold as long as my muscles don't tense up or shiver.

Thank you all for the replies.
~JM~

[Country Joe]

JM,

Helly Hanson makes a very good Micro-thin thermal under garment. I work on a ship
in the middle of the Bering Sea all winter long. temperatures with the windchill are a sustained
-10f to -20f for months. The Deck crew work outside for 12-16 hours a day in these elements
and the only thermals they wear are the Helly Hansons.  They are spendy, Alaska price for the
shirt and pants can go for 75-90usd. I'm sure they are cheaper in the lower 48.

Scott

You work on the Bering Sea? I guess living in Vero Beach gives you a chance to thaw out!


Joe Berk

[FJscott]

JM,

Helly Hanson makes a very good Micro-thin thermal under garment. I work on a ship
in the middle of the Bering Sea all winter long. temperatures with the windchill are a sustained
-10f to -20f for months. The Deck crew work outside for 12-16 hours a day in these elements
and the only thermals they wear are the Helly Hansons.  They are spendy, Alaska price for the
shirt and pants can go for 75-90usd. I'm sure they are cheaper in the lower 48.

Scott

You work on the Bering Sea? I guess living in Vero Beach gives you a chance to thaw out!


Joe Berk

Yeah, the Vessel works 12 months/year. I rotate with another Engineer 2months on, 2 months off.
I can live anywhere I choose as its just a plane ride to go to work.
I fly home on wed for 2 months...
Wife says the cold front is affecting the weather in Vero Beach, forcast is down into the 50's
Ill be in shorts, wife will be in a sweater.you can imagine the wars we wage over thermostat settings.

Scott

[~JM~]

...you can imagine the wars we wage over thermostat settings.

Scott

Sounds like this place. I think 68 inside the house is just fine, if not a bit on the warm side. She loves flannel sheets, I can't hardly stand them. LOL!

~JM~

[Dan Filetti]

I'm a skier from way back (33 years now).  I lived in CO and skied 70 days per year for a time.  The Colorado high country, after a big dump of freshies, can be bitterly bitterly cold (I've skied -65 at it's worse).  I've tried dozens of  of different base layers and will offer my input, as I know it translates to riding a motorcycle. 

Base layers fall into two basic categories: Synthetic Fibers and Natural Fibers.   

There are some fine synthetic base layers out there, they are all polyester/ spandex blends. They can be had, if bought at the right time/ place (notwithstanding Scott's experience) for reasonable money.  Helly Hanson, Ipex, Patagonia (capilene), and North Face are a few names I am familiar with and have used.  They have the real advantage of effectively wicking moisture away fro the skin, drying quickly and continuing to insulate when saturated.  These are critical for keeping warm over time in the elements. Further, they typically do a very good job when comparing how much insulating they do for a given weight, which depending on the other layers in use, can impact mobility.   

They all suffer from the same basic problem though: eventually they stink!  And by stink I mean they STILL stink after they come directly from the washer/ dryer.  I have taken to dousing my used synthetics in a goodly amount of detergent directly on the sweat-prone areas.  This helps, but I've been amazed that eventually, even this will produce a garment from the dryer, that still stinks....  There are some that sell 'anti-microbial' fibers, but they still stink after just a few wearings.  The other disadvantage to the synthetics, and this is more subjective, is feel.  I wear the synthetics and will continue to do so, they have too many advantages, but I much prefer the feel of a natural fiber next to my skin.

Natural fibers, such as cotton, wool, and silk have been around for a long time and are not to be dismissed.  Cotton, while comfortable next to the skin, is perhaps the worst of all of them in that it does not wick, it simply absorbs the sweat and, takes forever to dry. This it turn through evaporation, actually works to cool the skin, as apposed to insulating it -exactly the opposite of what it's supposed to do.  Additionally, cotton's insulation/ weight performance is not impressive, even with more technical/ tight weaves.  If your cold weather outdoor activity is going to be prolonged and even a little bit sweaty (involves any real activity) cotton as a base layer should be avoided below 40F. 

Silk is not a bad base layer, it wicks well enough, (not quite as well as the others)  but typically is too expensive to get in any substantive weight, and is not very durable.  Pure silk shirts do not stretch well.  I have never really found one that fit perfectly, so they were always a bit too loose.  I have seen silk/ poly/ spandex blends that I assumed would fit well, but eventually stink as other blends I have had, do, so I have not gone for it.  I no longer have any silk base layers they have all disintegrated and I likely will not move to buy any more at this point, there are, it seems to me, better alternatives. 

Lastly, and my personal favorite, is wool.  Merino wool to be specific.  It does not wick quite as well as the synthetics but is above average.  It insulate well for it's weight, while not as form-fitting and the synthetics can be, the good ones, made by Smart Wool and Ice Breaker -in my experience, fit really well.  They feel great next to my skin, (personal opinion) but I prefer merino wool to any other fiber next to my skin.  Wool dries quickly, continues to insulate when saturated, wicks well, is a durable fabric, and does not stink with extended use. 

They key to keeping warm in situations of prolonged outdoor activity is, as above a good base layer, and the other layers thereafter.  Generally, more/ thinner layers, with a high quality rain/ wind/ snow shell on the outside is the way to go.  Layers need to be managed with an eye on required mobility. An air pocket between your base layer and the shell, with as many layers as the weather dictates is ideal, as that air pocket itself becomes a form of insulation.

If you really want to delve into it this is useful:

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/comfort_moisture_transport_wool_synthetic_clothing.html#.Usq8V_uLWNM

Hope that helps.

Dan             

[FJ Flyer]

I was given a set of LL Bean synthetic base layers.  Wore them today at 7 deg F.  Of course, also had the heated liner and gloves going.  But I was comfortable and relatively warm for the ride in to work.

[carey]

Growing up in Woolrich, home of Woolrich Woolen Mill, I've always favored wool clothing for cold weather.  The best thermals I've ever had was a set of wool military surplus, but somebody liked them better than me.   I've heard Helly Hanson is very good, but have never tried them.

Today, I had to work outside and wore my Dualfold wool/cotton blend in -4 to -18 (depending on whose thermometer was used).  I was fine, except the lower edges of my ear lobes that weren't covered by my hat.

I've have some Cycle Gear Freeze out Gear that I wear on cold rides.  Found them on sale for a price I couldn't refuse.   It works well and has an outer layer that acts like a wind break.  The thumb hole in the sleeve was too small for me and made my hand cramp.  The Freeze out Gear work well enough, but I prefer my Schampas brand top for motorcycling.  It has a longer tail to cover your lower back when leaned over.

[bcguide]

Just buy an insulated rain suit. Rain gear is like your american express card, don't leave home without it. If its raining its cooler and will keep you warm if its cold
you can use it to keep warm and leave it on the bike when you get where you are going
Scott

[rktmanfj]

FWIW, motorcyclegear.com is running a special on some of their heated gear:

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Promo-on-Heated-Gear---Winter-Edition---Limited-Time-Triple-Loyalty-Gift-Cards.html?soid=1011190681102&aid=lf75ovpcEBo

[Firehawk068]

Very informative Dan,
I am also looking to get some sort of thermal under garments for both skiing, and colder weather riding.............You provided alot of great information!