Bottom Base Layer Options and Opinions

[RShea]

I have been shopping for some new base layer bottoms. Used to just use the 100% cotton (or close to it) standard thermal underwear which had an advantage- it was cheap and easy to wash. But lately I have been getting good results from the Cold Gear type tops- I've got mainly the Reebok cold play etc. stuff that is pretty much similar to the Under Armor tops but not as expensive at $50 a pop. But they do not make many of 3rd party stuff in bottoms that I have seen. I did find some Columbia thermal pants that were 100% polyester and may be pretty good to the cold. Then there is Duofold and Medalist stuff- a stand by for years as old school goes and the other stuff like Hot Chillys - Really want something mid weight or better for warmth also not a thin weight. I have also heard of using the running tights or non-padded cycling tights too.

So any comments on stuff that works out there and is not $50 to $100 per item?

[Art Shirk]

tech.....

[iskibc]

...talk....

[Black Market]

.......beeatch.......

[dfinn]

tag team, back again

[yogachik]

Go to your local army surplus store and buy their long underwear for $10/each (a great budget option). But, personally, I like the brand Shelter, the best. Another tip - buy your first layer stuff (socks too!) at the end of the season, at 50% off, to stock up for the next season, I replace all of mine every year that way.

[hutash]

"I have one word for you Benjamin...Plastics"

Modern translation...capilene

cotton sucks, wool itches(haven't tried the new high end stuff)

[Toby]

Icebreaker. Wait for a sale at the bottomless pit.

[mntlion]

everytime I buy some patagonia stuff, I think, you want HOW MUCH FOR THIS, tehn I suck it up, buy it, and the darn stuff lasts, and last, and lasts, money vs number of days used, very good deal.....

then I see new stuff I want but the old stuff is not worn out yet (or ever?)

[Pow4Brains]

everytime I buy some patagonia stuff, I think, you want HOW MUCH FOR THIS, tehn I suck it up, buy it, and the darn stuff lasts, and last, and lasts, money vs number of days used, very good deal.....

then I see new stuff I want but the old stuff is not worn out yet (or ever?)

Agreed. Some of the stuff I have is in its 5th season.

[smitchell333]

IceBreakers - Merino Wool

Warm, Soft, warm when wet, and dont stink like polyprop

http://www.backcountry.com/store/ICE...Crew-Mens.html

[iskibc]

Icebreaker, IBEX, and Smartwool are top notch. Most comfortable, longest lasting, driest, warmest, and best bang for your buck (over the long haul).

[Shen]

pair of lycra biking shorts(as underwear)...and TNF wicktech tights...best combo I have found....

[Sphinx]

Icebreaker, IBEX, and Smartwool are top notch. Most comfortable, longest lasting, driest, warmest, and best bang for your buck (over the long haul).

My smartwool socks stank bad enough that they turned my stomach while I was hiking in my ski boots. And they never dried.

Capilene works for me.

[cj001f]

I dig the bootcut Smartwool bottoms.

[jtran10]

This year's Capilene is treated so it shouldn't smell. If it will or not is a different issue.

[Lynx]

first off....cotton? what? JONG?! TROLL???

second.....capilene...it's fine if you can stand the horrid stentch it takes on. seriously....holy smelly-ness.

third.....icebreaker and ibex merino are both incredible and seriously....the anti-stink thing is true, PLUS it supposedly wicks BEFORE the perspiration beads up, i.e. while it is in vapor form, which would keep you drier. (and i will say, i have an ibex-t that is the only T i will wear hiking anymore). smartwool is okay too...not quite as good or long lasting in my experience, but cheaper, so maybe good entry into the great switchover from capilene/polypro to merino. OR, as someone kind of mentioned....keep your eyes on SAC. I can get plenty of deals on gear, but I bought an iceabreaker top off SAC two days ago (22 bucks!!!!) cause it was better than any other deal or employee purchase.

[Lynx]

maybe new anti-stink treatment is better, but i've had anti-stink tops before.....and they still stink, maybe not so much for the first couple wear cycles.....but indeed...they still stink.

on the other hand, i wore some icebreaker bottoms most of last s eason and then for two weeks of skiing in LL this summer with no laundering.....and no stink. mad big ups to the wool

[SkiED]

another vote for patagonias capilene...i have like 200 days on them and they still look brand new. I dont think it ever wears out.