Thermals for winter walks

[frozendaisy]

I need to get the whole family thermals as winter walks are going to feature highly this year I envision.

Any recommendations as I don't know where to start.

I just ordered some stuff for dd for just this reason from British Thermals and it came quickly, is excellently made, made locally and (there was something missing from my order) prompt and no quibbles customer service - highly recommended.

I'm actually of the opinion that outdoor events should go ahead this winter. It doesn't rain ALL the time. Christmas markets, wintee festivals, firework displays, Halloween parties (outside ones). People need things to look forward to and to keep a feeling of community.

I do winter walking in Scotland and agree with the suggestion of merino wool base layers. Then layering on top (but try and avoid cotton) so you can add/remove layers as you require. Mid layer a fleece or pertex jacket is good and then a waterproof breathable outer. If it's very cold and dry, down jackets are good, but best for warming up when you stop or for slower walking as they don't wick (breathe) very well if you get sweaty. Modern pertex jackets are almost as warm as down, but with the benefits of being cheaper and less need to worry about getting them wet.

Gloves, hat and a spare pair of gloves in case you lose them or they get soaked. A neck gaiter helps too, a cheap fleece one from Decathlon is only about £2.

On a budget Decathlon, Aldi and Lidl are all good options, Decathlon probably best bet as available all the time and can order online. A lot of online outdoor shops have good sales (eg 50% off) so you can sometimes pick up good brand name gear for not much more than the Aldi, Lidl, Decathlon stuff. Some sellers on eBay sometimes have samples or seconds of branded clothing at good prices, like Berghaus, Montane, Mountain Equipment etc..

@HesterShaw1

I'm actually of the opinion that outdoor events should go ahead this winter. It doesn't rain ALL the time. Christmas markets, wintee festivals, firework displays, Halloween parties (outside ones). People need things to look forward to and to keep a feeling of community.

Panto and fireworks perhaps are crowded events with people shouting cooing etc. Even winter markets/fairs people gather.

The same argument can be used for live football (other sports are available).

I know it's dreadful, we attend much of this stuff hence previous no need for investment in winter walking clothing because we didn't do winter walks all the time.

Even Christmas cinema releases we like a packed cinema for blockbusters.

Sigh......what to do!

where do you live OP?
I imagine it's not Scottish Highlands.

@ragged

where do you live OP? I imagine it's not Scottish Highlands.

Oh no we are southern pussies!

But they're outside.

Yes we limit numbers so it's not actually crowded, but this summer has shown that outdoor transmission is negligible. All that flocking we were assured would result in catastrophic death numbers - didn't happen.

Sorry, I quoted the wrong post AGAIN 🙄

@HesterShaw1

But they're outside.

Yes we limit numbers so it's not actually crowded, but this summer has shown that outdoor transmission is negligible. All that flocking we were assured would result in catastrophic death numbers - didn't happen.

It costs loads to put on a decent firework display ..........I guess many have put the numbers to the test and just can't balance the books, our local display is sponsored by a local company but where it is held think big open park - impossible to marshall.

I am clearly no expert, and I am as gutted as all. But here everything has been cancelled for the time being. Outdoor or not.

I guess at the time of planning they had to make a decision, including financial, I mean perhaps our usual company don't have the funds to sponsor this year, who knows. But for the time being it's a no from them.

Yeah ok. Fireworks maybe not.

But I genuinely don't see why absolutely all outside events need to be cancelled because of, you know, Covid. Near us there's a village whose famous Christmas lights are cancelled this year, despite our infection rates being miniscule. They were cancelled back in the spring.

Things like this are necessary in the darkness of winter. It's why we have them.

Maybe it's funding priorities?

Whose funding priorities?

Many of these events make money! They enable people to trade and to pay taxes.

Oh, ok, the lights hereabouts seem to get sort of public funding and don't make money.

We're probably at cross purposes a little bit Errol! I just used the lights thing as an example of something which provides good cheer and community during a time of darkness and shit weather. The making money bit was more a reference to Christmas markets and outside commerce generally.

I don't know. I'm just trying to think of a single thing to look forward to in the next 6 months. There's nothing. It's ALL been cancelled because of Covid, whether there's any kind of risk or not.

Fucking Cromwell would be loving this

I just thought of the biggest set of lights in the country and wondered if they'd be cancelled - no - Blackpool illuminations will be running for nearly twice as long as usual this year.

www.blackpool-illuminations.net

Everyone loves twinklie fairy lights on dark cold nights. The do bring joy.

I am very happy with a mulled wine from an outdoor stall wandering around kids bleeding money on hook a duck nonsense, but it's not happening here this year so mulled wine in a flask, thermals (yet to be purchased) on, wonder around village hoping the usuals will decorate their houses.

I’d recommend to carry a body warmer in your rucksack. The shiny variety. Then when you stop for your lunch you can slide it on and it will keep the chills or wind off while you are stationary.

I get tops from Craft (more expensive but brilliant and not scratchy at all) and leggings usually from decathlon's ski section. They have different price ranges. I usually just go for the cheapest.

Troll Kids has good merino ones too but I always end up back in the old Craft ones again.

For the kids Polarn O Pyret do really good thermal base layers.

Injury got done thermal leggings in Asda the other day.

Decathlon? More Decathlon. Uniqlo heat tech is great too.

Decathlon decathlon decathlon.

For quality price is just about the best you will get.

I buy the family thermals from tesco. They are fantastic! Thick and fleece lined.
We have used them as layers for skiing and also great as pyjamas.
I bought son some the other week and think the bottoms and top both came to about £25.

@RedToothBrush

Decathlon decathlon decathlon.

For quality price is just about the best you will get.

I got a merino yoga-top-y thing from there a few years ago. Like a cobweb in weight when it came and it made me a bit HARUMPH, but man it is cosy and thin enough to happily sit under anything. Top purchase

I think proper winded proof and waterproof jackets and trousers are more critical than expensive thermals, it’s pretty unlikely that the temperatures will drop so far below freezing that you’ll get the winter mountain walking conditions in southern England!
Layers (thermal vest maybe), fleece and proper outerwear along with good wool walking socks/gloves/ hats should be adequate imo - unless you’re planning to tackle mountain routes in deep snow!