outdoors shite: thermal layers

[Sneezeblossom]

Continuing the derelict topic sit in, what are your top tips for keeping warm. I just have M & S thermals but they are ugly Fuckers.

I have Primark thermals. They are quite old but long so I can tuck 'em in my knickers. the newer version seems less generous.

I'm hankering after some silk ones to match my sock liners.

I have an ancient Helly Hansen blue longsleeve (with an iron mark on the back from some fuckwit who thought it was the kind of item that I would care about having crease-free). And a basic crappy Peter Storm shortsleeve which I wear over the top (because my activewear style has not really moved on since university sport days). And a slim fitting Gap over the head fleece to go on next.

Then zip up fleece and padded or non padded waterproof layer, depending on just how cold it is.

And that is my personal warmth management thingy.

I do covet the posh stuff when dribbling my way round outdoorsy shops. But I am v attached to my old crap and can't quite abandon it.

Here is the base layer thread I started a few weeks ago, on the back of which I had a moment with the credit card purchased some merino base layers from Embers (base layer, mid layer and long johns) and another baselayer top from Icebreaker.

In my defence for spending such an astronomical amount of money
a) they were my (early) birthday present
b) I needed something warm for camping in last week
c) I haven't worn anything else since I bought them, and yes it's true they don't smell.

Absolutely love love love them, so warm and yet they don't get all gopping and stinky after a 2 hour brisk walk.

So when I've been out with dog in the properly cold weather I've just had a baselayer, a mid layer (either the merino one or just a thin fleece, am quite partial to my decathlon one) and then my Paramo Cascada jacket on the top and have been perfectly warm. So nice with just thin light layers that I then don't have to strip off when I get home coz they stink.

I have Uniqlo thermals, allegedly made out of milk proteins (??). They are thin but nice and cosy, excellent under jeans when birdwatching in near-zero temperatures.

I like the idea of base under jeans for cold weather. I have just been wearing woolly tights

Silk thermals also very useful to wear under smart trousers for work if you work somewhere where the hot air vents are at waist level so your bottom half is always cold

I have M&S Autograph thermals with silk. They are lovely and thin so I often wear two layers at once.

Primarni here too. They are a bit meh really.

I have some icebreaker stuff. Tis true that it doesn't smell. I bought my first top in New Zealand and wore it for 4 days whilst backpacking. Seriously hot sweaty stuff but the top stayed good.

I have a few Icebreakers and they are great for staying pong-free. Do tend to get a faint whiff of sheep if I get a bit sweaty though.

Ah, I see I dont have to sing the praises of merino. Slubber is a convert and is doing it for me.

I'm thinking icebreakers may be the way to go for dh then. He can get a pongy

I bought some M&S synthetic thermals in the recent 25% off promotion. They are warm but I can't really recommend them. The leggings aren't really snug enough (they'll do under PJs for camping though) and the top, which is quite nice, generates so much static that when I took it off in the dark the other day, I created my own sound and light show! It was quite exciting, actually. That aside, it's ok - has a decent neckline to wear under other tops. But you get what you pay for. I'm now thinking I might buy a merino top from Howies.

Oh, and needless to say, nasty synthetic thermals DO honk.

I bought Rohan merino long johns, in the sale a couple of years ago, had to go back as they had a hole, they then wore a hole under the waistband. I'm used to my clothes lasting Yeats not weekend. Not impressed.