Recommend any base layers (Blacks/Millets)?

[platypus]

Just about to head into town to look at the generic stores; Blacks, Millets, Field & Trek etc, and I'm after some good thin layers, because quite simply its bloody freezing on the river at 6am. And I thought I'd ask here, because I know there's a few Millets/Blacks employees on here.

Preferably after layers that have "roll ups" under the neck, so I can wear them when coaching too. Cheers

 

[platypus]

Hmm, I have a couple of Falk long sleeve under garments, but they just don't seem to cut it. Maybe it's because I'm so thin I just can't stay warm.

 

[Stringy]

North Face base layers always work well enough for me. That is until I had to have one cut off of me on wednesday after dislocating my shoulder playing rugby :/

 

[platypus]

I'll see if I can find any, thanks.

 

[platypus]

you don't fill out a falke baselayer?

In the sports arena forum people were discussing the nike body armour stuff, there are thermal versions of them and they have roll necks.

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17804214

Nah I manage to fill them out, I just can't stay warm. We had the Winter Head today, and I was rowing at the head of the first division (7:45am), and a couple of my fingers went blue - something about that tells me I have poor circulation!

Aye talking about rowing, but also coxing and coaching. I want something that will be wearable in any condition basically. I'll check out that nike stuff, thanks. Incidentally I'm only asking because the stuff I have (Falke, Powerhouse, Nike) doesn't seem to be working this year - admittedly it's colder then usual.

 

[Col_M]

Have you tried looking at some of the base layers made from merino wool?

To be honest I haven't tried them myself but my bro who is in the army and a few friends from back home who are in the marines swear by them for when they're in Norway and Canada. They are expensive, around £45 a pop but worth it.

I was planning on getting some a few years ago when merino wool base layers weren't easy to get hold of here. The best place I found to get them from was NZ which was a bit of a hassle so didn't bother, now they are much more widespread and available.

Here's some info i found with a quick google

What's so great about Merino Wool?

Over the last few years, merino wool underwear has developed an exceptional reputation for it's long-term comfort and performance in cold environments - especially it's ability to resist the build-up of odour and regulate body temperature better than it's more widespread synthetic alternatives.

What are it's advantages?
• It naturally resists the build-up of bacterial which cause your baselayer to stink - even for extended periods of wear (some claim up to 90 days with no nasty niffs). This is a property inherent to the merino wool fibres, and not the result of any kind of extra treatment or process.
• By absorbing moisture into the core of it's individual fibres, merino wool can absorb sweat, without feeling wet to the touch, and then release it slowly, avoiding the rapid cooling that can occur with synthetic fabrics.
• Not just the fabric, but the fibres themselves are breathable, aiding comfort and reducing clamminess and overheating.
• The combination of moisture absorption and release, and fibre breathability mean that merino wool garments help to regulate body temperature, naturally warming and cooling the body in response to different climates and different work-loads.
• It's 100% natural and bio-degradable. Aside from any chemicals that may be used during the processing of the wool (cleaning, dying, etc), it is a very environmentally friendly product. Patagonia use no chlorine in the processing of their merino wool garments.
• Due to it's very fine fibres (much thinner and smoother than normal wool fibres), it is very soft and comfortable to wear next-to-the-skin, even for those who experience irritation from normal wool.
• It will not melt or burn like synthetic fabrics - a serious consideration for armed forces personnel and bushcraft enthusiasts.
• No static - no clinging or sparks.

What are it's drawbacks?
Compared to synthetic baselayer fabrics, merino wool is:

• Noticeably heavier (though not necessarily noticeable when being worn).
• Slower to dry.
• Much more expensive (Patagonia merino wool garments are about twice the cost of their synthetic Capilene baselayer garments).

 

[6thElement]

The Patagonia Merino wool stuff is nice, but my favoured base layer for very cold weather is the Under Armour Coldgear Longsleeve Mock.

 

[LordSplodge]

Have you tried looking at some of the base layers made from merino wool?

Ray Mears says natural materials are far better than man-made so I'd go for the wool.

 

[PlatinumFX]

Have you tried looking at some of the base layers made from merino wool?

To be honest I haven't tried them myself but my bro who is in the army and a few friends from back home who are in the marines swear by them for when they're in Norway and Canada. They are expensive, around £45 a pop but worth it.

I was planning on getting some a few years ago when merino wool base layers weren't easy to get hold of here. The best place I found to get them from was NZ which was a bit of a hassle so didn't bother, now they are much more widespread and available.

Here's some info i found with a quick google

What's so great about Merino Wool?

Over the last few years, merino wool underwear has developed an exceptional reputation for it's long-term comfort and performance in cold environments - especially it's ability to resist the build-up of odour and regulate body temperature better than it's more widespread synthetic alternatives.

What are it's advantages?
• It naturally resists the build-up of bacterial which cause your baselayer to stink - even for extended periods of wear (some claim up to 90 days with no nasty niffs). This is a property inherent to the merino wool fibres, and not the result of any kind of extra treatment or process.
• By absorbing moisture into the core of it's individual fibres, merino wool can absorb sweat, without feeling wet to the touch, and then release it slowly, avoiding the rapid cooling that can occur with synthetic fabrics.
• Not just the fabric, but the fibres themselves are breathable, aiding comfort and reducing clamminess and overheating.
• The combination of moisture absorption and release, and fibre breathability mean that merino wool garments help to regulate body temperature, naturally warming and cooling the body in response to different climates and different work-loads.
• It's 100% natural and bio-degradable. Aside from any chemicals that may be used during the processing of the wool (cleaning, dying, etc), it is a very environmentally friendly product. Patagonia use no chlorine in the processing of their merino wool garments.
• Due to it's very fine fibres (much thinner and smoother than normal wool fibres), it is very soft and comfortable to wear next-to-the-skin, even for those who experience irritation from normal wool.
• It will not melt or burn like synthetic fabrics - a serious consideration for armed forces personnel and bushcraft enthusiasts.
• No static - no clinging or sparks.

What are it's drawbacks?
Compared to synthetic baselayer fabrics, merino wool is:

• Noticeably heavier (though not necessarily noticeable when being worn).
• Slower to dry.
• Much more expensive (Patagonia merino wool garments are about twice the cost of their synthetic Capilene baselayer garments).

All this is true. I have a merino wool baselayer from a NZ make called Icebreaker. I have worn it days on end, inc. a six day skiing holiday without it getting smelly. I also wear it cycling/mountain biking in cold weather. It wicks fantasticly, won't make you smell and is good value for money considering you normally wont wear it for more than a week or so without have opportunity to wash it.

Platypus, on Greenstreet, left off of the main street along which is Sainsburys, is a outdoor sports shop that I can't for the life of me remember the name of. I think they sell Icebreaker but I am not certain. Anouther great place is Two Seasons on Chesterton road for winter sports stuff. They might be able to get it in for you. Excellant service there.

Having recently looked at the Icebreaker website for a second autumn/spring base layer for cycling; I found their catalogue a little unclear than in years past. I would suggest that you look at their Bodyfit range (previously called Skin 160, 200). I have the skin 200.

 

[beh]

Patagucci Capilene for summer, Icebreaker merino for winter. For the latter, it's a reasonable amount cheaper if you order from NZ, http://outdoorsports.co.nz/ are very good.

 

[p4radox]

I've started wearing a North Face long sleeved base layer under a Helly Hansen T shirt for my morning rowing. Makes a massive difference compared to just a tshirt, and not nearly as sweaty as wearing a fleece/waterproof.

Also works well under a windproof layer if you're not moving around that much.

Platypus: I was also rowing in Winter Head today. My first proper race, was great fun!

 

[Cupcake]

Ive just started doing physio for a rugby team meanin i have to stand outside every saturday lol Im a cold person, and get really cold quite easily! I got myself a Helly Hanson base thermal layer thing and it definetly has kept me a bit warmer! They are about 30-45, but i found mine by total chance in tk maxx lol worth giving them a go

 

[blighter]

Didn't notice this before I made the BLG/Cotswold employee thread!

Merino Wool is definitely the way forward. Try and goto a biggish Blacks store as Millets just tend to do the basic own-brand Peter Storm stuff, which isn't that good

 

[Tomsk]

As already mentioned - Merino wool.
I wear Icebreakers when skiing, purchased from, not surprisingly ski shops - Snow & Rock, Ellis Brigham.

 

[Amp34]

IceBreaker or Helly Hansen Lifa. The Icebreaker stuff is a bit more thermal than the HH stuff I would say.

 

[platypus]

Platypus: I was also rowing in Winter Head today. My first proper race, was great fun!

Nice one, who did you row for? I was in City I, head of the division. Have you just started rowing at Uni?

 

[SpeedFreak]

http://www.groundeffect.co.nz/product-detail-SUB-MER.htm

Highly reccommend these guys, but you'd have to wait until January to get it. I never get charged duty for anything from them.

 

[[DOD]Asprilla]

All this is true. I have a merino wool baselayer from a NZ make called Icebreaker.

Excellent kit, I can't recommend it enough. It's expensive, but it's probably the best I, or any of the blokes I work with have come across.

 

[p4radox]

Nice one, who did you row for? I was in City I, head of the division. Have you just started rowing at Uni?

Thread revival!

I was rowing for Selwyn Novice Mens' 1st boat. Yeah I've just started this term. We were pretty successful in fairbairns:

http://jcbc.jesus.cam.ac.uk/Fairbairns/FairbairnsResults.html (Scroll to Men's Novice VIIIs).

11th place, but that was after colliding with Peterhouse who we caught up with and wouldn't let us through. They were disqualified, and we were given a 20 second deduction from our time. It was easily worth a lot more time than that though.

 

[eddiemcgarrigle]

I've got a merino wool base layer for cycling and I rarely wear anything else on top of it apart from a lightweight jacket as anything else is too warm, even in sub-zero temperatures.

I've tried loads of different tops in all sorts of man-made fibres but none come close to merino wool, it's great for keeping you warm and also works well at keeping you cool, double win.